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Old Grand-Dad 114 vs Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year
Comparing Old Grand-Dad 114 and Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year reveals a matchup between a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple and an uncut, spice-driven heavyweight.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Grand-Dad 114 | Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon, Barrel Proof |
| Mash Bill 1 | 63% corn, 27% rye, 10% malted barley | 70% corn, 25% rye, 5% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 7 years |
| Proof | 114 proof (57% ABV) | 115.2 proof (57.6% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$28 – $35 ~$31 less | ~$60 – $65 |
- Old Grand-Dad 114 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
Old Grand-Dad 114
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Grand-Dad 114 Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 9/7 spice: Old Grand-Dad 114 9 out of 10, Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year 7 out of 10
nuttiness 5/3 nuttiness: Old Grand-Dad 114 5 out of 10, Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year 3 out of 10
sweetness 6/7 sweetness: Old Grand-Dad 114 6 out of 10, Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year 7 out of 10
oak 6/7 oak: Old Grand-Dad 114 6 out of 10, Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year 7 out of 10
fruit 4/5 fruit: Old Grand-Dad 114 4 out of 10, Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year 5 out of 10
heat 8/8 heat: Old Grand-Dad 114 8 out of 10, Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year 8 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Rye spice is the dividing line here.
- Old Grand-Dad 114: The best proof-per-dollar in American whiskey and it is not especially close. The 27% rye mash at 114 proof is loud, peppery and completely unsubtle, which is exactly why it makes such a good old-fashioned.
- 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 Grand-Dad 114 if you want maximum rye spice and proof for under thirty dollars.
- 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, old-fashioned, cocktails (Old Grand-Dad 114); neat, old-fashioned (Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year).