Penelope Cask Strength 18 Year American Light Whiskey
Product details
| Management number | 253707661 | Release Date | 2026/10/24 | List Price | CA$87.50 | Model Number | 253707661 | ||
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Penelope 18 Year American Light Whiskey is a striking new ultra-aged release that pushes the boundaries of the light whiskey category. Bottled at a powerful cask-strength around 140 proof, it delivers remarkable richness—layers of honeycomb, vanilla cream, caramelized sugar, and oak—while maintaining a surprisingly smooth and dessert-like profile. Rare and highly collectible, it represents one of the oldest and most intense expressions yet in Penelope’s acclaimed American Light Whiskey series.
Origins & Craftsmanship
Penelope Bourbon has built a reputation for innovative and collectible American whiskey releases, and its American Light Whiskey series highlights rare long-aged barrels sourced from the historic Seagram’s distillery site in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, now the Ross & Squibb Distillery.
The whiskey itself was originally distilled at extremely high proof—around 189 proof, a defining characteristic of the American Light Whiskey style that emerged in the 1960s. This category produces a lighter distillate that can age for extended periods without becoming overly tannic.
For the 18-year release, the spirit is aged for nearly two decades in second-fill oak barrels, allowing slow maturation that emphasizes sweetness and complexity rather than aggressive wood extraction.
The mash bill consists primarily of 99% corn and 1% malted barley, creating a corn-forward whiskey with creamy sweetness and soft grain character.
Bottled at approximately 140 proof (about 70% ABV) and typically non-chill filtered, the whiskey retains its full body and intensity. The result is a rare example of long-aged American Light Whiskey that showcases how this style can develop extraordinary complexity over time.
Tasting Profile
Nose:
Aromas of butterscotch, honeycomb, cake batter, and vanilla cream, with hints of toasted oak and confectionery sweetness.
Palate:
Rich and creamy with brown sugar, vanilla ice cream, caramel, and light cinnamon spice, supported by subtle orchard fruit and sweet corn notes.
Finish:
Long and warming with lingering butter, leather, confectioners’ sugar, and soft oak complexity.
Quick Overview
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| ABV / Proof | ~70% ABV / ~140 Proof |
| Origin / Region | Indiana, USA |
| Distillery | Ross & Squibb (historic Seagram’s site) |
| Producer / Bottler | Penelope Bourbon |
| Whiskey Type | American Light Whiskey |
| Mash Bill | 99% corn, 1% malted barley |
| Aging | 18 years in second-fill oak barrels |
| Aromas & Flavors | Honeycomb, vanilla, brown sugar, caramel, cinnamon |
| Style / Identity | Ultra-aged, cask-strength American light whiskey |
Cocktail Recipes
Given its rarity and strength, this whiskey is best enjoyed neat or with a few drops of water, though it can elevate spirit-forward cocktails.
Cask Strength Old Fashioned
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1½ oz Penelope 18 Year Light Whiskey
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¼ oz demerara syrup
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2 dashes aromatic bitters
Stir with ice and strain over a large cube.
Light Whiskey Manhattan
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2 oz Penelope 18 Year Light Whiskey
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¾ oz sweet vermouth
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2 dashes Angostura bitters
Stir with ice and strain into a chilled coupe.
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