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Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year vs Evan Williams Black Label
Put Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year next to Evan Williams Black Label and you have an uncut, high-rye heavyweight set against a classic, corn-forward stalwart.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year | Evan Williams Black Label |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon, Barrel Proof | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 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) +29 proof | 86 proof (43% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$60 – $65 | ~$14 – $18 ~$47 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
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Evan Williams Black Label
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year Evan Williams Black Label
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 8/3 heat: Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year 8 out of 10, Evan Williams Black Label 3 out of 10
spice 7/4 spice: Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year 7 out of 10, Evan Williams Black Label 4 out of 10
oak 7/5 oak: Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year 7 out of 10, Evan Williams Black Label 5 out of 10
sweetness 7/6 sweetness: Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year 7 out of 10, Evan Williams Black Label 6 out of 10
fruit 5/4 fruit: Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year 5 out of 10, Evan Williams Black Label 4 out of 10
nuttiness 3/4 nuttiness: Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year 3 out of 10, Evan Williams Black Label 4 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.
- Evan Williams Black Label: The everyday black label, and a perfectly competent well bourbon. Softer and sweeter than the bonded version, with less to say but nothing objectionable.
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 Evan Williams Black Label if you want a dependable, inexpensive mixing bourbon and nothing more complicated than that at a significantly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year); cocktails, highball, rocks (Evan Williams Black Label).