Pour Decisions Wednesday: Penelope Project X Bourbon Review
Penelope Project X
Welcome back to another Pour Decisions Wednesday on Tortured Bourbon! Today, Heather and B dive into one of the most talked-about releases from Penelope—Project X Bourbon, Sherry Cask Finish.
Penelope has been on a tear lately in the whiskey world. From the sleek look of Penelope Architect to the fun finish of Penelope Rosé Cask to the boldness of Penelope Toasted, the brand has quickly become a household name among bourbon lovers and Instagram feeds alike. But Project X? That’s something different. It’s Penelope’s experimental line—an open canvas for secondary finishing and bold departures from the norm.
🥃 What Makes Penelope Project X Special?
Project X starts with Penelope’s core four-grain bourbon recipe:
Corn
Wheat
Rye
Malted barley
Instead of bottling it straight, Penelope finishes this whiskey in European sherry casks, unlocking a whole new layer of complexity.
Nose: Dense, dark fruit, burnt sugar, rich sherry influence
Palate: Raspberry, brown sugar, stone fruit, hints of leather and tobacco
Finish: Long and fruit-forward with cherry, raspberry, and dried fruit
This isn’t your sweet-and-light rosé finish. It’s deeper, darker, and more layered, aimed at bourbon fans who crave rich, dessert-like notes in their pour.
🔥 Bourbon Context: Finished Bourbons & The Rise of Penelope
The world of finished bourbon has exploded in the last few years. From toasted oak programs to rum and port finishes, brands are pushing boundaries to stand out. Penelope has leaned into this trend, and Project X signals that they’re ready to compete with Kentucky giants like Angel’s Envy and Bardstown Bourbon Company.
Sherry finishes, in particular, are loved for adding bold dark fruit and sweet spice, reminiscent of high-end Scotch. With Project X, Penelope is bridging the gap between traditional Kentucky bourbon sweetness and Old World finishing techniques.
🎥 Inside the Episode
In this episode, you’ll see Heather and B:
Pour and taste Penelope Project X Sherry Cask Finish Bourbon
Compare it to previous Penelope releases like Rosé and Toasted
Debate whether this is Penelope’s boldest move yet
React to Katie’s Corner tasting notes (and whether the internet agrees with their palates)
Like all of our Pour Decisions Wednesday episodes, it’s equal parts bourbon review and questionable decision-making.
👀 Final Thoughts
Penelope Project X shows just how far this brand has come. What started as an Instagram darling bourbon now delivers complex, layered bottles that rival much older distilleries. If you’re a fan of bold, fruit-forward finished bourbon—or if you just want to see Heather and B debate while sipping—you won’t want to miss this pour.
👉 Watch the full episode: Penelope Project X Bourbon Review
👉 Explore more blogs, merch, and behind-the-scenes content at torturedbourbon.com
Cheers y’all. 🥃
