The Last Call

     Penelope has built a reputation for producing creative, transparent, and consistently enjoyable whiskeys. Their Cooper Series continues that trend by experimenting with unique finishing casks, and Riviera Lumière looked like one of the most exciting releases yet. Taking the original Riviera concept and bottling it at a much higher proof sounded like a recipe for success. Unfortunately, higher proof doesn't always mean a better whiskey.      Riviera Lumière starts with a blend of 8-year American Light Whiskey and Straight Bourbon sourced from MGP before being finished in rosé wine casks from Spain. Unlike Penelope's standard Rosé Cask Finish, which uses French rosé barrels, Riviera Lumière uses Spanish rosé casks. This Total Wine exclusive is bottled at 60% ABV (120 Proof) and listed as cask strength.      On paper, everything about this release sounds like it should work. The question is whether the proof elevates the blend or ...

     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 th...

       Bondstone is one of those brands you’ll most often spot at Total Wine, living in the Spirit Direct section and sparking plenty of debate among bourbon fans. Some folks write those bottles off immediately, but the reality is a bit more nuanced. Spirit Direct can mean in-house bottlings, sourced projects, or partnerships with smaller distilleries, and Bondstone sits firmly in that sourced-project lane. This Triple Oak release had been on my radar for a while, and when Batch 2 landed in mid-2025 with a discount attached, curiosity finally won.      Details are limited, as expected with a sourced product. Bondstone does not disclose the distillery or mash bill, though industry speculation points toward Wilderness Trail, a distillery known for contract distillation. What we do know is that this starts as a four-year-old Kentucky straight bourbon that undergoes a double oak process, followed by additional aging with toasted oak staves, hence the “Trip...