Compare
Penelope Rio vs Barrell Foundation Bourbon
Put Penelope Rio next to Barrell Foundation Bourbon and you have a sourced, corn-forward blend set against a blender-built, high-rye bottling.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Penelope Rio | Barrell Foundation Bourbon |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Four-Grain Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 74% corn, 7% rye, 16% wheat, 3% malted barley | 73% corn, 23% rye, 4% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 5 years |
| Proof | 98 proof (49% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) +2 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$80 – $100 | ~$50 – $60 ~$35 less |
| Availability | Limited | Widely available easier to find |
- Barrell Foundation Bourbon does not publish an official mash bill.
- US shelf prices as of 2026-10; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Penelope Rio
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Barrell Foundation Bourbon
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Penelope Rio Barrell Foundation Bourbon
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 9/6 sweetness: Penelope Rio 9 out of 10, Barrell Foundation Bourbon 6 out of 10
oak 4/6 oak: Penelope Rio 4 out of 10, Barrell Foundation Bourbon 6 out of 10
fruit 6/5 fruit: Penelope Rio 6 out of 10, Barrell Foundation Bourbon 5 out of 10
spice 6/6 spice: Penelope Rio 6 out of 10, Barrell Foundation Bourbon 6 out of 10
heat 5/5 heat: Penelope Rio 5 out of 10, Barrell Foundation Bourbon 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Penelope Rio 3 out of 10, Barrell Foundation Bourbon 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Sweetness is where these two part ways.
- 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.
- Barrell Foundation Bourbon: Barrell's everyday bottle: a multi-state blend proofed down to 100 instead of bottled at cask strength. Creamy cake and vanilla up front, then a dry, rye-driven peppery finish.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Penelope Rio if you want a honey-and-amburana-finished bourbon that tastes like a cinnamon roll.
- Go with Barrell Foundation Bourbon if you want an approachable, 100-proof Barrell blend that still shows off multi-state blending at a significantly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (Penelope Rio); neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Barrell Foundation Bourbon).