An incredibly well-thought-out Whiskey.

Mike Paladini and his wife Kerry had long agreed that if they had a daughter she would be named Penelope. In 2018 they had that daughter, named her as intended, and founded Penelope Bourbon at the same time with Mike’s childhood friend Danny Polise. As many start-up Spirits companies do, they have launched with a little outside help. In this case distilling and aging in Indiana at MGP and expert blending and bottling assistance from Castle Rock in Kentucky — whom they proudly call part of their team. And the team is working, with two successful releases under their belt and a fistful of awards already in hand.

Penelope Architect Bourbon Whiskey is a new release that brings together their signature four grain mash bill and 2 styles of French oak staves from Tonnellerie Radoux, which is a leading oak barrel manufacturer. The guys at Penelope Bourbon selected each individual stave with their OakScan process that scans the tannic potential of the wood. And they knew exactly what they were doing. Aged for 4-5 years, the result is an insanely enticing nose of sweet candied cream, floral notes, and green apple that lead into sweet vanilla and viscous cream with savory oak. Savor neat, on the rocks, or in a cocktail.