I honestly never expected to own a bottle of Penelope Rio, let alone a single barrel pick. I first tried this one a year and a half to two years ago when Penelope sent me a sample, and I fell in love with it. Since then, I've been hunting for a bottle, but eventually I pretty much wrote it off as a unicorn. That changed when T8ke, a curator over on r/bourbon who puts out a ton of spirits reviews, organized a single barrel pick of Rio. With only around 160 to 169 bottles available, I threw my name into the mix and was fortunate enough to get selected for the opportunity to purchase one. Needless to say, I wasn't passing that up.
Bottled at 54.5% ABV, this single barrel select also comes in a little stronger than the standard Rio, which sits at 49% ABV. I've always enjoyed what Penelope does with this particular release, and I'm a big fan of the cinnamon-sugar character that Amburana brings to a whiskey. I know that finishing style isn't for everyone, and I completely understand why. Honey barrel finishing can be equally divisive in my experience, sometimes adding a wonderful sweetness and other times bringing a funky character that overwhelms the glass. Combining the two makes for a pretty interesting proposition, and I was excited to see how this particular barrel came together.
Penelope, now part of the MGP umbrella, blends three different bourbons to create Rio. The mash bill comes in at 74% corn, 16% wheat, 7% rye, and 3% malted barley. The whiskey is then finished in barrels that previously held honey and Amburana wood, a South American hardwood known for its powerful cinnamon, baking spice, and distinctive aromatic character.
There is no official age statement on this bottle, which is something I would have liked to see, particularly when the finishing plays such a significant role in the final flavor profile. This is also a single barrel selection, meaning your experience could vary depending on the barrel you get. The single barrel pick cost me around $100, roughly $10 more than the typical $80–$90 price range for the standard release. Considering how much I enjoyed the original sample, I was more than happy to give this one a shot.
Age Statement: 74% corn, 16% wheat, 7% rye, and 3% malted barley.
ABV: 54.5% (Single barrel).
Mash bill: 74% Corn 16% Wheat 7% Rye 3% Malted Barley,
Area of Distillation: Lawrenceburg, Indiana.
Finished: Amburana & honey barrel.
Appearance: Rich golden hue.
On the nose:
The Amburana shows up right away with cinnamon, sugar, baking spices, and a slightly oily herbal character. The honey comes through alongside it, creating an aroma that reminds me of a freshly baked cinnamon roll with icing drizzled over the top and a little honey worked into the dough. There is a bit of funk from the honey barrel that I'm not completely sold on, but thankfully it doesn't take over. Beneath those finishing notes, I pick up some wheat-driven spice, dusty corn, sweet vanilla cream, and a little ribbon of caramel.
As I pull away from the glass, an unexpected patchouli-like herbal note starts to emerge, mixing with the honey and Amburana in a way that makes this whiskey genuinely unique. Ginger snaps and gingerbread cookies round things out beautifully. What's particularly impressive is that the Amburana doesn't completely overwhelm the nose, which can happen pretty quickly with this type of finish. The cinnamon-sugar character is prominent, but compared with some other Amburana-finished whiskeys I've tried, it feels relatively restrained.
Taste:
The palate is a little more mellow than the nose, especially when it comes to the funky honey character. The sweetness and herbal spice are still present, but everything comes together in a more balanced way. Cinnamon sugar, clove, ginger snaps, and gingerbread lead the way, backed by creamy vanilla and a slightly medicinal herbal spice. There's also an oily quality to the whiskey that seems to bring both finishing barrels together. Interestingly, my brain keeps telling me this is a rye whiskey, even though it's a bourbon. The peppery spice and herbal character give it that impression, and I think using a rye as the base might have pushed things a little too far.
The bourbon itself takes a back seat, with only faint hints of corn and barrel char making their way through. That's something to understand before buying this bottle: you're here for the finishing rather than a traditional bourbon profile. What I appreciate most is that neither the honey nor the Amburana completely takes over. Both are powerful influences, yet they complement one another surprisingly well, creating a dessert-like pour that feels intentional rather than overdone.
Finish:
This whiskey absolutely hangs around. The oily texture carries those baking spices and herbal notes across the palate long after the sip is gone, with freshly baked gingerbread, ginger snaps, ginger chews, black pepper, cinnamon stick, and clove continuing to develop. The honey sweetness remains in the background, but the spice is what sticks with me the longest. There's plenty of warmth and intensity here, and while the 54.5% ABV gives it a satisfying presence, I'm not sure I'd want this at full cask strength.
With two assertive finishing profiles already working together, pushing the proof much higher might make things a little overwhelming. This is the sort of whiskey I'd save for the end of a tasting or enjoy as an after-dinner pour. The flavors linger for what feels like hours, and for someone who enjoys this style, that's a very good thing.
Final Thoughts:
Penelope Rio is a whiskey that knows exactly what it wants to be. This isn't a bottle for someone looking for a traditional bourbon profile with just a subtle finishing influence. The honey and Amburana barrels are firmly in charge, bringing cinnamon sugar, gingerbread, herbal spice, and a dessert-like sweetness that make this pour stand out. The honey funk on the nose isn't my favorite element, but it settles down on the palate, allowing the two finishes to work together rather than compete.
I would have liked to see an age statement, and the bourbon itself doesn't contribute a whole lot to the overall profile. Still, the execution is impressive. At $100, I'm comfortable with what I paid for this single barrel pick, especially considering the higher proof and the relatively small premium over the standard release. That said, I wouldn't chase this bottle at secondary prices of $200 or more. Even the standard release is difficult to justify above $100. It's a unique whiskey, and the finishing is done well, but that doesn't mean it's worth paying whatever someone asks. If you get the opportunity, I'd recommend trying a pour before committing to a bottle, particularly if you're unfamiliar with Amburana or honey barrel finishes.
For me, this is a genuinely enjoyable whiskey that delivers on its dessert-inspired promise. The finishing barrels dominate, but they play well together, and that lingering gingerbread spice is right up my alley.
Rating: -A (Amazing).
Cost: $99.99 for 750ml.
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