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Old Forester Statesman vs Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year
Put Old Forester Statesman next to Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year and you have a classic, high-rye stalwart set against an uncut, high-rye heavyweight.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Forester Statesman | Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon, Barrel Proof |
| Mash Bill | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley | 70% corn, 25% rye, 5% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 7 years |
| Proof | 95 proof (47.5% ABV) | 115.2 proof (57.6% ABV) +20 proof |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$50 – $55 ~$10 less | ~$60 – $65 |
- US shelf prices as of 2026-10; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Old Forester Statesman
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Forester Statesman Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 4/8 heat: Old Forester Statesman 4 out of 10, Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year 8 out of 10
spice 5/7 spice: Old Forester Statesman 5 out of 10, Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year 7 out of 10
oak 5/7 oak: Old Forester Statesman 5 out of 10, Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year 7 out of 10
fruit 7/5 fruit: Old Forester Statesman 7 out of 10, Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year 5 out of 10
sweetness 8/7 sweetness: Old Forester Statesman 8 out of 10, Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year 7 out of 10
nuttiness 2/3 nuttiness: Old Forester Statesman 2 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.
- Old Forester Statesman: Old Forester's fruit-forward middle child, first made for a spy movie tie-in. Bright cherry and brown sugar lead, with cocoa and a touch of the house banana note.
- 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 Old Forester Statesman if you want a bright, cherry-sweet Old Forester that sits between the 100 and 1920 in weight at a slightly 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 with the texture that comes from skipping chill filtration.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Old Forester Statesman); neat, old-fashioned (Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year).