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Penelope Rio vs Penelope Architect
Penelope Rio and Penelope Architect are cut from similar cloth: two takes on four-grain bourbons, where the real difference is price (~$80 – $100 vs. ~$60 – $70).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Penelope Rio | Penelope Architect |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Four-Grain Bourbon | Four-Grain Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 74% corn, 7% rye, 16% wheat, 3% malted barley | 75% corn, 7% rye, 15% wheat, 3% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 98 proof (49% ABV) | 104 proof (52% ABV) +6 proof |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$80 – $100 | ~$60 – $70 ~$25 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
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Penelope Architect
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Flavor Profile
Penelope Rio Penelope Architect
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 9/7 sweetness: Penelope Rio 9 out of 10, Penelope Architect 7 out of 10
oak 4/5 oak: Penelope Rio 4 out of 10, Penelope Architect 5 out of 10
heat 5/6 heat: Penelope Rio 5 out of 10, Penelope Architect 6 out of 10
spice 6/6 spice: Penelope Rio 6 out of 10, Penelope Architect 6 out of 10
fruit 6/6 fruit: Penelope Rio 6 out of 10, Penelope Architect 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Penelope Rio 3 out of 10, Penelope Architect 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.
- Penelope Architect: Penelope's four-grain blend finished with French oak staves chosen for their tannin. The French oak adds berry, cherry and warm spice to a vanilla-heavy base.
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 Penelope Architect if you want a four-grain bourbon with a French oak finish that adds berries and warm spice at a lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (Penelope Rio); neat, old-fashioned (Penelope Architect).