Penelope debuts golf-inspired Bourbon series

Luxco-owned Penelope Bourbon has unveiled the first three expressions in its new 18-bottle series called Architects of Golf.

The new collection is a nod to the brand's foundation in 2018, when Penelope Bourbon was idealised by two friends, Michael Paladini and Danny Polise, while they were playing a round of golf. Architects of Golf honours that origin story and the game that sparked the brand's founders. "Golf and Bourbon are similar in that they both bring people together. Penelope started as an idea on a golf course, so we felt it was only natural to expand our Architect line into this area," said Paladini, founder and vice-president of strategy at Penelope Bourbon. "Architects of Golf is a nod to the subtleties of the game and where some of our best ideas took shape. The introduction of American oak staves into our blends reflects how small adjustments can have a big impact on the overall product." The series kicks off with a trio that reflects the progression of a round of golf – Hole 1, Hole 2, and Hole 3. Each expression builds upon the last, using distinct stave-fining techniques applied at varying intensities and durations. Polise, founder and master blender of Penelope Bourbon, explained: "Each hole represents a distinct batch. They are designed to explore the nuances of different stave profiles and how they evolve the whiskey. It made developing the collection as fun as playing the game." All three inaugural expressions have been aged for six years and bottled at 47% ABV. Architects of Golf Hole 1 opens up with aromas of caramel, butterscotch, baking spices, and nutmeg. On the palate, the Bourbon delivers notes of dark chocolate, sweet oak, roasted nuts, sweet oak, vanilla, subtle leather, and spice. Hole 2 is said to represent a more structured, robust profile, with aromas of butterscotch, baking spices, and sweet fruit. On the palate, the whiskey offers notes of dark chocolate, butterscotch, vanilla, and French toast, followed by lingering nuances of sweet oak, vanilla, subtle leather, and spice. Showcasing the trio's most robust stave influence, Hole 3 stands out with prominent layers of vanilla, rich toast, and baking spice. Aromas of caramel and dried red fruit lead to a fuller palate featuring chocolate mousse, vanilla, and lingering oak, with toasted oak, cherry, and dark chocolate on the finish. To celebrate the launch, Penelope Bourbon has created a lineup of seasonal cocktails inspired by golf, including the Pear on the Green and The Southern Fairway, designed to complement the collection's flavour profiles. The brand will also introduce the Classic Club Sports Sweepstakes, offering consumers the chance to win one of nine trips for two to premier tennis or golf tournaments across the US. The first three bottles in the Architects of Golf series are set to be available at select retailers nationwide later in May in limited quantities, each priced at US$59.99. Earlier this year, MGP Ingredients, the parent company of Luxco, announced a pause of at least 12 months at two of its Kentucky distilleries. Ross & Squibb Distillery in Indiana, which is home to Penelope Bourbon, will not be affected. The Bourbon brand was acquired by Luxco in 2023.