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Jack Daniel’s 12 Year vs Penelope Rio
Put Jack Daniel’s 12 Year next to Penelope Rio and you have a classic, corn-forward stalwart set against a blender-built, corn-forward bottling.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Jack Daniel’s 12 Year | Penelope Rio |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Tennessee Whiskey | Four-Grain Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 80% corn, 8% rye, 12% malted barley | 74% corn, 7% rye, 16% wheat, 3% malted barley |
| Age | 12 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 107 proof (53.5% ABV) +9 proof | 98 proof (49% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$80 – $120 | ~$80 – $100 ~$10 less |
- US shelf prices as of 2026-10; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Jack Daniel’s 12 Year
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Penelope Rio
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Jack Daniel’s 12 Year Penelope Rio
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 8/4 oak: Jack Daniel’s 12 Year 8 out of 10, Penelope Rio 4 out of 10
sweetness 8/9 sweetness: Jack Daniel’s 12 Year 8 out of 10, Penelope Rio 9 out of 10
spice 5/6 spice: Jack Daniel’s 12 Year 5 out of 10, Penelope Rio 6 out of 10
heat 6/5 heat: Jack Daniel’s 12 Year 6 out of 10, Penelope Rio 5 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: Jack Daniel’s 12 Year 4 out of 10, Penelope Rio 3 out of 10
fruit 6/6 fruit: Jack Daniel’s 12 Year 6 out of 10, Penelope Rio 6 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Barrel influence is the main separator.
- Jack Daniel’s 12 Year: Twelve-year Jack Daniel's at 107 proof. Sweet and creamy, with butterscotch, pipe tobacco and seasoned oak.
- 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 Jack Daniel’s 12 Year if you want a sweet, creamy, well-aged Jack Daniel's with pipe tobacco and oak with slightly 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 slightly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks (Jack Daniel’s 12 Year); neat, old-fashioned (Penelope Rio).