Compare
Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon vs Penelope Rio
Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon and Penelope Rio sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: a sourced, classically built blend versus a blender-built, classically built bottling.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon | 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 | 100 proof (50% ABV) +2 proof | 98 proof (49% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$85 – $100 | ~$80 – $100 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Limited |
- Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 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
Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Penelope Rio
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon Penelope Rio
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 6/4 oak: Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 6 out of 10, Penelope Rio 4 out of 10
fruit 8/6 fruit: Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 8 out of 10, Penelope Rio 6 out of 10
nuttiness 5/3 nuttiness: Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 5 out of 10, Penelope Rio 3 out of 10
sweetness 8/9 sweetness: Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 8 out of 10, Penelope Rio 9 out of 10
spice 5/6 spice: Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 5 out of 10, Penelope Rio 6 out of 10
heat 5/5 heat: Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 5 out of 10, Penelope Rio 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Barrel influence is the main separator.
- Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon: Finished in Oloroso sherry, Pedro Ximenez sherry and Cognac casks. The casks layer dried fruit, orange and dark chocolate over the bourbon and leave a long, clove-spiced finish.
- 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 Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon if you want a sherry-and-Cognac-finished bourbon full of dried fruit and dark chocolate without hunting for it.
- Go with Penelope Rio if you want a honey-and-amburana-finished bourbon that tastes like a cinnamon roll.
Best enjoyed neat (Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon); neat, old-fashioned (Penelope Rio).