PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
Penelope’s Toasted Series is the brand’s take on a simple question: what happens if you finish a fully matured bourbon in a second barrel that’s been toasted rather than charred? After full maturation in charred new American oak barrels, a four-grain straight bourbon is moved into a new, freshly toasted barrel for a finishing period. Toasting caramelizes the wood sugars deeper in the stave than charring does, so the finish adds vanilla, sweetness, and a baked-pastry character without the burnt, smoky edge of heavy char.
The bourbon is distilled in Indiana (by MGP, formerly Ross & Squibb) to Penelope’s four-grain recipe of corn, rye, wheat, and malted barley. The Toasted Series uses a ryed mash bill of about 74% corn, 21% rye, and 5% malted barley, and the age statement ranges from 4 to 6 years. It’s bottled at 100 proof (50% ABV), non-chill filtered. A distinctive feature of the series, as Penelope explains: “When we began to explore toasted finishes, we weren’t expecting each barrel to be so different, so we decided to embrace this variety of chars and toasts that make every bottle in our Toasted Series truly one-of-a-kind.” Each batch uses a different custom char and toast, from a “Char 5 Heavy Toast” to a “Honey” toast, so bottles vary a little from release to release.
Penelope’s tasting notes describe an aroma of “brown sugar and cinnamon breakfast pastry,” forward notes of “smooth caramel syrup, brown sugar, subtle barrel char, and hints of butterscotch and crème brûlée,” a body of “vanilla and graham cracker with hints of dried cherry fruit,” and “a savory roasted marshmallow finish and slight spice.” Reviewers are mixed on how it comes together, and it’s worth being upfront with customers. ThirtyOne Whiskey, reviewing a “Honey” toast bottle, called it “a good bourbon, but not a great one, solidly middle of the road,” noting that “the toasted barrel finish does add some interesting complexity; the nose is inviting, it’s impressively smooth, and it checks in at 100 proof.” An earlier review on Bourbon Culture found it hotter and younger than its proof suggested, with “barrel char, charcoal, black pepper and burnt caramel” and a grainy character, a note about an earlier batch.
It’s an easy, approachable way to try a toasted-barrel bourbon, with a sweet dessert-like profile that works neat, on the rocks, or in an Old Fashioned. If a customer wants more intensity, point them to the Magic Toast, the brand’s barrel-strength expression of the same idea.
Penelope Toasted Series Straight Bourbon Whiskey is produced by Penelope Bourbon of St. Louis, Missouri, from straight bourbon distilled in Indiana (MGP) to Penelope’s four-grain recipe (about 74% corn, 21% rye, and 5% malted barley). It is aged 4 to 6 years in new charred American oak barrels, then finished in a new, freshly toasted barrel, with a different char and toast for each batch. Non-chill filtered. Bottled at 50% ABV / 100 proof, 750ml.
No professional critic scores are published; the reviews below are from independent bourbon reviewers, and batches vary.
ThirtyOne Whiskey (a “Honey” toast batch):
“The Penelope Toasted Series is a good bourbon, but not a great one — it’s solidly middle of the road. The toasted barrel finish does add some interesting complexity; the nose is inviting, it’s impressively smooth, and it checks in at 100 proof.”
Bourbon Culture (an earlier batch):
“Every time I dip my nose into the glass, I find youthful, grainy notes... For only being 100 proof, this bourbon is hot... barrel char, charcoal, black pepper and burnt caramel.”
Penelope (official tasting notes):
“Aroma: Brown sugar and cinnamon breakfast pastry. Forward Notes: Smooth caramel syrup, brown sugar, subtle barrel char, and hints of butterscotch and crème brûlée. Body: Vanilla and graham cracker with hints of dried cherry fruit. Finish: Savory roasted marshmallow finish and slight spice.”
Nose
Brown sugar and cinnamon pastry, with caramelized sugar, roasted pecan, vanilla bean, and a wisp of campfire smoke.
Palate
Smooth caramel syrup and brown sugar, with butterscotch, crème brûlée, vanilla, graham cracker, dried cherry, and subtle barrel char.
Finish
Toasted marshmallow, slight spice, and gentle oak.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Style | Straight Bourbon Whiskey — Toasted Barrel Finished |
| ABV / Proof | 50% ABV / 100 Proof |
| Age | 4–6 years |
| Mash Bill | Four-grain: ~74% corn / 21% rye / 5% malted barley (also wheat in the brand’s blend; varies by batch) |
| Finish | New, freshly toasted barrel; a different char and toast for each batch |
| Sourcing | Indiana (MGP) |
| Filtration | Non-chill filtered |
| Producer | Penelope Bourbon — St. Louis, Missouri |
| Style / Identity | A sweet, smooth, dessert-leaning toasted-barrel bourbon at 100 proof |
| Aromas & Flavors | Brown sugar, caramel, crème brûlée, vanilla, graham cracker, dried cherry, roasted marshmallow |
| Bottle Size | 750ml |
Neat or on the rocks — to taste the toasted sweetness.
Old Fashioned — the vanilla and caramel make an easy, rounded one.
Boulevardier or Manhattan — a toasted twist on a classic.
Bottle Size: All bottles are 750ML/700ML unless otherwise noted.
21 and Over: Adult Signature Required
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