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Michter's US*1 Small Batch vs Penelope Rio
Michter's US*1 Small Batch 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 | Michter's US*1 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 | 91.4 proof (45.7% ABV) | 98 proof (49% ABV) +7 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$45 – $55 ~$40 less | ~$80 – $100 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Limited |
- Michter's US*1 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
Michter's US*1 Small Batch
No notes yet.
Penelope Rio
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Michter's US*1 Small Batch Penelope Rio
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 7/9 sweetness: Michter's US*1 Small Batch 7 out of 10, Penelope Rio 9 out of 10
spice 4/6 spice: Michter's US*1 Small Batch 4 out of 10, Penelope Rio 6 out of 10
heat 3/5 heat: Michter's US*1 Small Batch 3 out of 10, Penelope Rio 5 out of 10
oak 5/4 oak: Michter's US*1 Small Batch 5 out of 10, Penelope Rio 4 out of 10
fruit 5/6 fruit: Michter's US*1 Small Batch 5 out of 10, Penelope Rio 6 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: Michter's US*1 Small Batch 4 out of 10, Penelope Rio 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Sweetness is where these two part ways.
- Michter's US*1 Small Batch: Polished and easy-drinking, with butterscotch and stone fruit and very little rough edge. What you pay for is refinement and mouthfeel rather than age or proof.
- 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 Michter's US*1 Small Batch if you want a smooth, polished pour with a premium feel and no rough edges 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 neat, rocks (Michter's US*1 Small Batch); neat, old-fashioned (Penelope Rio).