Skip to main content

Penelope Bourbon is launching its Classic Series with two whiskeys

The brand is releasing a bourbon and a rye whiskey

By Christopher Osburn Jun 17, 2026 10:30 AM

Penelope Bourbon

Penelope Bourbon is well-known for its blending, experimenting, and highly creative whiskeys. And while I’m all for uniquely aged and finished Kentucky straight bourbons and other whiskey styles, sometimes I want something simple and traditional. That’s why I was so excited when I heard about Penelope Bourbon’s Classic Series featuring Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey and Straight Rye Whiskey.

The Penelope Bourbon Classic Series

The Penelope Bourbon Classic Series was created to pay tribute to traditional whiskey-making and to help consumers enjoy bottles of whiskey every day, not just on special occasions or get-togethers with friends and family. Both whiskeys are 92-proof and crafted to be approachable, yet timeless.

Recommended Videos

Penelope Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey begins with a mash bill of 78% corn, 10% rye, and 12% barley malt. According to the brand, the result is a memorable, multi-layered bourbon that begins with scents of butterscotch, toasted vanilla beans, candied orange peels, and caramelized sugar. The palate is centered on flavors like brown sugar, sweet corn, cinnamon candy, and mint leaves. The finish is long, warm, and ends with hints of caramel, dark chocolate, and gentle spices.

Penelope Straight Rye Whiskey begins with a mash bill of 93% rye and 7% malted barley. According to Penelope, it begins with scents of spearmint and citrus zest. The palate features notes of rye spice and caramelized sugar. The finish is long, lingering, warm, with a balanced, memorable ending.

“Since the beginning, our mission has always been to deliver the best possible whiskey to the consumer with every product we release,” Michael Paladini, Founder and Vice President of Strategy at Penelope Bourbon, says

“We didn’t always follow the traditional playbook, but we always prioritized quality above all else. We’ve been talking about and working toward introducing Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey and Straight Rye Whiskey for a long time, but we wanted to make sure they were perfect before releasing them.”

Where can I buy them?

Both expressions will be available at select alcohol retailers in select markets. Penelope Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey will be available at a suggested retail price of $44.99, and Penelope Straight Rye Whiskey will be available at a suggested retail price of $34.99.

Christopher Osburn is a food and drinks writer located in the Finger Lakes Region of New York. He’s been writing professional Read Full Bio

Topics

Liquor, Beer, Wine & Drinks

Europe is slowly embracing wine in pouches instead of bottles. Is America next?

Medley Wine Co.

Boxed wine gets a bad rap because, well, it’s wine in a box. You’ve heard all the negative connotations by now: They’re cheap, unsophisticated, and downright boring. You walk into any party with boxed wine, and you’ll not only raise eyebrows, but also be persona non grata at the next shindig. I’ve personally never sipped wine from a box, though that has a lot to do with the fact that my introduction to wine happened when a date of mine from more than 20 years ago ordered a bottle of Château Ste. Michelle Riesling at a restaurant I frequented. The Riesling was sweet, crisp, and truly delicious for someone who runs on beer, tequila, rum, and whiskey. That bottle of Riesling, however, sparked curiosity: Buying a dozen red and white bottles of wine from my local shop in Pasadena, California. The bottles sat mostly on my wine rack collecting dust. I’d open one every few months when guests preferred something buttery or fruity over carbonated or oaky booze.

It wasn’t until my trip across Tuscany in April 2018 that I really learned to appreciate wine. After touring the tiny village, one wine came out on top, and it’s one I order every chance I get when dining out: Chianti Classico. But always make sure the bottle carries the black rooster symbol. The older I get, the more I appreciate a glass of wine. Heck, last summer while visiting Cuban Creations Cigar Bar in New Orleans, the lovely waitress recommended a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon for the Arturo Fuente Gran Reserva cigar I was about to light. It was a great recommendation.

Bowmore is bringing a new 20-year-old Islay single malt to the US

Whisky, Scotch, Bottle

Twenty years is a long time to wait for anything, let alone a whisky, but Bowmore is betting its newest release is one worth the delay.

The distillery, founded in 1779 in the town of Bowmore, is the oldest licensed distillery on Islay. It’s also the second-oldest in Scotland, and one of the few that still runs its own floor maltings, using peat smoke to dry the barley on-site.

Holladay Distillery is celebrating its 170th birthday with its oldest bourbon to date

Ben Holladay 10 Year Bourbon

Holladay Distillery was founded way back in 1865 in Weston, Missouri. To celebrate its 170th birthday, the historic brand is launching its oldest bourbon yet. This week, it’s kicking things off by releasing Ben Holladay 10 Year Bourbon.

Ben Holladay 10 Year Bourbon