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Penelope Rio vs E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel
Put Penelope Rio next to E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel and you have a blender-built, corn-forward bottling set against a classic, corn-forward stalwart.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Penelope Rio | E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Four-Grain Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| 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) | 100 proof (50% ABV) +2 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$80 – $100 ~$15 less | ~$70 – $140 |
| Availability | Limited easier to find | Allocated |
- E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel 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.
E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Penelope Rio E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 4/8 oak: Penelope Rio 4 out of 10, E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel 8 out of 10
sweetness 9/6 sweetness: Penelope Rio 9 out of 10, E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel 6 out of 10
spice 6/5 spice: Penelope Rio 6 out of 10, E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel 5 out of 10
fruit 6/5 fruit: Penelope Rio 6 out of 10, E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/4 nuttiness: Penelope Rio 3 out of 10, E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel 4 out of 10
heat 5/5 heat: Penelope Rio 5 out of 10, E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel 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.
- E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel: Single barrels from the warehouse Colonel Taylor built, bonded at 100 proof. More oak and more concentration than the small batch, and one of the most sought-after regular releases Buffalo Trace makes.
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 lower price point and without hunting for it.
- Go with E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel if you want the most concentrated bonded expression of the Buffalo Trace profile, and the hunt does not deter you.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (Penelope Rio); neat (E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel).