Penelope Straight Rye 750ML

Penelope Straight Rye 750ML is a 95-proof (47.5% ABV) American straight rye whiskey sourced from MGP of Indiana and bottled at 750ml. Built on MGP's renowned 95% rye / 5% malted barley mashbill, this expression delivers the assertive, grain-forward character that has made this particular recipe one of the most respected in American whiskey.

Quick Facts: ABV: 47.5% (95 Proof)  |  Origin: Kentucky, United States  |  Straight Rye Whiskey  |  Distillery: MGP (Lawrenceburg, Indiana)

Production & Heritage

Penelope Bourbon operates as an independent blending and finishing house, founded by Mike Paladini and named after his daughter. The brand sources its whiskey from MGP of Indiana in Lawrenceburg — a distillery with roots dating to the 1840s that has become one of America's most prolific producers of high-rye whiskey. The Straight Rye expression uses MGP's signature 95% rye and 5% malted barley mashbill, column-distilled and aged in new charred American oak barrels. Penelope's approach centers on blending barrels of varying ages to achieve a consistent flavor profile rather than relying on a single age statement. The resulting whiskey meets the legal requirements for "straight" designation, meaning it has been aged a minimum of two years.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Fresh rye grain and cracked black pepper arrive first, followed by dried herbs — think dill and caraway — with a subtle undercurrent of honey and oak. A light mintiness emerges as the whiskey opens up in the glass.

Taste: The entry is crisp and grain-forward, with immediate rye spice that builds across the mid-palate. Notes of baking spice, white pepper, and dried citrus peel develop alongside a restrained sweetness of light caramel and toasted oak. At 95 proof, the whiskey carries enough weight to feel substantial without overwhelming heat.

Finish: Medium-long and dry, with lingering peppercorn, herbal bitterness, and a trace of dark honey. The rye spice reasserts itself on the close, leaving a clean, slightly tannic impression.

How to Drink Penelope Rye

Neat or with a few drops of water works well to let the rye grain character speak clearly; a single ice cube tempers the spice without diluting the herbal complexity. This whiskey also excels in cocktails where rye's dry backbone is essential. A Manhattan benefits from the assertive spice that stands up to sweet vermouth. A Sazerac plays on the herbal and peppery qualities, pairing naturally with absinthe and Peychaud's. A Whiskey Sour gains structure from the dry rye profile, keeping the drink from veering too sweet.

Best For

• Rye whiskey enthusiasts exploring MGP's celebrated 95/5 mashbill through an independent bottler
• Home bartenders building a rye-forward cocktail shelf
• Gifting someone who appreciates grain-driven, spice-forward American whiskey
• Side-by-side tastings comparing different brands sourcing from MGP

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Penelope Rye taste like? Penelope Straight Rye delivers a bold, grain-forward profile dominated by cracked black pepper, dried herbs like dill and caraway, baking spice, and a restrained caramel sweetness balanced by dry oak tannins.

How does Penelope Rye compare to Bulleit Rye? Both Penelope Straight Rye and Bulleit Rye are built on MGP's 95% rye / 5% malted barley mashbill, but Penelope's multi-barrel blending approach and slightly lower 95 proof (versus Bulleit's 90 proof) give it a somewhat different balance of spice intensity and barrel influence.

Is Penelope Rye good for cocktails? Yes — the high-rye mashbill and 95-proof strength make it an excellent cocktail whiskey, providing assertive spice and structure that cuts through sweetness and holds up to bold modifiers in drinks like the Manhattan and Sazerac.

Where is Penelope Rye made? Penelope Straight Rye is distilled at MGP's facility in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, one of America's most established contract distilleries, and is bottled and branded under Penelope Bourbon, which operates out of Kentucky.

What foods pair well with Penelope Rye? Smoked pastrami or corned beef amplifies the peppery rye spice; aged Gruyère or sharp cheddar complements the herbal and tannic qualities; dark rye bread with caraway creates a natural echo of the whiskey's grain character; and pecan pie provides a rich counterpoint to the dry finish.

What sizes does Penelope Rye come in? Penelope Straight Rye is available in the standard 750ml bottle size.

Is Penelope Rye worth the price? Penelope Straight Rye positions as a mid-range American rye whiskey that delivers MGP's acclaimed 95/5 mashbill at a competitive price point, making it a strong value for both neat sipping and cocktail use within the straight rye category.

Why Penelope Rye?

What sets Penelope Straight Rye apart is its approach to blending multiple barrels of varying ages from one of America's most respected distilleries to build a consistent, well-integrated profile. The MGP 95/5 rye mashbill is widely regarded as one of the finest rye recipes in production — a recipe responsible for some of the most acclaimed rye whiskeys on the market. At 95 proof, this bottling hits a practical sweet spot: enough strength for cocktail duty, enough complexity for neat drinking. For anyone who wants direct access to that celebrated MGP rye character through an independent label focused on blending precision, Penelope delivers a focused and honest representation of the style.