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 Toasted Bourbon, 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).
Aroma - Rich caramel & vanilla
Body - Bold on the palate with notes of marshmallow &vanilla
Finish - Long savory finish that leaves a nice hug
Penelope Toasted Rye, Straight Rye Whiskey
The Toasted Rye is also distilled at the Ross & Squibb Distillery in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, from a mash bill of 95 % rye and 5 % malted barley. Like the Toasted Bourbon label, this mash bill is not a blend. The rye whiskey is aged 6 years in charred new American Oak barrels and finished in new, freshly toasted barrels. My bottle (batch # 24-504) received a # 2 char and a heavy toast. This product is non-chill filtered and bottled in small batches at 100 proof (50 % ABV). The Toasted Rye won a double gold medal in 2024 at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition (SFWSC).
Aroma - Decadent on the nose with bold sweet caramel and hints of mint
Body - Vanilla, toasted marshmallow, hints of light tobacco and fruit
Finish - Long finish, sweet desert character, orange peel with a subtle spice note
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