Description
Penelope Crème Brûlée French Oak Stave Finish
Indulge in a liquid dessert with Penelope Crème Brûlée, a decadent and innovative bourbon finished with custom French oak staves. This limited-edition expression from the celebrated Penelope Bourbon lineup is a masterclass in flavor architecture, artfully designed to evoke the rich, creamy notes of the classic French dessert. Bottled at a robust 110 proof, this is a bourbon experience that is both luxurious and unforgettable.This unique spirit is part of Penelope’s Architect series, which uses state-of-the-art technology to achieve precision in flavor. Working with the renowned French cooperage Tonnellerie Radoux, Penelope utilizes their proprietary OakScan® process to select French oak staves with the perfect tannin levels to impart notes of vanilla custard and caramelized sugar. The result is a bourbon that is silky smooth, incredibly rich, and perfectly balanced.Key Specifications:
- Product: Penelope Architect Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Crème Brûlée French Oak Stave Finish
- Mash Bill: A blend of 3 four-grain bourbon mash bills (Corn, Wheat, Rye, and Malted Barley)
- Proof | ABV: 110 Proof | 55% ABV
- Age: A blend of bourbons aged 4 to 5.5 years
- Finish: Custom-selected French Oak Staves
- Filtration: Non-Chill Filtered
Brand History: A Modern Approach to BourbonPenelope Bourbon was founded in 2018 by Mike and Kerry Paladini and was named in honor of their daughter. In a few short years, they have built an incredible reputation for sourcing high-quality whiskies and using innovative blending and finishing techniques to create unique, award-winning flavor profiles. The Architect series is the pinnacle of their innovation, deconstructing the finishing process to “build” a specific flavor profile, much like an architect designs a building. This Crème Brûlée edition is a perfect example of their creative and meticulous approach to modern bourbon.Tasting Notes: A Decadent, Dessert-Inspired JourneyThis bourbon truly lives up to its name, offering a rich and creamy tasting experience from start to finish:
- Nose: An inviting bouquet of toasted vanilla bean, burnt sugar, and buttercream frosting, with hints of sweet cream and caramelized oak.
- Palate: A luxuriously velvety and rich mouthfeel. Notes of vanilla custard, cinnamon sugar, sweet cream, and French toast dominate the palate, beautifully balanced by subtle, savory oak tannins.
- Finish: The finish is warm, smooth, and delightfully long, with lingering layers of deep vanilla sweetness, toasted wood, and a gentle, creamy spice.
Why You’ll Love Penelope Crème Brûlée:
- A Liquid Dessert: Perfectly captures the essence of crème brûlée in a sophisticated, high-proof bourbon.
- Innovative Stave Finishing: The use of specific, scientifically selected French oak staves creates a precise and unforgettable flavor profile you won’t find anywhere else.
- A Collector’s Gem: As a limited release from Penelope’s most creative series, this bottle is highly sought after by enthusiasts and collectors.
- Rich and Complex: While sweet and dessert-like, the 110 proof and underlying four-grain bourbon provide a robust, complex, and balanced spirit that is anything but one-note.
- Perfect for Sipping: This is the ultimate after-dinner bourbon, best enjoyed neat to savor every creamy, caramelized note.
Penelope Crème Brûlée is a stunning achievement in flavor architecture and a testament to the creative possibilities within modern bourbon.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
- Q: Is this a flavored whiskey?
- A: No, it is not a flavored whiskey. All the “Crème Brûlée” notes of vanilla, custard, and caramelized sugar are derived naturally from the unique finishing process using specific, custom-toasted French oak staves.
- Q: How is this different from the standard Penelope Architect?
- A: While both are part of the Architect series, the standard Architect uses a blend of two different French oak staves (Delicate and Intense) to create a more classic, spice-and-fruit forward profile. This Crème Brûlée edition uses a specific, different selection of staves chosen explicitly to create a dessert-like, vanilla-and-custard-rich flavor profile. It is also bottled at a higher 110 proof compared to the standard Architect’s 104 proof.
- Q: What is a “stave finish”?
- A: Instead of transferring the whiskey to a different barrel, a stave finish involves placing custom-toasted or charred pieces of wood (staves) directly into the mature bourbon for a final aging period. This allows for a more precise and targeted infusion of specific wood-derived flavors.
- Q: What is a “four-grain” bourbon?
- A: It means the mash bill (the recipe of grains) includes corn, wheat, rye, and malted barley. This combination provides a complex flavor profile, balancing corn’s sweetness, wheat’s softness, and rye’s spice.
- Q: How should I drink Penelope Crème Brûlée?
- A: To fully appreciate its complex dessert notes, it is best enjoyed neat in a proper tasting glass. A single large ice cube can also be used if you prefer it chilled, as it will melt slowly and not over-dilute the rich flavors.
- Q: Where can I purchase Penelope Crème Brûlée?
