Penelope Architects of Golf Hole 1 Aged 6 Years
Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished with American Oak Staves
47% ABV
$60
Website
We would like to thank Luxco and The Brand Guild for sending us samples to review.
What the Blender Says
Penelope began with two friends, 18 holes, and the kind of conversation that turns a dream into something bigger.
Architects of Golf honors that moment – and the game that gave the idea room to grow.
The collection captures that spirit, celebrating the belief that great things often begin in simple moments among friends, brought to life through three new bourbon expressions
“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,” says Michael 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.”
Reflecting the progression of a round of golf itself, the Architects of Golf collection features three distinct expressions — Hole 1, Hole 2, and Hole 3 — each building on the last through distinct stave finishing techniques implemented at different intensities and over different lengths of time, inviting consumers to slow down, connect, and savor the experience:
Architects of Golf Hole 1 opens with aromas of caramel and butterscotch layered with baking spices and nutmeg. On the palate, dark chocolate, sweet oak, and roasted nuts lead into a finish of lingering sweet oak, vanilla, subtle leather, and spice, delivering a smooth, balanced introduction to the series.
Architects of Golf Hole 2 delivers a more structured profile, opening with aromas of butterscotch, baking spices, and sweet fruit. On the palate, dark chocolate, butterscotch, vanilla, and French toast build layered richness, leading into a finish of lingering sweet oak, vanilla, subtle leather, and spice for a deeper, more robust expression.
Architects of Golf Hole 3 showcases the most robust stave influence of the three, with prominent vanilla layered over rich toast and baking spice. Aromas of caramel and dried red fruit lead into a fuller palate of chocolate mousse, vanilla, and lingering oak, finishing with toasted oak, cherry, and dark chocolate for a layered, concentrated profile.
“Each hole represents a distinct batch.” said Danny Polise, Founder and Master Blender of Penelope Bourbon. “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.”
HOLE 1 TASTING NOTES
AROMA: Gentle Vanilla and light toasted oak.
BODY NOTES: Subtle baking spice with balanced warmth.
FINISH: Soft fruit with a smooth, easygoing close.
Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished in American Oak Staves, Non-Chill Filtered
Mashbill
60% Corn
36% Rye
4% Barley Malt
What Gary Says
Nose: Vanilla, honey, toasted oak with hints of orchard fruit.
Palate: Light caramel toffee, vanilla, soft spice notes of nutmeg & cinnamon with oak and hints of maple.
Finish: Short to medium in length, slightly drying with vanilla & dried fruit.
Comments: I like the concept – evolving hole by hole. I probed for more details (is the difference the number of staves, how long they finish) and was informed it was the timing of the stave finishing – not the number (and the timing was 6-7 weeks). With a little more disclosure about the timing, this would be a fun side-by-side tasting for whiskey geeks like myself. They list this first hole as “an approachable intro,” but for me it’s a little unremarkable. It’s OK, and I prefer it with a few drops of water which brings out a bit of cocoa on the nose, and a bit of a nutty milk chocolate note on the palate.