Compare
Penelope Toasted Series vs Bulleit Bourbon
On paper Penelope Toasted Series and Bulleit Bourbon are near neighbours — both high-rye bourbons — so price (~$55 – $70 vs. ~$25 – $32) is what actually decides it.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Penelope Toasted Series | Bulleit Bourbon |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 75% corn, 21% rye, 4% malted barley | 68% corn, 28% rye, 4% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) +10 proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$55 – $70 | ~$25 – $32 ~$34 less |
- US shelf prices as of 2026-10; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Penelope Toasted Series
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Bulleit Bourbon
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Penelope Toasted Series Bulleit Bourbon
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 7/5 sweetness: Penelope Toasted Series 7 out of 10, Bulleit Bourbon 5 out of 10
spice 5/7 spice: Penelope Toasted Series 5 out of 10, Bulleit Bourbon 7 out of 10
oak 7/5 oak: Penelope Toasted Series 7 out of 10, Bulleit Bourbon 5 out of 10
fruit 4/5 fruit: Penelope Toasted Series 4 out of 10, Bulleit Bourbon 5 out of 10
heat 5/4 heat: Penelope Toasted Series 5 out of 10, Bulleit Bourbon 4 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Penelope Toasted Series 3 out of 10, Bulleit Bourbon 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The clearest split is how sweet each one drinks.
- Penelope Toasted Series: Finished in a second, freshly toasted barrel, which pushes it toward toffee, roasted coffee and darker oak. The toast level changes from batch to batch.
- Bulleit Bourbon: The bottle that put high-rye bourbon in every cocktail bar in the country. Peppery and dry with the familiar MGP dill note, and it earns its place behind the bar more than in a glass on its own.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Penelope Toasted Series if you want a toasty, coffee-and-toffee bourbon from a second-barrel finish with more proof behind it and with the texture that comes from skipping chill filtration.
- Go with Bulleit Bourbon if you want a dry, peppery, high-rye bourbon built for cocktails and available absolutely everywhere at a significantly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (Penelope Toasted Series); old-fashioned, cocktails, highball (Bulleit Bourbon).