The Last Call

I received this spirit as a review sample from Austin 101,  linked here . It is important to clarify this did not impact the ratings of this review.      Austin 101 is a name that takes me back to the early days of diving into light whiskey, long before the category started getting the attention it deserves. Fast forward to 2026, and American light whiskey is finally having a moment, showing up on more shelves and in more conversations. Revisiting this bottle now feels like checking in on an old favorite to see if it still holds up.      There’s also something immediately appealing about what Austin 101 is doing. This is a fully in-house operation, distilling, aging, and bottling their own spirit using local Texas grains and repurposed bourbon barrels. It’s a true craft approach that leans into both sustainability and regional identity, and that always adds a layer of intrigue before the first sip. Austin 101 produces this light whiskey using a mash bi...

     American Light Whiskey has quietly been having a moment, and bottles like this are exactly why. Once overlooked, this category is finally getting the attention it deserves thanks to strong releases from brands sourcing well-aged stock and letting it shine. Circle City Whiskey Company steps into that spotlight with their first American Light Whiskey release, a 20-year single barrel pick coming in at a hazmat-level 72.5% ABV. Sourced from MGP and selected as a store pick, this is one of those bottles that immediately grabs your attention both on paper and in the glass.      This expression is a single barrel American Light Whiskey distilled at a high proof, above 160 proof, and aged in used or uncharred oak barrels. That aging method sets it apart from bourbon, allowing for a more subtle oak influence even after extended maturation. At 20 years old and hazmat, this whiskey leans heavily on time and barrel interaction to develop character. With a mash bil...

     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...