What's the Difference? - Penelope Four Grain Bourbon vs Penelope Barrel Strength Bourbon

Penelope - The Brand

Michael Paladini founded Penelope Bourbon. He and his wife, Kerry, struggled to conceive a child, but Kerry finally became pregnant. The couple knew they would have a girl and wanted to name her Penelope. Mike wanted to create a bourbon brand to celebrate this moment every day. Partnering with his lifelong friend Danny Polise, he sourced the spirit from MGP (Midwest Grain Products), now called Ross & Squibb, in Lawrenceburg, Indiana. They chose a unique blend of three bourbon mash bills to set the brand apart from other MGP products. The brand began with the four-grain, white label, which is still the brand's flagship product. Penelope was later acquired by the Luxco & MGP parent company, which will give the brand access to older barrels and also elevate production. Items that may have been extremely limited in the past should have more volume across the board. Mike will still be very involved in innovations, and Danny will maintain his position as master blender. 

Penelope Four Grain, Straight Bourbon Whiskey

The Four Grain label is the Penelope brand's entry-level and flagship product. It offers an easy drinking lower-proofed option that is perfect for cocktails. This product is a blend of three bourbon mash bills containing all four grains that average 75 % Corn, 7 % Rye, 15 % Wheat, and 3 % Malted Barley. The bourbon is distilled at the Ross & Squibb Distillery in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, aged for a minimum of 36 months in new American Oak barrels with a # 4 char for the barrel staves and a # 2 char for the barrel head, non-chill filtered, and bottled at 80 proof (40 % ABV). The Four Grain won a silver medal in 2020 at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition (SFWSC). 

Penelope Barrel Strength, Straight Bourbon Whiskey

The Barrel Strength is a blend of three bourbon mash bills containing all four grains that average 80 % corn, 7 % rye, 7 % wheat, and 6 % malted barley. The bourbon is distilled in Indiana and Kentucky, aged for a minimum of 4 years new American Oak barrels, uncut with water, non-chill filtered, bottled in small batches at barrel strength, which typically ranges from 112 to 116 proof (56 - 58 % ABV). The Barrel Strength won a double gold medal in 2020 and a gold medal in 2022 & 2023 at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition (SFWSC). 

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