kadbow,
The Shrew bows are shorter than average, 52"-60" nock to nock. With bows this short a forward handle is conducive to a smooth pulling bow. Another advantage of a forward handle is that it lessens the possibility of torque by making it harder to torque the bow with the hand forward of the limbs.
Your 27" draw is not so short as you may think, in fact 27" is what I'd call an average draw length. I know there are many that draw 28, 29, 30 and even longer, but with all the people I've dealt with in the last 28 years I've been in business there are just as many with shorter draw lenghts, 24, 25 and 26"
The key is to have a bow built for YOUR draw in the length of bow you want.