Penelope Barrel Strength comes from Penelope Bourbon which was crafted and created to celebrate the impending birth of a cigar in 1998. To commemorate this occasion, the company quickly realized they wanted to create a spirit that embodied the daily joy of celebrating life’s pleasures – big and small.
Mike Paladini teamed up with his close childhood friend and neighbor, Danny Polise\to discover and produce a Straight Bourbon Whiskey everyone could appreciate and enjoy. A company was born. Today, Penelope Bourbon is available in the majority of states in the USA and multiple countries. Proving that with enough love and care, and hard work, anything is possible.
According to the label, “Penelope Bourbon Barrel Strength pushes the boundaries of our signature four grain balanced profile. Distilled in Indiana and Kentucky, this batch was blend from three bourbon mashbills aged a minimum of 4 years in new American oak barrels. Was barrel was hand selected to create this antique offering.”
Bourbon Review: Penelope Barrel Strength (Batch 16)
ABV: 58% (116 Proof)
Age: 4 Years Minimum
Mash Bill: 80% Corn, 7% Wheat, 7% Rye, 6% Malted Barley
Distilled: Lawrenceburg, IN & Bardstown, KY (USA)
Bottled: Penelope Bottling Company (Bardstown, KY)
The Nose: A rather thin nose that showcases an aroma of oak, cinnamon and a subtle strawberry. After we let the glass sit for about 10 minutes on a freshly cracked bottle the strawberry fruitiness intensifies with oak in the background and the cinnamon all but forgotten.
The Taste: The initial sip has some subtle heat to it that becomes elongated on the finish. There is a subtle vanilla with some caramel present that lingers with the slightly heated finish. This isn’t to say the heat is strong, it isn’t for a barrel finish but it is worth noting. Subsequent sips are loaded with vanilla bean, caramel and a wisp of cinnamon. There is some subtle oak that dissipates as some average heat develops.
Conclusion: The Penelope Barrel Strength comes from a mixture of three blends which helps create a bit of volume in comparison to a Single Barrel. This release is roughly 9,000 cases which translates to 54,000 bottles. In comparison, a 53 gallon barrel produces 250-300 bottles. This well rounded bourbon is an excellent buy and it’ll be interesting to watch this company grow because I can easily seem them outgrow their source (MGP & Bardstown Bourbon Company) and want to take control of their own product. Can their own distillery be far behind?
Score: 92
Price: $66.99
