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Michter's US*1 Small Batch vs Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year
Michter's US*1 Small Batch and Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: a sourced, classically built blend versus an uncut, rye-forward heavyweight.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Michter's US*1 Small Batch | 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 | 91.4 proof (45.7% ABV) | 115.2 proof (57.6% ABV) +24 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$45 – $55 ~$13 less | ~$60 – $65 |
- Michter's US*1 Small Batch does not publish an official mash bill.
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Michter's US*1 Small Batch
No notes yet.
Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year
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Flavor Profile
Michter's US*1 Small Batch Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 3/8 heat: Michter's US*1 Small Batch 3 out of 10, Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year 8 out of 10
spice 4/7 spice: Michter's US*1 Small Batch 4 out of 10, Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year 7 out of 10
oak 5/7 oak: Michter's US*1 Small Batch 5 out of 10, Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year 7 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: Michter's US*1 Small Batch 4 out of 10, Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year 3 out of 10
sweetness 7/7 sweetness: Michter's US*1 Small Batch 7 out of 10, Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year 7 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: Michter's US*1 Small Batch 5 out of 10, Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Proof and heat dominate the difference.
- Michter's US*1 Small Batch: Polished and easy-drinking, with butterscotch and stone fruit and very little rough edge. What you pay for is refinement and mouthfeel rather than age or proof.
- 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 Michter's US*1 Small Batch if you want a smooth, polished pour with a premium feel and no rough edges at a lower price point.
- Go with Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year if you want a well-priced, seven-year, uncut blend with real depth and spice.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks (Michter's US*1 Small Batch); neat, old-fashioned (Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year).