Compare
Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year vs Michter's US*1 Small Batch
Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year and Michter's US*1 Small Batch sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: an uncut, rye-forward heavyweight versus a blender-built, classically built bottling.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year | Michter's US*1 Small Batch |
|---|---|---|
| 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) +24 proof | 91.4 proof (45.7% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$60 – $65 | ~$45 – $55 ~$13 less |
- Michter's US*1 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.
Michter's US*1 Small Batch
No notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year Michter's US*1 Small Batch
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 8/3 heat: Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year 8 out of 10, Michter's US*1 Small Batch 3 out of 10
spice 7/4 spice: Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year 7 out of 10, Michter's US*1 Small Batch 4 out of 10
oak 7/5 oak: Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year 7 out of 10, Michter's US*1 Small Batch 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/4 nuttiness: Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year 3 out of 10, Michter's US*1 Small Batch 4 out of 10
sweetness 7/7 sweetness: Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year 7 out of 10, Michter's US*1 Small Batch 7 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year 5 out of 10, Michter's US*1 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.
- Michter's US*1 Small Batch: Polished and easy-drinking, with butterscotch and stone fruit and very little rough edge. What you pay for is refinement and mouthfeel rather than age or proof.
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 Michter's US*1 Small Batch if you want a smooth, polished pour with a premium feel and no rough edges at a lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year); neat, rocks (Michter's US*1 Small Batch).