Compare
Redemption Bourbon vs Penelope Rio
Comparing Redemption Bourbon and Penelope Rio reveals a matchup between a blender-built, spice-driven bottling and a sourced, even-keeled blend.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Redemption Bourbon | Penelope Rio |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Four-Grain Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 75% corn, 21% rye, 4% malted barley | 74% corn, 7% rye, 16% wheat, 3% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 84 proof (42% ABV) | 98 proof (49% ABV) +14 proof |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$25 – $32 ~$62 less | ~$80 – $100 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Limited |
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Redemption Bourbon
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Penelope Rio
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Redemption Bourbon Penelope Rio
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 5/9 sweetness: Redemption Bourbon 5 out of 10, Penelope Rio 9 out of 10
heat 3/5 heat: Redemption Bourbon 3 out of 10, Penelope Rio 5 out of 10
spice 7/6 spice: Redemption Bourbon 7 out of 10, Penelope Rio 6 out of 10
fruit 5/6 fruit: Redemption Bourbon 5 out of 10, Penelope Rio 6 out of 10
oak 4/4 oak: Redemption Bourbon 4 out of 10, Penelope Rio 4 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Redemption Bourbon 3 out of 10, Penelope Rio 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The clearest split is how sweet each one drinks.
- Redemption Bourbon: Straightforward sourced MGP at a modest proof, and about as clear a reference sample of the high-rye MGP profile as you can buy. Thin neat, but a reliable and inexpensive cocktail base.
- 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 Redemption Bourbon if you want an inexpensive, unambiguous example of the MGP high-rye style for mixing at a significantly lower price point.
- Go with Penelope Rio if you want a honey-and-amburana-finished bourbon that tastes like a cinnamon roll with more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed old-fashioned, cocktails, highball (Redemption Bourbon); neat, old-fashioned (Penelope Rio).