Meeting # 12: Penelope, Pinhook, and Found North Single Barrels

Happy 1-year anniversary High Flighters!!!

And just like that, we are 1 year into our bourbon journey. This half-serious idea has really aged into something we look forward to every month! To celebrate, we selected 3 higher-end bourbons for meeting 12. Our unofficial field specialist (Jared), came across some interesting finds on a recent trip to Boston - let's dig in:

#1) Penelope Estate Collection: 10-year Single Barrel (Lawrenceburg, IN)

98 proof / Aged 10 years / $120 / HF Avg: 3.7

NOSE: raspberry, vanilla, caramel, maple syrup

TASTE: bright, raspberry, touch of sherry, slight syrupy mouthfeel, rye spice

FINISH: sweet oak with some dryness Penelope started in 2018 as a small operation in New Jersey, sourcing their whiskey from MGP. MGP has since acquired the brand, and Penelope continues to earn respect in the bourbon world. Their 10-year estate is exceptional, now ranking 3rd in our all-time top 10 whiskeys. It's bright, sweet, oaky, and very easy to drink!

At the first sniff, the glass bursts with vibrant red fruits, vanilla, and caramel, reminiscent of a raspberry pastry. With a swirl, rich maple syrup undertones come alive. As you sip, you'll notice a subtle creamy and syrupy mouthfeel. The raspberry, vanilla, and caramel notes detected in the aroma become more pronounced, along with a touch of sherry. These flavors smoothly transition into a sweet, oaky finish with a slightly dry sensation.

Overall, HF really enjoyed this one. Its softness, proof, and sweetness makes it a very drinkable and well-balanced bourbon. However, some folks felt that it was a little "brighter" than what they prefer.

#2) Pinhook: 9-year Vertical Series Single Barrel (Lawrenceburg, IN. Aged in KY)

112 proof / Aged 9 years / $95 / HF Avg: 3.69

NOSE: cherry syrup, amaretto, cardamom

TASTE: cherry, brown sugar, soft and velvety

FINISH: nice warmth, toasted oak, caramel

Pinhook is in the midst of a 12-year-long experiment. They acquired 1,350 barrels back in 2015 and have been releasing them annually, beginning after 4 years. Pinhook 9 represents, you guessed it, the 9-year barrels.

On the nose, you're immediately greeted by sweet cherry syrup, amaretto, and almonds. Subtle hints of baking spices emerge. With the first sip, cherry notes persist, accompanied by deeper flavors of brown sugar and cinnamon. The mouthfeel is soft and velvety. The finish leans more traditional with classic toasted oak and caramel notes, complemented by a pleasant warmth in your chest.

This is another fantastic sip, perfect for enjoying after dinner by a fire. This is a mature and well-balanced bourbon, with a touch of complexity. I found the nose, taste, and finish to be quite distinct from each other, yet complementary.

#3) Found North: Season 4 Single Barrel (Distilled/Aged in Canada)

117.7 proof / 71% Corn (21, 20, and 15 year) 29% Wheat (8 year) / $120

HF Avg: 3.57

NOSE: maple syrup, vanilla, sweet cereal

TASTE: toasted marshmallow, honey, cardamom, clove

FINISH: ginger, honey

Found North is a unique and impressive whiskey blender. Although based in Massachusetts, they are masters in blending Canadian whiskeys. Unlike traditional "mash-bill" recipes, Canadian whiskey uses "mixing ratios" where they distill, barrel, and age each grain separately. Once aged, these components are blended to craft the ideal whiskey and then re-barreled for final maturation. Therefore, what we call a "single barrel" is actually the final maturation barrel. Found North is also renowned for using well-aged ingredients. For example, our Season 4 whiskey includes corn whiskeys aged 21, 20, and 15 years, as well as an 8 year old wheat.

The nose is rich with maple syrup, vanilla, and frosted cornflakes. The ethanol proof is slightly there, yet it blends well with the sweetness. Tasting it reveals more honey and toasted marshmallows. Subtle hints of cardamom and clove add a touch of spice to the sugars. As the sip finishes, the sweetness fades into soft honey with prominent notes of ginger and spice.

As we get higher in proof, our club scores tend to get a little more polarized. However, if you are ok with a little more heat (not that this is crazy high-proof), this is an awesome and unique whiskey definitely worth picking up. Looking forward to tasting more of their stuff!