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Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year vs Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond
Comparing Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year and Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond reveals a matchup between an uncut, spice-driven heavyweight and a traditional, even-keeled Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year | Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon, Barrel Proof | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 70% corn, 25% rye, 5% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | 7 years +3 yr | 4 years |
| Proof | 115.2 proof (57.6% ABV) +15 proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$60 – $65 | ~$16 – $22 ~$44 less |
- Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 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.
Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond
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Flavor Profile
Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 8/5 heat: Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year 8 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
spice 7/5 spice: Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year 7 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
oak 7/5 oak: Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year 7 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
sweetness 7/6 sweetness: Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year 7 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10
fruit 5/4 fruit: Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year 5 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 4 out of 10
nuttiness 3/4 nuttiness: Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year 3 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 4 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.
- Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond: A bonded 100-proof bourbon at a price that barely seems possible, though distribution is patchy outside Kentucky. Unremarkable in the best way: it does everything a bourbon should and nothing extra.
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 an older age statement and with the texture that comes from skipping chill filtration.
- Go with Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond if you want a bonded Kentucky bourbon for under twenty dollars, if you can find it in your state.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year); neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond).