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Jefferson’s Very Small Batch vs Penelope Rio
Comparing Jefferson’s Very Small Batch and Penelope Rio reveals a matchup between a sourced, even-keeled blend and a blender-built, even-keeled bottling.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Jefferson’s Very Small Batch | Penelope Rio |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Four-Grain Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 74% corn, 7% rye, 16% wheat, 3% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 82.3 proof (41.1% ABV) | 98 proof (49% ABV) +16 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$28 – $36 ~$58 less | ~$80 – $100 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Limited |
- Jefferson’s Very Small Batch does not publish an official mash bill.
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Jefferson’s Very Small Batch
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Penelope Rio
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Jefferson’s Very Small Batch Penelope Rio
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 6/9 sweetness: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 6 out of 10, Penelope Rio 9 out of 10
heat 2/5 heat: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 2 out of 10, Penelope Rio 5 out of 10
spice 4/6 spice: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 4 out of 10, Penelope Rio 6 out of 10
fruit 5/6 fruit: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 5 out of 10, Penelope Rio 6 out of 10
oak 4/4 oak: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 4 out of 10, Penelope Rio 4 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 3 out of 10, Penelope Rio 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Sweetness is where these two part ways.
- Jefferson’s Very Small Batch: A blend of sourced barrels bottled at a very gentle 82.3 proof. Easy and inoffensive, but thin enough that it is hard to recommend over bonded bottles costing less.
- 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 Jefferson’s Very Small Batch if you want an especially soft, low-proof pour and gentleness matters more than intensity at a significantly lower price point.
- 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 rocks, cocktails, highball (Jefferson’s Very Small Batch); neat, old-fashioned (Penelope Rio).