Compare
E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch vs Penelope Rio
Put E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch next to Penelope Rio and you have a classic, corn-forward stalwart set against a blender-built, corn-forward bottling.
Key Specifications
| Feature | E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch | Penelope Rio |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Four-Grain Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley | 74% corn, 7% rye, 16% wheat, 3% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) +2 proof | 98 proof (49% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$45 – $90 ~$23 less | ~$80 – $100 |
| Availability | Allocated | Limited easier to find |
- E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch does not publish an official mash bill.
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Penelope Rio
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch Penelope Rio
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 6/9 sweetness: E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 6 out of 10, Penelope Rio 9 out of 10
oak 7/4 oak: E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 7 out of 10, Penelope Rio 4 out of 10
spice 5/6 spice: E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 5 out of 10, Penelope Rio 6 out of 10
fruit 5/6 fruit: E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 5 out of 10, Penelope Rio 6 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 4 out of 10, Penelope Rio 3 out of 10
heat 5/5 heat: E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 5 out of 10, Penelope Rio 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Sweetness is where these two part ways.
- E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch: Bottled-in-bond from the same low-rye Buffalo Trace recipe, and the extra 10 proof over standard BT gives it noticeably more grip. Butterscotch and tobacco with a long, drying finish that outlasts most bottles near its shelf price.
- Penelope Rio: Penelope's four-grain blend finished in honey barrels and then amburana wood. It tastes like a cinnamon roll: honey, gingerbread and sweet baking spice.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch if you want the Buffalo Trace house profile with real structure and a bonded 100-proof backbone at a lower price point.
- Go with Penelope Rio if you want a honey-and-amburana-finished bourbon that tastes like a cinnamon roll without hunting for it.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned (E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch); neat, old-fashioned (Penelope Rio).