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 & Concept
Penelope’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.
👃 Aroma
The nose opens with honeycomb, cinnamon frosting, butterscotch, and caramel corn, layered over delicate hints of marshmallow and toasted oak.
👄 Palate
Upfront 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.
🔥 Finish
The 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 Feedback
Some 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 fans
- Those curious about unusual finishing techniques (honey + Amburana)
- Bourbon drinkers looking for something dessert‑like or festive, not traditional oak-heavy whiskey
✅ Final Verdict
Penelope 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! 🥃
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