Penelope 18 Year American Light Whiskey Review.

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Penelope 18 Year American Light Whiskey

    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% (Hazmat).

Mash bill: 99% corn, 1% malted barley.

Area of Distillation: Lawrenceburg, Indiana.

Appearance: Bright golden.


On the nose:
   On the nose, the first thing that comes through is a soft, buttery sweetness. There’s a fresh sweet corn note that feels almost like grilled corn right off the cob, followed by butterscotch and a light vanilla buttercream character. It stays very approachable for something sitting at hazmat proof, and there’s no harshness jumping out immediately. A gentle citrus note also shows up, leaning toward fresh orange juice rather than a sharp zest.


Taste:
   On the palate, it delivers far more flavor than you would normally expect from a light whiskey. The first sip brings a creamy brown sugar sweetness mixed with sweet corn and soft caramel. There’s a hint of burnt molasses that adds depth without becoming off-putting, and it gives the whiskey a bit more personality than most light whiskey releases. The mouthfeel is richer than expected and actually coats the palate well, which is surprising at this proof.


Finish:
    The finish continues with a mix of sweetness and spice. A soft cotton-candy-like sweetness lingers along with light barrel char and a gentle citrus note that sits right at the front of the tongue. It drinks warm, but nowhere near as aggressive as the proof would suggest, and the balance between age and strength works surprisingly well.


Final Thoughts: 
    This turned out to be one of the most flavorful light whiskeys I’ve had, especially considering the 99% corn mash bill. The 18 years of aging clearly made a difference, and the first-fill barrels added more depth than you usually see in this style. At retail price, it feels absolutely worth it, especially when you consider the age and the hazmat proof together in one bottle.

    It’s not something I would chase at extreme secondary prices, but at a reasonable markup it’s still a bottle I’d feel good about grabbing again. Penelope continues to show that their barrel selections are consistently strong, and this release feels like one of their more interesting and unique offerings.    


Rating: -A (Amazing).

Cost: $94.99 for 750ml.

For the full video review visit the link here: https://youtu.be/Gci5ozlpZ9s.

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

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