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Penelope Rio vs Willett Pot Still Reserve
Comparing Penelope Rio and Willett Pot Still Reserve reveals a matchup between a blender-built, even-keeled bottling and a modern, even-keeled craft expression.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Penelope Rio | Willett Pot Still Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Four-Grain Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| 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) +4 proof | 94 proof (47% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$80 – $100 | ~$45 – $60 ~$38 less |
| Availability | Limited | Widely available easier to find |
- Willett Pot Still Reserve 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 Pot Still Reserve
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Penelope Rio Willett Pot Still Reserve
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 9/7 sweetness: Penelope Rio 9 out of 10, Willett Pot Still Reserve 7 out of 10
oak 4/6 oak: Penelope Rio 4 out of 10, Willett Pot Still Reserve 6 out of 10
spice 6/5 spice: Penelope Rio 6 out of 10, Willett Pot Still Reserve 5 out of 10
heat 5/4 heat: Penelope Rio 5 out of 10, Willett Pot Still Reserve 4 out of 10
nuttiness 3/4 nuttiness: Penelope Rio 3 out of 10, Willett Pot Still Reserve 4 out of 10
fruit 6/6 fruit: Penelope Rio 6 out of 10, Willett Pot Still Reserve 6 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.
- Willett Pot Still Reserve: Famous first for the pot-still-shaped decanter and second for the whiskey, which is a fair ordering. Pleasant, sweet and fruit-leaning, with a good deal of the price attached to the glass.
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 Pot Still Reserve if you want a distinctive bottle on the shelf and an easy, fruit-forward pour inside it at a significantly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (Penelope Rio); neat, rocks (Willett Pot Still Reserve).