Over the past year I have become a fan of this brand and have branched out to try more of their products. Unfortunately, distribution to NoCo is still a bit limited for Penelope, but I have seen an increase in offerings from two of our local stores. I have yet to be let down by a bottle and hopefully this does not change with last year’s acquisition of Penelope by Ross & Squibb. Today’s review comes from the Penelope Bourbon Bottling Company and is batch 7 of the Penelope Rosé Cask Finish.

Bottle Information

From the Penelope website: Penelope Rosé Cask Finish is the first installment in our Cooper Series which takes our straight whiskeys on a world tour, pairing Penelope with wine casks from the finest wine making regions.  Sweet and delicate, Rosé Cask Finish marries our signature straight bourbon whiskey with hand-selected French Rosé wine casks from the Southern Rhône region, bringing together a truly unique alliance of flavor. 

• Distiller: Bottled by Penelope Bourbon Bottling Company
• Mash Bill: 76% Corn, 14% Wheat, 7% Rye, 3% Malted Barley
• Proof: 94
• Age: 4-5 Years Old
• Year: 2023
• MSRP: $65
• 2024 National Average: $80
• Official Website

There seemed to be either a switch in distribution in Colorado or Penelope ramped up production of Batch 7 in 2023. This was a very scarce product in 2022, however very plentiful last year and easily still found today in stores all over NoCo. Overall, this is very enjoyable, and love this batch’s dominant cherry and cinnamon notes. However, I do have one complaint, please get rid of the glass cork as it makes it damn near impossible to open. With that said, let’s get our taste on!

• Nose: Vanilla, Caramel Coffee Syrup, Cherry, Strawberry, Brown Sugar, and Red Cinnamon Bears!
• Palate: Cherry, Vanilla, Strawberry, Oak Barrel, and Cinnamon
• Finish: Short but Lingering Notes of Spiced Cherries and Dry Oak
• My Rating: Drink It! (Very enjoyable and love this batch’s dominant cherry and cinnamon notes… but please get rid of the glass cork!)

Please remember, drinking bourbon is a personal adventure, so do not be afraid to drink it neat, with ice, or add some water. It’s your bourbon, you bought it, and you should enjoy it how you want to enjoy it!

Cheers! Prost! Sláinte!

Bourbon Bossman™