Penelope Blackberry Old Fashioned 750ML

Penelope Blackberry Old Fashioned 750ML is a ready-to-serve premixed Old Fashioned cocktail bottled at 40% ABV (80 proof) in a 750ml bottle. Built on a foundation of blended straight bourbon and straight rye whiskey, this expression layers natural blackberry flavor into the classic Old Fashioned template, giving the familiar format a fruit-forward twist without abandoning the whiskey backbone.

Quick Facts: ABV: 40%  |  Origin: Kentucky, USA  |  Style: Premixed Cocktail  |  Brand: Penelope Bourbon

Production & Heritage

Penelope Bourbon is a Kentucky-based brand that sources its whiskey from Ross & Squibb Distillery—formerly known as MGP—in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, one of the most respected contract distilleries in American whiskey production. The whiskey base draws from a four-grain mashbill of 75% corn, 15% wheat, 7% rye, and 3% malted barley, blending both straight bourbon and straight rye whiskey to create a cocktail foundation with more complexity than single-mashbill alternatives. The Blackberry Old Fashioned incorporates blackberry flavoring into the traditional Old Fashioned structure, joining a lineup of flavored premixed cocktails that includes Black Walnut and Apple Cinnamon expressions.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Ripe blackberry leads immediately, followed by caramel sweetness and a faint grain warmth from the underlying bourbon-rye blend. A subtle herbal note lingers behind the fruit, grounding the nose.

Taste: The entry is fruit-forward, with jammy blackberry meeting brown sugar and soft vanilla from the four-grain whiskey base. At mid-palate, the rye component asserts itself with a mild peppery edge that checks the sweetness. Oak tannins emerge toward the peak, providing structure and preventing the profile from leaning too dessert-like.

Finish: Medium in length, with blackberry tartness slowly giving way to toasted grain and a whisper of baking spice. The wheat influence in the mashbill lends a soft, rounded texture through the close.

How to Drink Penelope Blackberry Old Fashioned

Pour over a single large ice cube or sphere and serve as-is—no additional mixing required. For a lighter approach, serve chilled straight from the bottle into a rocks glass. The blackberry component also makes the cocktail a strong candidate for these variations:

• Blackberry Smash riff: Add a few fresh mint leaves and a squeeze of lemon to amplify the berry character with bright citrus and herbal notes.
• Highball extension: Top with chilled club soda to stretch the cocktail into a longer, more sessionable serve that opens up the fruit.
• Dessert Manhattan twist: Add a half-ounce of sweet vermouth and stir, leaning into the dark fruit notes for an after-dinner drink.

Best For

• Hosting cocktail nights without the need for a full bar setup
• Gifting a bourbon drinker who enjoys fruit-forward flavors
• Summer evening sipping on a patio or at a barbecue
• Bringing a premium ready-to-serve option to a dinner party

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Penelope Blackberry Old Fashioned taste like? It leads with ripe blackberry jam sweetness balanced by caramel, vanilla, and a mild rye spice from the four-grain whiskey base. The finish is medium-length with lingering berry tartness and toasted grain.

How does Penelope Blackberry Old Fashioned compare to On The Rocks Old Fashioned? On The Rocks uses Knob Creek bourbon as its base and follows a traditional Angostura bitters profile, while Penelope builds from a blended four-grain bourbon-rye base and introduces blackberry as the defining flavor element. The Penelope expression is distinctly fruit-driven, whereas On The Rocks stays closer to the classic whiskey-and-bitters template.

Is Penelope Blackberry Old Fashioned good for cocktail beginners? Yes—the blackberry sweetness and premixed format make it highly approachable for drinkers new to whiskey-based cocktails, requiring nothing more than ice and a glass to serve.

Where is Penelope Blackberry Old Fashioned made? Penelope is a Kentucky-based bourbon brand whose whiskey is distilled at Ross & Squibb Distillery (formerly MGP) in Lawrenceburg, Indiana. The premixed cocktail is blended and bottled in the United States.

What foods pair well with Penelope Blackberry Old Fashioned? Dark chocolate truffles complement the berry sweetness without overwhelming it. Grilled pork chops with a blackberry glaze echo the cocktail's fruit profile. Sharp aged cheddar provides a savory counterpoint to the jammy character. Vanilla bean cheesecake mirrors the bourbon's vanilla notes. Smoked brisket with a fruit-based barbecue sauce creates a layered sweet-smoky pairing.

What sizes does Penelope Blackberry Old Fashioned come in? The standard offering is a 750ml bottle at 80 proof.

Is Penelope Blackberry Old Fashioned worth the price? It positions in the premium tier of ready-to-serve cocktails, justified by the quality of the four-grain whiskey base sourced from Ross & Squibb Distillery and the use of natural blackberry flavoring rather than artificial additives common at lower price points.

Why Penelope Blackberry Old Fashioned?

The four-grain mashbill at the core of this cocktail sets it apart from the majority of premixed Old Fashioneds on the market, which typically rely on a single bourbon or use neutral spirits as filler. By blending straight bourbon and straight rye from one of America's most established distilleries, Penelope ensures the whiskey foundation holds up beneath the blackberry flavoring rather than disappearing into it. The 80-proof bottling strength is notably higher than many competitors in the premixed space, preserving the whiskey's character while keeping the cocktail balanced. For drinkers who want the convenience of a ready-to-pour Old Fashioned with a seasonal fruit dimension and genuine whiskey depth, this expression delivers without requiring a muddler, bitters, or bar cart.