AI & I Review™ — Penelope Project X

A Luxurious, Dessert-Driven Bourbon Finished in Pedro Ximénez Sherry Casks.

AI & I Review™ — Penelope Project X PX Sherry Cask Bourbon

Introduction

Some bourbons are made for cocktails. Some are made for the shelf.
Penelope Project X PX Sherry Cask Bourbon is made for the moment.

As part of Penelope’s experimental Project X series, this limited-edition release takes their signature four-grain bourbon and finishes it in Pedro Ximénez (PX) sherry casks, resulting in a whiskey that leans decadent, dark-fruited, and luxuriously textured—without losing its bourbon backbone.

This is an AI & I Review™—a conversation between human palate and artificial intelligence—exploring not just what’s in the glass, but why it works, and how to pair it with food using sea salts, dry rubs, and hot sauces.

The Whiskey at a Glance

• Bottle Size: 750ml

• Base: Four-grain bourbon (corn, wheat, rye, barley)

• Finish: Pedro Ximénez (PX) sherry casks

• Proof: Typically 108–112 proof (single-barrel variation)

• Series: Project X (experimental finishes)

Tasting Notes

Appearance

Deep mahogany with ruby and garnet highlights. Slow, syrupy legs signal a full-bodied pour before the first sip.

Nose

Dark fruits lead immediately—figs, raisins, cherries, and jammy preserves—followed by vanilla, caramel, cola syrup, and soft baking spice.

AI Insight: PX sherry casks are among the sweetest wine barrels in the world. The sun-dried grapes used to make PX concentrate sugars and oxidized fruit compounds, which transfer directly into the bourbon during finishing.

Palate

Thick, viscous, and coating. Expect dates, prunes, dark chocolate, brown sugar, mulling spice, cola, and oak. The sweetness is rich but controlled.

Why it works:

• Corn brings sweetness and body

• Wheat softens the mouthfeel

• Rye adds spice to counter the sherry

• Barley keeps structure intact

This is a dessert-leaning bourbon that still drinks like bourbon.

Finish

Long and lingering. Sweet sherry fades into dried fruit, light oak tannin, and warm spice, leaving a lasting impression rather than a sharp exit.

Best Food & Protein Pairings

This bourbon excels with fat, caramelization, and smoke. Lean proteins will disappear under its richness.

Dry-Aged Ribeye Steak

• Dry Rub: Bourbon Smoked Cajun Blackened Rub

• Sea Salt: Bourbon Smoked Sea Salt (finished post-rest)

• Why it works: Beef fat and char echo oak, spice, and dark sugar notes in the whiskey.

Pan-Seared Duck Breast

• Sea Salt Blend: Poivre Concassé (coarsely cracked peppercorns & sea salt)

• Hot Sauce: Light, fruit-forward hot sauce (used sparingly)

• Why it works: Duck’s natural sweetness mirrors PX sherry while pepper cuts through the fat.

Grilled Lamb Chops

• Dry Rub: Herb-forward rub with garlic and rosemary

• Sea Salt: Fleur-style sea salt after cooking

• Why it works: Herbal notes bridge lamb’s richness to the bourbon’s spice without overpowering the sherry influence.

Pork Belly or Thick-Cut Pork Chop

• Dry Rub: Sweet-smoke profile (brown sugar, paprika, subtle heat)

• Sea Salt: Smoked sea salt

• Why it works: Pork amplifies the bourbon’s vanilla, cola, and brown sugar character.

Unexpected Pairing

70–85% dark chocolate + a few grains of Bourbon Smoked Sea Salt
Take a sip immediately after. The bourbon opens up with amplified fig, raisin, and oak.

Final Verdict

AI: A bold, heavily finished bourbon that balances intense PX sweetness with four-grain structure. Ideal for fans of sherry, port, or dessert-driven whiskies.
Me: A fireside bourbon. One glass. One plate. No distractions.

This isn’t an everyday pour—it’s an experience.

AI & I Review™
Where human intuition meets artificial intelligence—one pour at a time.

Vault It or Drink It?

Penelope Project X PX Sherry Cask Bourbon

AI Assessment (Collectibility & Value)

• Limited release: Yes — Project X is Penelope’s experimental line
  

• Single-barrel variation: Yes (proof & nuance vary)
  

• Cask finish: PX sherry is desirable and trendy
  

• Brand trajectory: Penelope is growing, not yet legacy-tier
  

• Secondary market behavior: Strong short-term interest, moderate long-term appreciation
  

AI conclusion:
This bottle may increase modestly in value, particularly if:

• Stored unopened
  

• Kept with box and pristine label
  

• Held 3–7 years
  

However, it is unlikely to become a blue-chip investment bourbon (e.g., BTAC, Pappy, early Four Roses Limited Editions).