Happy Hump Day! We are diving into a massive, four-bottle 2026 Penelope flight picked up straight from Lux Row Distillers during Kentucky Bourbon Festival week. From unique wine finishes and high-rye single barrels to ultra-aged vintage bourbon and a 139-proof monster, we don’t buy bottles just to collect them—we open them and taste them!
In this review, we line up four standout 2026 releases from Penelope Bourbon / Ross & Squibb Distillery. Join Wayne and Rebecca as we break down the specs, nose, palate, finish, and overall value of each bottle. Which one took our top pour of the day, and which bottle missed the mark? Watch to see our full ranked breakdown!
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Penelope Riviera (Cooper Series)
- Classification: Blended American Whiskey Finished in Rosé Wine Casks
- Company: MGP Ingredients / Luxco (Penelope Bourbon)
- Distillery: Ross & Squibb Distillery, Lawrenceburg, IN
- Mash Bill: 74% Corn, 16% Wheat, 7% Rye, 3% Malted Barley (blend of 8-Year American Light Whiskey & Straight Bourbon)
- Age: 8 Years
- Proof: 94 Proof (47% ABV)
- SRP: $90
- Released: Spring/Summer 2026
- Other: Part of Penelope’s Cooper Series highlighting specialty cask finishes; finished in Spanish rosé wine casks; non-chill filtered.
- Purchased: 09.11.26 for $110 at Lux Row Distillery
Penelope Estate Collection Single Barrel
- Classification: Straight Bourbon Whiskey (Single Barrel)
- Company: MGP Ingredients / Luxco (Penelope Bourbon)
- Distillery: Ross & Squibb Distillery, Lawrenceburg, IN
- Mash Bill: 60% Corn, 36% Rye, 4% Malted Barley
- Age: 10 Years
- Proof: 107
- SRP: $90
- Released: Fall 2026 (Estate Collection allocation)
- Other: Rickhouse location: Warehouse N, Floor B, Barrel PEN26-109; non-chill filtered.
- Purchased: 09.11.26 for $90 at Lux Row Distillery
Penelope Estate Collection Founders Reserve (2026 Release)
- Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (Cask Strength)
- Company: MGP Ingredients / Luxco (Penelope Bourbon)
- Mash Bill: 78% Corn, 10% Rye, 12% Malted Barley
- Age: 13 Years
- Proof: 101.4
- SRP: $200
- Released: September 2026 (Distillery & select national allocation)
- Other: Packaged in the signature deep green Estate Collection collector’s box; non-chill filtered; matured in #3 char barrels.
- Purchased: 09.11.26 for $200 at Lux Row Distillery
Penelope 18 Year American Light Whiskey
- Classification: American Light Whiskey
- Company: MGP Ingredients / Luxco (Penelope Bourbon)
- Distillery: Ross & Squibb Distillery, Lawrenceburg, IN
- Mash Bill: 99% Corn, 1% Malted Barley
- Age: 18 Years
- Proof: 139
- SRP: $110
- Released: Spring 2026
- Other: Distilled at >160 proof and matured in used oak barrels; Penelope’s oldest Light Whiskey release to date; non-chill filtered.
- Purchased: 09.11.26 for $1110 at Lux Row Distillery
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NOTE: The spirits in this review were purchased by us. We were not compensated by the spirit producer for this review. This is simply our opinion based on what we tasted on this day. Please drink responsibly.
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