Bottles and Bars #1: Penelope — Pretty Bottles, Serious Bourbon, and Project X

Written By Tortured Bourbon

Penelope Project X

As millennials, we’ve been blamed for everything from killing department stores to allegedly ruining the nuclear family — and somehow, avocados too. So it’s no surprise we seek comfort in aesthetic vibes and curated experiences: a chilled glass of rosé at a trendy restaurant, a crisp new book at a vibey coffee shop, or in this case… a pretty bottle of bourbon.

Enter Penelope Bourbon, a brand that knows exactly who they’re talking to. Whether it’s the soft millennial pink and etched florals on their Rosé Cask Finish, the sleek blue-and-gold minimalist cool of Architect, or the tropical, vacation-mode energy of Rio and Havana, Penelope has nailed the art of the aesthetic bottle. Walk into any well-stocked ABC store or bar and you’ll spot them lined up like a Pinterest board come to life.

But here’s the good news: in my (mostly humble) opinion, the taste holds up. These bottles aren’t just pretty faces — they’re genuinely delicious. Penelope isn’t just trending; they’re building real cred with bourbon drinkers across generations.

Then Came the Plot Twist: 

Project X

Just when you think you’ve figured Penelope out — cue the 90s grunge guitar riff. Along comes Project X, a sleek, matte-black bottle that looks like it belongs in an episode of The X-Files. No color. No frills. You can’t even see the liquid inside. It’s like someone dared Penelope to go full Gen X, and they did not flinch.

I was lucky enough to get a bottle of Project X Sherry Finish for my birthday (thanks, B and Producer Katie — you get to stay in the will). This series uses Penelope’s base four grain bourbon and finishes it in a mix of barrels — in this case, sherry casks.

The packaging screams “serious business,” and thankfully, so does the bourbon. It’s silky and rich, with warm notes of cinnamon, vanilla, and molasses on the nose. The palate brings dark fruit, brown sugar, and baking spice — all perfectly layered and dangerously smooth.

At $100 MSRP, it’s already a splurge. And if you stumble on it for anything less than triple digits, grab it immediately. Actually — grab two, and send one my way.

In Conclusion:

  • Yes, packaging matters.

  • No, millennials aren’t evil.

  • And yes, Gen X has its moments… especially when they gift good bourbon.

Stay tuned for an upcoming Pour Decisions Wednesday episode on Project X, plus more looks at what’s trending in bourbon — and which bars to visit for your next favorite pour.

Tortured Bourbon