ST. LOUIS (Feb. 17, 2026) – Building on years of popularity and high acclaim for its Barrel Strength offerings, including dozens of top spirits industry awards, Penelope Bourbon is striving for more by giving bourbon in its purest form an upgrade. Notable recent awards for Penelope Barrel Strength expressions include Platinum at the 2023 ASCOT Awards, Double Platinum at the 2024 ASCOT Awards, Double Gold and Best-In-Class Finalist at the 2024 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, and in 2025, Gold at the Bartender Spirits Awards and Double Platinum and Gold at the ASCOT Awards. This year’s release is sure to be a contender.

The evolution of Penelope’s Barrel Strength from a 4-year to a 7-year bourbon introduces Barrel Strength 7-Year, a sophisticated limited release made from four mash bills, non-chill filtered and bottled uncut at a higher age and proof than previous offerings. With each upgraded detail delivered to perfection, the exceptional blend pushes the boundaries of flavor as an authentic and elevated premium bourbon offering. While Penelope has raised the bar on its Barrel Strength offering, it hasn’t raised the price.

“This one really captures what we love about blending,” said Penelope Founder and Master Blender Danny Polise. “With four different 7-year straight bourbon mash bills coming together into something layered, mature and easy to get behind, it feels like the natural evolution of our Barrel Strength profile.”

With a mash bill of 70% corn, 23% rye, 5% malted barley and 2% malted rye, Penelope Barrel Strength 7-Year is made in small batches – expertly blended from four thoughtfully selected straight bourbon mash bills aged 7 years in hand-selected new American oak barrels. Completely uncut and non-chill filtered for enhanced flavor, the result is a stand-out 115.2 proof (57.6% ABV) premium barrel strength bourbon that takes Penelope’s balanced Four Grain flavor profile foundation to bold new heights for a memorable pour every time.

“Barrel Strength has been a special product for us since the early days of Penelope,” said Penelope Founder and Vice President of Strategy for MGP Ingredients Michael Paladini. “We've always strived for each batch to continually get better in this series and we think this release is no exception. Barrel Strength 7-Year marks an exciting new chapter for this product and we can't wait to see where it goes from here.”

Opening with aromas of pecans, dried apricot and hints of vanilla, Barrel Strength 7-Year features flavors of caramel, toffee, leather and pecans with a hint of orange zest on the palate and finishes with notes of white pepper, cinnamon and brown sugar with lingering caramel.  

Approximately 13,000 cases (6-in) of Penelope Barrel Strength 7-Year will be available in select markets starting this month at a minimum suggested retail price of $59.99 per 750mL bottle. To find Barrel Strength 7-Year or other award-winning Penelope offerings, use the Penelope Bourbon product locator.

ABOUT PENELOPE BOURBON
Founded in 2018, Penelope Bourbon has become one of the fastest-growing award-winning premium whiskey brands. We offer a range of uniquely blended and finished straight bourbon and whiskey expressions known for their smoothness and rich flavor, and premium handcrafted ready-to-serve cocktails. Our products have won many spirits industry awards including Best In Class finalist and a Double Gold medal for Toasted at the 2025 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Wheated earned a Double Platinum medal and Peach Old Fashioned and Black Walnut Old Fashioned ready-to-pour cocktails earned Platinum medals at the 2025 ASCOT Awards. We continue to innovate within our Cooper Series, Limited Releases and Estate Collection to further establish our place among the top premium whiskey brands and prove that with passion, dedication, and love, anything is possible. For more information, visit PenelopeBourbon.com and follow on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.

ABOUT LUXCO
Founded in St. Louis in 1958 by the Lux family, Luxco is a leading producer, supplier, importer and bottler of beverage alcohol products with a mission to meet the needs and exceed the expectations of consumers, associates and business partners. Luxco operates as MGP Ingredients Inc. (Nasdaq: MGPI) Branded Spirits division since its acquisition in 2021. The company’s extensive and award-winning premium portfolio includes brands from four distilleries: Ross & Squibb Distillery in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, where Penelope and Remus bourbon are produced; Bardstown, Kentucky-based Lux Row Distillers, home of Rebel, Ezra Brooks, and Blood Oath bourbons; Lebanon, Kentucky-based Limestone Branch Distillery, maker of Yellowstone Bourbon; and Arandas, Mexico-based Destiladora Gonzalez Lux, producer of 100% agave tequilas including Cortada, El Mayor, Escasa and Exotico. For more information, visit Luxco.com.