Bourbon Review
Penelope Marshmallow Toast
Toasted Barrel Finish — Straight Bourbon Whiskey
The Story
The name says exactly what it's going for. Marshmallow Toast is a 5-year straight bourbon that, after normal aging in a charred barrel, gets a second stint in a new barrel that's toasted instead of charred. Toasting pulls out different sugars than charring does — more of a sweet, dessert-y thing instead of the usual smoke-and-vanilla char flavor. At 110 proof it's got more push than most of Penelope's regular lineup, which should make that toasted sweetness show up even more.
This one already picked up a Gold medal at the 2022 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, so the concept clearly works for somebody. Haven't poured it yet to confirm for myself.
Nose, Palate & Finish
Nose
Fine. Doesn't do much to announce the toasted-barrel thing the name is built around.
Palate
Perfectly drinkable, nothing wrong with it — just didn't do anything that made me sit up. The toast angle is there if you go looking for it, but it's not exactly loud about it.
Finish
Comes and goes without leaving much of a mark.