Penelope Estate Collection Private Select 13 Year Bourbon 750ML

Penelope Estate Collection Private Select 13 Year Bourbon 750ML is a 13-year-old barrel-select bourbon bottled at approximately 106.8 proof (53.4% ABV) in a 750ml format. Part of Penelope’s acclaimed Estate Collection, the Private Select line earned a Gold medal at the 2025 ASCOT Awards and a Gold at the 2025 SIP Awards, while the broader Estate Collection took Platinum at the 2025 ASCOT Awards.
Quick Facts: ABV: ~53.4%  |  Origin: Indiana & Kentucky, USA  |  13 Year Age Statement  |  Distillery: Ross & Squibb Distillery (MGP)
Production & Heritage
Penelope Bourbon, founded in 2019, quickly gained recognition for its approach to blending bourbon sourced primarily from Ross & Squibb Distillery (formerly MGP) in Lawrenceburg, Indiana. The mashbill for the Private Select line is 74% corn, 20% rye, 1% wheat, and 5% malted barley — a four-grain recipe that distinguishes it from traditional two- or three-grain bourbons. Recent Estate Collection releases have also incorporated select Kentucky-sourced bourbon into the blend to add complexity and depth beyond a purely Indiana profile. The barrels feature staves with a #4 char and heads with a #2 char, a combination that encourages deeper caramelization along the stave walls while preserving subtler vanilla and grain character from the barrel heads. At 13 years of maturation, this Private Select expression sits among the oldest releases Penelope has offered.
Tasting Notes
Aroma: Warm caramel and toasted oak arrive first, followed by dried cherries and baking spice. A subtle undercurrent of tobacco leaf and honey emerges as the bourbon opens up in the glass.
Taste: The entry is rich with toffee and brown sugar, giving way to dark stone fruit and a cedar-accented spice at mid-palate. Extended aging draws out deep oak and a pleasant tannic grip, balanced by a graham cracker sweetness and threads of red fruit that keep the profile from becoming overly woody.
Finish: Long and warming, with vanilla, black pepper, and lingering dark fruit. Oak tannins add structure without bitterness, fading gradually into a clean, slightly spicy close.
How to Drink Penelope Private Select 13 Year
At 13 years old and barrel strength, this bourbon rewards neat sipping — a few drops of water can open up the dried fruit and caramel notes without diluting the oak backbone. For those who prefer cocktails, the depth of this expression holds up remarkably well in stirred preparations. An Old Fashioned lets the toffee and baking spice shine against bitters. A Boulevardier pairs its dark fruit character with sweet vermouth and Campari for a rich, bittersweet combination. A Gold Rush (bourbon, honey syrup, lemon) highlights the honey and vanilla notes while the citrus cuts through the oak.
Best For
Gifting a bourbon enthusiast who appreciates well-aged, barrel-strength expressions
Adding a high-age-statement American whiskey to a home collection
Hosting a side-by-side tasting of Indiana-distilled bourbons at varying ages
Marking a milestone celebration with a limited-release pour
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Penelope Private Select 13 Year taste like? It delivers a rich, oak-forward profile anchored by toffee, brown sugar, and dark stone fruit, with baking spice and cedar adding complexity. The four-grain mashbill contributes a layered sweetness that balances the tannin from 13 years of barrel aging.
How does Penelope Private Select 13 Year compare to Knob Creek 12 Year Single Barrel? Both are double-digit-aged, high-proof bourbon barrel selections, but Penelope’s four-grain mashbill (including wheat and rye) creates a softer, more layered sweetness compared to Knob Creek’s traditional corn-rye-malt recipe and nuttier, more robust oak profile. Penelope is distilled at Ross & Squibb in Indiana, while Knob Creek comes from Beam’s Clermont facility in Kentucky.
Is Penelope Private Select 13 Year good for sipping neat? Yes — at 13 years old and barrel strength, it is built for neat sipping, with enough depth and complexity to reward slow exploration. A small splash of water can help open the aromatics further.
Where is Penelope Private Select 13 Year made? The bourbon is distilled at Ross & Squibb Distillery (formerly MGP) in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, with select Kentucky-sourced bourbon blended in for additional complexity. Penelope Bourbon is based in the United States and sources, blends, and bottles its expressions from these distilling partners.
What foods pair well with Penelope Private Select 13 Year? Smoked brisket or pulled pork complements the deep oak and caramel notes. Dark chocolate truffles mirror the toffee sweetness. Aged cheddar or Gruyère echoes the nutty, toasted character. Pecan pie aligns naturally with the brown sugar and vanilla. A charcuterie board with dried cherries and salted almonds draws out the bourbon’s fruit and spice.
What sizes does Penelope Private Select 13 Year come in? The standard offering is a 750ml bottle, which is consistent with Penelope’s Private Select releases.
Is Penelope Private Select 13 Year worth the price? It positions as a premium, limited-release expression within Penelope’s portfolio, competing against other well-aged, barrel-strength bourbons in the upper-shelf category. The 13-year age statement, four-grain mashbill, and award-winning Estate Collection pedigree support its premium positioning.
Why Penelope Private Select 13 Year?
Thirteen years of maturation puts this Private Select among the oldest expressions Penelope has released, and the four-grain mashbill — featuring corn, rye, wheat, and malted barley — remains relatively uncommon in American whiskey. The dual-char barrel treatment (#4 staves, #2 heads) contributes a nuanced interplay between heavy caramelization and restrained vanilla extraction that single-char barrels cannot replicate. With Gold medals at both the 2025 ASCOT Awards and 2025 SIP Awards backing the Private Select line, this 13-year expression represents a serious entry in the aged bourbon conversation for drinkers who value depth, structure, and thoughtful blending.