Penelope Architect Build No. 11

Penelope Architect Series, build #11, aged 4 years, finished with French oak staves, 52% ABV. 750 ml for $60 (on sale from $66) in Idaho. Tasting neat. Rosy copper color and good coating legs in the glass. Nose is oak, stone mineral, fallen orchard fruit, and dry grass, with a hint of astringent ethanol and spice in the far back. On the palate, soft coating oily mouthfeel. Oak and oak char/toast are up front, sweet but dry and tannic. That takes us into the finish which is dry oak char, with some over-ripe earthy fruit sweetness and spicy grass. Dry dry dry spice and tannin finish which lingers a long time. An ice cube sweetens that oak char and allows some grain and citrus or white grape notes to creap out. I've tried and rated (4.5) the Architect Build #8, which I wish I could taste alongside this #11. Very much a double barreled/toasted bourbon profile with the insertion of French oak staves into the original barrel. That oak-forward taste is going to turn some people off. Me? I like that profile more than a straight vanilla brown sugar easy sipper. There's more character here, especially for a first glass, with something easier to follow up. Or just add an ice cube. Will keep tasting and thinking. Initial reaction--very good.

Neat: Vanilla, cotton candy, oak, spicy. Very good

Oak, spice, mineral