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Stellum Bourbon vs Penelope Rio
Comparing Stellum Bourbon and Penelope Rio reveals a matchup between an uncut, cask-strength bruiser and a blender-built, even-keeled bottling.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Stellum Bourbon | Penelope Rio |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof | Four-Grain Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 74% corn, 7% rye, 16% wheat, 3% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 115 proof (57.5% ABV) +17 proof | 98 proof (49% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$45 – $55 ~$40 less | ~$80 – $100 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Limited |
- Stellum Bourbon 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
Stellum Bourbon
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Penelope Rio
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Stellum Bourbon Penelope Rio
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 6/9 sweetness: Stellum Bourbon 6 out of 10, Penelope Rio 9 out of 10
oak 6/4 oak: Stellum Bourbon 6 out of 10, Penelope Rio 4 out of 10
fruit 4/6 fruit: Stellum Bourbon 4 out of 10, Penelope Rio 6 out of 10
heat 7/5 heat: Stellum Bourbon 7 out of 10, Penelope Rio 5 out of 10
spice 7/6 spice: Stellum Bourbon 7 out of 10, Penelope Rio 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Stellum Bourbon 3 out of 10, Penelope Rio 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Sweetness is where these two part ways.
- Stellum Bourbon: Barrell's lower-priced, cask-strength line. It drinks gentler than its proof, with vanilla and caramel on top of cinnamon, clove and a long, spicy finish.
- 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 Stellum Bourbon if you want a cask-strength, multi-state blend that drinks easier than its proof 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 neat, old-fashioned (Stellum Bourbon); neat, old-fashioned (Penelope Rio).