Penelope Barrel Strength Bourbon 750ML

Penelope Barrel Strength Bourbon 750ML is an uncut, non-chill-filtered four-grain bourbon bottled at 57.6% ABV (115.2 proof) in a 750ml bottle. Named to Wine Enthusiast's Top 100 Spirits of 2020 and awarded a Double Gold Medal at the 2020 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, this expression represents one of the more inventive approaches to bourbon blending on the market today.

Quick Facts: ABV: 57.6% (115.2 Proof)  |  Origin: Lawrenceburg, Indiana, USA  |  Non-Age-Stated Barrel Strength  |  Distillery: Ross & Squibb (formerly MGP)

Production & Heritage

Penelope Bourbon sources its whiskey from the Ross & Squibb Distillery (formerly MGP) in Lawrenceburg, Indiana — one of the most prolific contract distilleries in American whiskey. What distinguishes the Barrel Strength expression is its blending philosophy: rather than distilling a single four-grain mashbill, Penelope blends three separate bourbon mash bills — including both wheat-forward and rye-forward recipes — that are aged independently in new American oak barrels before being married together. The resulting composite averages roughly 80% corn, 7% rye, 7% wheat, and 6% malted barley. The liquid is bottled completely uncut and without chill filtration, preserving the full intensity and texture that each barrel contributes.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Sweet caramel arrives first, followed by maple syrup and candied butterscotch. A subtle layer of barrel char and pleasant orange peel citrus adds complexity beneath the sweetness.

Taste: The entry is rich with caramel syrup and brown sugar, carrying a crème brûlée quality that coats the palate. At mid-palate, warming cinnamon spice and barrel char emerge, balancing the sweetness with savory grain notes. Despite the proof, the mouthfeel remains surprisingly cohesive — the wheat and rye components creating a push-pull between soft and spicy.

Finish: The finish is long and spice-driven, with cinnamon heat building gradually and lingering well after the sip. Traces of maple, charred oak, and dried fruit round out the tail end.

How to Drink Penelope Barrel Strength

At 115.2 proof, this bourbon rewards a few drops of water to open up the caramel and fruit layers, though seasoned barrel-proof drinkers will find it approachable neat. It also holds up exceptionally well in spirit-forward cocktails. An Old Fashioned made with this bourbon delivers a rich, dessert-like depth thanks to its brown sugar backbone. A Boulevardier benefits from the cinnamon spice cutting through Campari's bitterness. For a simpler serve, a Bourbon Highball with quality sparkling water stretches the caramel and citrus notes into a surprisingly refreshing format without losing character.

Best For

• Barrel-proof bourbon enthusiasts exploring multi-mashbill blending
• Gifting a whiskey collector who appreciates MGP-sourced craft brands
• Building a flight comparing four-grain bourbons against traditional high-rye or wheated expressions
• After-dinner sipping alongside rich desserts or a cheese course

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Penelope Barrel Strength taste like? It leads with rich caramel, brown sugar, and butterscotch, then transitions into warming cinnamon spice and barrel char with a long, spicy finish. The blend of wheat and rye bourbons gives it both softness and heat in the same sip.

How does Penelope Barrel Strength compare to Old Forester 1920? Both sit in the 115-proof range, but Penelope achieves its complexity through blending three distinct mash bills, while Old Forester 1920 relies on a single mashbill and double-barreling technique. Penelope tends to lean sweeter with more caramel and maple character, whereas Old Forester 1920 often delivers darker chocolate and toasted oak notes.

Is Penelope Barrel Strength good for sipping neat? Yes — despite its high proof, the non-chill-filtered bottling and four-grain profile deliver a full-bodied but surprisingly balanced neat pour. A small splash of water can further unlock the fruit and caramel layers for those sensitive to alcohol heat.

Where is Penelope Barrel Strength made? It is distilled at the Ross & Squibb Distillery (formerly MGP) in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, one of the most respected bourbon production facilities in the United States. The blending and bottling are managed by the Penelope Bourbon brand.

What foods pair well with Penelope Barrel Strength? Smoked brisket complements the barrel char and spice. Pecan pie mirrors the bourbon's caramel and brown sugar sweetness. Aged Gouda echoes the savory grain notes. Dark chocolate truffles accentuate the crème brûlée character. Glazed pork belly balances the cinnamon heat with fatty richness.

What sizes does Penelope Barrel Strength come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle, which is the most widely available format.

Is Penelope Barrel Strength worth the price? It positions as a mid-premium barrel-strength bourbon, competing in a crowded field of cask-strength releases. The multi-mashbill blending approach, Double Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, and 93-point Wine Enthusiast score give it strong credentials at its price tier.

Why Penelope Barrel Strength?

The defining move here is the three-mashbill blending strategy. Rather than distilling corn, rye, wheat, and malted barley together in a single cook, Penelope ages wheat-forward and rye-forward bourbon recipes separately, then marries them to build a layered four-grain profile that no single mashbill could produce alone. The result earned a 93-point score from Wine Enthusiast, a 92 from The Tasting Panel Magazine, 90 points from Whisky Advocate, and a Double Gold at the 2020 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. At full barrel strength with no chill filtration, this is a bourbon that prioritizes transparency — what the barrels produce is exactly what reaches the glass.