Compare
Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel vs Penelope Rio
Put Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel next to Penelope Rio and you have a classic, corn-forward stalwart set against a blender-built, corn-forward bottling.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel | Penelope Rio |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Four-Grain Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley | 74% corn, 7% rye, 16% wheat, 3% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 94 proof (47% ABV) | 98 proof (49% ABV) +4 proof |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$60 – $80 ~$20 less | ~$80 – $100 |
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Penelope Rio
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel Penelope Rio
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 9/4 oak: Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 9 out of 10, Penelope Rio 4 out of 10
fruit 4/6 fruit: Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 4 out of 10, Penelope Rio 6 out of 10
nuttiness 5/3 nuttiness: Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 5 out of 10, Penelope Rio 3 out of 10
sweetness 8/9 sweetness: Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 8 out of 10, Penelope Rio 9 out of 10
spice 5/6 spice: Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 5 out of 10, Penelope Rio 6 out of 10
heat 4/5 heat: Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 4 out of 10, Penelope Rio 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Barrel influence is the main separator.
- Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel: Finished in a second toasted (not charred) barrel, which produces an unmistakable toasted-marshmallow note. Sweet and heavily wooded, and one of the more distinctive finishes any major producer makes.
- 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 Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel if you want a distinctive toasted-oak, marshmallow-sweet finish you will not find in a standard bourbon at a lower price point.
- Go with Penelope Rio if you want a honey-and-amburana-finished bourbon that tastes like a cinnamon roll.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks (Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel); neat, old-fashioned (Penelope Rio).