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Penelope Toasted Series vs Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel
Penelope Toasted Series and Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel are cut from similar cloth: two takes on high-rye bourbons, where the real difference is proof (100 vs. 110).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Penelope Toasted Series | Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 75% corn, 21% rye, 4% malted barley | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) | 110 proof (55% ABV) +10 proof |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$55 – $70 | ~$55 – $70 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Limited |
- 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.
Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Penelope Toasted Series Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 5/8 spice: Penelope Toasted Series 5 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 8 out of 10
heat 5/7 heat: Penelope Toasted Series 5 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 7 out of 10
sweetness 7/6 sweetness: Penelope Toasted Series 7 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 6 out of 10
oak 7/8 oak: Penelope Toasted Series 7 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 8 out of 10
fruit 4/4 fruit: Penelope Toasted Series 4 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 4 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Penelope Toasted Series 3 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The gap between these two is mostly about spice.
- 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.
- Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel: Non-chill-filtered single barrels at 110 proof, and the format that store picks have made a cult of. Concentrated Wild Turkey character with a texture the standard bottlings do not have.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Penelope Toasted Series if you want a toasty, coffee-and-toffee bourbon from a second-barrel finish without hunting for it.
- Go with Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel if you want concentrated Wild Turkey character with single-barrel variation and real texture with more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (Penelope Toasted Series); neat, old-fashioned (Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel).