Penelope Rosé Cask Finish
The Basics:
Penelope Distillery
94 proof - NCF
Four Grain Bourbon finished in French Grenache Rosé wine casks
Aged 2 - 3 years
$65 MSRP
Nose:
Strawberries, cream cheese, vanilla, almond extract, rye spice, and birthday cake
Frosted animal crackers
Palate:
Graham crackers, marshmallows, vanilla frosting, vanilla cake, cinnamon and black pepper spices, caramel
Strawberry cheesecake with a graham cracker crust
Finish:
Medium-short finish
Slight effervescent quality, rosé shines here, drying, subtle oak and white grape notes
Final Thoughts:
Generally speaking, I am not the biggest fan of Rosé or wine finished whiskey. Rosé wine can be overly sweet, while many wine finished whiskies overpower the underlying spirit. The nose begins with a strong aroma of vanilla frosting and cake, which is balanced against the cinnamon spice on the palate. Neither one of these overpowers the other, which allows for a nice strawberry cheesecake note to shine through. While I wish the finish hung around a little while longer, Penelope does a great job of balancing the two elements. Overall, this is an enjoyable pour, especially for people who don’t normally reach for a wine finished bourbon.