Penelope Rio
Overall Score: 7.75/10
Overall Value: 3.25/5
Distillery: Ross & Squibb Distillery (MGP)
Classification: Straight Bourbon Finished in Honey Barrels
Company: MGP
Release Date: Winter 2025
Proof: 102.2
Age: NAS
Mashbill: 74% Corn, 16% Wheat, 7% Rye, and 3% Malted Barley
Color: Wheat
MSRP: $90 (2026)
The Barrel Bros’ Review
The nose on this Penelope Rio comes across as funky in a sweet, intriguing way. There’s a rum-like twang that leads the charge, followed by seasoned fruit pipe tobacco and a throwback note of playground woodchips. Cinnamon shows up more like a stick than sugar, paired with honey and a touch of cinnamon roll. It’s unusual, a little funky, and clearly different from a traditional bourbon nose.
The mouthfeel on the palate is silky, oily, and rich, coating the palate nicely. Sweetness is a big player here, but it’s not the usual caramel-and-vanilla kind. Instead, you get an unconventional mix of banana-adjacent yellow fruit, peanut, sugar cane, cinnamon, and honey. The sweetness feels nostalgic—almost like candy cigarettes—while that same twang from the nose keeps things interesting and a bit off the beaten path.
The finish is pleasant but not overly long. As the cinnamon fades, honey and a soft sweetness take over, drifting into a salt-water taffy note. Any funk from earlier melts away, leaving behind a light peanut character and a clean exit that never turns bitter or overly oaky.
This 102.2 proof version of Penelope Rio is definitely unique and will likely be divisive. It steps far away from classic bourbon profiles, but that’s also its biggest strength. This is a bottle that shines as a conversation starter and a fun pour for enthusiasts who enjoy trying something different. At its MSRP, it may not be an everyday sipper for everyone, but if you catch it on sale, it becomes an even easier recommendation.
Even if it’s not fully your style, it’s absolutely worth having on the shelf to share and experience something outside the norm.
If you’re looking for specific notes from our Barrel Bros, read their individual reviews below!
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Individual Reviews
The Rye Guy Says
Score: 8/10
Value: 3.5/5
THE NOSE:
It reminds me of seasoned fruit flavored pipe tobacco, as well as playground woodchips from back in the 90’s.
There is a bit of a funk here but it’s sweet and pleasant.
THE TASTE:
The mouthfeel is silky and rich. It is particularly sweet, but it has a very unconventional flavor.
The best description I can think of is slight banana, peanut, and sugar cane. But not traditional bananas, authentic bananas or something in the yellow fruit category.
It really reminds me of the flavor of the sugar candy cigarettes.
THE FINISH:
The finish kind of dissolves into a sweet salt-water taffy flavor. Its really pleasant.
The funkiness melts away. Maybe a bit of peanut.
BUY OR PASS?
I really liked this bottle. Trying to describe the uniqueness of the flavor was difficult, but it was sweet and very enjoyable. It would certainly be a good unique offering to add to any enthusiast's shelf.
I do think it may be divisive as it steps away from traditional profiles.
The Hunter Says
Score: 7.5/10
Value: 3/5
THE NOSE:
There’s a clear twang right away. The best way I can describe it is rum-like, even though I know that’s not exactly what’s going on.
Whatever it is, it comes across a little funky. After that, a little cinnamon and honey shows up, and it’s more cinnamon stick than cinnamon sugar.
I also get a hint of cinnamon roll, but it’s toned down and not overly sweet.
THE TASTE:
This sits really nicely. It’s sweet, oily, and coats the mouth well.
That same twang from the nose hits first, then it settles into cinnamon and honey.
THE FINISH:
The finish isn’t very long, but it’s pleasant.
As the cinnamon fades, the honey comes through more, and thankfully it never turns bitter or too oaky.
BUY OR PASS?
This is the first batch of Penelope Rio I’ve tried, so I’m sure there are differences from release to release. It’s not my favorite profile, but I still ranked it fairly well because it’s extremely unique.
Even if it’s not your style, this is a great bottle to keep on the shelf just to let people try it and experience something different.
