Penelope Cooper Series Rio Bourbon (2025 Release) Review

Distillery: Penelope Bourbon—Bardstown, Kentucky (sourced from MGP)

Proof: 98.0 (49.0% ABV)

Age: Undisclosed—reported to contain Four-Six Years Whiskey

Mashbill: 74% Corn, 7% Rye, 16% Wheat, 3% Malted Barley

MSRP: $80

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Penelope Cooper Series Rio Bourbon (2025 Release) Review: Who Are They

Penelope Bourbon has built a reputation for innovative cask finishing, and the March 2025 release of Penelope Rio is another in the line of innovative secondary finishing.

The Rio line, part of Penelope’s Cooper Series, was first introduced in 2023.  Following its introduction, Rio quickly gained a following.  First, the bourbon is aged, then it undergoes a double secondary finish in American Honey and Brazilian Amburana casks. Weaving these two cask influences aims to create a balance between the bourbon’s natural sweetness influenced by the honey cask and the Amburana wood’s bold exotic spice.

For the 2025 edition, Penelope claims to have refined the finishing process, aiming for greater balance and complexity. Following the success of previous Rio releases, I have high expectations for this edition.

Penelope Cooper Series Rio Bourbon (2025 Release) Review: Tasting Notes

Nose – 4.25/5

From the first pour, a sweetness bursts forward which makes perfect sense considering the high corn content and the influence of the honey cask. A mix of vanilla, nutmeg, and warm baking spice is balanced on the Nose. The Amburana cask creates an influence of cinnamon spice that is well-integrated and does not overpower the sweeter notes. Curiously, letting the bourbon sit for a few minutes creates notes of toffee and some floral undertones that create an almost dessert-like aroma.

Palate – 4.5/5

The first sip delivers a rich, creamy mouthfeel with waves of sweet and spice. Cinnamon and gingerbread notes (think of those Biscoff cookies that you get on a flight) come forward alongside vanilla and caramel. Mid-palate finds notes of tropical fruit (coconut), clove, and an earthiness that contrasts with the initial sweetness. Despite the upfront bold cinnamon notes, the overall profile is well-balanced.

Finish – 4/5

The Finish is long and spice-heavy. A slightly dry, tannic edge keeps the sweetness at bay. The transition from sweetness on the Palate to spice on the Finish may confuse those who find the Amburana’s spice influence a bit too assertive.

Value – 4.25/5

With an MSRP of $80, Rio 2025 lands in the premium bourbon category.  The limited nationwide release means it will likely be difficult to source, but for those who enjoy secondary finished bourbons, the price is justified. Further, those who enjoy expressions with complex transitions between Palate and Finish will find this bourbon to be right in their sweet spot.  Last, the Amburana influenced spice may not appeal to a wide audience, but this is one of the better Amburana finished whiskeys that I’ve had the privilege of tasting.

Penelope Cooper Series Rio Bourbon (2025 Release) Review: The Verdict

Penelope Rio 2025 continues in the brand’s lineage of innovative finished bourbons. While some Amburana-finished whiskeys can feel overpowering, Rio does a great job of maintaining balance by using the honey cask to smooth out the spice and rough edges.

For enthusiasts who appreciate bold, layered flavors, this bottle is a good pick up. If you prefer a more traditional bourbon profile, this one is probably outside of your comfort zone. If you’ve been holding out trying an Amburana finished whiskey, this is not one to sleep on.

Verdict – 4.25/5

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We score each bourbon based on nose, palate, finish, and value.

Scoring System:

• Platinum – 4.5 – 5
• Gold – 4 – 4.5
• Silver – 3 – 4
• Bronze – <3