Compare
Charles Goodnight Bourbon vs Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year
Comparing Charles Goodnight Bourbon and Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year is a closer contest than it looks — both are high-rye bourbons, separated mainly by price (~$75 – $80 vs. ~$60 – $65).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Charles Goodnight Bourbon | Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon, Barrel Proof | High-Rye Bourbon, Barrel Proof |
| Mash Bill | 60% corn, 36% rye, 4% malted barley | 70% corn, 25% rye, 5% malted barley |
| Age | 6 years | 7 years +1 yr |
| Proof | 115 proof (57.5% ABV) | 115.2 proof (57.6% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$75 – $80 | ~$60 – $65 ~$15 less |
- US shelf prices as of 2026-10; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Charles Goodnight Bourbon
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Charles Goodnight Bourbon Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 8/7 oak: Charles Goodnight Bourbon 8 out of 10, Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year 7 out of 10
fruit 6/5 fruit: Charles Goodnight Bourbon 6 out of 10, Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year 5 out of 10
sweetness 7/7 sweetness: Charles Goodnight Bourbon 7 out of 10, Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year 7 out of 10
spice 7/7 spice: Charles Goodnight Bourbon 7 out of 10, Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year 7 out of 10
heat 8/8 heat: Charles Goodnight Bourbon 8 out of 10, Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year 8 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Charles Goodnight Bourbon 3 out of 10, Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land close together on every flavor axis — the differences are in texture and proof more than character.
- Charles Goodnight Bourbon: A barrel-strength Texas bourbon. The hot Texas climate pulls a lot of oak in six years, giving deep wood, brown sugar and dark fruit with plenty of rye spice.
- 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 Charles Goodnight Bourbon if you want a bold, oak-heavy Texas bourbon at barrel strength.
- Go with Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year if you want a well-priced, seven-year, uncut blend with real depth and spice.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks (Charles Goodnight Bourbon); neat, old-fashioned (Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year).