An easy-sipping dram designed to please everyone at the BBQ.
Mike Paladini and his wife Kerry had long agreed that if they had a daughter she would be named Penelope. In 2018 they had that daughter, named her as intended, and founded Penelope Bourbon at the same time with Mike’s childhood friend Danny Polise. As many start-up Spirits companies do, they have launched with a little outside help. In this case distilling and aging in Indiana at MGP and expert blending and bottling assistance from Castle Rock in Kentucky — whom they proudly call part of their team. And the team is working, with two successful releases under their belt and a fistful of awards already in hand.
Penelope Bourbon is a blend of three Spirits — two rye-based and one wheat-based with the same aging profile. Two of them are aged two years (one is aged three) in barrels that have a #4 char on the staves and the heads have a #2 char. And as it should be, the Bourbon is non-chill-filtered to preserve the most flavor and character. And although they have a higher-proof version, this one is for sipping neat as is at 40% ABV.
The Flavor Spiral™ shows the most common flavors that you'll taste in Penelope Bourbon Four Grain and gives you a chance to have a taste of it before actually tasting it.
We invented Flavor Spiral™ here at Flaviar to get all your senses involved in tasting drinks and, frankly, because we think that classic tasting notes are boring.
Dog Dogson's
Smartass Corner
Bourbon matures quicker than Scotch due to higher temperatures in American warehouses.
Spicy and fruity flavors that pull in different directions. I’m not a fan.
Paul,
Love it smooth
Greg,
Light in color and flavor. Nicer for summer
Kaycie,
Good smooth and easy to drink bourbon
Francisco,
Upon opening the bottle, there are hints of spice and orange. Let it breathe and the scent of vanilla arises. Definitely a spicy heat when hitting the tongue but a smooth finish.
Greg,
Light easy drinking bourbon. Tastes a bit young and does not have a very complex profile.
Kenneth,
Very smooth, not a big burn at the end.
Anne,
I’m new to the world of whisky and don’t know what to look for in sipping whiskys. That being said, Penelope did not disappoint. It was very smooth and I enjoyed it both neat and in the rocks.
Aaron,
Moderately spicy up front but mellows out nicely to a smooth finish.
ALEXANDER,
I thought this was a really lovely bourbon! Great vanilla notes to the nose and butterscotch on the finish. Sweeter than I typically like my whiskeys but an easy sipping bourbon.
Ben,
Good but not great
Sean,
Would not pay $40 for it
Morris,
Great clean flavor. Very smooth.
Eric,
Clean taste, but not very complex flavor profile.
Rolando,
This is the bottle that broke the idea that I didn't like bourbon. Crisp but light and the aftertast/hints of honey make this an instant favorite. It's a great every-day drink.
James,
There are some people who are great to have a peaceful summer time afternoon late lunch with. You get a sense of their soft nature, their inner peace, and the full experience is only enjoyed when it is only the two of you. Put those same people in a crowded party, and you spend too much time yelling to appreciate the tenderness they wish to convey. Penelope is a soft-spoken spirit, mellow and easy on the tongue. It does not wish to convey a bold character, or smokey mystery. It is enjoyed, quietly, on its own. Even a touch of ice was too much for this careful spirit. I found it at its best, neat and quiet - without the presence of anything else.
Rob,
Crisp and citrus-y. Not very complex, but clean and crisp finish
Joseph,
I had tried a Bourbon at my son's home several weeks before joining Flavors. My usual Scotch of choice is Johnnie Walker Black, but he ran out of it. So I tried a Bourbon he had and I enjoyed it. The Penelope Bourbon I ordered from Flaviar was very good with intricate flavors.
Paul,
Very nice. Simple and clean. Will replace Jefferson’s reserve I think as my go to stand by for bourbon.
Terry,
Very mellow. Not much heat on the finish. Will probably buy again for a mixer
Peggy,
This was one of best bourbons I've tasted. It was a great sipping bourbon, super smooth and very mellow.
GEORGE,
I really liked this bottle, would definitely recommend and definitely buy again!
Andrew,
Very weak and disappointing. It’s a shame that this was the only bourbon to choose from for my first box. Do better Flaviar.
Victor,
Really enjoyed the flavor and smoothness
Ryan,
I was pleasantly surprised with this bottle. Hard hit of butterscotch right off the bat that quickly mellows out.
William,
Smooth . Easy to sip neat. No burn. 80 proof. Nice uncomplicated taste
Paul,
Spicy yet smooth. Very enjoyable supper!
Paul,
Smooth taste. Hint of butterscotch and cream. Excellent sipping bourbon. Will keep on my shelf.
Ellison,
Just good all around. It mixes well (like old fashions) and is great straight. The swiss army knife of bourbons.
Greg,
Loved it very smooth and the vanilla flavors stood out. Very good flavor, I would recommend it to all.
Lori,
I loved this Bourbon! The vanilla notes really stood out and it was easy to enjoy neat.
Alfred,
Easy good down with a moderate spicy aftertaste. Initial flavors of vanilla.
Brian,
Very smooth with notes of caramel and vanilla. Great flavor for such a low-proof bourbon.
Sean,
Beautiful Bourbon excellent for drinking neat or my favorite on the rocks
Sam,
Loved it! Very easy to drink on the rocks or even neat. I was pleasantly surprised!
Charlie,
Easy drinking. Clean finish. So far it’s my favorite bourbon.
Wesley,
Loved it.
Michael,
The spice in the flavor spiral is accurate. This has a bit more of a rye taste, which does not happen to be my desired taste. It is relatively smooth, but just not my thing.
Troy,
Great flavor, very smooth. This bourbon quickly became one of my favorites.
Michael,
I just got my bottle in and had to pop it open. I have never head of this burbon and this is my first time tasting it. The mouth feel is a bit oily and lines a bit which I find nice and welcoming. The nose is mellow with hints of banna, cinnamon, and caramel (?). Taste brings a good sweetness with hints of blqck pepper, banana and something else I can't quit place. On the backend there is a bit of spiciness and maybe apple . Overall I recommend this one in both a taster and bottle. For the price its worth every penny.
Larry,
Spice forward yet smooth. Does not overwhelm the palate. I liked it and would buy again depending on the price.
GEORGE,
This was pretty good. Very sweet and delicate floral nose. A very young tasting bourbon but the sweetness from the corn continued on the palate. A soft but welcoming finish.
Jessica,
Spicy, bite, smooth, orange
Brandon,
This was the first bottle I received with my sub. It was simply amazing. Smooth, flavorful, delicious. Definitely one I'll be getting again.
Paul,
Smooth, creamy, and a slight butterscotch taste. Hint of smoke also. Excellent sipping bourbon. You will not be disappointed.
Paul,
Smooth, creamy, with a slight butterscotch taste. Hint of smoke also. Excellent sipping bourbon! You will not be disappointed.
Franklin,
Decent, pretty monotone in the flavor, great option for those early in their whiskey tasting adventure
Ellen,
Subtle caramel and vanilla nose. Slight spice nose as well. Only 80 proof. Smooth taste.....nothing really jumps out. Kind of a monkey shoulder "lite" taste. Very enjoyable.
Rob,
Not bad but not much flavor to it. There are way better bourbons in this price range.
Travis,
Love the 4 grains
David,
I like a smoother tasting sharp spice
Matt,
Faintly sweet nose, notes of apples, pears, and sweet cream. Well balanced, lightly flavored bourbon. A new favorite!
Joshua,
Smooth, strong wheat flavor. Great value for your dollar
Ryan,
Exceptionally smooth. Great sipper. Only downside is that it is almost too mellow. I'm guessing a full proof version of this would be outstanding.
Roslyn,
Very smooth and subtle, great neat but could get lost if mixed.
Louis,
Disappointing first bottle. I was skeptical out of the box because of the light coloring. Very thin and lacked complexity. My last name begins with P so I will display it on the bar but will never drink or serve.
Kyle,
Very smooth, great neat, but lacks the oomf at at only 80 proof. Lovely citrus notes, great for old fashions.
Stephen,
The bourbon is very smooth with a hint of honey. Delicious
Derek,
It is so good. The first bottle I got from Flaviar and I was not disappointed. I’m sure there are far more better tasting whiskeys but I bought a bottle after receiving a free bottle. So it was that good.
justin,
It was alright. It definitely fits the flavor profile placed on it. it is spicy and it does have a burn on the throat. If that is what you are in the market for, this definitely fits the bill.
Matthew,
Very smooth but gets lost easily if you mix it.
Adam,
It was an enjoyable experience, perfect introduction into whiskey.
Corey,
Flavorful and very smooth. Nice on the pallette. Subtle burn on the finish. Overall a very good whiskey.
Mike,
Minty nose. Flavor rolls from vanilla to butterscotch to orange. Finishes spicy. A fun whiskey for tasting and a tasty one for casual drinking.
Gregory,
This is not a bourbon I will ever want to buy. I’m a straight up or on the rocks drinker. This bourbon I am going to have to use as a mixer.
Michael,
Smooth, nice sweetness.
Chris,
This is a surprisingly smooth bourbon and a great value! I’m going to be ordering more.
Nancy,
This is a nice whiskey to sip neat. Complex profile with a lovely smooth finish.
Tanya,
Wasn't great. Wasn't bad. Didn't detect any key flavors.
Analea,
This is smoooooth alone but I like a kick so it’s a fantastic sour mixer, etc.
Steve,
Light flavors and smooth.
Glenn,
Smooth and light. To me it is a good "out on the porch" bourbon. to me it does not carry a lot of body and therefore best straight and not for cocktails. Has a sweetness to it that is refreshing. I don't think this would work well against say a cigar and would get lost in the pairing.
Maurice,
Smooth, light, great old fashioned bourbon with lemon peel and oils !!!
Katherine,
Disappointed, slightly bitter and hard to distinguish flavors. Not enough heart and too much tail and head with an overpowering ethanol flavor. Hard on the pallette.
Matthew,
Very solid bourbon, some bourbons mix flavors but this was a classic flavor more than most and very enjoyable.
Chris,
Almost like a desert. Some sweet upfront and very smooth finish
Nicholas,
I enjoyed this bourbon very much. Smooth and sweet, but with the right amount of spice and fruity notes. On the rocks or neat, very enjoyable.
Kelly,
So polished, mild, and easy-drinking. Great intro blended bourbon.
Joe,
Smooth. great taste. Easy to mix or drink with a splash of water. Slightly sweet.
John,
Fantastic! Nice easy drinking bourbon.
Michael,
Nice bourbon, a little light. Would be good with a BBQ. Also would make a good summer evening sipper.
Tom,
Good bourbon. But nothing spectacular or noteworthy. I’d drink it again but probably wouldn’t buy it again.
Patrick,
Enjoyable neat, definitely would pair well with smoked meat or BBQ
Mike,
This was a very sweet bourbon for me, much more than I was expecting, the bottle did not last long.
Jake,
For a young bourbon this has a nice palate to enjoy neat.
William,
Not as sweet as I was expecting. A little more alcohol splash than I prefer. Will drink the bottle but will not go back for more.
Greg,
Great all around bourbon!
Matthew,
Pretty strong tasting alcohol is all i tasted
Clifford,
Not my cup of tea. Started it as always neat over my soapstone cubes and just didn't like it at all. Did what I very rarely do and had my second drink from it over ice. Only way I'll drink it. Would not get again.
Keith,
Starts out with the typical cherry flavor but then quickly fades and ends on a very thin flat note.
William,
Wasn’t my absolute favorite, maybe a bit to much stick-flavor. Writing this review 2 months after I emptied the bottle.
Stan,
Very smooth, light. I can only imagine how good the cask strength is. I'd buy this again
Jim,
Not the best bourbon I have tried but was good.
Matthew,
Not bad. Not great. not complex enough. too stringent
Randall,
Smooth but unsophisticated. Easy to drink. good value
Charles,
Smooth. No burn. Nice on the rocks
Troy,
This was one of the most smooth and enjoyable Bourbons I've experienced. Granted, my knowledge is very limited but it was great over ice, or mixed.
Robert,
Nice and smooth. Very light and one I think my wife or a bourbon novice could drink neet
Bruce,
Not bad, but too light in flavor.
Benjamin,
Exceptionally smooth -- light but flavorful. A really nice bourbon either neat or on the rocks.
Andrew,
Very smooth. Easy drink neat, a little of the nice burn but in no way overwhelming.
Chilton,
to light in structure
Brad,
Very smooth, light and almost a sweet taste. Really nice on the rocks.
Tiffany,
I really enjoyed this bottle. It was more than I expected and the flavors are amazing.
Marriann,
bitey but not to much to not enjoy straight.
Lisa,
I like Penelope. She is my office bourbon and is perfect at the end of a hard day. not too heavy, not too spicy, and smooth enough to drink neat.
Robert,
It was middle of the road and so everyone knows I am comparing it to Horse Soldier Small Batch a bit higher but that is my new standard.
Tim,
Didn’t enjoy.. not a lot of flavor.
Kevin,
A tasty treat, with a little spice but doesn’t finish harshly.
Michael,
I'm am not a Bourbon guy, but this was smoother than I expected. Went well with a Southern Draw Rose of Sharon cigar.
Thomas,
This was an exquisite bottle of Bourbon for the money. Smooth with a little bite but not harsh. Very flavorful. Would recommend to anyone.
Sean,
Good for those days when you are our of your favorite and need a filler.