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Henry McKenna 10 Year Single Barrel vs Penelope Rio
Comparing Henry McKenna 10 Year Single Barrel and Penelope Rio reveals a matchup between a traditional, even-keeled Kentucky staple and a blender-built, even-keeled bottling.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Henry McKenna 10 Year Single 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 | 10 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) +2 proof | 98 proof (49% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$40 – $70 ~$35 less | ~$80 – $100 |
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Henry McKenna 10 Year Single Barrel
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Penelope Rio
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Henry McKenna 10 Year Single Barrel Penelope Rio
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 8/4 oak: Henry McKenna 10 Year Single Barrel 8 out of 10, Penelope Rio 4 out of 10
sweetness 6/9 sweetness: Henry McKenna 10 Year Single Barrel 6 out of 10, Penelope Rio 9 out of 10
fruit 4/6 fruit: Henry McKenna 10 Year Single Barrel 4 out of 10, Penelope Rio 6 out of 10
nuttiness 5/3 nuttiness: Henry McKenna 10 Year Single Barrel 5 out of 10, Penelope Rio 3 out of 10
spice 5/6 spice: Henry McKenna 10 Year Single Barrel 5 out of 10, Penelope Rio 6 out of 10
heat 5/5 heat: Henry McKenna 10 Year Single Barrel 5 out of 10, Penelope Rio 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Barrel influence is the main separator.
- Henry McKenna 10 Year Single Barrel: A ten-year bonded single barrel, which is a specification almost nothing else on the shelf matches. Dry and oak-forward with real age showing, though barrel variation means bottles differ more than most.
- 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 Henry McKenna 10 Year Single Barrel if you want a bonded, ten-year single barrel with genuine age at a sane price.
- Go with Penelope Rio if you want a honey-and-amburana-finished bourbon that tastes like a cinnamon roll.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks (Henry McKenna 10 Year Single Barrel); neat, old-fashioned (Penelope Rio).