Penelope Architect Creme Brûlée Bourbon Whiskey Review.

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 Penelope Architect Creme Brûlée Bourbon Whiskey Review.



    Let me be honest up front—I had written this one off. Penelope’s “Crème Brûlée” finish in their Architect Series sounded like a gimmick, another novelty bottling destined to get dusty on a shelf. But curiosity got the better of me when I heard a nearby shop had just one bottle left. A quick phone call and a gracious store clerk later, I found myself making the hour-long drive to secure it. Now, I’ve always liked what Penelope puts out. While I haven’t had every single expression, the ones I’ve tried hit that sweet spot. And with Penelope now officially under the MGP umbrella, they’ve been churning out some seriously strong offerings. 

    Penelope uses a three-grain mash bill here. The whiskey is aged at least five years and finished using French oak staves, specifically selected in collaboration with a French cooperage using what they call “oak stave technology.” These staves are chosen to emphasize the flavors of a classic crème brûlée, think caramelized sugar, creamy custard, rich vanilla. This isn’t new ground for the Architect Series, but the targeted flavor approach with the naming convention is a welcome shift, and I hope Penelope leans into it for future releases.


For the full video review visit the link here: https://youtu.be/PTNwZYEkRlI.

Age Statement: 5 year.

ABV: 55%.

Mash bill: 75% corn, 21% rye, and 4% malted barley

Area of Distillation: Lawrenceburg, Indiana.

Appearance: Deep mahogany with a golden glow.


On the nose:
    You don’t even need to stretch your imagination to find the crème brûlée here. Burnt sugar hits right away, sweet, dark, soft, and alluring. There’s a definite vanilla custard vibe, layered with a buttery corn backbone. Some light waxiness from the barley and herbal rye spice round it out. For only being five years old, the nose comes across mature, polished, and downright inviting.


Taste:
    The sip opens sweet and rich, with those darker burnt sugars leading the way. There’s a distinct oily mouthfeel that carries everything across the palate nicely. Herbal rye spice adds some lift, and while the vanilla cream note doesn’t explode like I’d hoped, it’s present, especially as the sip develops. The second taste brings more balance, offering a touch more custard, caramel drizzle, and a soft baking spice undertone. The French oak behaves differently than expected, less spice, more dessert. If I didn’t know better, I’d think it was double-oaked with a sugar bomb finish.


Finish:
    Lingering sweetness and rich mouthfeel are the stars here. There’s no burn, no harshness—just that sticky, toasted sugar lacing your palate. The finish leans simple, but that’s part of the charm. It stays in its dessert lane and drives it home.


Final Thoughts: 
    Penelope has done something clever here. They didn’t just slap a dessert name on a bottle, they backed it up with thoughtful finishing and a flavor profile that mostly lives up to the promise. Yes, I wish there was a touch more complexity, but considering the goal of capturing a single flavor theme, the focus works. This is a dangerously drinkable pour for fans of sweeter bourbons or anyone curious about how far oak finishing can push a flavor.


Rating: -A (Amazing).

Cost: $54.99 for 750ml.

For the full video review visit the link here: https://youtu.be/PTNwZYEkRlI.

Social platforms to follow me: https://linktr.ee/thelastcallyt

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