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Four Roses Bourbon vs Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year
Four Roses Bourbon and Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: an old-guard, rye-forward classic versus an uncut, rye-forward heavyweight.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Four Roses Bourbon | Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon, Barrel Proof |
| Mash Bill | 75% corn, 20% rye, 5% malted barley | 70% corn, 25% rye, 5% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 7 years |
| Proof | 80 proof (40% ABV) | 115.2 proof (57.6% ABV) +35 proof |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$22 – $28 ~$38 less | ~$60 – $65 |
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Four Roses Bourbon
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Four Roses Bourbon Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 2/8 heat: Four Roses Bourbon 2 out of 10, Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year 8 out of 10
oak 3/7 oak: Four Roses Bourbon 3 out of 10, Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year 7 out of 10
spice 5/7 spice: Four Roses Bourbon 5 out of 10, Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year 7 out of 10
sweetness 6/7 sweetness: Four Roses Bourbon 6 out of 10, Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year 7 out of 10
fruit 6/5 fruit: Four Roses Bourbon 6 out of 10, Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Four Roses Bourbon 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.
- Four Roses Bourbon: The yellow label entry point, blending all ten Four Roses recipes at a gentle 80 proof. Light and fruity to a fault, but the house floral character is already recognisable and it mixes beautifully.
- 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 Four Roses Bourbon if you want the Four Roses fruit-and-floral signature at its lightest and cheapest.
- 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 cocktails, highball, rocks (Four Roses Bourbon); neat, old-fashioned (Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year).