Compare
Evan Williams Black Label vs Penelope Rio
Put Evan Williams Black Label next to Penelope Rio and you have a classic, corn-forward stalwart set against a sourced, corn-forward blend.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Evan Williams Black Label | 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 | 86 proof (43% ABV) | 98 proof (49% ABV) +12 proof |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$14 – $18 ~$74 less | ~$80 – $100 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Limited |
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Evan Williams Black Label
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Penelope Rio
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Evan Williams Black Label Penelope Rio
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 6/9 sweetness: Evan Williams Black Label 6 out of 10, Penelope Rio 9 out of 10
spice 4/6 spice: Evan Williams Black Label 4 out of 10, Penelope Rio 6 out of 10
fruit 4/6 fruit: Evan Williams Black Label 4 out of 10, Penelope Rio 6 out of 10
heat 3/5 heat: Evan Williams Black Label 3 out of 10, Penelope Rio 5 out of 10
oak 5/4 oak: Evan Williams Black Label 5 out of 10, Penelope Rio 4 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: Evan Williams Black Label 4 out of 10, Penelope Rio 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The clearest split is how sweet each one drinks.
- Evan Williams Black Label: The everyday black label, and a perfectly competent well bourbon. Softer and sweeter than the bonded version, with less to say but nothing objectionable.
- 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 Evan Williams Black Label if you want a dependable, inexpensive mixing bourbon and nothing more complicated than that at a significantly lower price point.
- Go with Penelope Rio if you want a honey-and-amburana-finished bourbon that tastes like a cinnamon roll with more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed cocktails, highball, rocks (Evan Williams Black Label); neat, old-fashioned (Penelope Rio).