Penelope Valencia Rye Review

Penelope Valencia is one of the most creative releases in the Cooper Series lineup. Finished for up to 12 months in Vino de Naranja casks — Spanish orange wine barrels from southern Spain — this four-grain spirit delivers a citrus-forward experience that's unlike anything else on the American whiskey market. From the moment you nose it, waves of candied orange peel and caramel fill the glass.

On the palate, the orange influence is unmistakable but never overwhelming. Mandarin and orange glaze mingle with caramel, cinnamon, and nutmeg, creating a layered and approachable whiskey that works beautifully neat or in cocktails. The four-grain mashbill provides a smooth, round base that lets the Vino de Naranja finishing shine without harsh edges. It's the kind of pour that invites you to slow down and explore.

Where Valencia really excels is in an Old Fashioned — the built-in citrus character makes the cocktail sing without any additional orange garnish. The finish is medium-length with lingering orange zest and warm oak spice. For whiskey lovers looking for something genuinely different, Penelope Valencia delivers innovation with craftsmanship. It won't replace your go-to rye for spice-forward drinks, but as a citrus-forward sipper, it's in a class of its own.