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Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon vs Penelope Rio
Put Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon next to Penelope Rio and you have a contemporary, high-wheat craft build set against a blender-built, corn-forward bottling.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon | Penelope Rio |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Wheated Bourbon | Four-Grain Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 75% corn, 15% wheat, 10% malted barley | 74% corn, 7% rye, 16% wheat, 3% malted barley |
| Age | 4 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 87 proof (43.5% ABV) | 98 proof (49% ABV) +11 proof |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$40 – $45 ~$48 less | ~$80 – $100 |
| 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
Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon
Didn't care for this one.
Penelope Rio
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon Penelope Rio
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 2/6 spice: Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon 2 out of 10, Penelope Rio 6 out of 10
sweetness 6/9 sweetness: Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon 6 out of 10, Penelope Rio 9 out of 10
fruit 4/6 fruit: Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon 4 out of 10, Penelope Rio 6 out of 10
heat 3/5 heat: Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon 3 out of 10, Penelope Rio 5 out of 10
oak 4/4 oak: Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon 4 out of 10, Penelope Rio 4 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon 3 out of 10, Penelope Rio 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The gap between these two is mostly about spice.
- Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon: A farm-to-bottle wheater from northern Illinois. Soft red winter wheat keeps it gentle and bready, with caramel and vanilla up front and very little bite at 87 proof.
- 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 Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon if you want a soft, easygoing wheated bourbon made start to finish on one Midwest farm 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 rocks, highball, cocktails (Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon); neat, old-fashioned (Penelope Rio).