Penelope Releases Havana, a Bourbon Finished in Rum and Maple Syrup Barrels

Penelope Havana is the latest release from the MGP-owned whiskey company. (Photo: Penelope Bourbon)

On Tuesday, Penelope Bourbon unveiled its latest whiskey: Penelope Havana, a double-cask-finished bourbon matured in maple syrup and rum barrels.

The syrup barrels were initially used to age Penelope bourbon, then aged maple syrup before being used for Penelope maturation once again.

“This is much more than a rum-finished bourbon – it’s a standout in our collection of cask-finished bourbons,” Penelope Bourbon Founder and Master Blender Danny Polise said in a news release. “The maple finish is the perfect complement to the initial rum-finished bourbon by further elevating the blend and creating balance between savory, sweet and oak spice.”

Havana begins as Penelope’s 4-year-old four-grain bourbon, which is distilled from a mashbill of 74% corn, 16% wheat, 7% rye and 3% malted barley. After its initial four years, Penelope Havana matured in Caribbean rum casks for a year and was then finished for an additional month in the maple syrup barrels.

Bottled at 93 proof, Penelope Havana releases with a limited allocation of 4,500 cases and a suggested retail price of $79.99.

“We’ve been working on Havana for a long time to deliver the perfect product, and we couldn’t be happier with the way it turned out,” said Penelope Bourbon Founder and Vice President of Strategy for MGP Ingredients Michael Paladini, said. “We really try to push the boundaries of innovation with every release in our Cooper Series. Havana’s double cask finish delivers rich flavor and complexity we think our fans will love.”

Havana falls within Penelope’s Cooper Series of cask-finished bourbons, joining Rio, Rosé, Tokaji and Valencia.