Penelope Bourbon Wheated

Tasting Notes and Characteristics:

Penelope Bourbon Wheated greets the palate with a smooth, approachable character that makes it an excellent choice for relaxed evenings or celebratory gatherings. Bottled at 47% ABV, this bourbon is crafted in the United States using a wheated mash bill, which replaces rye with wheat to create a softer, rounder profile. The production process highlights careful aging and blending techniques that bring out the best in its American heritage.

The flavor profile of Penelope Bourbon Wheated reveals layers of caramel, vanilla bean, and gentle baking spices balanced by hints of toasted oak. These notes complement smoky barbecue ribs beautifully, enhancing both the sweetness of the sauce and the charred meat. When paired with dark chocolate, its subtle spice and creamy undertones create a harmonious finish that lingers pleasantly on the palate.

Producer Information: Penelope Bourbon

Penelope Bourbon is based in Roselle, New Jersey, and was founded in 2018 by Michael Paladini and Danny Polise. The company began with a focus on creating approachable, high-quality bourbon that appeals to both new and seasoned whiskey enthusiasts. Penelope sources its bourbon from MGP in Indiana, blending different mash bills to achieve a balanced flavor profile. Their production approach emphasizes transparency, small-batch blending, and non-chill filtration to preserve the whiskey’s natural character.

Beyond their flagship straight bourbon expressions, Penelope Bourbon offers a diverse portfolio that includes barrel strength releases, toasted series bourbons finished in custom barrels, and limited edition cask finishes such as rosé cask or Valencia orange cask. The brand has also experimented with unique grain blends like four-grain bourbons featuring corn, wheat, rye, and malted barley. While primarily focused on American whiskey styles rather than other spirits or beer varieties, Penelope continues to expand its offerings through innovative aging techniques and collaborations within the craft spirits industry.