Penelope’s Answer to Cancer: Bourbon with a Purpose + 300 Miles for a Cure 🚴♂️🥃
Penelope Bourbon
Bourbon has always been more than just what’s in the glass. At its best, it tells stories, sparks conversations, and brings people together. Few bottles embody that spirit more than Penelope’s Answer to Cancer, a limited-release whiskey that doesn’t just aim to impress palates — it aims to make a difference.
Here at Tortured Bourbon, this release hit especially close to home, because it lined up perfectly with a cause we’ve been pushing all summer: B’s 300-mile cycling challenge to raise money for the American Cancer Society. Together, bottle and bike became a shared mission — bourbon with a purpose, miles with a message, and a community united around one powerful word: hope.
Why “Answer to Cancer” Matters
Penelope Bourbon has been making waves in the whiskey world with creative blends and approachable-yet-complex releases. But in recent years, they’ve stepped into something bigger: a commitment to raising awareness and funding for cancer research and patient support.
This special edition, known as Penelope’s Answer to Cancer, is more than a collectible bottle. It’s a rally cry. Every release has raised money for organizations like F Cancer and related charities, generating hundreds of thousands of dollars to support families, survivors, and ongoing research.
The label itself is iconic — hot pink with ribbon designs across the glass — unapologetically loud and proud in its mission. You don’t hide this bottle in the back of the bar. You display it. You pour it. You talk about it. And that’s exactly the point.
Bourbon Specs: What’s in the Glass?
Because at the end of the day, purpose matters, but so does the pour.
Type: Blend of straight whiskies (Indiana & Kentucky origins)
Age: 4–6 years
Mash Bill: Rye-forward four grain (corn, rye, malted rye, malted barley)
Proof: 94 proof (47% ABV) — approachable, but with presence
Style: Non-chill filtered for maximum character
Tasting Notes (Katie’s Corner style):
Nose: Warm spice, vanilla bean, toasted grain, and hints of cinnamon sugar.
Palate: Caramel upfront, layered with baked apple, cracked pepper, and a touch of oak.
Finish: Medium length, with rye spice balanced by soft sweetness — a sip that lingers just enough.
This isn’t just a novelty release. It’s a legitimately delicious pour — the kind you can sip neat on a quiet night or share with friends as a conversation starter about why bourbon can (and should) be more than just indulgence.
300 Miles for a Cure: B’s Ride 🚴♂️
That same ethos — bourbon as a catalyst for something bigger — is why this release pairs so perfectly with B’s 300-mile ride.
This August, B set out to log 300 miles on the bike, every pedal stroke dedicated to raising money for the American Cancer Society. It wasn’t about setting PRs or chasing KOMs. It was about endurance, persistence, and putting in the work — because that’s exactly what cancer patients do every single day.
Why Cycling?
Cycling is about grit. It’s about suffering on climbs, pushing through fatigue, and finding joy in the grind. Cancer patients know that grind far too well. When you put the two together — the physical challenge of a long ride and the fight against cancer — the symbolism is undeniable.
The Ride So Far
Miles Logged: Over 400 miles since July 31 (and counting).
Fundraising Goal: Thousands raised and still climbing.
The Bike: A custom-nicknamed steed called The Suffer Machine — because let’s be honest, both cycling and fighting cancer can be pure suffering.
And every mile has a purpose. Every hill climbed, every sore muscle, every drop of sweat goes back to the mission: funding cancer research, supporting patients, and honoring survivors.
Why the American Cancer Society
When it came time to pick a charity partner, the choice was clear. The American Cancer Society is one of the most respected, far-reaching organizations in the fight against cancer. Their work spans:
Funding cutting-edge research.
Offering 24/7 support lines for patients and families.
Providing resources for prevention and early detection.
Advocating for patients at a policy level.
In short, they don’t just talk about beating cancer — they put dollars and action where it counts.
👉 You can support B’s ride and donate directly to the American Cancer Society here:
Bourbon + Bikes + Purpose = Community
What makes this whole journey powerful is the community.
People who donated in honor of loved ones.
Friends who showed up to ride along for a few miles.
Viewers who tuned in not just to watch bourbon reviews, but to connect with something bigger.
It’s proof that bourbon isn’t just about the bottle — it’s about the stories we share over the pour. And this story is about hope, resilience, and fighting back.
How You Can Be Part of It
Grab a Bottle (If You Can) – Penelope’s Answer to Cancer is limited, but if you spot it, know that it’s more than a pour. It’s a purpose.
Donate to the Ride – Every dollar counts. https://gofund.me/06efe610
Spread the Word – Share this blog, share the video, or simply raise a glass and tell someone about the cause.
Ride Along – Maybe your “300 miles” looks different. Maybe it’s running, walking, swimming, or volunteering. Do it. Make it yours.
Final Pour
At Tortured Bourbon, we love blind tastings, we love heated rankings, and we love geeking out over mash bills. But sometimes, bourbon gives us a chance to talk about something bigger. Penelope’s Answer to Cancer is exactly that chance.
It’s not just whiskey. It’s a statement. A toast to fighters, survivors, and those we’ve lost. A reminder that community matters. And a reason to keep pedaling, keep sipping, and keep fighting.
So next time you raise a glass, make it count.
👉 Donate to the Ride: https://gofund.me/06efe610
Together, one mile, one bottle, and one pour at a time — we can find an answer to cancer.
