Penelope Wheated Bourbon

I'll admit it. I've been curious about Penelope Bourbon for quite a while. The brand seems to pop up everywhere these days—bourbon shelves, whiskey podcasts, social media discussions, and conversations among bourbon enthusiasts. Yet somehow, despite seeing the bottles countless times, I never quite got around to bringing one home. Until now.

And after spending some quality time with Penelope Wheated Bourbon, I'm left wondering why I waited so long. Perhaps the biggest clue lies in how quickly the bottle level mysteriously dropped during my "research."

A Little Penelope History

Penelope Bourbon was founded in 2018 by Michael Paladini and Kerry Russell, who named the brand after Michael's daughter, Penelope. The company quickly made a name for itself by focusing on carefully blended bourbons and innovative finishing techniques while maintaining approachable flavor profiles.

In 2023, Penelope was acquired by MGP Ingredients, one of the most significant whiskey producers in North America. While some enthusiasts hear "MGP" and immediately think sourced whiskey, it's worth remembering that MGP has become one of the most respected distillers in the industry and provides whiskey for numerous highly regarded brands, including George Remus, Redemption, Rossville Union, Ezra Brooks, Rebel, Blood Oath, David Nicholson, Daviess County, and Eight & Sand, as well as a host of other brands rye whiskeys.

The Tasting

Penelope Wheated arrives in a tall, elegant bottle featuring an antiqued label highlighted by distinctive gold foil branding. For this expression, Penelope takes an interesting approach.Unlike traditional wheated bourbons that replace rye entirely with wheat, Penelope Wheated is actually a four-grain bourbon, featuring:

• 74% Corn

• 16% Wheat

• 7% Rye

• 3% Malted Barley

The result is a bourbon that gets the softer sweetness of wheat while still retaining a touch of rye spice.

It is also non-chill filtered, a practice many bourbon enthusiasts appreciate because it helps retain additional oils and flavor compounds that can be removed during chill filtration. If you'd like to learn more, check out my article on bourbon filtration.  The finished product is bottled at 95 proof, and while there is no official age statement, the company shares that it is a blend of bourbons aged 4–6 years.

Eye: Golden honey in color with a few legs slowly developing in my Glencairn glass.

Bright, inviting, and immediately suggesting an easy-drinking pour.

Nose: The nose opens with gentle vanilla accompanied by ripe apple and pear.

A few light floral notes drift in and out, adding a pleasant freshness. Everything feels soft and approachable. 

Palate: The sweetness arrives immediately. Vanilla leads the way, followed by toasted oak, honey, apple, and a nice burst of cinnamon spice. The four-grain recipe begins to reveal itself here. The wheat delivers softness and sweetness while the rye contributes enough spice to keep things from becoming overly dessert-like.

I also picked up notes of cinnamon apple candy that made me think of autumn festivals and county fair concessions. One surprise was the mouthfeel. Because this whiskey is non-chill filtered, I expected a richer and somewhat heavier texture. Instead, I found it slightly thinner than anticipated. Not unpleasantly so - just different from what I expected. The flavors themselves, however, are wonderfully balanced.

Finish: The finish is on the shorter side. Pleasant notes of vanilla, charred oak, and cinnamon apple candy linger before gradually fading away. Not especially complex, but certainly enjoyable. And sometimes enjoyable is enough.

Overall: Wheated bourbons naturally lean toward the softer and sweeter side of the bourbon spectrum. Maker's Mark has taught generations of bourbon drinkers exactly what wheat can bring to the table. 

Penelope takes that familiar wheated concept and gives it a twist by incorporating rye into the mash bill. The result is a bourbon that lands somewhere between several familiar favorites.

Compared to Maker's Mark, Penelope Wheated offers a bit more spice. Compared to Larceny, it feels slightly brighter and fruitier. Lastly, compared to Weller Special Reserve, it delivers a little more cinnamon and oak influence.

What I enjoyed most was how approachable it remained throughout the experience. This isn't a bourbon that challenges you. It isn't trying to prove something. It simply wants to be enjoyable – and at that, it succeeds. This is a well-executed four-grain wheated bourbon that balances sweetness and spice beautifully while remaining approachable and affordable.