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Jim Beam Black vs Penelope Rio
Jim Beam Black and Penelope Rio sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: an old-guard, rye-forward classic versus a blender-built, classically built bottling.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Jim Beam Black | Penelope Rio |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Four-Grain Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley | 74% corn, 7% rye, 16% wheat, 3% malted barley |
| Age | 7 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 86 proof (43% ABV) | 98 proof (49% ABV) +12 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$22 – $28 ~$65 less | ~$80 – $100 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Limited |
- Jim Beam Black 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
Jim Beam Black
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Penelope Rio
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Jim Beam Black Penelope Rio
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 6/9 sweetness: Jim Beam Black 6 out of 10, Penelope Rio 9 out of 10
fruit 3/6 fruit: Jim Beam Black 3 out of 10, Penelope Rio 6 out of 10
nuttiness 6/3 nuttiness: Jim Beam Black 6 out of 10, Penelope Rio 3 out of 10
spice 4/6 spice: Jim Beam Black 4 out of 10, Penelope Rio 6 out of 10
oak 6/4 oak: Jim Beam Black 6 out of 10, Penelope Rio 4 out of 10
heat 3/5 heat: Jim Beam Black 3 out of 10, Penelope Rio 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Sweetness is where these two part ways.
- Jim Beam Black: The extra-aged version of the white label and a considerable step up for a few dollars more. Softer and rounder than Knob Creek with the same family peanut note, at a proof that keeps everything gentle.
- 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 Jim Beam Black if you want the Beam house character at its most affordable and easy-going without hunting for it.
- 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 neat, rocks, cocktails (Jim Beam Black); neat, old-fashioned (Penelope Rio).