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Russell’s Reserve 10 Year vs Penelope Rio
Comparing Russell’s Reserve 10 Year and Penelope Rio reveals a matchup between a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple and a blender-built, even-keeled bottling.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Russell’s Reserve 10 Year | Penelope Rio |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Four-Grain Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley | 74% corn, 7% rye, 16% wheat, 3% malted barley |
| Age | 10 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) | 98 proof (49% ABV) +8 proof |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$40 – $50 ~$45 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
Russell’s Reserve 10 Year
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Penelope Rio
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Russell’s Reserve 10 Year Penelope Rio
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 8/4 oak: Russell’s Reserve 10 Year 8 out of 10, Penelope Rio 4 out of 10
sweetness 6/9 sweetness: Russell’s Reserve 10 Year 6 out of 10, Penelope Rio 9 out of 10
fruit 4/6 fruit: Russell’s Reserve 10 Year 4 out of 10, Penelope Rio 6 out of 10
heat 4/5 heat: Russell’s Reserve 10 Year 4 out of 10, Penelope Rio 5 out of 10
spice 6/6 spice: Russell’s Reserve 10 Year 6 out of 10, Penelope Rio 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Russell’s Reserve 10 Year 3 out of 10, Penelope Rio 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Barrel influence is the main separator.
- Russell’s Reserve 10 Year: Ten years of Wild Turkey at a restrained 90 proof, which trades the 101's punch for polish. More oak and more composure, and one of the better age-stated bottles at its price.
- 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 Russell’s Reserve 10 Year if you want an age-stated, oak-forward Wild Turkey with the volume turned down 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 with slightly more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks (Russell’s Reserve 10 Year); neat, old-fashioned (Penelope Rio).