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Penelope Toasted Series vs Horse Soldier Barrel Strength
Put Penelope Toasted Series next to Horse Soldier Barrel Strength and you have a blender-built, high-rye bottling set against an uncut, high-wheat heavyweight.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Penelope Toasted Series | Horse Soldier Barrel Strength |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon, Barrel Proof |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 21% rye, 4% malted barley | 70% corn, 20% wheat, 10% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) | 111 proof (55.5% ABV) +11 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$55 – $70 ~$19 less | ~$78 – $85 |
- Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 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 Toasted Series
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Horse Soldier Barrel Strength
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Penelope Toasted Series Horse Soldier Barrel Strength
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 5/7 heat: Penelope Toasted Series 5 out of 10, Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 7 out of 10
oak 7/6 oak: Penelope Toasted Series 7 out of 10, Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 6 out of 10
fruit 4/5 fruit: Penelope Toasted Series 4 out of 10, Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 5 out of 10
sweetness 7/7 sweetness: Penelope Toasted Series 7 out of 10, Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 7 out of 10
spice 5/5 spice: Penelope Toasted Series 5 out of 10, Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Penelope Toasted Series 3 out of 10, Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land very differently on the palate for heat.
- Penelope Toasted Series: Finished in a second, freshly toasted barrel, which pushes it toward toffee, roasted coffee and darker oak. The toast level changes from batch to batch.
- Horse Soldier Barrel Strength: A barrel-strength wheater from the veteran-founded Horse Soldier brand. Brown sugar and toasted oak lead, baking spice and heat follow, and a splash of water pulls out darker fruit.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Penelope Toasted Series if you want a toasty, coffee-and-toffee bourbon from a second-barrel finish at a lower price point.
- Go with Horse Soldier Barrel Strength if you want a big, barrel-strength wheated bourbon with plenty of brown sugar and warmth.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (Penelope Toasted Series); neat, old-fashioned (Horse Soldier Barrel Strength).