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George T. Stagg vs Penelope Rio
Put George T. Stagg next to Penelope Rio and you have a full-proof, unfiltered heavyweight set against a sourced, corn-forward blend.
Key Specifications
| Feature | George T. Stagg | Penelope Rio |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof | 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 | 142.8 proof (71.4% ABV) +45 proof | 98 proof (49% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$150 – $800 | ~$80 – $100 ~$385 less |
| Availability | Allocated | Limited easier to find |
- George T. Stagg does not publish an official mash bill.
- US shelf prices as of 2026-10; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
George T. Stagg
Very complex, with the taste profile moving across the entire palate.
Penelope Rio
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
George T. Stagg Penelope Rio
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 9/4 oak: George T. Stagg 9 out of 10, Penelope Rio 4 out of 10
heat 10/5 heat: George T. Stagg 10 out of 10, Penelope Rio 5 out of 10
sweetness 7/9 sweetness: George T. Stagg 7 out of 10, Penelope Rio 9 out of 10
spice 6/6 spice: George T. Stagg 6 out of 10, Penelope Rio 6 out of 10
fruit 6/6 fruit: George T. Stagg 6 out of 10, Penelope Rio 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: George T. Stagg 3 out of 10, Penelope Rio 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Oak is doing most of the differentiating here.
- George T. Stagg: The Buffalo Trace Antique Collection's barrel-proof bourbon, around 15 years old. Root beer, dark caramel and charred oak at an enormous proof that changes each year.
- 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 George T. Stagg if you want the oldest, hottest, most concentrated Buffalo Trace bourbon you can find with significantly more proof behind it.
- Go with Penelope Rio if you want a honey-and-amburana-finished bourbon that tastes like a cinnamon roll at a significantly lower price point and without hunting for it.
Best enjoyed neat (George T. Stagg); neat, old-fashioned (Penelope Rio).