Penelope Copper Series Madagascar

Penelope's Copper Series Madagascar is a bourbon, and the name points to a finishing or cask-influenced release. No details were supplied beyond the name, so the notes below describe what bourbon in this style typically offers and are not a measured profile of this bottle. Penelope is known for bourbons built on a mash bill with a high share of corn, which usually gives a rounder, softer sweetness. Expect caramel, vanilla and toasted oak, with a thread of baking spice behind them. The Madagascar reference suggests a possible vanilla or spice accent, but check the label for exact details on proof, age and any finishing process. Pour it neat first to see how the grain, char and sweetness line up. A bourbon like this usually shows its caramel and oak most clearly at room temperature. If the proof turns out to be high, a few drops of still water will loosen the aromas and soften the alcohol, and a single large ice cube in a rocks glass slows the dilution. A Glencairn suits nosing, because the tapered rim concentrates the vanilla and wood notes. A rocks glass suits slower sipping over ice. In cocktails, a bourbon with a sweeter, corn-forward style works best where its richness has something to push against. An Old Fashioned with a sugar cube, a few dashes of Angostura and an orange peel lets the vanilla and oak carry the drink. A Manhattan with sweet vermouth and a cherry adds depth, and the bourbon's softness keeps the vermouth from dominating. In a Whiskey Sour, the sweetness balances fresh lemon juice. For a Highball, pour over plenty of ice with soda water and a lemon twist, which gives a longer, drier drink that keeps the caramel and spice notes.