Penelope Wheated Straight Bourbon Whiskey brings together the art of blending with quality MGP-sourced whiskey, creating a 4-grain wheated bourbon bottled at 95 proof with at least 4 years of aging. This Indiana-sourced bourbon typically retails for around $35-45, positioning it as an accessible entry into Penelope’s lineup of expertly blended whiskeys.
Quick Take
| Profile: Sugar-sweet and grain-forward with corn and wheat prominence |
| Proof Management: Light heat despite 95 proof, drinks easier than expected |
| Standout Feature: Exceptional sweetness with frosted cereal nose |
| Best For: Sweet bourbon lovers and those new to wheated expressions |
| Watch Out: Lighter body and shorter finish than some expect from wheated bourbon |
| Value Play: Solid everyday sipper at an accessible price point |
The Story Behind This Blend
This bottle represents exactly what Penelope Bourbon does best – they don’t distill their own whiskey, but they absolutely master the art of blending. Founded by Mike Paladini and Danny Polise, Penelope sources their whiskey from MGP in Indiana and has built their reputation largely on creating exceptional blends. Their wheated straight bourbon showcases this philosophy, combining multiple MGP barrels into a 4-grain recipe that emphasizes the sweet, characteristics wheat brings to bourbon.
About Penelope’s Approach
Penelope has built their reputation not on owning stills, but on understanding flavor profiles and barrel selection. They work exclusively with MGP-distilled bourbon, carefully selecting barrels and creating blends that offer consistency and character. This wheated expression represents their take on how wheat can complement the traditional bourbon mashbill, though they keep their exact recipes proprietary. The 4-grain designation suggests corn, wheat, rye, and malted barley, with wheat playing a more prominent role than in their standard offerings.
Appearance and Color
In the glass, this wheated bourbon presents a classic copper color that’s neither too light nor overly dark. The legs form thin streaks that cling momentarily to the glass before sliding down, suggesting moderate viscosity despite what turns out to be a lighter mouthfeel than expected. The appearance is clean and bright, exactly what you’d expect from quality MGP stock.
Nose
The nose opens surprisingly light for a 95-proof bourbon, leading with distinct frosted cereal notes that immediately signal the grain-forward character. There’s an almost breakfast cereal quality here – think Frosted Flakes or sweetened wheat cereal. The wheat’s influence shows up as a soft, slightly creamy backdrop, though the overall nose requires some patience to fully develop. It’s not a shy whiskey, but it’s certainly more restrained on the aromatics than many wheated bourbons.
Tasting Notes
The palate delivers exactly what the nose promises – this is a sugar-sweet, grain-forward bourbon that puts sweetness front and center. The corn and wheat dominate the initial taste, creating an almost confectionery sweetness that coats the tongue. Despite being labeled as wheated, there’s a hint of black pepper that appears on the tail end of each sip, suggesting the presence of rye in the mashbill providing just enough spice to keep things interesting.
What’s notable is how this doesn’t quite deliver the soft, rounded mouthfeel typically associated with wheated bourbons. The body is lighter and more nimble than expected, perhaps due to the blending approach or the specific barrels selected. The 95 proof is well-integrated, providing just enough heat to remind you of its strength without overwhelming the delicate grain flavors.
Finish
The finish is where this bourbon shows its limitations – it’s generally short with sweetness dominating throughout. That sugar-forward character that defines the palate continues here, but without much development or complexity. There’s minimal oak influence, virtually no smoke, and the spice notes from the palate fade quickly. It’s a clean finish, but one that leaves you wanting more depth and length.
Who Should Buy This
This wheated bourbon is ideal for drinkers who prioritize sweetness in their whiskey and enjoy grain-forward profiles. It’s particularly well-suited for newcomers to wheated bourbons who want to understand what wheat brings to the mashbill without dealing with high proof heat or overwhelming complexity. Fans of approachable, everyday sippers will appreciate its consistency and drinkability.
However, this isn’t the bottle for those seeking bold, complex wheated bourbons with long, evolving finishes. Experienced bourbon drinkers might find it too simple for contemplative sipping, though it works well as a reliable mixer or casual pour.
Where to Buy
Penelope Wheated Straight Bourbon Whiskey typically retails for $35-45 for a 750ml bottle, making it accessible for most bourbon budgets. You can find it at many liquor stores across the country, particularly those with good bourbon selections. Major retailers like Total Wine, BevMo, and regional chains often stock Penelope products. The distillery’s website offers a store locator to help find local availability.
Online retailers like ReserveBar, Drizly, and others frequently carry this expression, though shipping laws vary by state. Given its growing popularity and reasonable price point, this is generally easier to find than many craft bourbon releases.
FAQ
What is wheated bourbon?
Wheated bourbon replaces some or all of the rye in the mashbill with wheat, creating a softer, sweeter, and often more approachable flavor profile. Famous examples include Maker’s Mark and the Weller lineup.
Who makes Penelope Bourbon whiskey?
Penelope sources their whiskey from MGP Distillery in Indiana and focuses on blending rather than distilling. They select barrels and create proprietary blends from MGP’s stock.
How much does Penelope Wheated Straight Bourbon cost?
This expression typically retails for $35-45, positioning it as an affordable option in the wheated bourbon category.
What’s the mashbill for this wheated bourbon?
Penelope keeps their exact recipes proprietary, but this 4-grain wheated bourbon likely contains corn, wheat, rye, and malted barley, with wheat playing a more prominent role than in traditional bourbon recipes.
Is this good for bourbon beginners?
Yes, the sweet profile and manageable 95 proof make it approachable for newcomers, especially those who prefer sweeter spirits.
Final Verdict
Penelope Wheated Straight Bourbon delivers exactly what it promises – a sweet, accessible wheated bourbon that showcases quality MGP stock and skilled blending. While it doesn’t break new ground or offer the complexity that bourbon geeks might crave, it succeeds as a reliable, everyday sipper that won’t break the bank. The sugar-forward profile and grain-heavy character make it a solid introduction to wheated bourbons, even if it lacks the depth and finish length of premium expressions. For around $40, it’s hard to argue with the value proposition, earning a solid 3.5 out of 5 stars as a dependable, if unremarkable, addition to any bourbon shelf.
