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Penelope Rio vs Penelope Four Grain
Comparing Penelope Rio and Penelope Four Grain is a closer contest than it looks — both are four-grain bourbons, separated mainly by price (~$80 – $100 vs. ~$30 – $40).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Penelope Rio | Penelope Four Grain |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Four-Grain Bourbon | Four-Grain Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 74% corn, 7% rye, 16% wheat, 3% malted barley | 74% corn, 7% rye, 16% wheat, 3% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 98 proof (49% ABV) +18 proof | 80 proof (40% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$80 – $100 | ~$30 – $40 ~$55 less |
| Availability | Limited | Widely available easier to find |
- Penelope Four Grain 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.
Penelope Four Grain
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Penelope Rio Penelope Four Grain
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 9/6 sweetness: Penelope Rio 9 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 6 out of 10
spice 6/3 spice: Penelope Rio 6 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 3 out of 10
heat 5/2 heat: Penelope Rio 5 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 2 out of 10
oak 4/3 oak: Penelope Rio 4 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 3 out of 10
fruit 6/5 fruit: Penelope Rio 6 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/4 nuttiness: Penelope Rio 3 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 4 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The clearest split is how sweet each one drinks.
- 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 Four Grain: A light, low-proof blend of corn, wheat, rye and barley. Honey, almond and orchard fruit keep it sweet and easy, though it reads young and thin when sipped neat.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Penelope Rio if you want a honey-and-amburana-finished bourbon that tastes like a cinnamon roll with more proof behind it.
- Go with Penelope Four Grain if you want an easy, light, honeyed bourbon that mixes well at a significantly lower price point and without hunting for it.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (Penelope Rio); highball, cocktails (Penelope Four Grain).