Compare
Penelope Rio vs Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year
Comparing Penelope Rio and Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year reveals a matchup between a blender-built, even-keeled bottling and an uncut, cask-strength bruiser.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Penelope Rio | Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Four-Grain Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof |
| Mash Bill 1 | 74% corn, 7% rye, 16% wheat, 3% malted barley | 68% corn, 18% rye, 14% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 4 years |
| Proof | 98 proof (49% ABV) | 125.2 proof (62.6% ABV) +27 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$80 – $100 | ~$65 – $75 ~$20 less |
- Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 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.
Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Penelope Rio Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 5/9 heat: Penelope Rio 5 out of 10, Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 9 out of 10
sweetness 9/7 sweetness: Penelope Rio 9 out of 10, Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 7 out of 10
spice 6/6 spice: Penelope Rio 6 out of 10, Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 6 out of 10
oak 4/4 oak: Penelope Rio 4 out of 10, Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 4 out of 10
fruit 6/6 fruit: Penelope Rio 6 out of 10, Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Penelope Rio 3 out of 10, Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land very differently on the palate for heat.
- 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.
- Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year: Willett's own young distillate at full barrel proof. It is loud and sweet, all caramel corn, pastry and citrus, with a lot of heat for a four-year bourbon. Proof varies by batch.
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 Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year if you want a young, hot, barrel-proof pour that shows off Willett's own distillate at a lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (Penelope Rio); neat (Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year).