The Oldest, Highest Proof Whisky In My Collection Now – Penelope (2025 Release) 17 Year American Light Whiskey

NOT A PENNY ABOVE MSRP – Penelope (2025) 17 Year American Light Whiskey, the oldest whisky I own.

I’ve been lucky that most members of my local area’s whisky community (& most of those I’ve interacted with outside my local area, too) have been absolutely wonderful people – welcoming, open-minded, eager to discuss spirits even when opinions differ, & willing to help other members of the respective communities. Generous with their time, experiences, & knowledge, these good folks love to help others learn & explore, something I respect as a teacher.

It’ll be some time before I crack this new bottle open – I won’t do so until I think that I’ll be able to appreciate it. The proof point is quite high for me at the moment.

But it’s a limited release bottle &, after speaking to some members of my local area’s whisky community & a few friends & work colleagues who are really into whiskies, I decided to grab a bottle after walking into a Virginia ABC random limited drop today on the way home from work.

Members of my local whisky community whom I’ve gotten to know more & more over the past year + a few friends into whiskies all recommended I grab a bottle because they love it & it’s limited. I’ll hold onto it until I think my palate’s ready to appreciate it fully. I trust their advice & recommendations.

Penelope’s latest edition of its American light whiskey is bottled at a whopping 138.8 proof (69.4% ABV) & is made from a mash bill of 99% corn & 1% malted barley before being aged for 17 years after being distilled in 2006. It is aged in 2nd fill American White Oak barrels. Bottled at cask strength, the 17 Year American Light Whiskey (2025) was released in 30,000 bottles across the U.S. via allocation.

To those whisky community folks (you know who you are!), local & across the U.S. & outside of the U.S. who I’ve benefited from talking to, thank you for being generous with your time, experiences, & expertise/knowledge despite my idiosyncrasies. Cheers to all of you this hot, humid Virginia summer’s evening!