For years, Penelope constructed a lot of its status round rigorously chosen sourced whiskey, significantly bourbon and rye distilled by MGP in Indiana. June 2026 marked a significant shift with the arrival of two everlasting additions to the Penelope portfolio: Basic Collection Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey and Basic Collection Straight Rye Whiskey. Launched collectively as a part of the brand new Basic Collection, each signify a departure from what longtime followers have come to count on.
The Kentucky Straight Bourbon is very important. It’s the first time Penelope has launched Kentucky-distilled bourbon on this scale, shifting away from the MGP bourbon that helped outline a lot of the model’s id. Distilled in Bardstown, its mashbill consists of 78% corn, 10% rye, and 12% malted barley. The Straight Rye additionally takes a unique path. Whereas it stays an MGP whiskey, it swaps the model’s long-associated 95% rye, 5% malted barley recipe for a 93% rye, 7% malted barley mashbill. One other distinction comes from what’s lacking. Neither whiskey is a mix. The rye has historically adopted that strategy, however the bourbon breaks from Penelope’s long-running observe of mixing a number of mashbills.
Each expressions are bottled at 92 proof, a stage that factors towards on a regular basis ingesting moderately than reserving them for particular events. On paper, the target seems easy: supply reliable pours that may earn a daily place on the shelf with out asking a lot of the drinker.
Taken collectively, these releases mark a brand new route for Penelope throughout each bourbon and rye. Is that shift sufficient to make the Basic Collection value including to the every day rotation?
Penelope Basic Collection Straight Rye Assessment
This straight rye whiskey comes with out an age assertion, that means it’s no less than 4 years outdated. A number of on-line retailers checklist it at 7 to 9 years outdated, although Penelope has by no means confirmed that data, leaving these claims purely speculative.
The nostril opens with the aroma of a freshly unwrapped stick of spearmint gum alongside limoncello. That citrus rapidly provides approach to dill pickle brine, whereas the mineral high quality of a freshly sharpened graphite pencil sits quietly beneath every part else. Though the mashbill differs barely from the usual MGP recipe of 95% rye and 5% malted barley, a lot of that signature profile stays intact. Judging by aroma alone, this might simply move for a high-rye MGP rye whiskey in a blind tasting.
The primary sip begins on a disappointing observe, providing one thing much like flat ginger ale. It arrives skinny, with the ginger spice by no means fairly discovering its footing. Fortuitously, issues enhance moderately rapidly. That opening observe provides approach to Put up Honeycomb cereal, and the viscosity modifications dramatically alongside the best way. What begins out nearly watery turns into surprisingly syrupy via the center of the sip. Cool peppermint sweet joins tart lemonade powder earlier than the end begins.
The closing moments briefly stumble with a cinnamon toothpick observe earlier than recovering as soon as once more. Lemongrass, a livelier ginger observe, and pine nuts present a a lot stronger conclusion than the whiskey initially suggests.
This rye delivers lots to get pleasure from, though it additionally spends time working via a couple of tough patches. Fortunately, these weaker moments don’t final very lengthy, and each is adopted by a significant rebound. The shift from an nearly watery arrival to a a lot thicker mouthfeel is very attention-grabbing, and it’s laborious to not surprise what this mashbill may do at a proof north of 100.
At 92 proof, I’d fortunately settle for a pour if a good friend supplied one, however I don’t see myself reaching for it over different rye whiskeys in my cupboard when ingesting neat. Then again, it strikes me as a simple suggestion for somebody excited about exploring rye with out diving into barrel-proof territory. Behind the bar, it additionally appears to be like like a superb candidate for a buck completed with recent mint and a drizzle of honey. 92 proof. B / $35
Penelope Basic Collection Kentucky Straight Bourbon Assessment
Just like the rye, this bourbon is launched with out an age assertion, putting it at a minimal of 4 years outdated. In contrast to its companion launch, nevertheless, there aren’t any on-line retailer age claims floating round to muddy the waters.
The aroma is pushed nearly solely by butterscotch, backed by a light-weight maple syrup observe, baked meringue, and orange gummy bears. Roasted sunflower seeds arrive later with a flippantly salty, earthy accent, however candy butterscotch stays the focus from starting to finish. It’s an pleasurable nostril, even when it doesn’t stray very removed from that central theme.
The palate tells a unique story. A light brown sugar observe seems first, then rapidly fades, leaving the whiskey flat and remarkably watery. There’s an expectation that one thing extra substantial is about to reach, however that second by no means materializes. Baked candy potato ultimately joins the combination, adopted by flippantly honey-roasted peanuts and a contact of apple pie spice. None of it good points a lot momentum, and every part stays muted because the whiskey strikes towards the end.
The end continues in the identical vein with faint burnt caramel, an especially diluted observe resembling Dr Pepper, and simply sufficient sandalwood spice to remind you it’s nonetheless there earlier than disappearing.
It’s troublesome to pinpoint precisely what function this bourbon is supposed to fill. There’s nothing abrasive or disagreeable about it. As a substitute, it merely passes throughout the palate with out providing a lot to recollect afterward. The profile stays subdued from the opening sip via the end, making it laborious to image a cocktail the place it wouldn’t disappear behind the opposite components, particularly contemplating how simply it fades by itself.
Penelope has turned out some wonderful bourbons through the years, which makes this launch all of the extra puzzling. 92 proof. B- / $45
The put up Assessment: Penelope Basic Collection Rye and Kentucky Bourbon appeared first on Drinkhacker: The Insider's Information to Good Ingesting.
