Penelope Four Grain Straight Bourbon Whiskey (750ml)

Penelope is relatively new on the Bourbon landscape, having been created in 2018 by lifelong friends, Mike Paladini and Danny Polise. The name is a nod to Mike’s daughter. MGP has recently bought the brand out. The entry-level bourbon is a blend of wheat and rye mashbills, aged separately before blending and bottling. Maturation takes place in barrels charred with #4 staves and #2 heads. Current batches are aged longer than the original product - a minimum four years as opposed to two, and despite the base-level ABV, the whiskey comes bottled non-chill-filtered - unusual for Bourbon. 40% Alc./Vol.

Other reviews... The aroma presents as spiced and sweet, reminiscent of a liqueur. The palate is light, showing allspice, chamomile and ginger, with a fleeting white floral note and hint of cedar. What's in the bottle is a four-grain Bourbon (corn, rye, wheat, malted barley) distilled in Indiana, aged about two years, bottled in Kentucky, and named for the founder's daughter. 89 points - wineenthusiast.com

[Batch #2 tasted 2020] The nose offers cherry, raspberry tart, dried orange slices, butterscotch, black pepper, and antique closet. The palate is powerful, with sweet syrup up front, bold flavors of herbs and spice, grain, dusty oak, and an earthy note of warehouse floor. More spice emerges with water, bringing semi-sweet chocolate, cooked raspberries, and leather. Creamy and well-balanced, with its spice tempered by deep chocolate, cooked cherries, and a musty yet interesting character. 86 points - whiskyadvocate.com

...There’s no denying that this is a young bourbon as its youth is present throughout. With little distinguishing traits, long time bourbon drinkers will most likely walk away indifferent to Penelope Bourbon. That said, this bourbon seems to be aimed squarely at those new to the world of whiskey, specifically from their choice of marketing as an under 100 calorie pour, to using a wheated bourbon to soften its flavor profile. The end result though is exactly the type of whiskey I’d pour for someone looking to try bourbon for the first time. It’s a light, easy sipper that will make those new to bourbon realize that yes, bourbon can be an approachable spirit that is enjoyable to drink neat or on the rocks. 2019 tasting - breakingbourbon.com

Notes from the producers... Aroma: Balanced corn sweetness, caramel, light oak, syrup, dynamic aroma profile with slight savory notes. Body: Fruit, syrup, candied sweetness, and a savory vanilla note with slight berry and citrus: Finish: slight buttercream (icing) and corn bread finish with a lingering vanilla spice.