Compare
Penelope Rio vs Stagg
Put Penelope Rio next to Stagg and you have a sourced, corn-forward blend set against a full-proof, unfiltered heavyweight.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Penelope Rio | Stagg |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Four-Grain Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof |
| Mash Bill 1 | 74% corn, 7% rye, 16% wheat, 3% malted barley | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 98 proof (49% ABV) | 130 proof (65% ABV) +32 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$80 – $100 ~$5 less | ~$70 – $120 |
- Stagg 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.
Stagg
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Penelope Rio Stagg
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 4/9 oak: Penelope Rio 4 out of 10, Stagg 9 out of 10
heat 5/10 heat: Penelope Rio 5 out of 10, Stagg 10 out of 10
sweetness 9/7 sweetness: Penelope Rio 9 out of 10, Stagg 7 out of 10
spice 6/7 spice: Penelope Rio 6 out of 10, Stagg 7 out of 10
fruit 6/5 fruit: Penelope Rio 6 out of 10, Stagg 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/4 nuttiness: Penelope Rio 3 out of 10, Stagg 4 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Barrel influence is the main separator.
- 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.
- Stagg: Uncut and unfiltered Buffalo Trace at a proof that demands respect. Dark chocolate, espresso and charred oak arrive with genuine heat, and a few drops of water unlock a surprising amount of fruit.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Penelope Rio if you want a honey-and-amburana-finished bourbon that tastes like a cinnamon roll at a slightly lower price point.
- Go with Stagg if you want the biggest, hottest, most concentrated expression of the Buffalo Trace profile with significantly more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (Penelope Rio); neat (Stagg).