Penelope Private Select Barrel Strength Bourbon

The 3% barley shows up on the nose and adds a dark woodsy varnished brown sugar note to the apple, hay and honey with a hint of rye. Before taking a sip I suspect this will be my favorite Penelope so far. Palate reminds me other strong apple pie bourbons like some of the E Craig and Larceny barrel proof. Dickel 13 year would make an interesting comp. Malt influence mostly disappears, but the brown sugar and caramel hang around with leather, oak and pepper. Very harmonious, all the players getting along. Smooth pepper, oak and cinnamon finish. Wouldn’t elevate this above the EC or Larceny, but it’s a nice variation with extra backbone for Penelope and the 9 year age statement and 109 proof are welcome. Makes a great consolation prize if you can’t find the allocated bottle you’re looking for. Batch #23-202

Rich vanilla and caramel on the nose. Very sweet and no hint of ethanol. Faint hints of charred,smoky wood. Taste is smooth and spicy, the vanilla flavors come through with the smoky. Little bit of cinnamon at the end. Flavors linger in a great way. Spicier than j usually like but this is a great drink. Definitely recommend.

This bottle was 117 proof 4 grain picked by Southern spirits. The nose is soft for the proof on this. I get a hint of corn and grain with a toasted caramel note. On the palate it starts out with a little spice, but mellows out smooth and sweet. The finish is decently long and enjoyable.

Batch 11, 116 proof. Aroma is floral, vanilla. Room temp neat, for 116 proof surprisingly mellow. Notes of oak, vanilla, caramel, pepper. Light burn on lips and tongue. With a bourbon cube chilling it, changed it quite a bit. Comes across almost scotch like with a smoky taste.

A very full pallate with tons of complexity. The proof allows the flavors to develop from a fruit forward start and finish with notes of caramel and vanilla. Excellent pour

FWGS Pick. Floral, rich notes. Strong bite with a smooth, long-lasting finish, which is my ideal profile for a barrel strength whisky. Need to get another bottle of this.