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Kentucky is known for many things, but the number one thing it is known for is its wide array of bourbon. One of the newer bourbon companies, 2 Cents Inc., run by female entrepreneur Brittany Penny, with its brand the IX Bourbon Whiskey, is opening the door for all bourbon lovers to try something new.
Interestingly, this business conception all started as an idea when Penny was pregnant with her first child in 2020. “The pregnancy nose is an amazing feature. Throughout my first pregnancy amid the COVID pandemic, I would catch the aromas of my husband’s bourbon collection and pick up different notes of apricot, vanilla, caramel and many other flavor profiles. Without realizing it, I was doing the research necessary to start my own bourbon brand.”
A Lady in the Bourbon Industry
Born and raised in Louisville, Kentucky, Penny is a lover of bourbon herself, and by producing the IX Bourbon Whiskey, she is opening the door for men and women to enjoy an enticing bourbon experience. “I’ve always loved bourbon. My dad is a connoisseur, so he has an extensive collection and knowledge about bourbon. So, when I became of legal drinking age, it was natural for me to order a bourbon neat when I was hanging out with my friends,” Penny says.
As a result, when the idea came to mind, Penny believed she could, so she did! Along with her husband’s assistance, she launched her bourbon whiskey brand in September 2020 and has been making noise showing that a female can make it in a predominately male industry.
Penny shares, “I wanted to do something that made me happy. I was in a job where I wasn’t really being fulfilled, so I wanted to do something that I loved and that I was passionate about. My husband assisted with the operational set-up where I focused on the IX Bourbon experience crafting aromas and flavor profiles.”
Since Penny is an African American female with a newer brand, she stands out within the industry. This venture has pushed her to thrive and adjust in areas outside of her comfort zone.
“I’m learning to be confident in spaces where I’m the only one who looks like me. So, I’m learning just to walk in, sell myself, sell my brand, and not feel discouraged or intimated when I’m meeting people that represent the long-standing history of bourbon in Kentucky. I look to those brands as inspiration and the goal of what 2 Cents Inc. will soon become.”
Creating the IX Bourbon Whiskey Experience
“When I was making the IX Bourbon Whiskey, I really strived for a phenomenal aroma as soon as the consumer popped the cork.” Penny continues, “We are sourcing our bourbon, so it’s critical for me to find the right aroma and flavor profile to guarantee that enticing experience for my consumers.
“After sifting through 14 different barrels, we narrowed it down to our top five. They all had good aromas but very different flavor profiles, so we decided to blend them all together in hopes that they would create a unique bourbon. Hence, the IX Bourbon Whiskey was born.”
She continues, “It’s a sweeter bourbon, which is ideal for women who want to try bourbon. The IX Bourbon Whiskey has notes of caramel, vanilla, apricot, with a hint of cinnamon spice on the back end. Our bourbon is 95 proof with a smooth finish that presents a light Kentucky hug.”
Those who have had the amazing opportunity to try the brand have had a host of wonderful things to say and share. “Our customers have often said that our bourbon “smells like a blessing,” Penny shares. “They would describe the taste as a ‘flavor-forward experience unlike any other.'”
RELATED: Samara Rivers on Creating a Seat at the Table for Black Bourbon Drinkers
Even the company name has significance, as Penny explains. “Our family name is Penny, and since it’s just me and my husband within the company, the name came easily: Penny & Penny, 2 Cents Inc.”
Don’t miss your opportunity. The next time you are in Kentucky, be sure to get yourself and your friends a bottle. Currently, distribution is only in the area and can be found at Westport Whiskey & Wine as well as the Kentucky Derby Museum Gift Shop.
However, the desired goal of the company is to win over Kentucky and then branch out and distribute nationwide within the next few years.
Learn more about the latest with 2 Cents Inc online and follow the Pennys and the brand on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and TikTok.
