Penelope Cooper Series Riviera Straight Bourbon Whiskey 750ml

The Penelope Cooper Series Riviera 750ml delivers an ultra-refreshing, sun-soaked interpretation of premium barrel-finishing. Serving as an exciting evolutionary leap from the brand's classic Rosé Cask Finish, this innovative expression is carefully engineered to capture the breezy essence of a Mediterranean coastal escape. It bridges the gap between deep warehouse maturation and bright, summery mixology, offering fans a remarkably smooth, fruit-forward pour that functions brilliantly as a warm-weather sipper or an intriguing addition to a diverse whiskey cabinet.

What makes Riviera uniquely dynamic is its hybrid structural layout, which departs from Penelope's standard straight bourbon releases. The architects at Ross & Squibb Distillery in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, blended an aged, character-forward 8-year-old American Light Whiskey with a rich, young straight bourbon built on a signature four-grain mash bill of 74% corn, 16% wheat, 7% rye, and 3% malted barley. Once married, the entire blend undergoes a delicate secondary maturation inside hand-selected Spanish rosé wine casks. Bottled at a highly approachable 94 proof, this non-chill filtered American whiskey utilizes the higher proof structure of the light whiskey to carry the delicate wine accents perfectly without letting the alcohol heat overwhelm the palate.

The aromatic and flavor profile of this bottle leans heavily into light, confectionary, and floral territory. The nose welcomes you with an expressive bouquet of strawberry bon bon candy, candied red fruits, and light vanilla bean, balanced by sweet mint and soft baking spices. On the intake, the texture feels silky and oily, coating the tongue in layers of angel food cake, sweet white frosting, vanilla cotton candy, and fresh sliced strawberries. The mid-palate introduces a sharper complexity where the grain oils mingle with soft cinnamon candy and toasted oak. The journey finishes out with a long, warm, and satisfyingly structured conclusion, shifting away from pure sugar into notes of rich leather, ripe berry skins, and a dry wine tannin finish that leaves the mouth watering.

Positioned as the ultimate bright and playful pour within the highly collectible Cooper Series lineup, Riviera proves that thoughtfully sourced wine wood can completely reframe traditional American spirits. The deliberate combination of an 8-year age statement with a vibrant rosé barrel finish gives this bottle enough punch and structural clarity to be thoroughly enjoyed neat, over a large ice cube, or built into an upscale summer cocktail. Complete with a picturesque, seaside-inspired label, this 2026 limited allocation stands as a definitive milestone for the brand, setting a new benchmark for what a fruit-forward, wine-finished hybrid whiskey can achieve.

• Size: 750ml
• Proof: 94 Proof (47% ABV)
• Age: NAS Blend — features an 8-year-old American light whiskey component matched with straight bourbon
• Origin: Distilled and Matured in Lawrenceburg, Indiana; Blended and Hand-Bottled in Roselle, New Jersey, USA
• Distillery: Ross & Squibb Distillery (MGP — Lawrenceburg, Indiana)
• Style/Class: American Whiskey Finished in Rosé Wine Casks — Rare Standalone Lineup Expansion
• Composition: A unique small-batch blend of 8-Year American Light Whiskey and Four-Grain Straight Bourbon
• Mash Bill: Base bourbon utilizes 74% Corn, 16% Wheat, 7% Rye, 3% Malted Barley
• Cask/Aging: Primary maturation in seasoned oak barrels followed by a distinct secondary finish in Spanish rosé wine casks
• Series/Edition: Cooper Series — Riviera 2026 Inaugural Small Batch Allocation (Non-Chill Filtered)
• Tasting Notes: Strawberry bon bon candy, vanilla white cake, angel food cake, cotton candy, floral honey, sweet mint, cinnamon candy, toasted oak, rich leather; medium-long finish with a dry wine accent and lingering berry sweetness