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Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year vs Willett Pot Still Reserve
Comparing Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year and Willett Pot Still Reserve reveals a matchup between an uncut, spice-driven heavyweight and a modern, even-keeled craft expression.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year | Willett Pot Still Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| 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) +21 proof | 94 proof (47% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$60 – $65 | ~$45 – $60 ~$10 less |
- Willett Pot Still Reserve 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 Pot Still Reserve
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year Willett Pot Still Reserve
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 8/4 heat: Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year 8 out of 10, Willett Pot Still Reserve 4 out of 10
spice 7/5 spice: Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year 7 out of 10, Willett Pot Still Reserve 5 out of 10
oak 7/6 oak: Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year 7 out of 10, Willett Pot Still Reserve 6 out of 10
fruit 5/6 fruit: Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year 5 out of 10, Willett Pot Still Reserve 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/4 nuttiness: Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year 3 out of 10, Willett Pot Still Reserve 4 out of 10
sweetness 7/7 sweetness: Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year 7 out of 10, Willett Pot Still Reserve 7 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.
- Willett Pot Still Reserve: Famous first for the pot-still-shaped decanter and second for the whiskey, which is a fair ordering. Pleasant, sweet and fruit-leaning, with a good deal of the price attached to the glass.
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 Willett Pot Still Reserve if you want a distinctive bottle on the shelf and an easy, fruit-forward pour inside it at a slightly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year); neat, rocks (Willett Pot Still Reserve).