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Bulleit Bourbon vs Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year
Put Bulleit Bourbon next to Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year and you have a blender-built, high-rye bottling set against an uncut, high-rye heavyweight.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Bulleit Bourbon | Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon, Barrel Proof |
| Mash Bill | 68% corn, 28% rye, 4% malted barley | 70% corn, 25% rye, 5% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 7 years |
| Proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) | 115.2 proof (57.6% ABV) +25 proof |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$25 – $32 ~$34 less | ~$60 – $65 |
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Bulleit Bourbon
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Bulleit Bourbon Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 4/8 heat: Bulleit Bourbon 4 out of 10, Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year 8 out of 10
sweetness 5/7 sweetness: Bulleit Bourbon 5 out of 10, Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year 7 out of 10
oak 5/7 oak: Bulleit Bourbon 5 out of 10, Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year 7 out of 10
spice 7/7 spice: Bulleit Bourbon 7 out of 10, Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year 7 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: Bulleit Bourbon 5 out of 10, Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Bulleit Bourbon 3 out of 10, Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land very differently on the palate for heat.
- Bulleit Bourbon: The bottle that put high-rye bourbon in every cocktail bar in the country. Peppery and dry with the familiar MGP dill note, and it earns its place behind the bar more than in a glass on its own.
- Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year: Penelope's uncut flagship, now with a seven-year age statement. It is richer and spicier than the Four Grain, with caramel and rye spice carried by a lot of proof.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Bulleit Bourbon if you want a dry, peppery, high-rye bourbon built for cocktails and available absolutely everywhere at a significantly lower price point.
- Go with Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year if you want a well-priced, seven-year, uncut blend with real depth and spice with the texture that comes from skipping chill filtration.
Best enjoyed old-fashioned, cocktails, highball (Bulleit Bourbon); neat, old-fashioned (Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year).