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Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year vs Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon
Comparing Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year and Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon reveals a matchup between an uncut, spice-driven heavyweight and a blender-built, even-keeled bottling.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year | Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon |
|---|---|---|
| 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 less | ~$85 – $100 |
- Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 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.
Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
fruit 5/8 fruit: Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year 5 out of 10, Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 8 out of 10
heat 8/5 heat: Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year 8 out of 10, Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 5 out of 10
spice 7/5 spice: Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year 7 out of 10, Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/5 nuttiness: Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year 3 out of 10, Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 5 out of 10
sweetness 7/8 sweetness: Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year 7 out of 10, Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 8 out of 10
oak 7/6 oak: Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year 7 out of 10, Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 6 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Fruit character is what sets these apart.
- 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.
- Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon: Finished in Oloroso sherry, Pedro Ximenez sherry and Cognac casks. The casks layer dried fruit, orange and dark chocolate over the bourbon and leave a long, clove-spiced 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.
- Go with Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon if you want a sherry-and-Cognac-finished bourbon full of dried fruit and dark chocolate.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year); neat (Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon).