Penelope Riviera Starts Arriving in Arkansas, First Spotted at Five Star Liquor

Last Updated on May 15, 2026 by Justin Jones

PUBLISH DATE: May 15, 2026

A new limited release from Penelope Bourbon has officially started arriving in Arkansas liquor stores.

The latest bottle drawing attention is Penelope Riviera, a new addition to Penelope’s Cooper Series lineup that blends bourbon and American Light Whiskey before being finished in rosé wine casks. The first reported Arkansas sighting was at Five Star Liquor.

As with many Penelope releases, Arkansas bourbon hunters are already watching shelves closely.

UPDATE: Additional sightings of Penelope Riviera have now been reported at CrossRoads Wine & Spirits in Bryant, Arkansas.

What Is Penelope Riviera?

According to Penelope Bourbon’s official product page, Riviera is a blend of:

• 8-Year American Light Whiskey
• Straight Bourbon Whiskey

The whiskey is then finished in rosé wine casks.

That combination makes Riviera somewhat different from a traditional bourbon release. Rather than being labeled solely as bourbon, Riviera leans into the increasingly popular world of finished American whiskey, where producers use secondary casks to introduce additional flavors and aromas.

Penelope Riviera Mash Bill

Penelope lists the mash bill as:

• 74% Corn
• 16% Wheat
• 7% Rye
• 3% Malted Barley

The release comes bottled at 94 proof.

Wine-Finished Whiskey Continues to Divide Bourbon Fans

Wine-finished whiskey remains one of the more polarizing trends in modern bourbon.

Some bourbon drinkers prefer traditional oak-forward profiles built around caramel, vanilla, spice, and charred barrel notes. Others enjoy the fruit-forward complexity that wine cask finishing can add.

Rosé cask finishes, in particular, can introduce notes that range from berry sweetness and cream to floral tones and light tannic character.

Penelope has become one of the more aggressive mainstream brands experimenting with these types of finishes through its Cooper Series releases.

For some whiskey fans, that innovation is exciting.

For others, it moves too far away from classic bourbon.

Either way, Penelope releases tend to generate immediate interest in Arkansas once bottles begin landing on shelves.

Penelope Riviera May Appeal to Summer Whiskey Drinkers

Riviera appears positioned more as a warm-weather or summer-style whiskey release than a traditional heavy oak bourbon.

The rosé wine cask influence and softer wheated profile may appeal to drinkers who enjoy sweeter, fruitier pours or finished whiskey expressions.

Collectors and Penelope fans will likely still pursue the bottle regardless of whether they traditionally enjoy wine-finished whiskey.

That has become common with Penelope’s more limited Cooper Series releases.

First Arkansas Sighting Reported at Five Star Liquor

The first Arkansas sighting reported to ArkansasLiquor.com was at Five Star Liquor.

Additional stores across Arkansas may begin receiving shipments soon as broader distribution continues.

As with most limited Penelope releases, availability can vary significantly depending on store allocation and regional demand.

Penelope Bourbon Continues Expanding Its Cooper Series

Penelope’s Cooper Series has become known for experimenting with unconventional barrel finishes sourced from around the world.

Previous releases in the series have included:

• Rosé Cask Finish
• Tokaji Cask Finish
• Valencia
• Rio
• Havana

The series has helped Penelope establish a reputation for pushing beyond traditional bourbon finishing techniques while still targeting mainstream whiskey consumers.

Why Penelope Releases Move Quickly in Arkansas

Penelope Bourbon has developed a strong following in Arkansas over the past several years.

Limited releases, barrel-strength expressions, and Cooper Series finishes often sell quickly once sightings begin appearing on Arkansas bourbon groups and social media pages.

Even drinkers who are skeptical of wine-finished whiskey may still purchase Riviera simply due to Penelope’s growing collector appeal.

Where to Find Penelope Riviera in Arkansas

Additional sightings of Penelope Riviera are beginning to appear across Arkansas as distribution expands.

Five Star Liquor
2518 Park Ave Suite A
Hot Springs, AR 71901

CrossRoads Wine & Spirits
2223 N Reynolds Rd
Bryant, AR 72022
Phone: (501) 481-8134

Availability and pricing may vary by retailer.

Frequently Asked Questions About Penelope Riviera