Penelope Bourbon has settled right into a groove that revolves round one-off (for now) releases like Valencia mixed with common updates to a collection of restricted editions. Immediately we take a look at three of the latter — new variations of Architect, Barrel Energy, and Toasted Barrel — although it’s our first style of the lattermost. Whereas Penelope frustratingly makes use of completely different numbering techniques for all three of those bourbons, we are going to attempt our hardest to not maintain that in opposition to them and, as a substitute, simply dive into the whiskey itself. Ideas comply with.
Penelope Bourbon Architect Construct 10 – The tenth iteration of Architect: A wood-centric bourbon, 4 years outdated, from a mash of 75% corn, 21% rye, and 4% malted barley. Completed for six weeks over French oak staves from Tonnellerie Radoux in France, chosen utilizing “their state-of-the-art OakScan course of” which is a expertise that may decide the tannic potential of wooden. It all the time seems like hokum after I learn it, however whereas Construct 1 didn’t do a lot for me, I gotta say they might be on to one thing at this level. The nostril is boldly spicy and fairly candy, showcasing vanilla, cherry fruit, and loads of cinnamon, although there’s loads of evenly tannic barrel char right here too. The palate is amazingly buttery, layered with vanilla and caramel to create a creamy high quality that’s hardly ever seen in at this time’s world of endlessly burlier-than-thou whiskeys. Marzipan and cookie dough notes solely add to the immersive, dessert-like expertise, whereas a butterscotch high quality builds on the end, adopted by a maraschino reprise. It looks as if there’s nothing within the sweet aisle that doesn’t make an look right here apart from chocolate, which has by some means eluded this whiskey. Warming at 52% abv with out being overly sizzling, the whiskey is brisk but soothing, with a delicate, creamy conclusion. 104 proof. A / $65 [BUY IT NOW FROM RESERVEBAR]
Penelope Bourbon Barrel Energy Batch #18 – We’ve lined this expression relationship again to the OG Batch #1 in 2019. Now we’re as much as Batch #18, and it’s secure to say we’re working over some acquainted floor right here. Sizzling and well-toasted with plenty of char, the extra burly wood-focused parts slowly give strategy to rye-driven spice and an almond aspect, however there’s by no means a lot in the way in which of sweetness right here except for a thick layer of peanut butter that rushes ahead on the end. A minimum of a touch of fruit can be a pleasant break from the one-two punch of woody barrel essence and roasted peanuts, but it surely by no means involves be, sadly. Fairly inexperienced on the again finish — and barely minty — with aggressive, lingering char. 114 proof. B / $65 [BUY IT NOW FROM CASKERS] [BUY IT NOW FROM FROOTBAT]
Penelope Toasted Bourbon Batch #24-301 – After preliminary maturation in charred new American oak, Penelope Toasted is completed in a brand new, toasted barrel. “Toasted” something has all the time felt like a gimmicky letdown to me, however this rendition doesn’t disappoint. The baking spice is robust with this one: Daring notes of nutmeg and cinnamon are rapid on the nostril, rumbling alongside a evenly peppery barrel char high quality. The palate is sweeter than you count on, with a lush marzipan character tempering any warmth and the extra aggressive black pepper notes. The toasted wooden — a lighter play on extra conventional barrel char — is obvious on the end, the place a mix of vanilla and baking spice create a horchata-like high quality, tempered by clear, lingering flavors of polished and evenly oiled wooden. It’s late within the recreation when a brisk, cherry-like affect takes maintain, giving the conclusion a barely tart, mouth-puckering high quality that had me smacking my lips and returning to the glass many times. A giant shock that’s simply shy of an A score. 100 proof. A- / $70
Penelope Toasted Bourbon Batch #24-301
$70
