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Elijah Craig Barrel Proof vs Penelope Toasted Series
Comparing Elijah Craig Barrel Proof and Penelope Toasted Series reveals a matchup between an uncut, cask-strength bruiser and a blender-built, spice-driven bottling.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Elijah Craig Barrel Proof | Penelope Toasted Series |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley | 75% corn, 21% rye, 4% malted barley |
| Age | 12 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 124 proof (62% ABV) +24 proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$70 – $100 | ~$55 – $70 ~$23 less |
| Availability | Limited | Widely available easier to find |
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Elijah Craig Barrel Proof
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Penelope Toasted Series
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Penelope Toasted Series
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 9/5 heat: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 9 out of 10, Penelope Toasted Series 5 out of 10
spice 7/5 spice: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 7 out of 10, Penelope Toasted Series 5 out of 10
oak 9/7 oak: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 9 out of 10, Penelope Toasted Series 7 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 4 out of 10, Penelope Toasted Series 3 out of 10
sweetness 7/7 sweetness: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 7 out of 10, Penelope Toasted Series 7 out of 10
fruit 4/4 fruit: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 4 out of 10, Penelope Toasted Series 4 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Proof and heat dominate the difference.
- Elijah Craig Barrel Proof: The uncut, unfiltered version of the same 12-year Heaven Hill juice, and the intensity is the whole point. Thick fudge and char with cinnamon heat, a genuinely long finish, and enough proof that water meaningfully changes the glass.
- Penelope Toasted Series: Finished in a second, freshly toasted barrel, which pushes it toward toffee, roasted coffee and darker oak. The toast level changes from batch to batch.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Elijah Craig Barrel Proof if you want maximum intensity and oak depth, and you want to control the dilution yourself.
- Go with Penelope Toasted Series if you want a toasty, coffee-and-toffee bourbon from a second-barrel finish at a lower price point and without hunting for it.
Best enjoyed neat (Elijah Craig Barrel Proof); neat, old-fashioned (Penelope Toasted Series).