Penelope Cooper Series Valencia Vino de Naranja-Finished Bourbon Whiskey

Penelope Cooper SeriesValencia Vino de Naranja-Finished Bourbon Whiskey is one of the most distinctive releases in Penelope’s globe-inspired Cooper Series. This limited bourbon takes Penelope’s signature four-grain whiskey and finishes it in rare Spanish Vino de Naranja casks, creating a vibrant fusion of classic bourbon richness and bright citrus complexity. The result is bold yet balanced—layering caramel, vanilla, and spice with notes of orange zest, mandarin, and candied citrus. It’s an inventive, conversation-worthy bourbon designed for enthusiasts who appreciate creative cask finishes.

Origins & Craftsmanship

The Penelope Cooper Series explores how unique barrels from around the world can reshape the character of American whiskey through secondary maturation. Each release pairs Penelope’s core four-grain bourbon with distinctive finishing casks sourced globally.

Valencia begins with Penelope’s Four Grain Straight Bourbon, produced from a mash bill of:

• 74% corn
• 16% wheat
• 7% rye
• 3% malted barley

The bourbon is aged for roughly four years in new charred American oak barrels, developing classic flavors of caramel, vanilla, and baking spice.

After primary maturation, the whiskey undergoes a distinctive finishing process in Vino de Naranja casks from Seville, Spain. Vino de Naranja is a traditional Spanish orange wine created by aging white wine with the aromatic peels of bitter Seville oranges in oak barrels.

The bourbon rests in these casks for up to 12 months, allowing citrus oils and subtle wine-derived complexity to integrate with the whiskey.

The finished bourbon is non-chill filtered and bottled at approximately 95 proof (47.5% ABV), preserving full texture and flavor intensity.

Released in limited allocations—around 5,000 cases for some batches—Valencia has become one of the most talked-about citrus-influenced bourbon finishes in recent years.

Critics Reviews

The Valencia release earned a Silver Medal at the 2024 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, highlighting its quality within the rapidly growing finished-bourbon category.

There are no widely published numerical critic scores available.

Tasting Profile

Nose:
Warm baking spice, caramel, and iced coffee cake layered with bright blood-orange glaze and citrus oils.

Palate:
Silky and vibrant with mandarin, orange zest, vanilla, candied ginger, and classic bourbon caramel.

Finish:
Long and savory with lingering orange peel, spice, and subtle black pepper.

Quick Overview

Cocktail Recipes

Valencia Old Fashioned

Ingredients

• 2 oz Penelope Valencia Bourbon
• ¼ oz demerara syrup
• 2 dashes orange bitters
• Orange peel

Preparation
Stir bourbon, syrup, and bitters with ice until chilled. Strain over a large ice cube and garnish with expressed orange peel.

Spanish Bourbon Highball

Ingredients

• 2 oz Penelope Valencia Bourbon
• 3 oz sparkling water
• ½ oz fresh orange juice
• Orange wheel

Preparation
Build over ice in a tall glass. Add bourbon and orange juice, top with sparkling water, and stir gently. Garnish with an orange wheel.