Penelope Estate Collection 9 Year Private Select
Country: United States
Region: Kentucky/Indiana
Type: Blend of Straight Bourbons
Bottler: Luxco
ABV: 50.6%
Score: 92 Points
Penelope’s Estate Collection Private Select 9-Year delivers a rich and complex experience, standing apart from the brand’s standard offerings. At 101.2 proof, the nose initially presents as stronger than expected, with an ethanol-forward kick that settles into layers of sweet oak, maple, orange zest, and brown sugar. On the palate, these notes remain consistent, opening with a touch of oak bitterness before revealing a balanced blend of orange zest, toasty marshmallow, and graham cracker. The finish is medium in length, carrying that citrusy warmth with a subtle toasted sweetness.
Adding water brings out more burnt brown sugar and softens the oak, making the whiskey more dynamic over time. This limited release is a refined, well-priced step up from Penelope’s core lineup, though it still has room to elevate itself to a Buffalo Trace Antique Collection-level prestige. With a 92-point rating, this is an impressive release that showcases Penelope’s continued evolution in the premium bourbon space.
