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Penelope Rio vs Old Forester Statesman
Put Penelope Rio next to Old Forester Statesman and you have a blender-built, corn-forward bottling set against a classic, high-rye stalwart.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Penelope Rio | Old Forester Statesman |
|---|---|---|
| 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) +3 proof | 95 proof (47.5% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$80 – $100 | ~$50 – $55 ~$38 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 Statesman
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Penelope Rio Old Forester Statesman
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 9/8 sweetness: Penelope Rio 9 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 8 out of 10
spice 6/5 spice: Penelope Rio 6 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 5 out of 10
oak 4/5 oak: Penelope Rio 4 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 5 out of 10
fruit 6/7 fruit: Penelope Rio 6 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 7 out of 10
heat 5/4 heat: Penelope Rio 5 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 4 out of 10
nuttiness 3/2 nuttiness: Penelope Rio 3 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 2 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land close together on every flavor axis — the differences are in texture and proof more than character.
- 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 Statesman: Old Forester's fruit-forward middle child, first made for a spy movie tie-in. Bright cherry and brown sugar lead, with cocoa and a touch of the house banana note.
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 Statesman if you want a bright, cherry-sweet Old Forester that sits between the 100 and 1920 in weight at a significantly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (Penelope Rio); neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Old Forester Statesman).