Butterscotch | Candy corn | Nectarine | Honey | Toasted oak

Orange rind | Peach | Apricot | Tangerine | Fresh baked bread | Crème brûlée

Oak spice | Honey bun | Caramel | Black pepper | Small amount of orange rind bitterness

It’s been over a year since the bourbon world was thunderstruck by the news of MGP Ingredients’ acquisition of Penelope Bourbon. Penelope, a brand launched only 5 years prior by co-founders Michael Paladini and Daniel Polise, produces products ranging from a four grain bourbon to numerous unique barrel finishes. Most surprisingly, this acquisition came with a twist: the Penelope brand sourced all of its products from MGP, the company that acquired them through Luxco, one of its subsidiaries. But the question on every Penelope fans’ mind: “When are they going to be able to tap into MGP’s good stuff?”

Paladini and Polise are upfront in saying they have big plans for the brand and nowhere is that more clear than the launch of their Estate Collection this fall. See it as “imitation is the sincerest form of flattery” or “hitting them in the feels,” it is clear the Estate Collection is taking a page out of Buffalo Trace’s book with their Antique Collection (BTAC). Though far from a direct copy, it is clear Penelope is spearheading a new chapter for their parent company, MGP, and using inspiration to instantly communicate that their new line of whiskeys evokes quality and value (long hallmarks of BTAC).

At the top, Penelope 9 Year Private Select Bourbon features an aroma that works well thanks to its leveled-headed intensity. It puts forth a wonderful concoction of rich butterscotch and sweet candy corn against playful amounts of nectarine and honey. The palate is fruit forward, with robust orange rind upfront, then peach, apricot, and tangerine following close behind. The mid-palate breaks away from this, layering in fresh baked bread and ending with a pleasing amount of crème brûlée. The finish turns spicy with oak spice upfront and black pepper at the rear. In between, though, sweet honey bun and caramel is introduced, which works well, complementing many of the notes of the nose and palate.  

Penelope 9 Year Private Select Bourbon remains a four grain bourbon that the company made a name on, though the wheat takes a decidedly backseat this time out. Interestingly, the blend also includes bourbon from Kentucky, which marks a departure from their “MGP all the time” history. Penelope confirmed with us that the bourbon doesn’t come from a Luxco brand, but isn’t revealing the source at this time. MGP bourbon, even at an older age, can taste familiar, and Kentucky bourbon was likely included to help round out the blend and add a degree of X factor. Given the premium look of the packaging and quality pour, the bourbon’s $80 price tag and reasonable availability is a welcomed breath of fresh air (though a $200 Founders Reserve edition also exists for those looking to spend more). Penelope 9 Year Private Select Bourbon is more complex and well rounded than their standard releases, which allows its flavors to shine more and be more distinct from one another. For those following the brand for some time now, Penelope 9 Year Private Select Bourbon is not just an improvement of their 4-6 year old blends, it’s a peek into what the new Penelope brand might become and paves a new road forward.

Penelope 9 Year Private Select Bourbon is a 36,000 bottle release.