Penelope Bourbon announced its latest innovation in cask-finished bourbon with the release of Havana.
The Penelope team capitalized on the popularity of maple with Havana, and redefined the double cask finish by taking a Caribbean rum finish for a base of molasses and tropical sweetness and enhancing it with a unique maple syrup cask finish to transform the entire flavor journey, it says. The casks for the second finish have a distinctive lifecycle — they were used to age Penelope bourbon then were repurposed to age maple syrup before being used for Havana’s second finish, the company notes. This special finish adds depth and warmth for an innovative and distinctive yet approachable experience for bourbon connoisseurs and adventurous newcomers alike, it says.
“This is much more than a rum-finished bourbon — it’s a standout in our collection of cask-finished bourbons,” said Danny Polise, master blender and co-founder of Penelope Bourbon, in a statement. “The maple finish is the perfect complement to the initial rum-finished bourbon by further elevating the blend and creating balance between savory, sweet and oak spice.”
Michael Paladini, co-founder and vice president of strategy for MGP ingredients, added: “We’ve been working on Havana for a long time to deliver the perfect product, and we couldn’t be happier with the way it turned out. We really try to push the boundaries of innovation with every release in our Cooper Series. Havana’s double cask finish delivers rich flavor and complexity we think our fans will love.”
As the latest premium release in the Penelope Cooper Series of cask-finished bourbons, Havana begins with Penelope’s signature Four Grain Straight Bourbon Whiskey aged four years with a mash bill of 74% corn, 7% rye, 16% wheat and 3% malted barley, the company notes. The final expression is the result of aging 12 months in Caribbean rum casks and one month in the unique maple syrup barrels.
Bottled at 93 proof (46.5% ABV), the limited-edition Havana can be purchased for a suggested retail price of $79.99 a bottle.
www.penelopebourbon.com
