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Penelope Rio vs Redemption Bourbon
Comparing Penelope Rio and Redemption Bourbon reveals a matchup between a blender-built, even-keeled bottling and a sourced, spice-driven blend.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Penelope Rio | Redemption Bourbon |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Four-Grain Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 74% corn, 7% rye, 16% wheat, 3% malted barley | 75% corn, 21% rye, 4% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 98 proof (49% ABV) +14 proof | 84 proof (42% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$80 – $100 | ~$25 – $32 ~$62 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.
Redemption Bourbon
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Penelope Rio Redemption Bourbon
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 9/5 sweetness: Penelope Rio 9 out of 10, Redemption Bourbon 5 out of 10
heat 5/3 heat: Penelope Rio 5 out of 10, Redemption Bourbon 3 out of 10
spice 6/7 spice: Penelope Rio 6 out of 10, Redemption Bourbon 7 out of 10
fruit 6/5 fruit: Penelope Rio 6 out of 10, Redemption Bourbon 5 out of 10
oak 4/4 oak: Penelope Rio 4 out of 10, Redemption Bourbon 4 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Penelope Rio 3 out of 10, Redemption Bourbon 3 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.
- Redemption Bourbon: Straightforward sourced MGP at a modest proof, and about as clear a reference sample of the high-rye MGP profile as you can buy. Thin neat, but a reliable and inexpensive cocktail 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 with more proof behind it.
- Go with Redemption Bourbon if you want an inexpensive, unambiguous example of the MGP high-rye style for mixing at a significantly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (Penelope Rio); old-fashioned, cocktails, highball (Redemption Bourbon).