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Old Forester Statesman vs Penelope Rio
Put Old Forester Statesman next to Penelope Rio and you have a classic, high-rye stalwart set against a sourced, corn-forward blend.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Forester Statesman | 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 | 95 proof (47.5% ABV) | 98 proof (49% ABV) +3 proof |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$50 – $55 ~$38 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
Old Forester Statesman
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Penelope Rio
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Forester Statesman Penelope Rio
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 8/9 sweetness: Old Forester Statesman 8 out of 10, Penelope Rio 9 out of 10
spice 5/6 spice: Old Forester Statesman 5 out of 10, Penelope Rio 6 out of 10
oak 5/4 oak: Old Forester Statesman 5 out of 10, Penelope Rio 4 out of 10
fruit 7/6 fruit: Old Forester Statesman 7 out of 10, Penelope Rio 6 out of 10
heat 4/5 heat: Old Forester Statesman 4 out of 10, Penelope Rio 5 out of 10
nuttiness 2/3 nuttiness: Old Forester Statesman 2 out of 10, Penelope Rio 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land close together on every flavor axis — the differences are in texture and proof more than character.
- Old Forester Statesman: Old Forester's fruit-forward middle child, first made for a spy movie tie-in. Bright cherry and brown sugar lead, with cocoa and a touch of the house banana note.
- 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 Statesman if you want a bright, cherry-sweet Old Forester that sits between the 100 and 1920 in weight at a significantly lower price point.
- 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 (Old Forester Statesman); neat, old-fashioned (Penelope Rio).