Part of Penelope’s Cooper Series, Rio features a double cask finish of American honey and Amburana, a Brazilian hardwood.
ROSSELLE, N.J. (March 18, 2024) – Looking for a carnival in a bottle? Penelope Rio is set to deliver. Arriving on shelf in March, Penelope Rio will be available at a suggested retail price of $89.99 per 750-ml bottle. This year’s installment will have a limited allocation of 5,000 (6-in) cases.
Inspired by the joy of Brazil, Rio delights the senses with a double cask finish of American honey and Amburana, a Brazilian hardwood. The two finishes combine to deliver a rich and sweet experience with surprising depth.
Our latest Rio release is a party in a bottle – the finishes complement each other so well, resulting in a fun and surprising mix of flavors. This year’s release delivers a dessert sweetness combined with a nice baking spice on the finish. It’s a fantastic and different combination of rich and sweet, with depth.
Michael Paladini, founder of Penelope Bourbon
The bourbon features an aroma of sweet honey coupled with notes of cinnamon rolls; a rich body with notes of gingerbread, honey, nectar and baking spice; and a savory finish highlighted by subtle notes of honey and spice. Bottled at 98 proof, Rio’s blended four-grain mash bill consists of 74% corn, 16% wheat, 7% rye and 3% malted barley.
Penelope Rio is one of the more complex finishes we release. We’re really happy with how this one turned out, and we can’t wait to see it on the shelf.
Daniel Polise, founder and master blender of Penelope Bourbon
Last year’s Penelope Rio release received 92 points from Whisky Advocate. It is part of the company’s Cooper Series, which takes Penelope straight whiskeys on a world tour. The other members of the series include Tokaji Cask Finish, Rosé Cask Finish and Valencia. A product locator for the Penelope family of bourbons can be found here.
ABOUT PENELOPE BOURBON
Founded in 2018, Penelope Bourbon has been one of the country’s fastest-growing whiskey brands. Named after founder Michael Paladini’s daughter, Penelope boasts a series of straight bourbon and rye whiskey expressions that are all uniquely blended and finished. Remarkably smooth and flavorful, Penelope is perfect whether sipping neat or mixing in a cocktail. Penelope’s core expressions, Four Grain, Barrel Strength, Architect and Toasted Bourbon, have received over 35 combined awards and industry accolades. In 2023, the brand won Double Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition and Best In Category at the ASCOT Awards – both for its Private Select. In addition to its cornerstone expressions, Penelope continues to introduce new and innovative limited releases within its Cooper Series, Private Select and Founders Reserve lines.
Today, Penelope Bourbon is sold in over 40 states and three countries. Proving that with enough love, care and hard work, anything is possible. For more information about Penelope, please visit penelopebourbon.com and follow on social media @penelopebourbon (Instagram / Facebook).
Listen to Bourbon Lens on your favorite podcast app or stream on Spotify. If you’d like to support Bourbon Lens, subscribe to our Patreon, sign up for our “Weekly Pour” Newsletter, and don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and X.
If you like cocktails, subscribe to our second podcast, Cocktails with Friends. Cocktails with Friends is hosted by our good friend and partner, Bob Cutler.
Recent Bourbon Lens Coverage
- Buffalo Trace Distillery’s New Holiday Advertisement Stars Freddie Johnson
- Company Distilling Announces New Location in Lynchburg, Tennessee
- Woodford Reserve x Compartés Partnership Adds New Chocolate Bar
- Chattanooga Vault Series 2024 Turns Back the Page to 2017
- Slow Fade is the New Whiskey Release From Hidden Barn
- TTB Sets the New Standard for American Single Malt Whiskey
