Affordable Whiskey, American Whiskey, Blogger, Boston, Boston Blogger, Boston Whiskey Women, bourbon, Bourbon Cocktail, Bourbon whiskey, cocktail, Cocktail Review, Cocktail To-Go, cocktails, Latina Blogger, Latina Whisky Blogger, New Blog Post, Not Sponsored, Old-Fashioned Cocktail, Ready-Made cocktail, Ready-to-drink, Review, whiskey, Whiskey Blogger, Whiskey Review, Whiskey Sampling, whiskeywench, Whisky, Whisky Blogger, whisky cocktail, Whisky Sampling, whisky tasting, Women Who Whiskey

Penelope Cocktails: Black Walnut Old Fashioned

Posted by whiskeywench on

Did you know Penelope Bourbon now offers ready-made cocktails? If you didn’t, well, I didn’t either—until recently! They currently offer three varieties, and I’ve managed to get two: the Black Walnut Old Fashioned and the Apple Cinnamon Old Fashioned. In this post, I’ll focus on the Black Walnut Old Fashioned. Stay tuned for a review of the Apple Cinnamon. Let’s begin.

This Old Fashioned combines straight bourbon and rye whiskey with black walnut bitters and vanilla demerara. We picked up a 750ml bottle for $25, and according to the label, it makes 12 cocktails. That works out to about $2 per drink—an incredible deal compared to the $16–$20 you’d typically pay for an Old Fashioned at a bar.

Nose: vanilla, spices and light sweetness

Palate: vanilla, sweetness, cinnamon and bitterness

Finish: warming, light sweetness and walnuts

ABV: 38%

Straight from the bottle, this Old Fashioned is quite syrupy—but once it hits ice, that sweetness mellows beautifully. Right away, you’re greeted with warm vanilla and a hint of honey. At first, I thought it might be too sweet for my taste but then came a surprise: layers of spice like cinnamon, followed by the bitters. That shift completely changed the experience—the sweetness faded, and complexity took over. Toward the finish, the walnut notes emerged, making the journey worth every sip. Each taste revealed something new, like a flavor roller coaster, and I loved it.

One last note—this has nothing to do with taste, but the bottle itself is impressively sturdy. We took this photo out in the elements in Newport, RI, and while I managed to capture the shot, just seconds later the bottle slipped from its perch on the tree and landed squarely on my foot. Amazingly, it didn’t break! So, if you want an Old Fashioned that’s affordable, full of character, and comes in a bottle built like a tank, this is it.

Cheers!

Note: The contents on my blog are solely my opinion. To me every palate is different! Although I may or may not like a product, I always recommend people to try it and make up their own minds.

Leave a comment