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Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond vs Penelope Rio
Put Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond next to Penelope Rio and you have a classic, high-wheat stalwart set against a sourced, corn-forward blend.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond | Penelope Rio |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Wheated Bourbon | Four-Grain Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 68% corn, 20% wheat, 12% malted barley | 74% corn, 7% rye, 16% wheat, 3% malted barley |
| Age | 9 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) +2 proof | 98 proof (49% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$110 – $180 | ~$80 – $100 ~$55 less |
| Availability | Allocated | Limited easier to find |
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Penelope Rio
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond Penelope Rio
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 2/6 spice: Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 2 out of 10, Penelope Rio 6 out of 10
oak 7/4 oak: Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10, Penelope Rio 4 out of 10
sweetness 8/9 sweetness: Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 8 out of 10, Penelope Rio 9 out of 10
heat 4/5 heat: Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 4 out of 10, Penelope Rio 5 out of 10
fruit 6/6 fruit: Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10, Penelope Rio 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 3 out of 10, Penelope Rio 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Rye spice is the dividing line here.
- Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond: The decanter series, released twice a year at varying ages, and Heaven Hill's most serious wheated statement. Age shows as polished oak and stewed fruit rather than tannin, but you pay handsomely for the bottle.
- 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 Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond if you want an aged, bonded wheater in a presentation bottle and the price is not the obstacle.
- Go with Penelope Rio if you want a honey-and-amburana-finished bourbon that tastes like a cinnamon roll at a significantly lower price point and without hunting for it.
Best enjoyed neat (Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond); neat, old-fashioned (Penelope Rio).