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Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon vs Penelope Rio
Comparing Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon and Penelope Rio reveals a matchup between a modern, wheated craft expression and a blender-built, even-keeled bottling.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon | Penelope Rio |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Wheated Bourbon | Four-Grain Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 70% corn, 5% rye, 25% wheat | 74% corn, 7% rye, 16% wheat, 3% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) | 98 proof (49% ABV) +8 proof |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$45 – $55 ~$40 less | ~$80 – $100 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Limited |
- US shelf prices as of 2026-10; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon
Didn't care for this one.
Penelope Rio
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon Penelope Rio
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 6/9 sweetness: Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon 6 out of 10, Penelope Rio 9 out of 10
spice 4/6 spice: Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon 4 out of 10, Penelope Rio 6 out of 10
fruit 4/6 fruit: Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon 4 out of 10, Penelope Rio 6 out of 10
nuttiness 2/3 nuttiness: Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon 2 out of 10, Penelope Rio 3 out of 10
oak 4/4 oak: Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon 4 out of 10, Penelope Rio 4 out of 10
heat 5/5 heat: Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon 5 out of 10, Penelope Rio 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Sweetness is where these two part ways.
- Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon: An organic, wheat-heavy bourbon from a Michigan craft distillery. It stays round and caramel sweet on the palate with a peppery edge, while the nose is quiet and still a little young.
- 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 Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon if you want an organic, Midwest craft wheater with a round, caramel-forward body at a significantly lower price point and without hunting for it.
- 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 rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon); neat, old-fashioned (Penelope Rio).