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Horse Soldier Barrel Strength vs Penelope Rio
Put Horse Soldier Barrel Strength next to Penelope Rio and you have an uncut, high-wheat heavyweight set against a sourced, corn-forward blend.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Horse Soldier Barrel Strength | Penelope Rio |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Wheated Bourbon, Barrel Proof | Four-Grain Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 70% corn, 20% wheat, 10% malted barley | 74% corn, 7% rye, 16% wheat, 3% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 111 proof (55.5% ABV) +13 proof | 98 proof (49% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$78 – $85 ~$9 less | ~$80 – $100 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Limited |
- Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 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
Horse Soldier Barrel Strength
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Penelope Rio
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Flavor Profile
Horse Soldier Barrel Strength Penelope Rio
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 7/9 sweetness: Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 7 out of 10, Penelope Rio 9 out of 10
oak 6/4 oak: Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 6 out of 10, Penelope Rio 4 out of 10
heat 7/5 heat: Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 7 out of 10, Penelope Rio 5 out of 10
spice 5/6 spice: Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 5 out of 10, Penelope Rio 6 out of 10
fruit 5/6 fruit: Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 5 out of 10, Penelope Rio 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 3 out of 10, Penelope Rio 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The clearest split is how sweet each one drinks.
- Horse Soldier Barrel Strength: A barrel-strength wheater from the veteran-founded Horse Soldier brand. Brown sugar and toasted oak lead, baking spice and heat follow, and a splash of water pulls out darker fruit.
- 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 Horse Soldier Barrel Strength if you want a big, barrel-strength wheated bourbon with plenty of brown sugar and warmth at a slightly 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, old-fashioned (Horse Soldier Barrel Strength); neat, old-fashioned (Penelope Rio).