Whether you're a bourbon novice looking for an interesting entry point or an experienced sipper craving a fresh perspective, Penelope Bourbon offers a taste discovery.
The brand distinguishes itself through a spirit of experimentation, evident in its signature four-grain mash bill and diverse cask finishes.
In this article, we'll explore Penelope Bourbon's innovative approach to American whiskey, its accessibility, the resulting spectrum of flavor profiles, and so much more.
What Is Penelope Bourbon?
Penelope Bourbon is a modern, premium American whiskey that has garnered attention for its approachable flavor profiles. In fact, it's considered one of the best bourbons for beginners and those who like to explore unique flavors.
While it's definitely not on Pappy Van Winkle's level, the spirit stands out for its four-grain mash bill, which is used in many of its releases, and remains a popular bourbon to sip neat as well as add into cocktails.
Many particularly love the experimental and exploratory nature of this brand. However, the bourbon lovers who cherish traditionalism (Weller lineup fans, for example) may not enjoy the range as much.
Who owns the brand?
Penelope Spirits LLC was acquired by Luxco, Inc., a subsidiary of Midwest Grain Products MGP), in 2023. Despite its acquisition, the company is still run by its original founders, Michael Paladini and Danny Polise.
Where is Penelope Bourbon distilled?
While Penelope Spirits LLC is based in New Jersey, it's important to note that its whiskey is not distilled in this location.
Specifically, Penelope is distilled at MGP's historical Ross & Squibb distillery in Lawrenceburg, Indiana. MGP is a respected distillery established in 1847, renowned for producing high-quality spirits.
The company also partners with the custom/contract distillery Bardstown Bourbon Company in Kentucky.
How long is it aged for?
The aging process of Penelope Bourbon depends on the specific release.
Most core and specialty releases are aged between 4 and 6 years, while limited editions tend to be aged longer. For example, the American-Light Whiskey is aged for 17 years.
All releases are aged in new charred American oak barrels, producing lighter, full-flavored bourbons with differing char and toast levels.
What are the four grains in Penelope Bourbon?
The signature four-grain mash bill that features in many of Penelope's releases is one of the brand's defining features.
Here's what goes into it:
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Corn: Provides the traditional sweetness
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Rye: Lends the spice and a touch of heat
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Wheat: Produces a soft and smooth mouthfeel
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Barley: Aids fermentation, which adds subtle malty undertones
What's The History Of Penelope Bourbon?
Penelope Bourbon is a relatively new kid on the block. Developed in 2018, the spirit was created to commemorate the birth of Mike and Kerry Paladini's daughter, Penelope.
Mike teamed up with his friend and neighbor, Danny Polise, and the company was founded.
Because the team did not come from a traditional distilling background, this allowed them to experiment and innovate.
The result? A broad range of intriguing flavored bourbon to sip.
Accessible yet high-quality, Penelope Bourbon is enjoyed across the US and in a handful of other countries.
What Is The Penelope Bourbon Lineup?
Penelope features an extensive range of 16 bourbons.
Each bottle features the distinctive Penelope Bourbon logo, with color-coded labels so you can quickly identify each release.
Core Series
The original lineup! The Core series is Penelope's range of regular releases:
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Penelope Bourbon Four Grain: The one that started it all. Showcasing the full four-grain mash bill, it's aged for about 4 years and bottled at 80 proof. An approachable taste for all palates.
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Wheated Four Grain: The wheat increases the sweetness, which is offset by a touch of spice. At 95 proof, this wheated worth waiting for is a bold, highly sippable release.
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Toasted Bourbon: Finished in a new, hand-toasted barrel to add depth and richness. Expect warmer notes of sweetness and spice. It’s a fan favorite for those who enjoy bold yet smooth flavors, and it's a good choice for sweater weather!
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Barrel Strength Four Grain: Uncut, unfiltered, and bottled at cask strength. This is a punchy release featuring dark fruit and spicy oak. Each batch has a unique proof ranging from 115 to 120.
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Architect Series: A straight bourbon collaboration with French oak stave manufacturer Tonnellerie Radoux. Each release within the Architect series has a distinct profile with savory oak and vanilla cream.
You may have noticed that the Core series was missing a straight rye. This is because the company prefers to stick to its unique mash bill for this series. As you'll see below, the company features a straight rye as a limited release.
Cooper Series
Featuring the name of the founder's son, the Cooper series takes you on a world tour and explores different wine cask pairings:
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Havana: Finished in Cuban rum casks, the result is a fusion of warm bourbon and tropical sweetness. Use Havana to replace the rum in cocktails and discover a taste sensation!
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Rio: Rio has returned! Periodically discontinued (so get it while you can), this bold double cask finish uses American honey and Brazilian oak barrels. Get ready to taste the carnival!
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Rosé Cask Finish: Finished in Southern France Rosé casks, the bourbon is given a floral, fruity vibe. Add soda, fresh red berries, and a splash of honey and lemon for a perfect Penelope cocktail to sip during hot weather.
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Valencia: Inspired by Spain, this bourbon is finished in orange wine casks, giving it zesty citrus highlights and a Mediterranean flair.
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Tokaji Cask Finish: Finished in Hungarian Tokaji wine barrels, this release balances honey with earthy complexity. It’s one of the more exclusive and rare expressions.
Limited Release
These are small batch or one-time releases that may be hard to find:
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Toasted Rye: An annual release, this unique edition has a mash bill featuring 95% rye. The char and toast levels are unmatched.
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American Light Whiskey: A high-proof light whiskey aged for 17 years and finished in second-fill oak barrels, offering a more subtle oak presence but a higher alcohol kick.
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F*ck Cancer: Supporting the fight against cancer, this special edition raises funds to aid research. Cask strength and crafted with a bold flavor, this is often hard to find.
Estate Collection
Finally, we have the ultra-premium, limited-edition range. These bottles carry the highest cost and rarity:
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Founders Reserve: A one-of-a-kind, limited-edition release that comes from just 24 barrels of experimental straight wheat bourbon. Batched in five lots, each with its own profile.
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Private Select: Hand-selected barrels to explore new expressions. Each bottle tells a unique story.
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Single Barrel: Aged for 10 years and straight from a single handpicked barrel. Uncut and unfiltered, no two bottles are quite the same.
Ready-to-pour cocktails
Of course, you can pick your Penelope and craft your own cocktail. However, to make life easier, there are two delicious, ready-made cocktails available:
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Peach Old Fashioned: Made from straight bourbon and rye, maple syrup, and peach bitters, it's ideal for summer sipping.
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Black Walnut Old Fashioned: Scheduled for release in July 2025, the drink features black walnut bitters and vanilla demerara.
What Does Penelope Bourbon Taste Like?
Although every release has its own flavor profile, you can broadly expect to find vanilla and caramel notes, thanks to the oak aging.
The presence of rye gives it the kick of spice, which is offset by the sweetness provided by the wheat and corn. Depending on the cask finish, each release will have a floral or fruity tone that directly relates to how it was made.
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The Core series is easy-drinking and focuses on classic bourbon notes.
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The Cooper series is bold and adventurous, defined by international cask finishes.
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The Limited Release series is high-proof and robust with experimental profiles.
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The Estate Collection features unique bottles with deep complexity and elegance.
Is Penelope Bourbon sweet?
Yes, Penelope Bourbon is largely considered to be on the sweeter side.
The wheated four-grain and cask-finished releases, in particular, are known for their sublimely sweet notes.
Which Penelope Bourbon Is Considered The Best?
While taste is always a personal preference, there are a few releases that fans can't stop raving about:
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Barrel Strength Four Grain: Praised for its richness and depth
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Toasted Bourbon: A hit among those who enjoy warm, dessert-like profiles
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Architect: Loved for its complexity and innovation
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Tokaji Cask Finish: Rare and luxurious with unique European influence
Limited editions like F*ck Cancer and Private Select barrels also receive high praise due to their boldness and rarity.
Which Penelope Bourbon is the rarest?
There are two Penelope Bourbon releases that are considered the rarest.
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The Founders Reserve: Distilled in 2013 and aged for 11 years, there were only 24 barrels ever produced.
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The 17-Year American Light Whiskey: Distilled in 2006, this 138-proof whiskey is the most collectible release from Penelope Bourbon.
How Much is Penelope Bourbon?
Penelope Bourbon is an accessible brand, with bottles starting from around $35. The Limited Releases and Estate Collection are the most expensive, with the limited availability pushing up prices on the secondary market.
Here's a quick overview of what you'd expect to pay:
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Core Series: $35–$75
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Cooper Series: $70–$90
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Limited Releases: $80–$130
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Estate Collection: $100+
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Ready to pour cocktails: Around $20
Is it hard to find?
No, Penelope Bourbon is not hard to find, and that's part of its appeal.
The Core and Cooper series are typically found both online and in most stores. The rarer bottles are harder to source, but they often crop up for sale on the secondary market.
Where To Buy Penelope Bourbon?
Penelope Bourbon is widely stocked in stores nationwide, from both major chains and independent retailers. Penelope also offers direct-to-consumer shipping.
Alternatively, you can let us deliver straight to your door! The Liquor Bros features an extensive range of Penelope Bourbon, including bundles, for a reasonable price.
Is Penelope Bourbon Good In Cocktails?
Absolutely! Penelope is ideal for a bourbon cocktail, thanks to its interesting flavor profiles.
For example, the Cooper series can be matched to the type of cocktail you're making:
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Replace rum with Havana for a twist on rum cocktails
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Rio, the ultimate party bourbon, works best in spiced sours
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The Rosé Cask Finish was made for spritzes and wine-inspired cocktails
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Valencia makes a wonderful sangria or negroni
Don't forget the Penelope Ready-to-Pour releases, too. This is a brand new range, so we expect to see the company expanding it over the next couple of years.
Is Penelope A Beginner's Bourbon?
Yes, Penelope Bourbon is well-suited to beginners, and it's equally enjoyed by more experienced drinkers.
The flagship Four Grain Straight is smooth and approachable, making it an excellent starting point for beginners. Additionally, the Barrel Strength and Toasted Series offer deeper complexity while remaining balanced and accessible.
Final Thoughts
There's no doubt that Penelope Bourbon isn't afraid to push the envelope and experiment in some interesting ways.
And the results are stunning! We're always excited to see what interesting new expression the brand is cooking up next.
Whether you love 10-year bourbons or younger expressions, Penelope has something for everyone.
