Penelope Tokaji Cask Finish Rye Review - Bottle and Glass - Photo credit: Penelope Bourbon

Penelope Tokaji Cask Finish Rye Review

The Penelope Tokaji Cask Finish Rye is a limited-edition rye whiskey aged 8 years and finished in Hungarian sweet wine casks. This unique twist on rye whiskey offers a surprisingly sweet and complex flavor profile, with notes of pepper, honey, orange peel, and even a hint of chocolate. Want to learn more? Then read our full Penelope Tokaji Cask Finish Rye review by Ray Marcano!

Straight Rye Whiskey
Finished in Tokaji Casks
Cooper Series
Penelope Bourbon
8 years old
106 Proof
MSRP: $89.99
Review

Please enjoy our Penelope Tokaji Cask Finish Rye review by Ray Marcano.

This whiskey is a home run.

History

My granddaughter’s name is Penelope, so I’ve always been drawn to this brand. (I need to figure out how to get a bottle with her full name on it.) Penelope Bourbon was founded in 2018 and has a number of different expressions. Luxco, a subsidiary of MGP, purchased Penelope in 2023.

Mash Bill

95% rye and 5% malted barley.

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Tasting Notes – Penelope Tokaji Cask Finish Rye review

Let’s taste it:

🛏 Rested for 15 minutes in a Glencairn glass

👉🏻Nose: Rum, faint raisin, brown sugar, white grapes
👉🏻Taste: Pepper, honey, orange peel
👉🏻Finish: Pepper, rye, slight honey, citrus, chocolate

Summary

This limited-release rye (1,900 six packs) packs an unusual punch. It was finished in casks that once stored a sweet white Hungarian wine called Tokaji. That explains how a rye can be so sweet. There are none of the obvious rye characteristics that can be overpowering. Instead, it’s a big, dry pour akin to a tannic wine that makes you pucker. The fairly long finish starts with spice, and then, after a minute or so, more orange breaks through, along with a hint of chocolate.

Conclusion – Penelope Tokaji Cask Finish Rye Review

Penelope has single-handedly made me rethink my anti-rye, anti-cask-finish stances. This is a terrific whiskey that would be a star on any shelf. Its $90 price tag isn’t bad for a quality cask-finished product. Since it’s limited, I don’t know if I can find another bottle, but I’m going to look.

Have you tried the Penelope Bourbon Tokaji Cask Finish Rye? What did you think?

We hope you have enjoyed our review by Ray Marcano. Ray publishes a free monthly newsletter, The Bourbon Resource. You can subscribe here. Would you like to read about a couple of other finished ryes? Then check out our Castle & Key Woolgatherer Amburana Finished Rye Review and our Sagamore Spirit Port Finish Rye Review !

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About the Editor: Ed Escott is truly "Bourbon Obsessed". He is the founder of Bourbon Obsessed, LLC, and an Executive Bourbon Steward of the Stave and Thief Society. In addition, he has authored and edited over 600 bourbon and other whiskey reviews, over 50 in-depth distillery write-ups, and many other related articles. He is on the board of the Kentucky Bourbon Influencers and a member of the Lexington Bourbon Society and the Bourbon Capital Guild. Last, but not least, Ed has attended many bourbon-related educational sessions, visited countless distilleries, and is on a never-ending quest to try every bourbon.

Prior to focusing solely on Bourbon Obsessed, Ed practiced in academic medicine for three decades. He most recently was a Professor at the University of Kentucky and served as Chief of the Division of Neuroradiology and Vice Chair For Faculty Mentoring, Development & Wellness of the Department of Radiology. He has extensive editorial experience in academic medical publication, and brings that same academic mindset to Bourbon Obsessed, which is a unique approach for a spirit-focused media company.

Ed can be found on social media on Instagram at @bourbon_obsessed and on Facebook at @BourbonObsessed

Ray Marcano
Ray Marcano
Articles: 46

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