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Penelope Toasted Series vs Old Forester Statesman
On paper Penelope Toasted Series and Old Forester Statesman are near neighbours — both high-rye bourbons — so proof (100 vs. 95) is what actually decides it.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Penelope Toasted Series | Old Forester Statesman |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 75% corn, 21% rye, 4% malted barley | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) +5 proof | 95 proof (47.5% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$55 – $70 | ~$50 – $55 ~$10 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.
Old Forester Statesman
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Penelope Toasted Series Old Forester Statesman
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
fruit 4/7 fruit: Penelope Toasted Series 4 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 7 out of 10
oak 7/5 oak: Penelope Toasted Series 7 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 5 out of 10
sweetness 7/8 sweetness: Penelope Toasted Series 7 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 8 out of 10
heat 5/4 heat: Penelope Toasted Series 5 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 4 out of 10
nuttiness 3/2 nuttiness: Penelope Toasted Series 3 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 2 out of 10
spice 5/5 spice: Penelope Toasted Series 5 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The fruit-versus-grain contrast drives this one.
- 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.
- Old Forester Statesman: Old Forester's fruit-forward middle child, first made for a spy movie tie-in. Bright cherry and brown sugar lead, with cocoa and a touch of the house banana note.
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 the texture that comes from skipping chill filtration.
- Go with Old Forester Statesman if you want a bright, cherry-sweet Old Forester that sits between the 100 and 1920 in weight at a slightly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (Penelope Toasted Series); neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Old Forester Statesman).