Penelope Estate Collection - Omega 11 Year Bourbon Review

Penelope Estate Collection – Omega

The 2025 Penelope Estate Collection - Omega

Straight Bourbon Whiskey | Finished in French Oak Barrels

Aged 11 Years | Non-Chill Filtered

Mash Bill: 78% Corn, 10% Rye, 12% Malted Barley

54.9% ABV (109.8 Proof)

Batch 25-1801

MSRP: $129.99

Distilled in Bardstown, Kentucky

Nose

The bouquet is deep, rich, and immediately decadent. Brown butter rises first, warm and nutty, followed by a wave of toffee sweetness. Vanilla wafers add a confectionary note that blends seamlessly with seasoned oak undertones. The French oak finishing enhances the nose with a subtle elegance, lending layers of toasted sweetness and refined wood influence. It’s a complex yet inviting aroma that promises richness without heaviness.

Palate

The first sip is silky and full-bodied, coating the tongue with layers of praline and toasted marshmallow. A ribbon of vanilla nougat carries through the mid-palate, lending both sweetness and creamy texture. The balance between the long oak maturation and the rye’s subtle spice creates depth and structure, never letting the bourbon lean too far into sweetness. There’s a harmonious marriage of confectionary richness with warm, toasty oak influence that speaks to the craftsmanship behind this release.

Finish

The finish is long, warm, and lingering, leaving behind a luxurious oily mouthfeel. Rye pepper spice emerges with confidence, accented by a subtle touch of clove that adds sophistication and complexity. The French oak imprint lingers gracefully, offering refined tannins and gentle warmth that carry well into the next sip.

Craftsmanship & French Oak Selection

One of the most remarkable elements of the Omega expression lies in the French oak finishing process. Each stave used in maturation was seasoned and matured for three years before being precision-selected using OakScan® technology. This meticulous approach ensures a consistent balance of sweetness, spice, and structure, highlighting how scientific precision and artisanal aging can work together to elevate a bourbon’s character.

Overall Impression

The Penelope Estate Collection Omega is an exceptional bourbon that showcases both patience and precision. Its 11 years in traditional aging combined with a refined French oak finish create a whiskey that’s simultaneously indulgent and balanced. From the brown-butter and toffee nose to the silky praline and marshmallow palate, and finally to the lingering spiced finish, every stage of the experience is carefully layered and deeply satisfying.

At $129.99, it positions itself as a premium offering, and it earns that distinction with its level of craft, presentation, and depth of flavor. Omega stands as a testament to Penelope’s ability to blend tradition with innovation, delivering a bourbon that feels both timeless and forward-thinking.

Thank you very much to the entire Penelope Team as well as BYRNE PR for getting this exquisite bottle to The Library for a sneak peak at another winner!

Three Chord Bourbon - Flipside Triple Wood Review

Three Chord Bourbon Flipside – Triple Wood Vol 1

Three Chord Bourbon's Flip Side - Triple Wood

Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Finished in Toasted French Oak & American Oak | 45% ABV (90 Proof)

Distilled in Kentucky

Mash Bill: 75% Corn, 21% Rye, 4% Malted Barley

Aged 4-7 Years

MSRP: $34.99

Awards: SF World Spirits Competition DOUBLE GOLD

From Three Chord Press Release: "Flipside Triplewood Bourbon features Guitar Shorty, an incredible blues artist who we lost in 2022. Bob Dylan once said that "Shorty played guitar with everything but his hands." His performances were electrifying. This blend of straight Kentucky bourbons is aged in new charred American Oak barrels and then finished in a mix of new and used toasted French and American oak barrels.

4-7 years old, 75% corn, 21% rye, 4% malted barley. Finished for 2-3 months."

Check out the entire Three Chord lineup by clicking HERE

Lets get rockin'!

Nose

The nose opens with an inviting sweetness that leans toward dessert-like qualities. Vanilla frosting sets the stage, creamy and light, followed by the warmth of toasted oak. Hints of marshmallow emerge, evoking the aroma of a campfire treat without the smoke. The French oak influence adds an elegant sweetness while the American oak lends depth and familiarity. Overall, the bouquet is approachable and confectionary, setting expectations for a balanced sip.

Palate

On the palate, the bourbon introduces a pleasant contrast to its sweeter nose. A touch of dark chocolate bitterness immediately makes its presence known, grounding the profile and adding sophistication. This bitter edge quickly gives way to graham cracker notes, lightly toasted and dusted with baking spices. The rye in the mash bill peeks through here, offering subtle spice and structure to the mid-palate. The layered wood finishing adds a roundness, bridging sweetness and spice without overwhelming the core bourbon character.

Finish

The finish is medium to light in length but leaves behind a pleasant memory of spiced undertones. Nutmeg, cinnamon, and a trace of oak tannin linger gently, reminding you of its multi-wood influence. While not long, it’s clean, balanced, and encourages another sip rather than overstaying its welcome.

Three times the fun

Overall Impression

Three Chord Bourbon Flipside – Triple Wood Vol 1 is a thoughtful, approachable whiskey that punches well above its price point. At $34.99, it offers an elegant balance of sweet, toasted, and spiced elements. The finishing in both French and American toasted oak brings extra layers of complexity without overshadowing the base bourbon, making it an excellent value pour for both casual sipping and sharing.

It’s a bourbon that will appeal to those who enjoy dessert-like aromatics paired with a palate that introduces just enough depth and spice to keep things interesting. Think of it as a crowd-pleaser with subtle sophistication—versatile enough for neat pours, yet flavorful enough to shine in a simple Old Fashioned or Manhattan.

Presentation

Adding to the experience, the label design is strikingly unique—it mimics the look and feel of a classic vinyl record cover. This not only ties back to the brand’s musical roots but also gives the bottle a collectible, nostalgic charm. It feels less like a standard whiskey label and more like an album you’d want to spin on a turntable, making it stand out immediately on the shelf.

Many thanks are in order to the team at Three Chord and to CHQ Media for gracing The Library with a couple of the newest expressions for purpose of genuine and unbiased reviews.

Southern Distilling's Southern Star Bottled-In-Bond Straight Rye Whiskey Review

The Southern Star BiB Rye Whiskey

Southern Star Straight Rye Whiskey Bottled-in-Bond

Distilled, aged, and bottled by Southern Distilling Company – Statesville, North Carolina

100 Proof | Aged at least 4 years | Mash Bill: 51% Rye, 39% Corn, 10% Malted Barley | SRP $49.99

Southern Distilling has been steadily making a name for itself in the Carolinas, and with this Bottled-in-Bond Straight Rye, they deliver a spirit that balances approachability with classic rye character. Meeting the strict Bottled-in-Bond standards—distilled in one distillation season, aged at least four years in government-bonded warehouses, and bottled at 100 proof—this whiskey demonstrates both craftsmanship and transparency.

Nose:

The rye opens with a welcoming sweetness layered with complexity. Vanilla leads the way, softening the edges of the grain, followed by a fresh sprig of mint that adds brightness. A dusting of white pepper provides a lively rye kick, while warm baking spices—nutmeg, cinnamon, and a hint of clove—round out the aromatic profile. The nose is both classic and inviting, with a balance of herbal rye notes and confectionary sweetness.

Palate:

On the first sip, the whiskey reveals a surprisingly creamy texture, offering a lush mouthfeel uncommon in many rye whiskies. Flavors of vanilla cake set the stage, giving the impression of a bakery sweetness, before evolving into layers of cinnamon, clove, and nutmeg. The sweet spice interplay showcases the mash bill’s balance—corn lending richness and body, while rye provides the lively backbone of pepper and herbs. It drinks with an elegance that doesn’t overwhelm but still keeps the rye’s bold character intact.

Finish:

The finish is lingering and viscous, carrying both sweet and savory undertones. Notes of vanilla and cream taper into gentle waves of spice, leaving behind a mouth-coating warmth that invites another sip.

Back Label

Overall Impression:

Southern Star Straight Rye Bottled-in-Bond is an excellent showcase of North Carolina whiskey-making. It bridges the gap between rye’s traditionally assertive spice and a more rounded, sweeter profile that appeals to a wide range of drinkers. At $49.99, it offers strong value for a Bottled-in-Bond rye, delivering both authenticity and refinement. This is a whiskey that would shine neat, but its creamy texture and layered spice also make it an excellent choice for elevated cocktails.

Final Verdict:

A well-crafted and versatile rye—bold enough for rye lovers, approachable enough for bourbon drinkers, and an impressive Bottled-in-Bond expression from one of the South’s rising distilleries.

Thank you to the folks at Southern Distilling and to their marketing team, The Go Social, for sending this to The Library for my unbiased review.