Penelope Architect Straight Bourbon Whiskey - Creme Brulee

🍮 Penelope Architect Series Crème Brûlée @ 110 Proof Well, well, well… what do we have here tonight?? 🍮 Cue the dramatic lighting. Cue the soft jazz. Cue the Glencairn doing a slow, sultry swirl… because we’re diving headfirst into a dessert-themed dream: Penelope Architect Series Crème Brûlée — and yes, I even whipped up a real crème brûlée to keep it company. We don’t cut corners at Belmont Björn’s Bourbon Banter. We go all out with flavor. I picked up this lovely limited-edition bottle just last week from a local shop that knows how to tempt a bourbon enthusiast. The base spirit? None other than our reliable friend from Indiana — MGP. But the real magic happens in St. Louis, where Penelope collaborated with the French oak specialists at Tonnellerie Radoux (fancy, right?) to finish this spirit with precision using their advanced OakScan® process. Yes, this is basically space-age technology for barrels, folks. The question is… did they achieve flavor perfection? Let’s find out. From the very first smell, this beauty is like stepping into a French patisserie during the golden hour. Delicate vanilla cream, hints of toasted sugar, a whiff of floral breeze, and a soft whisper of herb garden. The French oak adds elegance without being overwhelming, and at 110 proof, it brings enough warmth to let you know it's serious… but without scorching the brûlée. The mash bill—corn, soft wheat, and malted barley—reads like a dessert recipe itself. And honestly, it drinks like one too. If you were with me during our exploration of the Penelope Rio, you’ll recall we called it “dessert in a glass.” Well, friends, this is the follow-up, and it's almost as sweet — but with a smoother, toastier twist. So, what are you waiting for? Swirl that glass, take a sip, and let yourself be transported to bourbon’s version of a Parisian bakery. If you enjoyed this tasting journey of flavor and fun, please be so kind as to LIKE, COMMENT, SHARE, and SUBSCRIBE to keep the good times flowing. More bottles. More conversation. More bourbon bliss. Cheers, y’all — and don’t forget to save room for dessert. 🥃🔥🍮 YouTube Channel: https://youtube.com/?si=5vVa5FEwYuNRxYur Full Video Bottle Review: 🍮 Penelope Architect Series Crème Brûlée @ 110 Proof https://youtu.be/85xnaqLT7HQ Until next time… Belmont Björn - BBBB -

Tonight, we delve into a dessert-inspired creation: Penelope Architect Series Crème Brûlée. This limited-edition release, acquired recently from a local shop, features a base spirit from MGP in Indiana, finished in St. Louis by Penelope using French oak from Tonnellerie Radoux, employing their advanced OakScan® process. The aroma evokes a French patisserie, with delicate vanilla cream, toasted sugar, floral notes, and a hint of herbs. The French oak provides elegance without dominance, and the 110 proof offers warmth without being overpowering. The mash bill of corn, soft wheat, and malted barley contributes to its dessert-like character, offering a smoother, toastier experience than the Penelope Rio, which was previously described as "dessert in a glass." Enjoy this taste of bourbon's Parisian bakery side. Please consider liking, commenting, sharing, and subscribing for more content. Cheers until next time.

Nose 3.5 / Palate 4 / Finish 4. The aroma is sweet but subdued, even after resting in a glencairn for thirty minutes. The palate is robust with additional sweetness. The finish carries the sweetness into a building warmth for a medium-long duration. In an unblinded comparison against Architect Build 8, it presented a much weaker nose and comparable palate, but a slightly stronger finish. Architect Build 8 was preferred in the tasting, yet both offer a very similar flavor profile and experience.

Tasted in a Glencairn glass after resting for 15 minutes. Medium amber color. The nose offered caramel, vanilla, and fruit. The palate featured cinnamon, baking spice, and oak. The finish was long with moderate warmth. A splash did not reveal any new aromas. Overall: 8/10 - While this bottling typically impresses me more, it might improve with time. It's a solid whiskey, but in the competitive $60-70 price bracket, superior options exist.

It's not as sweet or thick as the name creme brulee might imply. There's an initial alcohol bite, but a buttery sensation on the finish. Glad I had the chance to try it! Although I've never seen it available, I doubt I'd purchase a bottle at that price if I did.

For 110 proof, it's remarkably smooth. The creme brulee designation is a bit misleading; my wife bought the bottle for herself, expecting it to be very sweet. However, there's no added flavoring; it's pure bourbon. Pricy at $70, but I'd suggest it!