Finished in Cognac casks, Madagascar adds new dimension to Penelope’s Four Grain Straight Bourbon Whiskey with notes of candied fruit, vanilla and warm spice

Penelope Bourbon introduces Madagascar, the latest expression in its Cooper Series, a collection that explores the art of cask finishing. Beginning with Penelope’s signature Four Grain Straight Bourbon Whiskey and finished in Cognac casks, Madagascar brings together familiar bourbon sweetness and layers of candied fruit, vanilla and warm spice, evoking flavors perfect for the holiday season.

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Penelope Bourbon Introduces Madagascar, the Latest Release in Its Cooper Series

The Cooper Series takes its name from Cooper, the son of Penelope Bourbon’s founder Daniel Polise, and nods to the craft of cooperage, the art of making and maintaining the barrels used in aging and finishing spirits and wine. Reflecting the brand’s spirit of experimentation and discovery, each addition to the lineup sees master blender Danny Polise explore how unique finishing casks can transform whiskey, creating expressions that invite drinkers to experience Penelope in unexpected ways.

“With Madagascar, we wanted to explore how finishing in Cognac casks can bring a new dimension to our popular Four Grain Straight Bourbon,” said Michael Paladini, Founder and Vice President of Strategy at Penelope Bourbon. “What we found was a whiskey with notes and flavors that people are looking to enjoy this time of year. The Cooper Series lets us build on a familiar foundation while exploring new ways for consumers to experience Penelope.”

Bottled at 99 proof, Madagascar opens with notes of vanilla bean, brown sugar and candied citrus. On the palate, caramel, peanut, cinnamon and vanilla wafer give way to a finish of candied fruit, slight spice and marshmallow, delivering a sweet, layered profile with a subtle warmth. The notes of warm vanilla make Madagascar the perfect pour for the holiday season.

“What I enjoy about cask finishing is seeing how different barrels can change a whiskey,” said Daniel Polise, Founder and Master Blender of Penelope Bourbon. “With Madagascar, the Cognac casks brought out something fantastic. We picked up more candied fruit and spice but still had those vanilla and caramel notes from the bourbon. It was about finding the right balance and making sure the finish added something without taking away from the whiskey itself.”

Madagascar joins Penelope’s award-winning Cooper Series, which also includes Havana, finished in Caribbean rum and maple syrup casks; Rio, double finished in American honey and Brazilian oak casks and Riviera, finished in Spanish rosé wine casks.

Penelope Madagascar is available for purchase online and at select retailers nationwide for a suggested retail price of $79.99. For more information on Penelope Bourbon, visit penelopebourbon.com or follow @penelopebourbon on Instagram.

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 Sempreon

Sempreon (formerly known as MGP Ingredients) is a leading global producer of branded and distilled spirits and ingredient solutions built on a simple belief: Tradition Looking Forward. With a legacy dating back to 1941, Sempreon brings generations of distilling expertise, brand-building capabilities and technical knowledge together. Guided by its mission, “Creating moments that matter. Building a legacy that lasts,” the company creates brands, products and solutions that meet today’s needs while helping shape what comes next.

Sempreon Branded Spirits (formerly known as Luxco) includes Penelope Bourbon, Yellowstone Bourbon, Rebel Bourbon, Remus Bourbon, Ezra Brooks Bourbon, El Mayor Tequila, Exotico Tequila, Juarez Tequila and Everclear, spanning premium, mid-tier and value segments. Through its Distilling Solutions business, Sempreon supplies premium bourbon, rye, whiskey, gin, and grain neutral spirits and provides full-process production capabilities, from distilling and aging to blending, for a broad range of spirits brands. Its Ingredient Solutions business combines production scale with in-house research and development and technical expertise to create specialty wheat proteins, starches, dietary fibers and texturized proteins for leading food manufacturers and brands.

From the traditions that have defined the company across generations to the technologies, products and ideas shaping the future, Sempreon combines craft, expertise, research and innovation across the spirits and ingredient industries. To learn more, visit sempreon.com.

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