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Penelope Architect vs Penelope Rio
Penelope Architect and Penelope Rio are cut from similar cloth: two takes on four-grain bourbons, where the real difference is price (~$60 – $70 vs. ~$80 – $100).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Penelope Architect | Penelope Rio |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Four-Grain Bourbon | Four-Grain Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 75% corn, 7% rye, 15% wheat, 3% malted barley | 74% corn, 7% rye, 16% wheat, 3% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 104 proof (52% ABV) +6 proof | 98 proof (49% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$60 – $70 ~$25 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
Penelope Architect
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Penelope Rio
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Flavor Profile
Penelope Architect Penelope Rio
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 7/9 sweetness: Penelope Architect 7 out of 10, Penelope Rio 9 out of 10
oak 5/4 oak: Penelope Architect 5 out of 10, Penelope Rio 4 out of 10
heat 6/5 heat: Penelope Architect 6 out of 10, Penelope Rio 5 out of 10
spice 6/6 spice: Penelope Architect 6 out of 10, Penelope Rio 6 out of 10
fruit 6/6 fruit: Penelope Architect 6 out of 10, Penelope Rio 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Penelope Architect 3 out of 10, Penelope Rio 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Sweetness is where these two part ways.
- Penelope Architect: Penelope's four-grain blend finished with French oak staves chosen for their tannin. The French oak adds berry, cherry and warm spice to a vanilla-heavy base.
- 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 Penelope Architect if you want a four-grain bourbon with a French oak finish that adds berries and warm spice at a 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, old-fashioned (Penelope Architect); neat, old-fashioned (Penelope Rio).