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Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon vs Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year
Comparing Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon and Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year reveals a matchup between a modern, wheated craft expression and an uncut, spice-driven heavyweight.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon | Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Wheated Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon, Barrel Proof |
| Mash Bill | 75% corn, 15% wheat, 10% malted barley | 70% corn, 25% rye, 5% malted barley |
| Age | 4 years | 7 years +3 yr |
| Proof | 87 proof (43.5% ABV) | 115.2 proof (57.6% ABV) +28 proof |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$40 – $45 ~$20 less | ~$60 – $65 |
- US shelf prices as of 2026-10; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon
Didn't care for this one.
Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 2/7 spice: Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon 2 out of 10, Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year 7 out of 10
heat 3/8 heat: Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon 3 out of 10, Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year 8 out of 10
oak 4/7 oak: Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon 4 out of 10, Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year 7 out of 10
sweetness 6/7 sweetness: Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon 6 out of 10, Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year 7 out of 10
fruit 4/5 fruit: Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon 4 out of 10, Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon 3 out of 10, Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The gap between these two is mostly about spice.
- Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon: A farm-to-bottle wheater from northern Illinois. Soft red winter wheat keeps it gentle and bready, with caramel and vanilla up front and very little bite at 87 proof.
- 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.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon if you want a soft, easygoing wheated bourbon made start to finish on one Midwest farm at a lower price point.
- 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.
Best enjoyed rocks, highball, cocktails (Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon); neat, old-fashioned (Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year).