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Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year vs Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year
Put Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year next to Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year and you have an uncut, high-rye heavyweight set against a full-proof, unfiltered heavyweight.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year | Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon, Barrel Proof | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof |
| Mash Bill 1 | 70% corn, 25% rye, 5% malted barley | 68% corn, 18% rye, 14% malted barley |
| Age | 7 years +3 yr | 4 years |
| Proof | 115.2 proof (57.6% ABV) | 125.2 proof (62.6% ABV) +10 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$60 – $65 ~$8 less | ~$65 – $75 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Limited |
- Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 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.
Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 7/4 oak: Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year 7 out of 10, Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 4 out of 10
spice 7/6 spice: Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year 7 out of 10, Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 6 out of 10
fruit 5/6 fruit: Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year 5 out of 10, Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 6 out of 10
heat 8/9 heat: Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year 8 out of 10, Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 9 out of 10
sweetness 7/7 sweetness: Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year 7 out of 10, Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 7 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year 3 out of 10, Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Oak is doing most of the differentiating here.
- 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.
- Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year: Willett's own young distillate at full barrel proof. It is loud and sweet, all caramel corn, pastry and citrus, with a lot of heat for a four-year bourbon. Proof varies by batch.
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 without hunting for it.
- Go with Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year if you want a young, hot, barrel-proof pour that shows off Willett's own distillate.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year); neat (Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year).