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Rebel 100 vs Penelope Rio
Rebel 100 and Penelope Rio sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: a sourced, wheat-forward blend versus a blender-built, classically built bottling.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Rebel 100 | Penelope Rio |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Wheated Bourbon | Four-Grain Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 68% corn, 20% wheat, 12% malted barley | 74% corn, 7% rye, 16% wheat, 3% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) +2 proof | 98 proof (49% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$20 – $25 ~$68 less | ~$80 – $100 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Limited |
- Rebel 100 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
Rebel 100
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Penelope Rio
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Rebel 100 Penelope Rio
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 2/6 spice: Rebel 100 2 out of 10, Penelope Rio 6 out of 10
sweetness 7/9 sweetness: Rebel 100 7 out of 10, Penelope Rio 9 out of 10
fruit 4/6 fruit: Rebel 100 4 out of 10, Penelope Rio 6 out of 10
oak 4/4 oak: Rebel 100 4 out of 10, Penelope Rio 4 out of 10
heat 5/5 heat: Rebel 100 5 out of 10, Penelope Rio 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Rebel 100 3 out of 10, Penelope Rio 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The gap between these two is mostly about spice.
- Rebel 100: A budget wheater at a useful proof. Sweet vanilla, honey and caramel with soft bread notes and very little rye bite.
- 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.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Rebel 100 if you want a sweet, 100-proof wheater for mixing and easy sipping at a significantly lower price point and without hunting for it.
- Go with Penelope Rio if you want a honey-and-amburana-finished bourbon that tastes like a cinnamon roll.
Best enjoyed rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Rebel 100); neat, old-fashioned (Penelope Rio).