Penelope Bourbon's Explosion Onto the Scene
A Google search for Penelope a mere 15 years ago would almost always be followed by "Cruz". Ten years ago, a "Penelope Bourbon" search would result in zero hits. Even 8 years ago, the company would be non-existent. Barely being little more than 6 years old, at the time of writing, Penelope Bourbon has exploded onto the scene. That makes it just past a COVID idea... if you're checking. So with their explosion onto the bourbon scene happening so abruptly, how did they get here?
The Quick Rise of Penelope Bourbon
Penelope Bourbon has quickly made a name for itself by sourcing whiskey from the renowned Indiana distillery, MGP. Distilling and aging whiskeys obviously takes years, but acquiring delicious, golden liquid and adding distinguishing finishes to it results in a quick rise in popularity if done right. Penelope did just that with unique finishes, such as French rosé and Hungarian tokaji casks.
The brand was founded in 2018 by Mike Paladini, who wanted to create a spirit to celebrate the impending birth of his daughter, Penelope. Partnering with his childhood friend, Danny Polise, they embarked on crafting a Straight Bourbon Whiskey that everyone could enjoy. Despite not having a background in the spirits industry, Mike previously co-founded Bear Mattress, a company recognized among Inc. Magazine's fastest-growing private companies in 2019.
In a testament to their success, MGP acquired Penelope Bourbon in June 2023. Today, Penelope Bourbon is widely available across the United States and in three other countries, embodying the joy of celebrating life’s pleasures.
The Releases
Currently, Penelope Bourbon boasts 11 unique releases, from the Core Series which grace the shelves of every corner of America, to the rare Limited Edition gems. Let's take a gander at what is currently available here at Sip Whiskey. Keep in mind that new additions and restocking of items is a constant. So keep checking back for more!
Core Series:
Four Grain - Named after our Founder’s recently born daughter, Penelope Bourbon is our signature four grain straight bourbon whiskey uniquely blended from three bourbon mash bills. Each barrel is hand-selected and blended into a single batch for your enjoyment. Remarkably smooth and flavorful, Penelope Four Grain is perfect whether sipping neat or using in your favorite cocktail.
Architect - Architecture is defined as the the art or practice of designing and constructing buildings. Using those same principles, we wanted to build new and distinct flavor profiles that same way an Architect creates new innovative structures.
Working in collaboration with Tonnellerie Radoux of France, the market leader in oak barrel manufacturing and innovation, we use French oak staves and their state-of-the-art OakScan® process to build a truly precise flavor profile within every bottle. After all, the best architecture leaves no room for error.
Barrel Strength - Bourbon in its purest form. Penelope Barrel Strength pushes the boundaries of our signature four grain balanced flavor profile. Each batch is blended from three bourbon mash bills aged in new American oak barrels and completely uncut and non chill-filtered. Each barrel was hand selected and blended into a single batch in order to create this unique offering.
Medium Toasted - Our Toasted Series is a testament to the power of serendipity. When we began to explore toasted finishes, we weren’t expecting each barrel to be so different — so we decided to embrace this variety of chars and toasts that make every bottle in our Toasted Series truly one-of-a-kind.
After full maturation in charred new American oak barrels, Penelope Bourbon is finished in a new, freshly toasted barrel. While it can be hard to predict the flavor profile of each bottle in our Toasted Series, the deep notes of vanilla imbued by the toasting process add another dimension to our signature flavor profile. Whether you’re into a Heavy Toast or Medium, our Toasted Series truly offers something for everyone.
Cooper Series (AKA Wine Finished)
Rosé Cask Finish - Penelope Rosé Cask Finish is the first installment in our Cooper Series which takes our straight whiskeys on a world tour, pairing Penelope with wine casks from the finest wine making regions. Sweet and delicate, Rosé Cask Finish marries our signature straight bourbon whiskey with hand-selected French Rosé wine casks from the Southern Rhône region, bringing together a truly unique alliance of flavor.
The Rio, Valencia, and Tokaji Cask Finish are currently out of stock.
Latest Release
Toasted Rye Barrel Finish 2024 (pre-order) - The newest release from Penelope Bourbon offers a unique twist on traditional rye whiskey. This expression undergoes a secondary maturation in toasted barrels, enhancing its complexity with additional layers of flavor. The toasting process imparts subtle notes of caramel and spice, complementing the natural rye character. This release showcases Penelope's commitment to innovative finishing techniques while maintaining the brand's dedication to quality craftsmanship.
This release is currently available to pre-order. Shipment expected to be in early July.