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Woodford Reserve Double Oaked vs Penelope Rio
Put Woodford Reserve Double Oaked next to Penelope Rio and you have a classic, high-rye stalwart set against a blender-built, corn-forward bottling.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Woodford Reserve Double Oaked | Penelope Rio |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Four-Grain Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley | 74% corn, 7% rye, 16% wheat, 3% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 90.4 proof (45.2% ABV) | 98 proof (49% ABV) +8 proof |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$50 – $62 ~$34 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
Woodford Reserve Double Oaked
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Penelope Rio
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Woodford Reserve Double Oaked Penelope Rio
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 9/4 oak: Woodford Reserve Double Oaked 9 out of 10, Penelope Rio 4 out of 10
sweetness 8/9 sweetness: Woodford Reserve Double Oaked 8 out of 10, Penelope Rio 9 out of 10
spice 5/6 spice: Woodford Reserve Double Oaked 5 out of 10, Penelope Rio 6 out of 10
fruit 5/6 fruit: Woodford Reserve Double Oaked 5 out of 10, Penelope Rio 6 out of 10
heat 4/5 heat: Woodford Reserve Double Oaked 4 out of 10, Penelope Rio 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Woodford Reserve Double Oaked 3 out of 10, Penelope Rio 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Barrel influence is the main separator.
- Woodford Reserve Double Oaked: A second barrel, deeply toasted, and the result is unashamedly dessert-like. Maple and caramelised sugar with heavy wood — polarising if you want restraint, excellent if you want sweetness.
- 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 Woodford Reserve Double Oaked if you want an overtly sweet, heavily oaked, dessert-leaning bourbon 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 (Woodford Reserve Double Oaked); neat, old-fashioned (Penelope Rio).