Penelope Private Select 9 Year Bourbon (2024 Estate Collection)

Aroma - Oak, orange creamsicle ice cream, caramel, slightly bread notes. As it opens, a minty rye note begins to become more noticeable and begins to jump out at you. My initial thought is that this going to be lacking in complexity on the palate. Taste - Everything from the nose, transfers to the palate here. Viscosity is average but the finish is really quite nice. Getting a lot of that old almost dry-oak with orange creamsicle note. Alcohol is also quite noticeable for the proof though. In fact as the finish goes on, the alcohol intensifies and the orange creamsicle note begins to fade away into the background. Once that transition stops, vanilla starts to pop up. That is an interesting experience. Overall - The saving grace of this is the finish. The nose and initial flavors on the palate are nice but nothing crazy, just really well balanced and nice. Above average to be honest. But then the finish takes you on this roller coaster from sweetness to heat back to a different sweetness. This coaster effect makes you want to take another sip because your palate is being selfish and it is experiencing its own adrenaline rush. At $80-$90 it’s definitely something I would buy. But $100 is pushing it. Anything above that is probably not worth it. I would save the cash and get 2 $50 bottles. Just saying there is no reason to spend over $100.

Nose is superior with stone fruit (peach, plum), lime zest, spun sugar, French vanilla, nutmeg, fresh cut grass, and a hint of musty paper. Ethanol non-existent. I don’t know whether to keep huffing it or drink it. Ok, let’s drink it. Palate offers bread pudding, brandy soaked raisin, concord grape, almond butter, cinnamon sugar, peach, and apricot. Flavors have depth, richness, and complexity. Not as “bright” as a typical MGP whiskey of this age, most likely from whatever Kentucky bourbon has been added to the blend. Finish is a delightfully slow morph into soft, sweet toasted oak, cinnamon roll, white pepper, burnt sugar, plum, and a hint of char. It is a little short, but what’s here is damn near perfect. Mouthfeel is medium bodied, soft, and slick, with no graininess. A masterpiece. What a surprise. I paid $99.99 for this which I understand is slightly over retail and it’s STILL a steal. To think there are people out there paying $100-$200 more for whiskies nowhere near this good. I’m going to get another one tomorrow.

Glass: Glencairn, rested 15 minutes. Color: Medium amber. Nose: Butterscotch, toffee, chocolate, very sweet. Palate: Cinnamon red hots, sweet clove, baking spice. Finish: Long length with medium heat. Splash: A mild minty note appears. Overall: 9.5/10 - This was a gift from a friend, and I was pleasantly surprised by the complexity and the notes in general. Would definitely recommend!

Nose: cornflakes, marshmallows, slight orange, baking spice Palette: pecan, sweet brown sugar, four grain is noticeable per penelope mash bill, more baking spice on the back, tannins slowly build but not overpowering.

Such a well crafted bourbon at the perfect proof point. Now that Penelope is owned by MGP they’re getting the good stuff.

Better after a couple drops of water vs neat, but I enjoyed the Single Barrel Estate Collection more.