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Penelope Rio vs Stellum Bourbon
Comparing Penelope Rio and Stellum Bourbon reveals a matchup between a sourced, even-keeled blend and an uncut, cask-strength bruiser.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Penelope Rio | Stellum Bourbon |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Four-Grain Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof |
| Mash Bill 1 | 74% corn, 7% rye, 16% wheat, 3% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 98 proof (49% ABV) | 115 proof (57.5% ABV) +17 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$80 – $100 | ~$45 – $55 ~$40 less |
| Availability | Limited | Widely available easier to find |
- Stellum Bourbon 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.
Stellum Bourbon
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Penelope Rio Stellum Bourbon
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 9/6 sweetness: Penelope Rio 9 out of 10, Stellum Bourbon 6 out of 10
oak 4/6 oak: Penelope Rio 4 out of 10, Stellum Bourbon 6 out of 10
fruit 6/4 fruit: Penelope Rio 6 out of 10, Stellum Bourbon 4 out of 10
heat 5/7 heat: Penelope Rio 5 out of 10, Stellum Bourbon 7 out of 10
spice 6/7 spice: Penelope Rio 6 out of 10, Stellum Bourbon 7 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Penelope Rio 3 out of 10, Stellum Bourbon 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.
- Stellum Bourbon: Barrell's lower-priced, cask-strength line. It drinks gentler than its proof, with vanilla and caramel on top of cinnamon, clove and a long, spicy finish.
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 Stellum Bourbon if you want a cask-strength, multi-state blend that drinks easier than its proof at a significantly lower price point and without hunting for it.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (Penelope Rio); neat, old-fashioned (Stellum Bourbon).