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Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year vs David Nicholson Reserve
Put Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year next to David Nicholson Reserve and you have an uncut, high-rye heavyweight set against a sourced, corn-forward blend.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year | David Nicholson Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon, Barrel Proof | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 70% corn, 25% rye, 5% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | 7 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 115.2 proof (57.6% ABV) +15 proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$60 – $65 | ~$30 – $40 ~$28 less |
- David Nicholson Reserve does not publish an official mash bill.
- 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.
David Nicholson Reserve
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year David Nicholson Reserve
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 8/5 heat: Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year 8 out of 10, David Nicholson Reserve 5 out of 10
sweetness 7/5 sweetness: Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year 7 out of 10, David Nicholson Reserve 5 out of 10
fruit 5/3 fruit: Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year 5 out of 10, David Nicholson Reserve 3 out of 10
spice 7/6 spice: Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year 7 out of 10, David Nicholson Reserve 6 out of 10
oak 7/6 oak: Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year 7 out of 10, David Nicholson Reserve 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year 3 out of 10, David Nicholson Reserve 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land very differently on the palate for heat.
- 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.
- David Nicholson Reserve: The rye-recipe sibling to the 1843, with extra age. Toasty oak and rye spice give it more backbone, and the spice stays put through a long, warm finish.
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 with the texture that comes from skipping chill filtration.
- Go with David Nicholson Reserve if you want a toasty, spicy, 100-proof value bourbon that stands up in cocktails.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year); old-fashioned, cocktails, rocks (David Nicholson Reserve).