What's the Difference? - Penelope Toasted Bourbon vs Penelope Architect Bourbon

Penelope Toasted Series, Straight Bourbon Whiskey

The Toasted Series is distilled at the Ross & Squibb Distillery in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, from a mash bill of 75 % corn, 21 % rye, and 4 % malted barley. Unlike the Four Grain and Barrel Strength, this mash bill is not a blend. The bourbon is aged 5 years in a charred new American Oak barrel and finished in a second new American Oak toasted barrel. The char level of the first barrel can range from # 1 to # 5, and the toast level of the second barrel can be light, medium, or heavy, depending on the batch. This product is non-chill filtered and bottled in small batches at 100 proof (50 % ABV). Charring a barrel is similar to flame-throwing the wood while toasting is more similar to holding a lighter to the wood. The comparison that is often used is toasting bread in a toaster. The Toasted won a gold medal in 2022 at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition (SFWSC). 

Penelope Architect, Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished with French Oak Staves

The Architect is distilled from a mash bill of 75 % corn, 21 % rye, and 4 % malted barley, aged 4 years in new American Oak barrels, then finished in stainless steel tanks for 6 weeks with French oak staves from the French oak barrel manufacturer Tonnellerie Radoux in Jonzac (located between Cognac and Bordeaux in Western France). Their staves are rated using the state-of-the-art OakScan® process to determine their tannin level. The brand wants to build a new and distinct flavor profile in the same way an Architect creates new innovative structures. Each "build" will have its blueprint on the back label to highlight the flavor profile wheel. This product is non-chill filtered and bottled in small batches at 104 proof (52 % ABV). Architect won a silver medal in 2023 at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition (SFWSC). 

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.

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