Penelope Architect Bourbon 750ML

Penelope Architect Bourbon 750ML is a 104-proof (52% ABV) straight bourbon whiskey finished with French oak staves, bottled at 750ml. What distinguishes this expression from the wider Penelope range is its use of Oakscan® infrared technology — developed by French cooperage Tonnellerie Radoux — to individually scan and select oak staves based on their precise polyphenol and tannin content, bringing an unusual level of scientific rigor to the finishing process.

Quick Facts: ABV: 52% (104 proof)  |  Origin: Lawrenceburg, Indiana, USA  |  NAS — French Oak Stave Finished  |  Distilled at MGP Distillery

Production & Heritage

Penelope Architect is distilled at the historic MGP distillery in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, a facility dating back to 1847 and one of the most prolific contract distilleries in American whiskey. The bourbon uses a four-grain mashbill of 75% corn, 15% wheat, 7% rye, and 3% malted barley — a composition that leans toward a softer, wheated profile while retaining a thread of rye spice. After initial maturation, the whiskey is finished with complex, medium-tannin French oak staves selected using Tonnellerie Radoux's Oakscan® system, which passes each piece of trimmed oak in front of a near-infrared light ray to measure its exact tannin composition. This allows for a level of consistency and intentional flavor extraction that sets the Architect apart from conventionally finished bourbons.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with sweet butterscotch and maple before shifting into layers of cinnamon bark, vanilla bean, and cacao nibs. Deeper inspection reveals floral notes and a subtle leather-and-cigar-wrapper complexity that hints at the French oak influence.

Taste: The entry is rich and creamy — sweet cream and caramel candy coat the palate immediately. At the mid-palate, butterscotch mingles with herbal and floral tones, while crème brûlée sweetness builds alongside moderate black pepper and oak spice. The four-grain mashbill keeps everything balanced, preventing any single note from dominating.

Finish: Medium-long and warming, with coffee bean, vanilla, and cacao nibs lingering alongside toasted oak and cigar wrapper. A pleasant smoldering cinnamon oil sensation closes things out, leaving a dry but sweet impression.

How to Drink Penelope Architect

At 104 proof, the Architect rewards a few drops of water or a single large ice cube to open up its layered French oak character without drowning the creaminess. Neat sipping at room temperature is equally rewarding for those who enjoy barrel-proof-range intensity.

• Old Fashioned: The butterscotch-and-cinnamon backbone stands up beautifully to bitters and a sugar cube, with the French oak adding depth most standard bourbons lack.
• Boulevardier: The creamy wheat-forward profile balances the bitterness of Campari while the higher proof cuts through sweet vermouth cleanly.
• Gold Rush: Lemon and honey amplify the existing crème brûlée and floral notes, making a cocktail that punches well above its simplicity.

Best For

• Bourbon enthusiasts exploring science-driven finishing techniques
• Gifting to someone who already knows and enjoys Maker's Mark 46
• Building a tasting flight of French oak-finished American whiskeys
• Hosting a spirits night focused on four-grain mashbill bourbons

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Penelope Architect taste like? Penelope Architect delivers a creamy, dessert-leaning profile dominated by butterscotch, caramel, cinnamon, and crème brûlée, balanced by oak spice and a coffee-and-cacao finish. The French oak stave finishing adds a layer of floral and leather complexity not typical of standard bourbon.

How does Penelope Architect compare to Maker's Mark 46? Both bourbons use French oak stave finishing and wheat-forward mashbills, making them natural comparisons. Penelope Architect is bottled at a higher 104 proof versus Maker's 46 at 94 proof, and its four-grain mashbill (which includes rye) generally produces more spice and complexity than Maker's 46's traditional corn-wheat-barley composition.

Is Penelope Architect good for sipping neat? Yes — at 52% ABV it sits in a sweet spot where the proof delivers intensity and flavor concentration without excessive heat, especially after a minute or two of rest in the glass.

Where is Penelope Architect made? Penelope Architect is distilled at the MGP distillery in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, a facility originally established in 1847. The French oak staves used for finishing are sourced from Tonnellerie Radoux, a cooperage based in France.

What foods pair well with Penelope Architect? Dark chocolate truffles complement the cacao and coffee finish. Smoked pork belly echoes the bourbon's caramel sweetness. Aged Gouda mirrors its butterscotch tones. Pecan pie amplifies the toasted oak and vanilla notes. A simple charcuterie board with dried fruits and nuts works as a versatile match.

What sizes does Penelope Architect come in? Penelope Architect is available in the standard 750ml bottle size.

Is Penelope Architect worth the price? Penelope Architect positions itself in the mid-premium tier for finished bourbons. The Oakscan® stave-selection technology and 104-proof bottling strength offer genuine differentiation from comparably priced competitors, making it a strong value proposition for drinkers interested in what scientific cooperage techniques can bring to bourbon.

Why Penelope Architect?

The real story here is the Oakscan® technology — Penelope's collaboration with Tonnellerie Radoux uses near-infrared spectroscopy to measure polyphenol content in each individual French oak stave before it touches the whiskey. That is a production detail almost no other bourbon on the American market can claim. Combined with a genuinely unusual four-grain mashbill distilled at one of the country's most experienced facilities and a bottling proof that preserves barrel character, the Architect delivers a finished bourbon with measurably more intention behind its flavor profile than most in its class.