Penelope Classic Series Straight Rye Review
In-Depth Review
Rye didn’t always have a strong presence in the American whiskey landscape. Sure, it was one of the pioneering spirits during the birth of the nation, but throughout the 20th century, the category saw plenty of ups and downs. It wasn’t until the 2010’s that rye whiskey popularity exploded once again when the industry saw volume growth of more than 500% between 2009 and 2014 according to the Distilled Spirits Council.
Today, rye is a cornerstone of every American whiskey drinker’s cabinet. And much of that can be attributed to the explosion of great rye coming out of Midwestern Grain Products (otherwise known as MGP and now known as Ross and Squibb Distillery). Known for providing the distillate that goes into such bar staples as Bulliet rye, Angel’s Envy rye, and others, it wouldn’t be far-fetched to say that today’s excitement around rye is thanks in no small part to MGP’s innovative mashbills and extensive contracting business.
In 2023 MGP acquired Penelope, - one of the darlings of the bourbon scene - as they worked to expand their own portfolio of brands. This acquisition paved the way for a Penelope (a brand best known for its straight bourbon) to expand more heavily into the growing rye category. And then we waited. And waited. While Penelope expanded their bourbon portfolio, the cascade of rye releases never seemed to materialize. Fast forward to today and we can celebrate that Penelope has now released an entry level rye expression as part of their new Classic Series. Coming in at 46% and retailing for a shocking low MSRP of $34.99, there’s a lot riding on this release. Has the wait been worth it? Let’s dive in and find out.
The distillery has graciously sent me the bottle for review, but my opinions and thoughts remain my own and I have received no compensation.
Age: Non-Age Stated (but at least 4 years old)
ABV: 46%
Cask: New American oak
MSRP: $34.99
Distillery Name: Penelope Bourbon Bottling Co (Luxco and MGP)
Review Date: 6/29/26
Color: Medium Gold
Nose: Wow. This nose is fresh and vibrant with melted ginger chews, sweet tea, and lavender syrup. It’s an herbal cocktail in a glass, with a bit of air revealing Peach Rings and black licorice.
Palate: This isn’t your classic Kentucky rye profile. Instead, it balances its honey sweetness with a dollop of bright mint, sage, and a streak of menthol. The herbaciousness is balanced by gooey, dark chocolate brownie and French vanilla. Mouthfeel is good – but can feel a touch thin at times.
Finish: Medium length finish that sits on the tongue and gives delicate notes of anise seed, brown sugar, and fresh baked peanut brittle.
Final Thoughts: Penelope’s Classic Series Straight Rye makes a surprising case for being one of the best deals in rye whiskey so far this year. It’s head and shoulders above ryes at this price point, offering a better nose, more flavors on the palate, and a longer finish than many of its competitors. It had me questioning if Penelope knows what “entry-level” means. The palate felt more intriguing than its Classic Series bourbon counterpart – and makes a good argument for becoming your go-to no fuss rye pour. Its incredible $34.99 MSRP also earns itself a few extra points for bucking the trend of higher prices and gives drinkers some well-needed pricing relief. If this is Penelope’s opening salvo into the rye category, I can’t wait to see what else they have up their sleeves.
