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Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year vs Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat
Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year and Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: an uncut, rye-forward heavyweight versus a new-wave, wheat-forward craft style.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year | Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon, Barrel Proof | Wheated Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 70% corn, 25% rye, 5% malted barley | 53% corn, 39% wheat, 8% malted barley |
| Age | 7 years +1 yr | 6 years |
| Proof | 115.2 proof (57.6% ABV) +9 proof | 106 proof (53% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$60 – $65 | ~$50 – $55 ~$10 less |
- US shelf prices as of 2026-10; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year
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Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat
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Flavor Profile
Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 7/3 spice: Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year 7 out of 10, Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat 3 out of 10
fruit 5/8 fruit: Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year 5 out of 10, Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat 8 out of 10
heat 8/5 heat: Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year 8 out of 10, Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat 5 out of 10
oak 7/5 oak: Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year 7 out of 10, Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/2 nuttiness: Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year 3 out of 10, Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat 2 out of 10
sweetness 7/7 sweetness: Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year 7 out of 10, Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat 7 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The gap between these two is mostly about spice.
- 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.
- Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat: Because wheat makes up a massive 39% of the mash bill, this pour trades the aggressive spice of rye for a softer, oily mouthfeel. Expect bright fruit notes like ripe apricot and lemon on the nose, transitioning to pastry dough, light oak, and a creamy creme brulee sweetness balanced by a mild peppery backbone.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year if you want a well-priced, seven-year, uncut blend with real depth and spice.
- Go with Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat if you want a softer, fruit-forward, contemporary profile with a richer, oily texture and lower emphasis on traditional oak at a slightly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year); neat, rocks (Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat).