Penelope Toasted Rye (Batch 24-304)

Straight rye whiskey with a toasted barrel finish. Aged six years in oak after being made with an MGP mashbill of 95% rye and 5% malted barley. It was then finished in oak barrels that were heavily toasted and given char #2. Batch 24-304, bottled at 50% ABV. Sampled neat. Shows a rose copper color with good legs that coat the glass. The aroma presents oak char, toffee, faint burnt sugar, and a hint of background spice. The palate is creamy with butterscotch, toffee, oak char, and dry leather tannins. White pepper and a spicy sweet grass support these flavors. The texture is creamy and oily, coating the mouth with a tropical fruit sweetness. The finish transitions from this to caramel corn, baked apple, and a dry rye spice that persists for a long time in that oily coating, eventually leaving a clean impression. No unpleasant sour notes were detected. This whiskey’s flavors are not overwhelming, and it exhibits minimal ethanol burn. The toasted oak note is quite prominent; whether you appreciate it will depend on your personal preference. I find that smoky quality quite appealing. Adding an ice cube softens the spice and highlights the fruit flavors. It’s an enjoyable drink regardless of how you serve it. Penelope, now a label under Ross & Sqibb, does a commendable job sourcing, blending, and aging MGP distillate. The cost appears somewhat elevated, but this represents an experimental run utilizing toasted barrels. Its future development and potential price adjustments remain to be seen.

The nose is rich, dark, spicy, and complex, with some vegetal notes and dustiness. The spiciness extends beyond typical baking spices and brown sugar; it includes ginger. The flavor is bright and sweet on the initial taste, becoming dark and savory towards the finish. It evokes the sensation of a good vegetable stir-fry, with a strong fruit presence. This is truly delightful and definitely one to be savored. It's not a conventional rye. The finish is exceptionally long and intriguing.

Strong nose of mint and wintergreen. I can definitely taste the rye in this serving. The strong upfront rye isn't quite my preference. The spirit is good quality and smooth, just not for me.