Penelope Estate Collection Private Select 10 Year Bourbon Review.
Penelope Estate Collection Private Select 10 Year Bourbon Review.
Every now and then, a bottle appears where you least expect it, and this was one of those moments. While wandering through a Belmont Beverage in Northern Indiana, I stumbled upon a bottle of Penelope Private Select 10-Year sitting quietly on the shelf at SRP. For a release that’s usually hunted down or heavily marked up, this felt like striking gold. Penelope has built a reputation for transparency and consistency, and under the MGP umbrella, they’ve become a powerhouse in blending and finishing. The Estate Collection bottles in particular have turned heads with their elegance and flavor depth, and this Private Select proves no different.
This year’s Estate Collection brings a notable upgrade, now carrying a 10-year age statement, up from last year’s 9-year release. It’s a blend of Indiana and Kentucky bourbons. Penelope’s transparency here is refreshing, letting enthusiasts trace exactly what’s in the bottle. Aged stocks, careful blending, and a higher proof all combine to create a bourbon meant to showcase both maturity and balance.
Age Statement: 10 years,
ABV: 53.4%.
Mash bill: 74% corn, 20% rye, 1% wheat, and 5% malted barley.
Area of Distillation:
Appearance: Deep rich caramel.
On the nose:
On the nose:
The first whiff is layered and complex. Rich caramel and brown sugar immediately rise, supported by dark fruits and a subtle toasted character reminiscent of roasted marshmallow and wood sugar. There’s a touch of green apple tartness at first, but it quickly gives way to sweeter red fruit tones, think Twizzlers or cherry candy. Hints of cinnamon and clove lend a seasonal warmth, rounding out a beautifully balanced bouquet.
Taste:
The palate delivers a punch of flavor. Red fruits take the lead with cherry cola syrup and candied rope notes, followed by waves of oak spice, brown sugar, and Madagascar vanilla bean paste. The mouthfeel is viscous, almost velvety, coating the tongue with rich caramel and fig undertones. A toasted element lingers, smoky, sweet, and ever so slightly reminiscent of double oak without fully crossing that line. Every sip feels deliberate and composed.
Finish:
Long, warming, and satisfying. The oak spice and dark sugar notes continue to dance, with just a whisper of musty or damp oak at the very end. It’s minor, but noticeable enough to keep this from absolute perfection. Still, the cling on the palate is exceptional, leaving a memory of cola sweetness and aged depth that’s hard to forget.
Final Thoughts:
This bottle is a standout in today’s 10-year bourbon landscape. Many competitors at the same age point struggle to deliver this kind of richness and texture under $100. Even with that faint musty oak note in the finish. If you find one for under a hundred, it’s well worth adding to the collection. Penelope continues to prove why they’re a name to watch, transparent, consistent, and masterful at the blend.
Rating: A (Excellent).
Cost: $79.99 for 750ml.
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