I’d like to thank ByrnePR and Penelope Bourbon for providing this review sample with no strings attached.
Last September, Penelope Bourbon announced the release of a line of bourbons with a bit of extra age on them. Instead of their usual four- to six-year-old bourbons, this line would feature bourbons aged nine to eleven years. When I saw the email come across my desk, I won’t lie—I was pretty excited to see that I might be getting a sample of at least some of them. I’ve enjoyed Penelope’s bourbons in the past, particularly those with unusual barrel finishes. They always seem to teach me about some obscure wine or spirit I hadn’t encountered before.
I wasn’t going to learn much this time. However, I did get a reminder that MGP makes some damn fine bourbon. As is to be expected from a company under the MGP/Ross & Squib/Lux Row umbrella. I’m a fan of most things that they put out. But this time there are no barrel finishes, just good bourbon, expertly blended, at least for the non-single barrel one.
Now, let’s dive into the two bourbons I’ll be reviewing tonight. I received samples of one of the single barrels and the Private Select, the latter being a blend of bourbons with both wheated and rye mashbills. Here’s how the brand describes each:
Penelope Private Select is an annual release that pushes the boundaries of what blended bourbon can be. This innovative expression showcases the unique characteristics of the finest 9-year-aged straight bourbon barrel stocks hand-selected from two different states. Bottled at 101.2 proof (50.6% ABV), the 2024 release features a mash bill of 74% corn, 20% rye, 1% wheat and 5% malted barley.
Penelope Single Barrel reveals the character that lies within the finest aged bourbon stocks. Each 10-year-aged barrel has been hand-selected from various warehouses and floors, revealing profiles too exceptional to blend. With two rye mash bill options – 21% and 36% –Penelope Single Barrel is a celebration of the individuality and complexity that can only be found in a single barrel of well-aged bourbon.
Penelope Estate Collection Single Barrel, 21% rye Mashbill
Purchase Info: This bottle was sent to me at no charge for review purposes. The suggested retail price is $89.99 for a 750 mL bottle.
Price per Drink (50 mL): $6.00
Details: 10 years old; Mashbill: 75% corn, 4% malted barley, 21% rye; 49% ABV.
Nose: Cinnamon, chocolate, wintergreen, and red fruits.
Mouth: Cinnamon, mint, black tea, and caramel.
Finish: Warm with medium length; notes of cinnamon, caramel, and black tea.
Thoughts: This is very tasty. I’m really enjoying the sweetness and oak-derived notes. The cinnamon spice balances beautifully with the other flavors. It’s a well-rounded and very enjoyable barrel. If the rest of the barrels in this release are this good, this is definitely one to keep an eye out for—especially at under $100.
Penelope Estate Collection Private Select
Purchase Info: This bottle was sent to me at no charge for review purposes. The suggested retail price is $79.99 for a 750 mL bottle.
Price per Drink (50 mL): $5.33
Details: Composite mashbill: 74% corn, 20% rye, 1% wheat, 5% malted barley; 9 years old; 50.6% ABV.
Nose: Mint, almond, and vanilla custard.
Mouth: Spicy and sweet with notes of caramel, cinnamon, vanilla, and almond.
Finish: Medium length and warm; notes of cinnamon, caramel, marshmallow, and almond.
Thoughts: This is very good—maybe not quite as impressive as the single barrel, but certainly not "$10 worse," so to speak. Like the single barrel, I love the balance of sweet and spicy notes. If you can swing spending $80–$90 on a bottle of bourbon, this is another one that is well worth a look.
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