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Penelope Toasted Series vs Jim Beam Black
Comparing Penelope Toasted Series and Jim Beam Black is a closer contest than it looks — both are high-rye bourbons, separated mainly by price (~$55 – $70 vs. ~$22 – $28).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Penelope Toasted Series | Jim Beam Black |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 21% rye, 4% malted barley | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 7 years |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) +14 proof | 86 proof (43% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$55 – $70 | ~$22 – $28 ~$38 less |
- Jim Beam Black 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 Toasted Series
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Jim Beam Black
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Penelope Toasted Series Jim Beam Black
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
nuttiness 3/6 nuttiness: Penelope Toasted Series 3 out of 10, Jim Beam Black 6 out of 10
heat 5/3 heat: Penelope Toasted Series 5 out of 10, Jim Beam Black 3 out of 10
sweetness 7/6 sweetness: Penelope Toasted Series 7 out of 10, Jim Beam Black 6 out of 10
spice 5/4 spice: Penelope Toasted Series 5 out of 10, Jim Beam Black 4 out of 10
oak 7/6 oak: Penelope Toasted Series 7 out of 10, Jim Beam Black 6 out of 10
fruit 4/3 fruit: Penelope Toasted Series 4 out of 10, Jim Beam Black 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Nutty, grain-driven character is the divider.
- 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.
- Jim Beam Black: The extra-aged version of the white label and a considerable step up for a few dollars more. Softer and rounder than Knob Creek with the same family peanut note, at a proof that keeps everything gentle.
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 Jim Beam Black if you want the Beam house character at its most affordable and easy-going.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (Penelope Toasted Series); neat, rocks, cocktails (Jim Beam Black).