Penelope Estate Single Barrel 36% Bourbon Review & Tasting Notes

 

Two childhood friends, Mike Paladini and Daniel Polise, along with Mike's wife, Kerry, went into business together and created their own brand of Bourbon. Mike and Kerry were expecting a child and knew they wanted to name their daughter Penelope. That inspired them to name their brand Penelope Bourbon.

 

Penelope recently released its 2024 Estate Collection, marketed as its premium line of whiskeys. It includes Founder’s Reserve, Private Select, and Single Barrel. 

 

“Innovation and quality are at the heart of everything we do, and the 2024 Estate Collection takes those characteristics to an entirely new level. These three releases showcase the best of the best in our rickhouses, allowing us to create one-of-a-kind aged whiskeys that take Penelope to new heights. Each product in the Estate Collection is unique – from the blend to the age and the mash bill. There’s something in this collection for everyone.” – Michael Paladini, Founder of Penelope/Vice President of Strategy, MGP Ingredients

 

Last November, I reviewed the Private Select expression. Today, I’ll explore the Single Barrel Bourbon.

 

The Single Barrel Bourbon carries a 10-year age statement. It is available in two mashbills: 75% corn, 21% rye, and 4% malted barley, and is packaged at 49% ABV (98°), and 60% corn, 36% rye, and 4% malted barley, which is bottled at 52.5% ABV (105°). Both have a suggested price of $89.99 for 750ml.

 

Penelope Bourbon graciously gave me a sample of the 36% in exchange for my no-strings-attached, honest review. Let’s #DrinkCurious and discover what this one is all about.

 

Appearance: I poured this Bourbon into my Glencairn glass to sip neat. Inside, the liquid was a chestnut color, forming a medium rim with tightly spaced, thick, slow tears.

 

Nose: After allowing the whiskey to breathe for about 15 minutes, I brought the glass to my face. I inhaled and encountered an aroma of butterscotch, cherries, strawberries, rye spice, and oak. I took that air into my mouth and found vanilla and clove.

 

Palate: The first sip provided a silky, medium-bodied texture. It also brought a bold blast of oak. Beyond the palate shock were flavors of cherries, vanilla, and leather on the front. The middle featured rye spice, cocoa nibs, and hazelnuts. I tasted more of that bold oak, dark chocolate, and caramel on the back of my palate.

 

Finish: The finish was medium-to-long and relatively even. The duration ran 1:34 and consisted of rich caramel, oak, rye spice, pepper, leather, and hazelnuts.

 

Bottle, Bar, or Bust: This Bourbon from Penelope drank nowhere near its stated proof. I’ve tasted plenty of 94° whiskeys with more warmth. That sensation was crazy, but it allowed me to concentrate on the flavors without much distraction. It was well-balanced and tasty.

 

Penelope Estate 10-Year Single Barrel Bourbon reminded me a lot of old-school Elijah Craig 12-year. Its fruity woodiness is something that I craved, and it was a lot of fun to reexperience that memory.

 

These days, a 10-year-old, higher-proofed Bourbon at $90.00 doesn’t raise many eyebrows. Sipping this whiskey was a delightful experience, making it well worth your time and money. It has all the makings of a Bottle rating. Cheers!

 

My Simple, Easy-to-Understand Rating System

• Bottle = Buy It
• Bar = Try It
• Bust = Leave It

 

Whiskeyfellow encourages you to enjoy your whiskey as you see fit but begs you to do so responsibly.