Penelope Apple Cinnamon Old Fashioned 750ML is a ready-to-pour Old Fashioned cocktail bottled at 40% ABV (80 proof) in a 750ml format. A limited 2025 release restricted to just 11,000 cases, this small-batch expression from Penelope’s cocktail line blends straight bourbon, rye whiskey, apple cinnamon bitters, and simple syrup into a single, bar-ready bottle.
Quick Facts: ABV: 40% (80 Proof) | Origin: Lawrenceburg, Indiana, USA | Style: Ready-to-Pour Old Fashioned | Distillery: Ross & Squibb Distillery
Production & Heritage
The base spirits are produced at Ross & Squibb Distillery in Lawrenceburg, Indiana a historic facility long recognized as one of the most prolific bourbon and rye production sites in the United States. The Apple Cinnamon Old Fashioned is crafted in small batches using a blend of straight bourbon and rye whiskey, combined with apple cinnamon bitters and simple syrup. This expression is a seasonal, limited-production release within Penelope’s ready-to-pour cocktail range, which also includes their Platinum-awarded Peach Old Fashioned and Black Walnut Old Fashioned.
Tasting Notes
Aroma: The nose opens with fresh apple pie and warm holiday cider. Baking spices and a thread of caramel sweetness rise underneath, evoking an autumn kitchen.
Taste: Smooth bourbon character arrives first, followed by layered notes of baked apple, vanilla, and brown sugar through the mid-palate. Rich caramel, oak, and aromatic bitters build depth as the sip develops, balanced by a measured fruit sweetness that avoids cloying territory.
Finish: The finish lingers with impressions of cinnamon rolls, vanilla glaze, and tree fruit, giving way to a faint churro-like warmth. The texture remains velvety and full-bodied throughout, closing cleanly with residual spice.
How to Drink the Apple Cinnamon Old Fashioned
This is designed to pour straight from the bottle over a single large ice cube no mixing or measuring required. A garnish of a dehydrated apple wheel or fresh cinnamon stick enhances the presentation without altering the pre-batched balance.
Apple Cinnamon Highball: Lengthen with chilled sparkling water for a lighter, effervescent serve that highlights the fruit-forward character.
Spiced Cider Punch: Combine with warmed apple cider in a 1:1 ratio for a seasonal hot cocktail that amplifies the baked apple and cinnamon notes.
Harvest Sour: Shake with fresh lemon juice and a barspoon of maple syrup for a tart, autumnal riff on a whiskey sour.
Best For
Hosting fall or winter gatherings where a batch cocktail saves time behind the bar
Gifting to bourbon enthusiasts who appreciate seasonal, limited-release expressions
Entertaining guests who enjoy dessert-forward cocktails without excessive sweetness
Building an at-home ready-to-pour collection alongside other Penelope cocktail releases
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Apple Cinnamon Old Fashioned taste like? It leads with smooth bourbon and baked apple, followed by vanilla, brown sugar, and warming cinnamon spice. The profile reads like an apple pie Old Fashioned rich but balanced, with oak and aromatic bitters keeping the sweetness in check.
How does the Apple Cinnamon Old Fashioned compare to Penelope’s Black Walnut Old Fashioned? Reviewers note the Apple Cinnamon expression is less sweet than the Black Walnut version, leaning into fruit and baking spice rather than nutty richness. Both share the same bourbon-and-rye base from Ross & Squibb Distillery, but the flavor direction is distinctly different.
Is the Apple Cinnamon Old Fashioned good for sipping neat? Yes it is formulated to drink directly from the bottle over ice with no additional ingredients needed. At 80 proof, it delivers genuine whiskey backbone rather than the diluted character common in many ready-to-drink products.
Where is the Apple Cinnamon Old Fashioned made? The bourbon and rye whiskey base is produced at Ross & Squibb Distillery in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, a facility with deep roots in American whiskey production. The final cocktail is blended and bottled in small batches.
What foods pair well with the Apple Cinnamon Old Fashioned? Sharp aged cheddar complements the caramel and apple notes. Pork tenderloin with an apple glaze echoes the fruit character. Pecan pie mirrors the brown sugar and vanilla. Cinnamon-dusted churros reinforce the finish. Blue cheese with honeycomb provides a savory-sweet contrast.
What sizes does the Apple Cinnamon Old Fashioned come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle, which yields approximately five to six generously poured Old Fashioneds.
Is the Apple Cinnamon Old Fashioned worth the price? It positions as a premium ready-to-pour cocktail, priced above mass-market canned options but competitive with other bottle-format craft cocktails. The limited production of 11,000 cases and the quality of the bourbon-rye base support its value within the category.
Why the Apple Cinnamon Old Fashioned?
Limited to 11,000 cases in 2025, this release carries genuine scarcity rather than manufactured hype. The use of both straight bourbon and rye whiskey from Ross & Squibb Distillery gives it a more complex and assertive whiskey backbone than many competitors in the ready-to-pour space, which often rely on younger or lighter spirits. At 80 proof, it sits meaningfully above the typical 60-70 proof range of most bottled cocktails, preserving the character of the base spirits. For anyone who values a well-constructed Old Fashioned but wants the convenience of a pre-batched format, this seasonal Penelope expression delivers without compromise.