Penelope Bourbon is relaunching its popular Rio Bourbon

Penelope is launching its popular Rio again

By Christopher Osburn Published March 4, 2025

Penelope

If you’re a fan of well-made, nuanced, limited-edition whiskeys, you’re probably already a fan of Penelope Bourbon. If somehow you aren’t already, you will be after one sip of Penelope Rio, the brand’s popular whiskey inspired by Carnival in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil.

Penelope Rio

Penelope — Penelope Bourbon announced the release of Rio, one of its most sought-after annual releases in its innovative Cooper Series of cask-finished bourbons. At 98 proof (49% ABV), the latest batch of Rio will be available in limited quantities nationwide in March at a suggested minimum retail price of $79.99 per 750-mL bottle. Penelope

This wildly popular award-winning release is part of Penelope’s Cooper Series of cask-finished bourbons, which includes expressions finished in unique barrels, including Havana, Rose, Tokaji, and Valencia. It begins with a mash bill of 74% corn, 16% wheat, 7% rye, and 3% malted barley. It’s double-finished in American honey and Brazilian Amburana oak barrels.

Recommended Videos

According to the brand, the result is a 98-proof, complex, memorable whiskey that begins with a nose of cinnamon rolls and moves into a palate of gingerbread, honey nectar, and sweet baking spices. The finish is warm and lingering and ends with a mix of sweet honey and spices.

“Rio is one of our most unique releases of the year,” Mike Paladini, Penelope Bourbon founder and vice president of strategy for MGP, said in a press release.

“The combination of a double finish using Brazilian Amburana barrels and honey barrels complement each other so well. This year’s came out incredible, and we can’t wait for people to enjoy it.”

Where can I buy it?

Pouring Scotch — urbazon / iStock

Like many of Penelope Bourbon’s releases, this expression is only available in limited quantities. It’s currently available in select retailers throughout the US for the suggested retail price of $79.99 for a 750ml bottle. Grab a bottle while you can. You never know when this highly sought-after whiskey will be released again.

Topics

Liquor, Beer, Wine & Drinks

Christopher Osburn

Writer

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

Food & Drink

Up your American single malt whiskey game with Minden Mill’s single estate whiskey

Minden Mill has a new American single malt whiskey perfect for Scotch drinkers

Minden Mill

As if you needed a reason to get into American single malt whiskey, the distillers at Minden Mill Distilling just announced the release of Minden Mill American Single Malt Whiskey. Made from locally sourced ingredients near the Sierra Nevada mountain range in the Nevada desert, this is about as far away from Scotland as possible. Yet, you won't find many American single malt whiskeys that taste more like their counterparts from across the pond.
Minden Mill American Single Malt Whiskey

This terroir-driven whiskey is made with 100% estate-grown barley malted on-site. It's mashed with M1 yeast and water from the brand's well outside the distillery. It's distilled in dual, all-copper Forsyth stills crafted in Speyside, Scotland. It's matured for five years in a combination of Oloroso sherry, ex-bourbon, and American oak as well as re-charred wine and sherry butts. All in climate-controlled barrelhouses designed to mimic the temperature and humidity found in Speyside.

Food & Drink

Ready-to-serve cocktail fans will be excited for this new collaboration from The House of Suntory

The House of Suntory is launching The Harmony Collection of ready-to-serve cocktails

The House of Suntory

Suntory is the biggest name in the world of Japanese whisky. And while you can't go wrong with any of its epic whiskies, including Toki, Hibiki, Yamazaki, and Hakushu, sometimes wouldn't you rather have a premium ready-to-serve cocktail? Well, you're in luck. The House of Suntory recently announced the launch of a new collection of ready-to-serve cocktails.
The Harmony Collection

On The Rocks Premium Cocktails and The House of Suntory are releasing The Harmony Collection. This limited-edition partnership launches with two ready-to-serve cocktails created by Hidetsugu Ueno, the world-famous bartender and owner of Tokyo's Bar High Five.

Food & Drink

Johnnie Walker just created the world’s lightest whisky bottle

Johnnie Walker is launching a limited-edition whisky in the world's lighest bottled

Johnnie Walker

There's no bigger name in the Scotch whisky world than Johnnie Walker. If you're a blended whisky aficionado, you will likely have a bottle or two of Johnnie Walker Blue Label. Recently, the brand announced the launch of a limited-edition version of the iconic blend.
Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ultra

This isn't your average limited-edition Scotch whisky. Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ultra is a one-of-its-kind, highly innovative expression. That's because, at just 6.3 ounces, it's the world's lightest 700ml bottle. It's made using new, patented glass technology created by Diageo's design team. The result is not only a lighter bottle but one with lower carbon and a sleek design.