Penelope Barrel Strength (batch 18)

This Four Grain Barrel Strength bourbon is a blend of three MGP bourbon mash bills, aged in new American oak barrels with staves charred to level #4 and heads to level #2. The mash bill consists of 74% Corn, 16% Wheat, 7% Rye, and 3% Malted Barley. It's bottled uncut, non-chill-filtered, at 57% ABV, and aged for 4 to 6 years. It has a light brown straw color and leaves light coating legs in the glass. The aroma is of floral vanilla oak, berry, and sweet malted cereal grain, with a subtle background spice. The taste includes sweet grain and caramel corn, along with grassy rye spice, mint, and tannic oak. The mouthfeel is light and soft for a 57% bourbon. The finish is long, featuring sweet and spicy notes, dry oak, and tart cherry. Adding an ice cube softens the tannins and ethanol, perhaps too much. Penelope has skillfully blended quality MGP whiskies (and been transparent about it), so effectively that MGP recently acquired Penelope to manage and market their finest barrels. Expect more quality batches in the future.

Noticeably buttery and sweet with undertones of cinnamon and vanilla. The finish has a kick, the barrel strength making its presence known. Good complexity overall and enjoyable.

Very sweet with flavors of caramel and vanilla. A bit strong, but not excessively so considering the 114 proof.