Penelope Blackberry Old Fashioned 750ML is a 76-proof (38% ABV) ready-to-pour cocktail blending four-grain straight bourbon and straight rye whiskey with blackberry simple syrup and orange bitters. Launched in 2026 as an extension of Penelope's premixed cocktail line — whose Peach and Black Walnut Old Fashioned siblings both earned Platinum medals at the 2025 ASCOT Awards — this blackberry expression builds on a proven formula while introducing a bold berry dimension rarely seen in the bottled Old Fashioned category.

Quick Facts: ABV: 38% (76 Proof)  |  Origin: Kentucky / Indiana, USA  |  Style: Ready-to-Pour Old Fashioned  |  Base Spirit: 4-Grain Straight Bourbon & Straight Rye Whiskey

Production & Heritage

Penelope is a Kentucky-based bourbon brand whose whiskey is distilled at Ross & Squibb Distillery (formerly MGP) in Lawrenceburg, Indiana — one of America's most established contract distilleries, now operating under the MGP Ingredients (Nasdaq: MGPI) Branded Spirits division following Luxco's 2021 acquisition. The whiskey foundation draws from a four-grain mashbill of 75% corn, 15% wheat, 7% rye, and 3% malted barley, with both straight bourbon and straight rye blended together before the cocktail components are introduced. Real blackberry simple syrup and genuine orange bitters round out the recipe, meaning the finished bottle replicates the structural components of a hand-built Old Fashioned rather than relying on artificial flavoring or neutral spirit filler.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Orange bitters lead the nose immediately, followed by ripe blackberries, dark cherries, and orange peel. Beneath the fruit, brown sugar and a thread of rye spice emerge as the glass opens up.

Taste: The entry is dense and syrupy, with blackberry and cherry hitting first alongside a burst of citrus zest and bitters. Vanilla and caramel from the bourbon base surface at mid-palate, while a mild peppery rye edge checks the sweetness before it veers too far. Oak tannins build toward the peak, lending structure and keeping the profile grounded rather than dessert-like.

Finish: Medium in length, closing with layered notes of cherry, orange, blackberry, caramel, and vanilla. A distinct cola character and a dusting of black pepper linger as the sweetness recedes.

How to Drink Penelope Blackberry Old Fashioned

Pour directly over a large ice cube in a rocks glass — no mixing, no measuring. A fresh blackberry or expressed orange peel makes an ideal garnish. For a lighter warm-weather serve, top with a short splash of club soda to stretch the berry notes into a long drink. You can also use it as the base of a Blackberry Smash by muddling fresh mint leaves in the glass before pouring, which amplifies the herbal-berry contrast. A Berry Boulevardier riff works well by stirring equal parts of this cocktail with sweet vermouth and a float of Campari for added bitterness. And for a dessert-leaning serve, build a Blackberry Old Fashioned Float by pouring over a scoop of vanilla ice cream or gelato — the oak tannins and rye spice prevent it from becoming cloyingly sweet.

Best For

• Summer entertaining where a full bar setup isn't practical
• Gifting a bourbon enthusiast who gravitates toward fruit-forward expressions
• Tailgating, cookouts, and outdoor gatherings that demand a quality pour with zero prep
• Stocking a home bar with a premium ready-to-pour option that stands above mass-market alternatives

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Penelope Blackberry Old Fashioned taste like? It leads with ripe blackberry and dark cherry layered over orange bitters, then transitions into bourbon-driven vanilla, caramel, and oak. A peppery rye spice thread and cola-like finish keep the sweetness in balance.

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, staying close to the classic whiskey-and-bitters template. Penelope's version builds from a blended four-grain bourbon-rye foundation and introduces blackberry as the defining flavor, making it distinctly fruit-driven by comparison.

Is Penelope Blackberry Old Fashioned good for sipping on its own? Yes — at 76 proof it carries enough whiskey backbone to drink straight over ice without tasting diluted, and the blackberry syrup and orange bitters mean no additional ingredients are needed.

Where is Penelope Blackberry Old Fashioned made? Penelope is a Kentucky-based brand whose bourbon and rye whiskeys are distilled at Ross & Squibb Distillery in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, one of the largest and most established distilleries in the United States.

What foods pair well with Penelope Blackberry Old Fashioned? Smoked pork ribs or pulled pork, where the berry sweetness complements smoky char. Dark chocolate desserts mirror the cocoa-adjacent cola finish. Sharp aged cheddar contrasts the fruit notes with savory depth. Grilled stone fruit like peaches or plums echo the cherry and blackberry. Charcuterie boards with fig jam and cured meats align with the sweet-savory interplay.

What sizes does Penelope Blackberry Old Fashioned come in? It is available in the standard 750ml bottle size.

Is Penelope Blackberry Old Fashioned worth the price? It positions as a premium ready-to-pour cocktail, sitting above mass-market premixed drinks by using straight bourbon and straight rye from a respected distillery alongside real blackberry simple syrup rather than artificial flavorings — a meaningful quality distinction in this growing category.

Why Penelope Blackberry Old Fashioned?

Most bottled Old Fashioneds rely on a single bourbon or, worse, pad the recipe with neutral grain spirit. Penelope's version starts with a genuine blend of four-grain straight bourbon and straight rye whiskey from Ross & Squibb Distillery, giving the cocktail a whiskey backbone that holds up beneath the fruit and bitters. The use of real blackberry simple syrup and orange bitters rather than synthetic flavoring agents puts it in a different class from the bulk of the ready-to-pour market. For anyone who wants an honest Old Fashioned variation without the prep — and with a berry twist that actually works — this bottle delivers on the premise.