We dropped into Virtue Feed & Grain in Old Town Alexandria on a strong recommendation from a good friend — “Go see Big T. Trust me.”

So we took a small crew and headed to a favorite local spot, tucked right on the waterfront with its weathered wood, tavern feel, and a staff that makes you feel like you’ve been coming there for years. Virtue is one of those rare places where you sit down for one pour… and somehow three hours disappear.

Big T welcomed us like we were regulars, and before we knew it he was walking us through one of the most impressive bourbon shelves in Northern Virginia. And there it was: Penelope Rio — the unicorn bottle that’s nearly impossible to find in Virginia ABC stores, just casually sitting on the shelf like it wasn’t the belle of the ball.

So of course we did the only responsible thing:
We built a custom flight, pulled the cork, and took our notes.
(Yes, the rest of the flight is coming in future reviews.)

Penelope Rio, part of the Cooper Series, is already known for its double finish — American honey and Brazilian amburana oak — and we were excited to see if the hype lived up to the pour. Spoiler: it did.

This wasn’t just bourbon.
This was dessert that grew oak staves and decided to dance samba.

This spirits review of Penelope Rio reveals a bourbon that leans full-tilt into richness, honey warmth, and baked-goods sweetness. Think: honey, gingerbread, cinnamon pastry, and that signature amburana spice that makes every sip feel like a warm Christmas cookie.

Aroma: Honey-soaked pastry, cinnamon, baking spice, warm sugar, a touch of fresh oak.

Palate: Gingerbread, Honey, Sweet cinnamon, Pastry dough, and Brazilian oak spice. It’s layered, sweet, warm, and unmistakably amburana-influenced — the “carnival in a bottle” Penelope promises.

Finish: Long, sweet, honey-driven, with that lingering amburana warmth. Dessert bourbon energy all the way through.

“Penelope Rio drinks like a bourbon that put on a sequined jacket, walked into Carnival, and ordered dessert first. Big, sweet honey and gingerbread warmth — absolutely a dessert bourbon, and dangerously enjoyable.”

Penelope Rio is memorable because it’s not shy.

It leans boldly into:

✔ honey sweetness
✔ warm pastry notes
✔ cinnamon and amburana spice
✔ decadent dessert-like richness

This isn’t a “background bourbon.”
This is a statement pour.

In our tasting group, reactions ranged from “incredible dessert pour” to “I wouldn’t drink it every day, but wow this is unique.”

It’s the kind of bottle you share with friends when you want to show them something special — something they can’t easily find, something that tastes like a bourbon festival tent at golden hour.

Pour this when:

• You want something dessert-like without adding sugar
• You’re introducing someone to amburana finishes
• You want a standout flight anchor
• You’re celebrating
• You want to impress someone with a hard-to-find bottle
   

Cocktail Recommendation:
Skip it. Seriously.
This belongs in a glass by itself.

If you do mix it, try a minimal-ingredient Old Fashioned with a light hand — or just enjoy the gingerbread warmth neat or on a large cube.

Curious how Penelope Rio aligns with your palate?

On The Bar Book, you can:

✔ Map it to your personal Flavor Fingerprint™
✔ Compare tasting notes with other drinkers
✔ Track your pours
✔ Get matched to similar bourbons and amburana finishes
✔ Use the flavor-matching engine (Vivino for spirits / Spotify for alcohol) to find your new favorites

👉 Explore Penelope Rio on The Bar Book:

This Penelope Rio review shows exactly why the bottle has achieved near-cult status. It’s bold, sweet, distinctive, and unforgettable — a bourbon with personality and flair. A true “dessert bourbon,” but one with enough structure and oak to keep things interesting.

If you want a bottle that sparks conversation the moment the cork pops, Penelope Rio is the move.

Where Flavor Meets Story.
Tasted and Reviewed by The Bar Book Team.
https://thebarbook.app

If you would like us to spotlight your brand for FREE, send us an email — we’ll gladly add your bottle to our lineup of stories, tastings, and flavor deep dives.