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Penelope Bourbon has come a long way from its New Jersey roots, but has its rapid expansion changed what made the brand special? 🥃 This week on A Steady Pour, the fellas reconnect with a brand that's been close to our hearts since the early days, tasting three of Penelope's newer releases: Classic Bourbon, Classic Rye, and the golf-inspired Architect Golf Series, Hole One.

As we explore these expressions, the conversation takes an interesting turn toward Penelope's evolution following its acquisition by MGP and the growing number of bottles hitting shelves. Is Penelope creating something for everyone, or is the brand at risk of losing the identity that made whiskey enthusiasts fall in love with it? We reminisce about our early experiences with founders Mike and Danny, revisit the excitement surrounding releases like Rio and Valencia, and debate whether having more resources and fewer limitations actually leads to better whiskey.

Of course, we're putting the new pours to the test, breaking down their flavor profiles, value, and whether they're worth adding to your collection. With some surprising differences of opinion, plenty of laughs, and a little nostalgia, this episode goes beyond what's in the glass to explore what happens when a beloved craft brand grows into something much bigger.

Is Penelope's best whiskey still ahead of it, or was there something special about the early days? Pull up a chair, grab a glass, and join the conversation!

Editor's Note: This episode was recorded prior to the October 2026 announcement that MGP Ingredients would rebrand as Sempreon. References to MGP throughout the episode reflect the company's name at the time of recording.