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Old Forester 100 Proof vs Penelope Rio
Put Old Forester 100 Proof next to Penelope Rio and you have a classic, high-rye stalwart set against a blender-built, corn-forward bottling.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Forester 100 Proof | Penelope Rio |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Four-Grain Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley | 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 1 | ~$26 – $32 ~$61 less | ~$80 – $100 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Limited |
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Old Forester 100 Proof
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Penelope Rio
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Forester 100 Proof Penelope Rio
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 7/9 sweetness: Old Forester 100 Proof 7 out of 10, Penelope Rio 9 out of 10
oak 6/4 oak: Old Forester 100 Proof 6 out of 10, Penelope Rio 4 out of 10
fruit 5/6 fruit: Old Forester 100 Proof 5 out of 10, Penelope Rio 6 out of 10
spice 6/6 spice: Old Forester 100 Proof 6 out of 10, Penelope Rio 6 out of 10
heat 5/5 heat: Old Forester 100 Proof 5 out of 10, Penelope Rio 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Old Forester 100 Proof 3 out of 10, Penelope Rio 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Sweetness is where these two part ways.
- Old Forester 100 Proof: The bottle most people should buy from this range: the same recipe as the 86 with enough proof to actually taste it. One of the strongest arguments on the shelf for spending six dollars more.
- 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 Forester 100 Proof if you want the best value in the Old Forester range and a superb old-fashioned base 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, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Old Forester 100 Proof); neat, old-fashioned (Penelope Rio).