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David Nicholson Reserve vs Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year
Put David Nicholson Reserve next to Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year and you have a blender-built, corn-forward bottling set against an uncut, high-rye heavyweight.
Key Specifications
| Feature | David Nicholson Reserve | Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon, Barrel Proof |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 70% corn, 25% rye, 5% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 7 years |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) | 115.2 proof (57.6% ABV) +15 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$30 – $40 ~$28 less | ~$60 – $65 |
- David Nicholson Reserve 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
David Nicholson Reserve
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
David Nicholson Reserve Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 5/8 heat: David Nicholson Reserve 5 out of 10, Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year 8 out of 10
sweetness 5/7 sweetness: David Nicholson Reserve 5 out of 10, Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year 7 out of 10
fruit 3/5 fruit: David Nicholson Reserve 3 out of 10, Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year 5 out of 10
spice 6/7 spice: David Nicholson Reserve 6 out of 10, Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year 7 out of 10
oak 6/7 oak: David Nicholson Reserve 6 out of 10, Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year 7 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: David Nicholson Reserve 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.
- David Nicholson Reserve: The rye-recipe sibling to the 1843, with extra age. Toasty oak and rye spice give it more backbone, and the spice stays put through a long, warm finish.
- 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 David Nicholson Reserve if you want a toasty, spicy, 100-proof value bourbon that stands up in cocktails.
- 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, rocks (David Nicholson Reserve); neat, old-fashioned (Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year).