Compare
Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year vs E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch
Comparing Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year and E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch reveals a matchup between an uncut, spice-driven heavyweight and a traditional, even-keeled Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year | E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon, Barrel Proof | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 70% corn, 25% rye, 5% malted barley | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | 7 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 115.2 proof (57.6% ABV) +15 proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$60 – $65 ~$5 less | ~$45 – $90 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Allocated |
- E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 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.
E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 8/5 heat: Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year 8 out of 10, E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 5 out of 10
spice 7/5 spice: Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year 7 out of 10, E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 5 out of 10
sweetness 7/6 sweetness: Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year 7 out of 10, E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/4 nuttiness: Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year 3 out of 10, E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 4 out of 10
oak 7/7 oak: Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year 7 out of 10, E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 7 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year 5 out of 10, E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Proof and heat dominate the difference.
- 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.
- E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch: Bottled-in-bond from the same low-rye Buffalo Trace recipe, and the extra 10 proof over standard BT gives it noticeably more grip. Butterscotch and tobacco with a long, drying finish that outlasts most bottles near its shelf price.
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 without hunting for it and with the texture that comes from skipping chill filtration.
- Go with E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch if you want the Buffalo Trace house profile with real structure and a bonded 100-proof backbone.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year); neat, rocks, old-fashioned (E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch).