Penelope Bourbon Strikes Again with Bold New Black Walnut Old Fashioned

Penelope Bourbon is back at it—and this time, they're doubling down on their cocktail game with the Black Walnut Old Fashioned, a rich and decadent follow-up to their award-winning Peach Old Fashioned. For fans of the classic Old Fashioned who like their cocktails bold, balanced, and ready to pour, this new release brings the heat with a dark twist.

We’ve been watching the ready-to-pour space grow like wildfire, and Penelope isn’t just jumping on the trend—they’re leading it. Their first entry into the category with Peach Old Fashioned proved they had the chops to bottle a bar-quality drink. Now, Black Walnut Old Fashioned pushes the boundaries even further, marrying the brand’s award-winning bourbon and rye blend with black walnut bitters, vanilla demerara, and a whisper of molasses. It’s a modern take on a timeless drink—and one that’s built for both backyard hangs and fireside sips.

A Whiskey-Forward Cocktail That Doesn’t Cut Corners

Crafted at 76 proof (38% ABV), this cocktail isn’t just a sweet mix with a whiskey splash—it’s a whiskey-first experience, exactly what you’d expect from a brand that’s built its name on balance, complexity, and drinkability. The Black Walnut Old Fashioned opens with warm vanilla and subtle cocoa on the nose, slides into brown sugar, allspice, and cinnamon on the palate, and finishes with a lingering caramel and toffee glow that’ll keep you coming back.

In short: it drinks like something you made yourself, but all you did was twist the cap.

Award-Winning Innovation

If you're wondering whether this release holds up against the competition, let the hardware do the talking. Both the Peach Old Fashioned and Black Walnut Old Fashioned snagged platinum medals at the 2025 ASCOT Awards, placing them among the best pre-mixed cocktails on the market today.

Michael Paladini, Penelope’s founder and VP of strategy for MGP Ingredients, called the ready-to-pour space “exciting territory”—and from where we’re standing, Penelope is mapping that territory like pioneers. Master blender and co-founder Danny Polise summed it up best: “Using our bourbon and rye blend as the foundation creates an amazing base for a whiskey-forward cocktail.”

He’s not wrong.

Designed to Stand Out

Penelope’s known for keeping things classy, and the Black Walnut Old Fashioned bottle is no exception. Featuring their signature white matte 750mL silhouette with deep walnut-colored lettering, it’s sleek enough to display and practical enough to pour for a crowd.

And at $29.99, it’s a no-brainer addition to your bar cart—especially for those who want great bourbon flavor without needing a shaker, jigger, or mixing glass.

Whether you're a cocktail enthusiast or a bourbon purist, Penelope’s Black Walnut Old Fashioned checks all the boxes. It’s got the character of a well-made drink, the backbone of quality whiskey, and the convenience to make any moment feel like happy hour.

We raise our glass to Penelope for another pour that proves innovation doesn’t have to come at the expense of craftsmanship.

Available nationwide starting August 2025.