Penelope Toasted Barrel Strength Liquor Barn Single Barrel Bourbon 750ML

Penelope Toasted Barrel Strength Liquor Barn Single Barrel Bourbon 750ML is a 112-proof (56% ABV) single barrel bourbon finished in heavily toasted new American oak. The Penelope Toasted expression earned a Gold medal at the 2022 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, while the broader Barrel Strength line collected a Double Gold in 2020 and additional Gold medals in 2022 and 2023 at the same competition. This particular bottling is a single barrel selection, meaning no two barrels deliver exactly the same profile — each bottle reflects the unique interaction between a specific barrel's char and toast levels.

Quick Facts: ABV: 56% (112 Proof)  |  Origin: Lawrenceburg, Indiana, USA  |  Age: 5 Years  |  Distillery: MGP  |  Non-Chill Filtered

Production & Heritage

Penelope Bourbon sources its whiskey from MGP (Midwest Grain Products) in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, one of the most prolific and respected contract distilleries in American whiskey. The mashbill runs 74% corn, 21% rye, and 5% malted barley — a high-rye recipe that leans heavily into spice. After five years of maturation in new American oak barrels with a #4 char, the bourbon is transferred into a second new American oak barrel that has been heavily toasted rather than charred. This secondary finishing coaxes out additional caramelized sugars and toasted wood character without the aggressive carbon filtration effect of deep char. The result is bottled at barrel strength without chill filtration, preserving the full texture and flavor intensity of the individual barrel.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Vanilla and honey lead immediately, followed by warm waves of caramel and a bright thread of lemon peel. The toasted oak backbone is unmistakable, lending a bakery-like warmth before you take the first sip.

Taste: The entry hits with rich smoked salted caramel and brown sugar, then the high-rye mashbill asserts itself at mid-palate with a commanding surge of cinnamon, hot ginger, and black pepper. Toasted oak spice and dark chocolate develop as the proof spreads across the tongue, with almonds and a secondary layer of vanilla rounding out the peak.

Finish: Long and warming, with rye spice building steadily through the close. Leather, charred oak, and bittersweet dark chocolate linger well after each sip, and the non-chill filtered texture leaves a satisfying oily coating.

How to Drink Penelope Toasted Barrel Strength

At 112 proof, this bourbon rewards a few drops of water or a single large ice cube to gradually open the toasted oak and caramel layers without drowning the barrel-proof intensity. Neat is ideal for experienced palates who want the full textural impact.

• Old Fashioned: The heavy toast character and dark chocolate notes stand up to bitters and sugar without losing definition.
• Boulevardier: The rye-forward spice and barrel-proof weight hold their ground against Campari and sweet vermouth.
• Gold Rush: Honey syrup amplifies the bourbon's natural vanilla and caramel, while lemon juice mirrors the citrus peel on the nose.

Best For

• Barrel-proof bourbon enthusiasts seeking a unique toasted-finish expression
• Gifting a whiskey collector who values single barrel exclusivity
• Side-by-side tastings comparing toasted versus charred barrel finishes
• After-dinner sipping alongside rich desserts like dark chocolate or crème brûlée

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Penelope Toasted Barrel Strength taste like? It delivers an intense combination of smoked salted caramel, cinnamon, toasted oak spice, and dark chocolate, driven by a high-rye mashbill at a full 112 proof. The non-chill filtered bottling adds a rich, oily mouthfeel that amplifies every flavor.

How does Penelope Toasted Barrel Strength compare to Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel? Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel is typically bottled at 94 proof using a lower-rye mashbill, resulting in a gentler, sweeter profile with more restrained spice. Penelope Toasted Barrel Strength runs significantly hotter at 112 proof with a 21% rye mashbill, delivering bolder cinnamon and pepper notes alongside greater overall intensity and texture.

Is Penelope Toasted Barrel Strength good for sipping neat? Yes, though the 112-proof potency benefits from a few drops of water to unlock the full range of toasted oak and caramel flavors. Experienced barrel-proof drinkers will find it highly rewarding straight from the glass.

Where is Penelope Toasted Barrel Strength made? It is distilled at MGP (Midwest Grain Products) in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, a facility renowned for producing high-quality bourbon and rye whiskey for numerous American brands. The bourbon is aged and finished under the direction of the Penelope Bourbon team.

What foods pair well with Penelope Toasted Barrel Strength? Smoked brisket or pulled pork complements the toasted oak and caramel sweetness. Dark chocolate truffles mirror the bittersweet cocoa notes on the finish. Aged sharp cheddar contrasts the bourbon's sweetness with savory tang. Pecan pie echoes the nutty, brown sugar character. Charcuterie with cured meats and spiced nuts plays well against the rye-driven spice.

What sizes does Penelope Toasted Barrel Strength come in? This single barrel selection is available in the standard 750ml bottle size.

Is Penelope Toasted Barrel Strength worth the price? It positions as a premium single barrel bourbon, and the combination of barrel-proof potency, toasted-barrel finishing, non-chill filtration, and single barrel uniqueness places it competitively among allocated and limited-release bourbons in its price tier.

Why Penelope Toasted Barrel Strength?

The double-barrel process — full maturation in #4 char oak followed by a heavy-toast finish in a second new oak barrel — creates a layered flavor profile that standard single-barrel bourbons simply cannot replicate. Multiple Gold and Double Gold medals at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition across the Toasted and Barrel Strength lines confirm that this approach delivers at a high competitive level. At 112 proof and without chill filtration, nothing is lost between the barrel and the glass; every ounce of toasted oak sweetness, rye spice, and caramelized sugar comes through undiminished. For drinkers who want barrel-proof intensity paired with the added complexity of a toasted finish, this single barrel selection occupies a distinctive and hard-to-replicate space in the bourbon landscape.