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Penelope Rio vs Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof
Comparing Penelope Rio and Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof reveals a matchup between a blender-built, even-keeled bottling and an uncut, cask-strength bruiser.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Penelope Rio | Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Four-Grain Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof |
| Mash Bill 1 | 74% corn, 7% rye, 16% wheat, 3% malted barley | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 98 proof (49% ABV) | 130.3 proof (65.2% ABV) +32 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$80 – $100 ~$48 less | ~$75 – $200 |
| Availability | Limited easier to find | Allocated |
- Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof 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.
Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof
A top 5 bottle.
Flavor Profile
Penelope Rio Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 4/8 oak: Penelope Rio 4 out of 10, Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof 8 out of 10
heat 5/9 heat: Penelope Rio 5 out of 10, Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof 9 out of 10
sweetness 9/6 sweetness: Penelope Rio 9 out of 10, Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/6 nuttiness: Penelope Rio 3 out of 10, Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof 6 out of 10
fruit 6/4 fruit: Penelope Rio 6 out of 10, Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof 4 out of 10
spice 6/5 spice: Penelope Rio 6 out of 10, Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Oak is doing most of the differentiating here.
- 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.
- Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof: E.H. Taylor straight from the barrel. Very hot and nutty, with toasted pecan, dark sugar and heavy oak; the proof changes with each batch.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Penelope Rio if you want a honey-and-amburana-finished bourbon that tastes like a cinnamon roll at a significantly lower price point and without hunting for it.
- Go with Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof if you want a hot, nutty, barrel-proof Buffalo Trace bourbon.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (Penelope Rio); neat (Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof).