Penelope Bourbon goes back to Rio
Penelope Bourbon released their latest installment, Penelope Rio, in March. This Brazilian-inspired bourbon features a double cask finish of American honey and Amburana, a hardwood native to Brazil. It will be available at a suggested retail price of $89.99 per 750-ml bottle and has a limited allocation of 5,000 cases.
According to Michael Paladini, founder of Penelope Bourbon, the two finishes of Rio complement each other to deliver a rich and sweet experience with surprising depth. The bourbon has an aroma of sweet honey combined with notes of cinnamon rolls. It also has a rich body with notes of gingerbread, honey, nectar, and baking spice. The savory finish is highlighted by subtle notes of honey and spice. Rio's blended four-grain mash bill consists of 74% corn, 16% wheat, 7% rye, and 3% malted barley. It is bottled at 98 proof.
“Penelope Rio is one of our more complex finishes. We’re really happy with how this one turned out and can’t wait to see it on the shelf.”
Last year's release of Penelope Rio received 92 points from Whisky Advocate, making it one of the most anticipated releases of this year. It is part of the company's Cooper Series, which takes Penelope Bourbon's straight whiskeys on a world tour. Other members of the series include Tokaji Cask Finish, Rosé Cask Finish, and Valencia.
Penelope Bourbon Backstory
Penelope Bourbon is a whiskey brand that was founded in 2018 and has quickly become one of the fastest-growing brands in the country. The brand is named after founder Michael Paladini's daughter and offers a range of straight bourbon and rye whiskey expressions that are uniquely blended and finished to perfection. Penelope whiskey is known for its smoothness and exceptional flavor profile, making it ideal for sipping on its own or for use in cocktails.
Penelope's core expressions include Four Grain, Barrel Strength, Architect, and Toasted Bourbon, all of which have received over 35 awards and industry accolades. The brand won Double Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition and Best In Category at the ASCOT Awards in 2023 for its Private Select.
Penelope also introduces new and innovative limited releases within its Cooper Series, Private Select, and Founders Reserve lines. Today, Penelope Bourbon is sold in over 40 states and three countries, proving that with enough love, care, and hard work, anything is possible.
