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Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel vs Penelope Toasted Series
Comparing Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel and Penelope Toasted Series reveals a matchup between a traditional, even-keeled Kentucky staple and a blender-built, spice-driven bottling.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel | Penelope Toasted Series |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley | 75% corn, 21% rye, 4% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 94 proof (47% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) +6 proof |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$60 – $80 | ~$55 – $70 ~$8 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 Toasted Barrel
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Penelope Toasted Series
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel Penelope Toasted Series
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 9/7 oak: Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 9 out of 10, Penelope Toasted Series 7 out of 10
nuttiness 5/3 nuttiness: Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 5 out of 10, Penelope Toasted Series 3 out of 10
sweetness 8/7 sweetness: Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 8 out of 10, Penelope Toasted Series 7 out of 10
heat 4/5 heat: Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 4 out of 10, Penelope Toasted Series 5 out of 10
spice 5/5 spice: Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 5 out of 10, Penelope Toasted Series 5 out of 10
fruit 4/4 fruit: Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 4 out of 10, Penelope Toasted Series 4 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Barrel influence is the main separator.
- Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel: Finished in a second toasted (not charred) barrel, which produces an unmistakable toasted-marshmallow note. Sweet and heavily wooded, and one of the more distinctive finishes any major producer makes.
- 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 Toasted Barrel if you want a distinctive toasted-oak, marshmallow-sweet finish you will not find in a standard bourbon.
- Go with Penelope Toasted Series if you want a toasty, coffee-and-toffee bourbon from a second-barrel finish at a slightly lower price point and with slightly more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks (Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel); neat, old-fashioned (Penelope Toasted Series).