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Penelope Rio vs David Nicholson Reserve
Comparing Penelope Rio and David Nicholson Reserve reveals a matchup between a blender-built, even-keeled bottling and a sourced, even-keeled blend.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Penelope Rio | David Nicholson Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Four-Grain Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 74% corn, 7% rye, 16% wheat, 3% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 98 proof (49% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) +2 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$80 – $100 | ~$30 – $40 ~$55 less |
| Availability | Limited | Widely available easier to find |
- David Nicholson Reserve 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.
David Nicholson Reserve
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Penelope Rio David Nicholson Reserve
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 9/5 sweetness: Penelope Rio 9 out of 10, David Nicholson Reserve 5 out of 10
fruit 6/3 fruit: Penelope Rio 6 out of 10, David Nicholson Reserve 3 out of 10
oak 4/6 oak: Penelope Rio 4 out of 10, David Nicholson Reserve 6 out of 10
spice 6/6 spice: Penelope Rio 6 out of 10, David Nicholson Reserve 6 out of 10
heat 5/5 heat: Penelope Rio 5 out of 10, David Nicholson Reserve 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Penelope Rio 3 out of 10, David Nicholson Reserve 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The clearest split is how sweet each one drinks.
- 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.
- David Nicholson Reserve: The rye-recipe sibling to the 1843, with extra age. Toasty oak and rye spice give it more backbone, and the spice stays put through a long, warm 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 David Nicholson Reserve if you want a toasty, spicy, 100-proof value bourbon that stands up in cocktails without hunting for it.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (Penelope Rio); old-fashioned, cocktails, rocks (David Nicholson Reserve).