Penelope Project X Cognac Finish Single Barrel 750ML is a 108 proof (54% ABV) four-grain straight bourbon finished in imported French Cognac casks. Released as a single barrel selection within Penelope’s experimental Project X series, this expression layers the brand’s distinctive four-grain profile with floral and stone-fruit complexity drawn directly from authentic Cognac barrels.
Quick Facts: ABV: 54% (108 Proof) | Origin: Lawrenceburg, Indiana | Single Barrel, Cognac Cask Finish | Distillery: Ross & Squibb (MGP)
Production & Heritage
This bourbon is distilled at Ross & Squibb Distillery in Lawrenceburg, Indiana — the historic facility formerly known as MGP — using a four-grain mashbill of 74% corn, 16% wheat, 7% rye, and 3% malted barley. After initial maturation in traditional charred oak barrels, the whiskey undergoes secondary aging in Cognac casks sourced directly from Cognac, France. It is bottled unfiltered and uncut at full barrel proof, preserving every nuance imparted by both the primary and finishing cask. The Project X series represents Penelope’s experimental arm, pushing beyond conventional bourbon finishing to explore how different cask types reshape the brand’s signature grain-forward character.
Tasting Notes
Aroma: Vanilla bean and brown sugar emerge first, followed by candied citrus peel and a subtle floral lift from the Cognac wood. A deeper breath reveals dried apricot and light caramel.
Taste: The entry is rich and coating, with caramel, roasted peanut, and vanilla wafer meeting at the front of the palate. Mid-palate shifts toward bing cherry, dried stone fruit, and a refined Cognac essence that weaves seamlessly with the bourbon’s native grain sweetness. Cinnamon and baking spices build toward the back, adding warmth without overwhelming the fruit.
Finish: Long and gradually warming, with candied fruit lingering alongside roasted nuts and a gentle spiced fade. The Cognac influence shows most clearly here, leaving a polished, almost brandy-like sweetness that distinguishes this from standard bourbon finishes.
How to Drink Project X Cognac Finish
At 108 proof, a few drops of water or a single large ice cube unlock layers of fruit and soften the barrel-proof intensity without drowning the Cognac influence. Neat sipping at room temperature rewards patience, as the aroma evolves dramatically as the glass warms. For cocktails, this expression works exceptionally well in a Vieux Carré, where its Cognac undertones echo the drink’s traditional brandy component; in a Boulevardier, where the dried fruit and spice stand up to Campari’s bitterness; and in an Old Fashioned, where the barrel-proof weight and caramel depth need only a sugar cube and bitters.
Best For
Bourbon collectors exploring experimental cask finishes beyond standard offerings
Hosting a side-by-side tasting of finished versus unfinished Penelope expressions
Gifting a whiskey enthusiast who appreciates barrel-proof single barrels
Adding depth to spirit-forward cocktails that benefit from stone-fruit complexity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Project X Cognac Finish taste like? It delivers a rich combination of caramel, roasted nuts, bing cherry, and dried stone fruit, with a distinctive Cognac-derived sweetness that separates it from traditional bourbon profiles. Baking spices and vanilla wafer run through the core, finishing with lingering candied fruit.
How does Project X Cognac Finish compare to Penelope Barrel Strength? Both share the same four-grain MGP mashbill and are bottled at barrel proof, but the Cognac Finish adds a secondary layer of apricot, dried fruit, and floral complexity absent from the standard Barrel Strength release. The Barrel Strength leans heavier on classic grain-forward caramel and oak, while the Cognac Finish tilts toward brandy-like refinement.
Is Project X Cognac Finish good for sipping neat? Yes — the unfiltered, uncut bottling at 108 proof has enough structure and complexity to reward slow neat sipping, though a few drops of water help integrate the higher proof and reveal additional fruit notes.
Where is Project X Cognac Finish made? It is distilled at Ross & Squibb Distillery (formerly MGP) in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, a facility renowned for producing a wide range of bourbon and rye whiskeys for numerous American brands.
What foods pair well with Project X Cognac Finish? Dark chocolate truffles complement its caramel and dried fruit notes. Roasted duck with cherry glaze mirrors the bing cherry character. Aged Comté cheese echoes the nutty undertones. Pecan pie reinforces the roasted nut and brown sugar flavors. Charcuterie with fig jam bridges the bourbon’s spice with the Cognac cask’s fruit influence.
What sizes does Project X Cognac Finish come in? This single barrel selection is available in the standard 750ml bottle size.
Is Project X Cognac Finish worth the price? It positions as a premium single barrel expression within the Penelope range, justified by its barrel-proof bottling, unfiltered character, and the added cost and complexity of secondary Cognac cask finishing — placing it firmly in the specialty bourbon tier rather than everyday sipper territory.
Why Project X Cognac Finish?
What separates this single barrel from the crowded field of finished bourbons is the intersection of a true four-grain mashbill with authentic French Cognac casks — a combination that yields a flavor profile difficult to replicate with standard two- or three-grain recipes. The wheat and rye in the mashbill provide both softness and spice, giving the Cognac wood a more complex canvas to work on than a typical high-corn bourbon would offer. Bottled unfiltered and uncut at 108 proof, nothing is lost between barrel and glass. For drinkers who have grown familiar with port- and sherry-finished bourbons, the Cognac cask delivers a genuinely different finishing character — lighter on tannin, heavier on stone fruit and floral elegance — making this one of the more distinctive barrel-proof options in the experimental bourbon space.