Bondstone Heritage Reserve Quad Oak Bourbon Review.

    Bondstone is one of those brands many bourbon drinkers first encounter on the shelves at Total Wine, often under the Spirits Direct umbrella. While that association can sometimes raise eyebrows, Bondstone has been slowly expanding beyond that lane, and the Quad Oak release feels like an attempt to stand out in a crowded field of finished bourbons. Now when it comes to Spirit Direct brands that can mean in-house bottlings, sourced projects, or partnerships with smaller distilleries, and Bondstone sits firmly in that sourced-project lane.

    The “Quad Oak” name comes with a bit of creative interpretation. According to the bottle, Bondstone starts with a double-oaked bourbon matured twice in new charred oak barrels. They then blend that with a bourbon matured three times in new charred oak barrels, before finishing the combined whiskey with toasted American and French oak staves. While this may not be four full barrel maturations, there is no denying that a significant amount of oak interaction is happening here.

For the full video review visit the link here: https://youtu.be/y3aD42xr8Iw.

Age Statement: +4 years.

ABV: 50%.

Mash bill: N/A. (Rumored to be Wilderness Trail High rye mash bill).

Area of Distillation: Danville, Kentucky.

Finishing: Double oaked bourbon finished in new oak barrels & toasted oak staves.

Appearance: Dark amber.


On the nose:

    The nose is surprisingly inviting and avoids becoming overly woody. Sweet cream, buttercream frosting, and custard lead the way, followed by caramel and vanilla. A higher-rye mash bill makes itself known with herbal and spicy undertones, while the French oak brings a subtle cedar-like spice. As it opens up, notes of cream soda and banana nut bread emerge, giving the aroma a playful sweetness. For a four-year-old bourbon, it comes across as polished and approachable with no harsh alcohol presence.

Taste:

   The palate is rich and mouth-coating, delivering a blend of spice, charred oak, and sweet cream vanilla. Cream soda notes carry over, joined by butterscotch and toasted corn. A chocolate-covered espresso bean note appears mid-palate and lingers into the finish, adding depth without overpowering the profile. While the flavors are enjoyable, the relative youth of the whiskey limits the overall complexity.

Finish:

   The finish is medium to long with lingering oak, light coffee bitterness, and a creamy toasted marshmallow sweetness. A touch of youthful astringency shows up at the very end, reminding you of the bourbon’s age, but it never crosses into unpleasant territory.

Final Thoughts: 

    Bondstone Quad Oak is a solid, approachable finished bourbon that largely avoids the over-oaked pitfalls its name might suggest. The French oak adds an interesting dimension, and the overall profile is balanced and enjoyable. However, at around $80, the four-year age statement feels like the biggest hurdle. With another year or two of maturity, this could be a standout bottle in its category. As it stands, it’s good, just not quite great for the asking price.

Rating: B (Above average).

Cost: $79.99 for 750ml.

For the full video review visit the link here: https://youtu.be/y3aD42xr8Iw.

Social platforms to follow me: https://linktr.ee/thelastcallyt.