In 2019, Mike Paladini and his enterprise associate Danny Polise have been one 12 months into their enterprise, Penelope Bourbon, when MGP—the Lawrenceburg, Indiana, provider of the whiskey for his or her New Jersey-based non-distilling manufacturing operation—referred to as with an uncommon provide. Would the duo be excited about 24 barrels of experimental straight wheat whiskey, with a mashbill of 95% wheat and 5% malted barley, that had been laid down six years prior?
They’d all the time been “tremendous shut” with the oldsters at MGP Distillery, in keeping with Penelope grasp blender Polise, and after a listing system replace, “that decision got here in from [MGP’s Ross & Squibb Distillery’s master blender] Sam Schmetlzer, and he stated, ‘these barrels are cool; it’s best to verify them out.’ We acquired the samples and have been 100% in,” remembers Polise.
One downside: “We didn’t have any cash,” laughs Paladini.
“The fee was $25,000 or $30,000 for the 24 barrels, our checking account solely had a number of thousand greater than that, however we wanted that cash for our core product stock,” says Paladini. So the co-founders sat in Paladini’s kitchen one night time, and tasted by the supplied samples once more.
“You’ve acquired a legacy grasp distiller [from MGP], experimenting with a mashbill, and these are the one barrels that resulted. That’s particular itself, however additionally they tasted rattling good,” says Polise. With no use in thoughts however zealously “infatuated with these barrels” as a result of taste, Polise stated they mulled choices.
Taking a Gamble on Penelope Founders Reserve
In the long run, Paladini made the argument Penelope had to purchase the parcel utilizing a baseball ticket analogy. “My dad taught me that if somebody gives you Yankee tickets, and also you decline, chances are high they’re not going to [offer them to] you first the following time,” Paladini chuckles. “This was MGP providing us the primary critical factor of age and worth. We didn’t wish to say no.” Paladini requested his brother for a mortgage, which he was granted, “although he rolled his eyes and requested for curiosity,” Paladini laughs.
Nonetheless, it was so dicey, Polise actually misplaced sleep over the acquisition. “Penelope was rising so quick, with out outdoors traders, and we have been all the time strapped for money, so I apprehensive,” Polise admits. “We knew it was particular. And I give Mike credit score; he actually pushed to seek out the cash and purchase the barrels.”
(In 2023, MGP acquired Penelope Bourbon for $105 million.)
Creating Penelope Founders Reserve
What needs to be accomplished with the brand new wheated whiskeys? A debate ensued, the place mixing, single barrel releases, or batching have been all mentioned. In what he believes to be a nod of respect to the distillery, Polise didn’t wish to mix them. “They really didn’t style higher blended,” he says, noting myriad combos have been tried. “They tasted finest alone of their heaps, and at cask power. It labored out completely as a result of that is how they’re meant to be. Select your personal future, and take a look at all of the variations of it.”
The ultimate merchandise are 5 11 12 months previous straight wheat whiskey heaps that have been launched as a part of the Penelope Bourbon Property Assortment in late 2024, at an SRP of $199 every. Every lot has a novel proof level:
- Lot B: 118.4 proof
- Lot C: 116.6 proof
- Lot D: 109.5 proof
- Lot E: 107.6 proof
- Lot F: 108.2 proof
Tasting Notes for Penelope Founders Reserve
We tried all 5 heaps, discovering every to be tremendously tasty. Whereas every lot has bespoke tasting notes, general, the mashbill presents with heavy caramelized sugar and vanilla notes, maple buttercream frosting, the correct amount of tannins, and a prolonged candy end of crème brûlée that lingers with out veering into cloying. Nonetheless, Heaps C and D are standouts, for enhanced viscosity, char, and toast ranges current within the liquid. There’s one thing particular that stored drawing us to these two heaps.
Ask the co-founders which they like and Paladini echoes our findings, Lot C and Lot D. Polise’s favourite is mood-based. “Lot B is extra fruity, and Lot F is darker, like candies. So it relies upon. Are you within the fruity temper? Would you like one thing lighter or darker?” Polise says, including that for those who’re someplace within the center, go together with Lot D. “Lot D has good stability between cinnamon, traditional vanilla, and butterscotch notes, however it’s additionally acquired fruity citrus notes so in case your temper is within the center that day, for those who’re unsure for those who’re joyful or unhappy, that’s the one,” Polise laughs.
What Occurred to Lot A?
Lot A exists, although the barrel was by no means charred, that means it will not even classify as wheated whiskey. “The class identify on the label would’ve been a nightmare, and the liquid was flat,” Polise says, although the 2 have been toying with concepts on find out how to convey Lot A to life, by finishes or maybe merely longer maturation. Polise factors to extended ageing’s optimistic impact on gentle whiskey. “Discovering the 13 to 17 12 months candy spot for gentle whiskey was essential,” Polise says, “and now gentle whiskey is in a renaissance interval. Lot A barrels may want time to seek out their proper age.”
A Sneak Peek at Penelope Bourbon’s 2025 Founders Reserve
Ask what’s subsequent, and the 2 males lock eyes and wink. Egged on by Paladini, Polise produces a 200 ml pattern bottle from his pocket, crammed with deep amber liquid. “Attempt it proper now,” Polise says, pouring some into our cup. “That is subsequent 12 months’s Founders Reserve.”
Whereas some particulars are underneath wraps, we are able to share that it’s teenage liquid, from an undisclosed Kentucky distillery, with a customized mashbill that’s 78% corn, 10% rye, and 12% malted barley. We are able to additionally relay that it’s positively scrumptious. Anticipate a wider distribution of the 2025 Founders Reserve, too, to way more markets than earlier than.
