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 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Category | |||||||||
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
-
1½ oz Penelope 18 Year Light Whiskey
-
¼ oz demerara syrup
-
2 dashes aromatic bitters
Stir with ice and strain over a large cube.
Light Whiskey Manhattan
-
2 oz Penelope 18 Year Light Whiskey
-
¾ oz sweet vermouth
-
2 dashes Angostura bitters
Stir with ice and strain into a chilled coupe.
Customers who viewed this product also viewed
SPIRITS
Correction of product information
If you notice any omissions or errors in the product information on this page, please use the correction request form below.
Correction Request Form