Penelope Architect Build 9 Review - The best Penelope?

Overview: Penelope Architect Build 9, the ninth release in this series, comes packaged in a striking bottle adorned with a blue label—a clever nod to an architect's blueprint, echoing the brand's name. The back label boasts of "a blueprint for the future of precision blending," emphasizing the combination of their signature four-grain mashbill with French oak staves. It also highlights a collaboration with Tonnellerie Radoux, using their OakScan® process for stave selection. While that's a lot of marketing speak for a 4-year bourbon, let's see if the liquid lives up to the hype.

Age: 4 Years

Proof: 104 (52% ABV)

Mashbill: The exact mashbill remains undisclosed, but it's confirmed to be a four-grain blend derived from three distinct MGP distillates:

MGP Bourbon (45% Wheat) - 51% Corn, 45% Wheat, 4% Malted Barley

MGP Bourbon (21% Rye) - 75% Corn, 21% Rye, 4% Malted Barley

MGP Bourbon (99% Corn) - 99% Corn, 1% Malted Barley

The precise blend is a testament to the master blender's skill, prioritizing taste over a rigid formula.

Secondary Finish: Yes - French Oak Staves

Nose: Vanilla frosting and lightly toasted marshmallows entice the senses, complemented by white pepper and a pronounced oak presence. There's a hint of youthfulness, but the sweet oak notes largely mask it.

Palate Surprisingly soft on the palate, belying its 104 proof. The sip starts with caramel, cinnamon and a touch of cherry.  The mouthfeel is pleasingly viscous, delivering a wave of sweet oak—the dominant flavor. Subtle blackberry notes emerge with focused attention. 

Finish: Sweet Oak continues to the finish.  The sweetness turns to toffey and carmel and the darker fruits start to emerge more than at the start... blackberry, and even some coffee.  I'm very happy with the complexity and lenght of finish considering the short 4 year age statement, this is likely due to the 4 grain mashbill and the secondary finish. 

Final Thoughts: Penelope Architect Build 9 defies expectations with its complexity and richness, especially considering its relatively light color and young age. The emphasis on the OakScan process seems justified if it contributes to this quality.

This release stands out as the best Penelope I've encountered, surpassing my experiences with their other blended offerings. It's a bourbon worth seeking out.

Rating: Middle Shelf - Link to ratings explanations