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Penelope Rio vs Old Forester 100 Proof
Put Penelope Rio next to Old Forester 100 Proof and you have a sourced, corn-forward blend set against a classic, high-rye stalwart.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Penelope Rio | Old Forester 100 Proof |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Four-Grain Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 74% corn, 7% rye, 16% wheat, 3% malted barley | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 98 proof (49% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) +2 proof |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$80 – $100 | ~$26 – $32 ~$61 less |
| Availability | Limited | Widely available easier to find |
- 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.
Old Forester 100 Proof
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Penelope Rio Old Forester 100 Proof
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 9/7 sweetness: Penelope Rio 9 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 7 out of 10
oak 4/6 oak: Penelope Rio 4 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 6 out of 10
fruit 6/5 fruit: Penelope Rio 6 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 5 out of 10
spice 6/6 spice: Penelope Rio 6 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 6 out of 10
heat 5/5 heat: Penelope Rio 5 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Penelope Rio 3 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 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.
- Old Forester 100 Proof: The bottle most people should buy from this range: the same recipe as the 86 with enough proof to actually taste it. One of the strongest arguments on the shelf for spending six dollars more.
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 Old Forester 100 Proof if you want the best value in the Old Forester range and a superb old-fashioned base without hunting for it.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (Penelope Rio); neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Old Forester 100 Proof).