Penelope Architect Bourbon Review: Does French Oak Make a Difference?

Finished bourbons aren't exactly rare anymore. Every year it seems another distillery experiments with different oak species, wine casks, or finishing techniques in search of a new flavor profile. Sometimes the finish transforms the whiskey. Other times it feels like a gimmick.

Penelope Architect falls somewhere in the middle of that conversation—but in a good way.

Rather than finishing bourbon in a second barrel, the Architect series uses French oak staves selected in partnership with Tonnellerie Radoux, a cooperage known for supplying premium oak to the wine industry. Each release features a different blend of stave profiles, giving every batch its own character while still staying true to Penelope's approachable style.

It's a modern approach to bourbon making, but one that's focused more on refinement than reinvention.

The Bottle

Distillery: MGP (Bottled by Penelope Bourbon)

Release: Ongoing (Batch Varies)

Classification: Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished with French Oak Staves

Proof: 104 (52% ABV)

Age: 4–6 Years

Mash Bill:Varies by batch (MGP-derived recipe; some batches use a high-rye bourbon mash bill)

MSRP: $60–70

First Impression: Crisp apple is joined by crème candy sweetness before toasted oak begins to show itself.

On the Palate: Sweet corn and fresh berries lead into a rich custard note, while a touch of anise keeps the sweetness from becoming overwhelming.

The Last Sip: Leather lingers alongside warm apple pie before fading into a gentle oak finish.

Final Thoughts

Penelope Architect does exactly what it sets out to do. The French oak softens the edges and pushes the bourbon toward richer, sweeter flavors without completely covering up the whiskey underneath. If your ideal pour leans toward caramel, custard, baked fruit, and dessert-like sweetness, there's a good chance you'll appreciate what Architect brings to the table.

For me, though, it's just a little sweeter than what I typically reach for. I tend to prefer bourbons where the oak and spice have a little more room to speak, so while I enjoyed the pour, I never found myself thinking, I need a bottle of this at home.

Where I do think Architect shines is at the dinner table. I could easily see this paired with bread pudding, apple crisp, crème brûlée, or even a slice of pecan pie where those sweeter notes become part of the meal instead of the entire experience.

That's why this lands squarely in Try at a Bar territory for me. I'm glad I spent money on a pour because it answered my curiosity. It just didn't convince me to spend sixty dollars on a bottle.

🟡 Try at a Bar