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Four Roses Bourbon vs Penelope Rio
Put Four Roses Bourbon next to Penelope Rio and you have a classic, high-rye stalwart set against a sourced, corn-forward blend.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Four Roses Bourbon | Penelope Rio |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Four-Grain Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 75% corn, 20% rye, 5% malted barley | 74% corn, 7% rye, 16% wheat, 3% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 80 proof (40% ABV) | 98 proof (49% ABV) +18 proof |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$22 – $28 ~$65 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
Four Roses Bourbon
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Penelope Rio
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Four Roses Bourbon Penelope Rio
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 6/9 sweetness: Four Roses Bourbon 6 out of 10, Penelope Rio 9 out of 10
heat 2/5 heat: Four Roses Bourbon 2 out of 10, Penelope Rio 5 out of 10
spice 5/6 spice: Four Roses Bourbon 5 out of 10, Penelope Rio 6 out of 10
oak 3/4 oak: Four Roses Bourbon 3 out of 10, Penelope Rio 4 out of 10
fruit 6/6 fruit: Four Roses Bourbon 6 out of 10, Penelope Rio 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Four Roses Bourbon 3 out of 10, Penelope Rio 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The clearest split is how sweet each one drinks.
- Four Roses Bourbon: The yellow label entry point, blending all ten Four Roses recipes at a gentle 80 proof. Light and fruity to a fault, but the house floral character is already recognisable and it mixes beautifully.
- 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 Four Roses Bourbon if you want the Four Roses fruit-and-floral signature at its lightest and cheapest without hunting for it.
- 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 (Four Roses Bourbon); neat, old-fashioned (Penelope Rio).