Penelope Rio Bourbon Review

Welcome back to DadDimes on the Rocks! Today, we’re diving into something truly adventurous: Penelope Rio Straight Bourbon Whiskey (Batch 4, 2025 release) with our special guest, London Riley and John Murray. It’s a unique, double‑finished bourbon that blends sweet complexity with Brazilian flair—expect honey, spice, and more.🥃 Backstory & ConceptPenelope’s “Rio” is part of their Cooper Series, created by MGP (Ross & Squibb Distillery). Each batch undergoes a two-stage finish: first in honey barrels (1–3 weeks), then finished in Brazilian Amburana oak (about one week), bringing an intriguing mix of flavors to their base four-grain bourbon (74% corn, 16% wheat, 7% rye, 3% barley).Batch 4 was released in March 2025, bottled at 98 proof, and priced around $80 MSRP—a bit lighter on honey notes and better balanced than previous batches.👃 AromaThe nose opens with honeycomb, cinnamon frosting, butterscotch, and caramel corn, layered over delicate hints of marshmallow and toasted oak.👄 PalateUpfront sweetness hits you with Honey Smacks cereal, cornbread, and snickerdoodle. Mid-palate adds white pepper for spice and balance. The honey is prominent but not cloying, and oak spice anchors the sweetness.🔥 FinishThe finish unravels more cinnamon and toasted oak, followed by notes of brittle, burnt sugar, and a final touch of rye spice—warm and lingering without dominating the palate.🗣️ Community FeedbackSome earlier releases divided drinkers—reviews from Reddit called it “obnoxiously sweet” and overly honey-driven, with little bourbon character remaining. But Batch 4 has received praise for dialing in the balance between honey and Amburana, offering nuance and smoother integration.🎯 Who Should Sip It?Sweet—but refined—finish fansThose curious about unusual finishing techniques (honey + Amburana)Bourbon drinkers looking for something dessert‑like or festive, not traditional oak-heavy whiskey✅ Final VerdictPenelope Rio Batch 4 is a bold, dessert-forward bourbon that trades oak intensity for sugar, spice, and unique Brazilian influence. It feels like a carnival in a bottle—vibrant, sweet, and fun.If you enjoy an indulgent whiskey experience that pushes boundaries, this one’s worth seeking out, especially at MSRP (~$80). But if traditional bourbon structure and age complexity are your priority, this may sit too far on the sweet side.Rating: ⭐ 3.8/5 – Fun, flavorful, and creative—but decidedly not for purists.That’s our sip for today on DadDimes on the Rocks! Until next time, keep your bourbon bold—and your adventures sweeter. Cheers! 🥃DadDimes Merchandise Shop:https://daddimes.myspreadshop.comYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8XPckuspao3qjfUPIgWfhg?sub_confirmation=1 Spotify:https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dad-dimes/supportApple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dad-dimes/id1720240571Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/.../66b7b8e7-4d5e-4a52.../dad-dimesiHeart: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-dad-dimes-134693446/Facebook: facebook.com/181160491743844X/Twitter: twitter.com/dad_dimesInstagram: instagram.com/dad_dimesTikTok: tiktok.com/@dad_dimes#Firefighter #Avalanche #Broncos #Rockies #DadDimes #Drinkingbuddies #Bourbon #Review #live #Texas  #Columbia #Spain #colorado #Dallas #Mexico #America #UnitedStates #news #live #spotify #wednesday #politics #nation #winning #anthem #navy #military #appreciation #bulgaria #hawaii #alaska @elonmusk @realdonaldtrump #politics #crypto #SouthCarolina #Maine #Pennsylvania