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Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof vs Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year
Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof and Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: an undiluted barrel-strength pour versus an uncut, rye-forward heavyweight.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof | Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof | High-Rye Bourbon, Barrel Proof |
| Mash Bill 1 | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley | 70% corn, 25% rye, 5% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 7 years |
| Proof | 130.3 proof (65.2% ABV) +15 proof | 115.2 proof (57.6% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$75 – $200 | ~$60 – $65 ~$75 less |
| Availability | Allocated | Widely available easier to find |
- Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof 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
Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof
A top 5 bottle.
Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
nuttiness 6/3 nuttiness: Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof 6 out of 10, Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year 3 out of 10
spice 5/7 spice: Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof 5 out of 10, Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year 7 out of 10
sweetness 6/7 sweetness: Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof 6 out of 10, Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year 7 out of 10
oak 8/7 oak: Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof 8 out of 10, Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year 7 out of 10
fruit 4/5 fruit: Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof 4 out of 10, Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year 5 out of 10
heat 9/8 heat: Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof 9 out of 10, Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year 8 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The house grain character is what splits these.
- Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof: E.H. Taylor straight from the barrel. Very hot and nutty, with toasted pecan, dark sugar and heavy oak; the proof changes with each batch.
- 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 Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof if you want a hot, nutty, barrel-proof Buffalo Trace bourbon.
- Go with Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year if you want a well-priced, seven-year, uncut blend with real depth and spice without hunting for it.
Best enjoyed neat (Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof); neat, old-fashioned (Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year).