Penelope Rose Cask Bourbon 750ML

Penelope Rose Cask Bourbon 750ML is a 94-proof (47% ABV) four-grain bourbon finished in French Grenache Rosé wine casks from the Southern Rhône region. As the first release in Penelope Bourbon's Cooper Series, this expression stands alone in a category with virtually no direct competitors — a Rosé-cask-finished bourbon that bridges the worlds of American whiskey and Southern French winemaking.

Quick Facts: ABV: 47% (94 Proof)  |  Origin: Indiana, USA  |  Blend of 4–5 Year Old Bourbons  |  Distillery: MGP Distillery

Production & Heritage

The base bourbon is distilled at the renowned MGP Distillery in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, a facility with deep roots in American whiskey production dating back to the 1840s. Penelope blends three distinct bourbon mash bills anchored by a primary grain recipe of 74% corn, 16% wheat, 7% rye, and 3% malted barley — a wheat-forward profile that provides a softer, rounder canvas for cask finishing. The blended 4–5 year old bourbons spend approximately four months finishing in French Grenache Rosé wine casks sourced from the Southern Rhône, then are bottled non-chill-filtered at 94 proof to preserve the full depth of flavor imparted by the secondary maturation.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with candied fruit and floral herbal notes, giving way to sweet vanilla and a distinct strawberry jam quality. There is a gentle creaminess underneath, with hints of sugar plum and light young oak rounding out the bouquet.

Taste: On the palate, the entry is soft and fruit-driven — strawberry crème and red currant arrive immediately, meeting a mid-palate layer of brown sugar and light black cherry. As it develops, ripe berry and raisin notes emerge alongside rich leather and a gentle grain sweetness that reflects the wheat-heavy mashbill.

Finish: The finish is medium-length with a slight spice that balances the fruit-forward sweetness. Lingering notes of berry, cream, and a whisper of oak tannin carry through to a clean, warming close.

How to Drink Rose Cask Bourbon

Neat or with a single large ice cube is the ideal starting point; the non-chill-filtered bottling rewards patience as it opens up at slightly below room temperature. The Rosé cask influence also makes this bourbon unusually versatile in cocktails:

• Boulevardier: The berry and cream notes harmonize beautifully with Campari's bitterness, replacing the need for a sweeter vermouth.
• Whiskey Sour: Strawberry and red currant flavors add a natural fruit complexity that reduces the need for additional sweetener.
• Paper Plane: The floral and candied fruit character amplifies the Aperol and amaro components without overwhelming them.

Best For

• Wine enthusiasts exploring the bourbon category for the first time
• Gifting to a whiskey collector who values unusual cask finishes
• Pairing alongside a cheese and charcuterie spread at a dinner party
• Adding a fruit-forward twist to a classic cocktail night

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Penelope Rose Cask taste like? This bourbon leads with strawberry crème, red currant, and brown sugar, balanced by rich leather and a slight spice on the finish. The Grenache Rosé cask influence adds a distinctive berry-jam sweetness not typically found in straight bourbon.

How does Penelope Rose Cask compare to Angel's Envy? Both are wine-cask-finished bourbons, but Angel's Envy uses Port barrels, producing darker dried-fruit and chocolate tones, while Penelope Rose Cask leans into brighter red fruit and floral notes from the Grenache Rosé casks. Penelope also uses a four-grain, wheat-forward mashbill versus Angel's Envy's higher-rye recipe, resulting in a softer, rounder mouthfeel.

Is Penelope Rose Cask good for sipping neat? Yes — at 94 proof and non-chill-filtered, it has enough body and complexity to reward neat sipping while remaining approachable enough for those who typically find bourbon too intense.

Where is Penelope Rose Cask made? The bourbon is distilled at MGP Distillery in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, one of the largest and most respected contract distilleries in the United States. The finishing and blending are overseen by the Penelope Bourbon team.

What foods pair well with Penelope Rose Cask? Aged Comté or Gruyère cheese highlights the bourbon's brown sugar and cream notes. Duck breast with a berry reduction mirrors the Rosé cask's fruit character. Dark chocolate truffles complement the leather and spice on the finish. A fresh strawberry tart echoes the dominant strawberry crème note. Prosciutto and melon provide a savory-sweet contrast that plays well against the wheat-forward softness.

What sizes does Penelope Rose Cask come in? The standard release is available in a 750ml bottle.

Is Penelope Rose Cask worth the price? It positions as a mid-premium expression within the bourbon category, and the uncommon Grenache Rosé cask finish gives it a distinctiveness that justifies its price point relative to more conventional bourbon offerings in the same range.

Why Penelope Rose Cask?

This is a genuinely rare concept in American whiskey — a four-grain bourbon finished in French Grenache Rosé wine casks, a combination that essentially has no direct competition on the market. The Cooper Series was designed to pair Penelope's soft, wheat-forward base spirit with casks from the world's finest wine regions, and the Southern Rhône Grenache barrels deliver a red-fruit brightness that transforms the bourbon without masking its grain character. At 94 proof and non-chill-filtered, the bottling preserves every layer of complexity from that secondary maturation. For drinkers who appreciate wine-finished whiskeys but want something beyond the familiar Port and Sherry barrel territory, this expression charts genuinely new ground.