American Light Whiskey Review
Penelope 18 Year
American Light Whiskey
The Story
American light whiskey is a category almost nobody understands, and that's kind of the point. It's distilled higher than bourbon — up to 190 proof instead of bourbon's 160 cap — then aged in used or uncharred barrels, which skips most of the aggressive wood flavor you get from a normal char. Supposedly it comes out softer and more grain-forward than bourbon or rye. An 18-year-old version of that is unusual, since this category doesn't normally get aged anywhere near that long.
Penelope's been doing aged light whiskey for a while under their Founders Reserve line, and this 18 Year is the oldest thing they've released under it. Eighteen years in wood at that proof should do something interesting — I just haven't poured it yet to find out what.
Nose, Palate & Finish
Nose
Whatever proof got this thing a hazmat shipping label, you wouldn't guess it from the nose. Doesn't smell like it's trying to take your eyebrows off.
Palate
This is the whole story with this bottle. It's proofed high enough to need a hazmat label to ship it, and it just doesn't drink like that number. Smooth going down, no punishment, doesn't taste like what it says on the label.
Finish
Warm, no bite, fades out easy. Doesn't finish like something that proofed that hot.