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Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year vs Charles Goodnight Bourbon
Comparing Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year and Charles Goodnight Bourbon is a closer contest than it looks — both are high-rye bourbons, separated mainly by price (~$60 – $65 vs. ~$75 – $80).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year | Charles Goodnight Bourbon |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon, Barrel Proof | High-Rye Bourbon, Barrel Proof |
| Mash Bill | 70% corn, 25% rye, 5% malted barley | 60% corn, 36% rye, 4% malted barley |
| Age | 7 years +1 yr | 6 years |
| Proof | 115.2 proof (57.6% ABV) | 115 proof (57.5% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$60 – $65 ~$15 less | ~$75 – $80 |
- US shelf prices as of 2026-10; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Charles Goodnight Bourbon
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year Charles Goodnight Bourbon
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 7/8 oak: Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year 7 out of 10, Charles Goodnight Bourbon 8 out of 10
fruit 5/6 fruit: Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year 5 out of 10, Charles Goodnight Bourbon 6 out of 10
sweetness 7/7 sweetness: Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year 7 out of 10, Charles Goodnight Bourbon 7 out of 10
spice 7/7 spice: Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year 7 out of 10, Charles Goodnight Bourbon 7 out of 10
heat 8/8 heat: Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year 8 out of 10, Charles Goodnight Bourbon 8 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year 3 out of 10, Charles Goodnight Bourbon 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land close together on every flavor axis — the differences are in texture and proof more than character.
- 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.
- Charles Goodnight Bourbon: A barrel-strength Texas bourbon. The hot Texas climate pulls a lot of oak in six years, giving deep wood, brown sugar and dark fruit with plenty of rye spice.
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 Charles Goodnight Bourbon if you want a bold, oak-heavy Texas bourbon at barrel strength.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year); neat, rocks (Charles Goodnight Bourbon).