Penelope 18 Year American Light Whiskey Review.

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     Penelope has been one of those brands that continues to surprise me in the best way possible, especially since they started showing up more consistently here in Indiana. Their barrel selections, finishing work, and overall consistency have all been incredibly solid, so when I came across this 18-year American Light Whiskey sitting on the shelf, it was an instant buy. It’s not often you see a light whiskey at this age, and it’s even rarer to see one sitting just above the hazmat line.      What really drew me in here wasn’t just the proof or the age. It was the idea of what Penelope could do with older light whiskey stock. Light whiskey is usually known for being softer and more subtle compared to bourbon, but when you add serious age and keep it at hazmat proof, you start wondering just how much flavor they managed to pull out of it. For the full video review visit the link here:  https://youtu.be/Gci5ozlpZ9s . Age Statement: 18 years. ABV: 70.1...
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Fincasa Rum Barreled Finished Rye Whiskey Review Batch 1.

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Fincasa Rum Barrel Finished Rye Whiskey Review Batch 1.

Fincasa Rum Barreled Finished Rye Whiskey Review Batch 1

I received this spirit as a review sample from Fincasa Whiskey, linked here. It is important to clarify this did not impact the ratings of this review.


    Fincasa Whiskey’s Rum Barrel Finished Rye immediately caught my attention for a few reasons, but most notably for its transparency and its approach. This is a rye whiskey that leans into blending and finishing with intention rather than following the most obvious path. Rum-finished rye is a combination I’ve always enjoyed, and Fincasa clearly understands how those spice-driven profiles can complement each other when handled with care.

    From the bottle presentation to the detailed production info printed right on the label, Fincasa makes it clear that they value openness, and that immediately sets a positive tone before the cork is even pulled. This release starts with whiskey distilled in Indiana and pulls from two distinct rye mash bills. Two barrels of each mash bill are blended together. After blending, the whiskey is rested in Barbados rum barrels. While the range is listed as 6 to 12 months, Batch One spent a precise 7 months finishing in those rum casks. 


For the full video review visit the link here: https://youtu.be/pF1fvj6NhIo.

Age Statement: 3 years.

ABV: 50%.

Blend: A 2 barrel blend of 95% Rye, 5% Malted Barley & 2 barrel blend of 51% Rye, 45% Corn, 4% Malted Barley.

Area of Distillation: Lawrenceburg, Indiana.

Finishing: Ex-Barbados Rum Barrels for 7 months in Florida.

Appearance: Light golden hue.


On the nose: 
    The nose is layered and surprisingly refined. Baking spices lead the way with cinnamon, clove, and nutmeg, followed closely by rum-driven sweetness. There’s a caramelized sugar note that leans toward crème brûlée, paired with gentle rye spice that never overwhelms. Herbal and floral notes peek through, along with a rich oak backbone. One of the most interesting aromas is a candy-coated chocolate note, something like a thin sugar shell over milk chocolate, adding a playful sweetness to the profile.


Taste:
     The palate delivers exactly what the nose promises. Charred oak and molasses sweetness from the rum barrel come together with rye spice, herbal tones, and a touch of pepper. The influence of the lower-rye mash bill introduces a subtle buttery corn sweetness that rounds everything out. A black tea note emerges mid-palate, rich and slightly tannic, balancing the sweeter elements beautifully. This is not a typical rum-finished rye and that’s where it shines.


Finish: 
    The finish lingers with warming spice, gentle char, and that black tea note carrying through to the end. It’s satisfying without being heavy, leaving you ready for the next sip.


Final Thoughts: 
    At around $85 directly from Fincasa’s website, this rye sits comfortably among other rum-finished offerings on the market. What sets it apart is the blended mash bill approach and the restraint shown during finishing. It’s approachable, nuanced, and rewarding whether you’re casually sipping or really digging into the layers. For a Batch One release, this is an impressive showing and a strong foundation for what’s to come.

Rating: -A (Amazing).

Cost: $84.99 for 750ml.

For the full video review visit the link here: https://youtu.be/pF1fvj6NhIo.


Social platforms to follow me: https://linktr.ee/thelastcallyt.

Learn more about Fincasa Whiskey via the link here: https://www.fincasawhiskey.com/.

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