Compare
Jefferson's Reserve Very Old vs Penelope Rio
Put Jefferson's Reserve Very Old next to Penelope Rio and you have a sourced, corn-forward blend set against a blender-built, corn-forward bottling.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Jefferson's Reserve Very Old | 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 | 90.2 proof (45.1% ABV) | 98 proof (49% ABV) +8 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$55 – $65 ~$30 less | ~$80 – $100 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Limited |
- Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 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
Jefferson's Reserve Very Old
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Penelope Rio
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Jefferson's Reserve Very Old Penelope Rio
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 6/9 sweetness: Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 6 out of 10, Penelope Rio 9 out of 10
oak 7/4 oak: Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 7 out of 10, Penelope Rio 4 out of 10
spice 5/6 spice: Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 5 out of 10, Penelope Rio 6 out of 10
heat 4/5 heat: Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 4 out of 10, Penelope Rio 5 out of 10
fruit 6/6 fruit: Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 6 out of 10, Penelope Rio 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 3 out of 10, Penelope Rio 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Sweetness is where these two part ways.
- Jefferson's Reserve Very Old: The older, drier sibling of Jefferson's Very Small Batch. Buttery toffee and dried fruit sit on a firm, slightly smoky oak backbone, and the finish turns peppery and long.
- 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 Reserve Very Old if you want a mature, oak-driven blend with dried fruit and a dry, peppery finish at an easy proof 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 slightly more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks (Jefferson's Reserve Very Old); neat, old-fashioned (Penelope Rio).