Penelope Black Walnut Old Fashioned 750ML is a ready-to-drink bottled Old Fashioned made with straight bourbon and rye whiskey at 38% ABV (76 proof). This expression earned a Platinum medal in the Pre-Mixed Cocktail category at the 2025 ASCOT Awards, setting it apart with its unconventional pairing of black walnut bitters and vanilla demerara sugar against a four-grain whiskey base. Quick Facts: ABV: 38% (76 proof) | Origin: Lawrenceburg, Indiana, USA | Style: Ready-to-Drink Old Fashioned | Distillery: Ross & Squibb (MGP) Production & Heritage The whiskey base is distilled at Ross & Squibb Distillery—formerly known as MGP—in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, one of the most prolific contract distilleries in American whiskey. Penelope sources a four-grain mashbill of 75% corn, 15% wheat, 7% rye, and 3% malted barley, blending both straight bourbon and straight rye whiskey into the cocktail foundation. The formula then incorporates black walnut bitters and vanilla demerara sugar, departing from the conventional Angostura-and-simple-syrup template that dominates most premixed Old Fashioneds. Tasting Notes Aroma: Warm vanilla opens the nose, followed by a wave of maple sweetness and allspice. Cocoa undertones develop underneath, lending the aroma a layered, dessert-adjacent quality. Taste: Brown sugar enters first and unfolds steadily into gentle baking spices and cinnamon across the mid-palate. A persistent vanilla presence weaves through the whiskey's grain character, while the four-grain blend provides more structure than you'd expect from a premixed cocktail. Finish: Velvety toffee and rich caramel linger alongside a subtle walnut earthiness. The finish is smooth and medium in length, with the black walnut bitters leaving a gentle, nutty undertone that distinguishes the final impression. How to Drink the Penelope Black Walnut Old Fashioned This is a ready-to-drink cocktail best served chilled or poured over a single large ice cube, with an expressed orange peel to amplify the vanilla and spice. Because the formula is already balanced, it also works as a foundation for simple riffs: add a barspoon of sweet vermouth and a brandied cherry for a Black Walnut Manhattan variation that leans into the whiskey's richness; stir in a half-ounce of Campari for a Walnut Boulevardier riff where the bitterness plays against the vanilla demerara; or smoke the glass with applewood chips before pouring for a Smoked Black Walnut Old Fashioned that deepens the toffee and cocoa notes. Best For Stocking a home bar with bar-quality ready-to-drink cocktails Gifting a bourbon enthusiast who values convenience without sacrificing complexity Hosting dinner parties or gatherings where consistent cocktail quality matters Tailgating, camping trips, or outdoor events where full bartending setups aren't practical Frequently Asked Questions What does the Penelope Black Walnut Old Fashioned taste like? Brown sugar, cinnamon, and baking spices lead the palate, supported by warm vanilla and a subtle black walnut nuttiness, finishing with velvety toffee and rich caramel. How does the Penelope Black Walnut Old Fashioned compare to Tip Top Old Fashioned? Penelope uses a four-grain bourbon-and-rye blend with black walnut bitters and vanilla demerara at 38% ABV, while Tip Top relies on a more traditional Angostura-style recipe with a standard bourbon base. The black walnut bitters give the Penelope version a distinctive earthy nuttiness absent from conventionally built RTD Old Fashioneds. Is the Penelope Black Walnut Old Fashioned good for sipping on its own? Yes—at 38% ABV it carries genuine whiskey presence while remaining fully balanced and ready to pour straight from the bottle. Serving it over a large ice cube with an orange peel garnish is the simplest way to enjoy it. Where is the Penelope Black Walnut Old Fashioned made? The whiskey base is distilled at Ross & Squibb Distillery (MGP) in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, a facility long regarded as one of the top bourbon and rye producers in the United States. What foods pair well with the Penelope Black Walnut Old Fashioned? Dark chocolate truffles complement the cocoa and vanilla notes; smoked brisket mirrors the brown sugar and spice profile; pecan pie aligns with the walnut character; aged sharp cheddar balances against the grain sweetness; and charcuterie with candied nuts echoes the toffee and nutty finish. What sizes does the Penelope Black Walnut Old Fashioned come in? The Penelope Black Walnut Old Fashioned is available in a standard 750ml bottle. Is the Penelope Black Walnut Old Fashioned worth the price? It positions in the premium tier of ready-to-drink cocktails, justified by its straight bourbon and rye whiskey base, four-grain mashbill complexity, and 2025 ASCOT Platinum medal—solid value for drinkers who want a bar-quality Old Fashioned without the prep work. Why Penelope Black Walnut Old Fashioned? The use of black walnut bitters is the clearest differentiator here—virtually every other bottled Old Fashioned on the market defaults to Angostura-style aromatic bitters, while this expression carves out its own lane with that earthy, nutty signature. Built on a four-grain mashbill of 75% corn, 15% wheat, 7% rye, and 3% malted barley from one of Indiana's most respected distilleries, the whiskey base itself carries more grain complexity than the single-bourbon blends found in most RTD competitors. The Platinum medal at the 2025 ASCOT Awards in the Pre-Mixed Cocktail category confirms that the formula holds up under blind evaluation. At 38% ABV, this is a premixed Old Fashioned that actually tastes like it belongs in a rocks glass.
