World Whiskey Society American Light Whiskey Cigar Blend Whiskey Review.

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 World Whiskey Society American Light Whiskey Cigar Blend Whiskey Review.

    I received this spirit as a review sample from the World Whiskey Society, linked here. It is important to clarify this did not impact the ratings of this review.

    World Whiskey Society isn’t just dabbling anymore, they’re deep in the game. Over the last few years, they’ve become known for tracking down rare barrels, blending and finishing them with finesse, and then releasing bottles that are as stunning to look at as they are to drink. When I saw this one, a 20-year-old American Light Whiskey dubbed their “Cigar Blend”I was instantly intrigued. Multiple finishes, a bold age statement. Count me in.

    Let’s start with the stats. This is a 99% corn, 1% malted barley light whiskey sourced from Indiana (likely MGP), What makes this bottle truly wild, though, is the finishing regimen, deep breath: Awamori, Cognac, Madeira, Pedro Ximénez Sherry, Tawny Port, and Tequila casks. On top of that non-chilled filtered and no color added.

That’s not just a finishing technique, that’s a finishing gauntlet.

    The “Cigar Blend” name tells you what they’re going for: a whiskey that pairs well with a cigar, meaning bold, sweet, and rich. And while I don’t smoke cigars, I love cigar blends for exactly those reasons, especially in the summer when I want something sweeter without being flavored.


For the full video review visit the link here: https://youtu.be/yyVjiauEut0.

Age Statement: 20 years.

ABV: 48%.

Mash bill: 99% Corn, 1% Malted Barley.

Finishing: Awamori, Cognac, Madeira, Pedro Ximénez Sherry, Tawny Port, and Tequila casks.

Area of Distillation: Indiana.

Appearance: Golden straw. 


On the nose:
    This nose is a whole orchard and then some. It opens with a sweet, buttery corn base, but then things start to unravel in the best way. There's this earthy-sweet note from the Awamori cask, mixed with dried figs, plums, and pears. It’s rich and fruity, but not cloying.

    You also get a wisp of that tequila barrel, light agave and an herbaceous twang, plus creme brûlée, wood sugars, and that wonderful burnt sugar top. The PX Sherry is doing work here, giving depth without dominating. I was initially worried about the Madeira (not always my favorite), but it plays nice, no musty funk. And maybe most surprisingly, you can actually tease out the influence of each individual cask.


Taste:
    This is where things shift into high gear. It’s rich, velvety, and coats the palate beautifully. The corn sweetness returns with buttery caramel, but it's the fruit that really carries the sip, grilled plums, blowtorched figs, orange zest, even a touch of grapefruit. There's a waxy texture that gives it grip, and the earthy spice from the tequila barrel makes another subtle but welcomed appearance.

    Despite the multiple finishing, the base whiskey holds strong. This isn’t a Frankenstein of flavors, it’s a carefully orchestrated blend where nothing gets lost. The finish is long and elegant, carrying over pepper, floral notes, and that same soft tobacco-like spice that almost gives off Indiana rye vibes, except there’s no rye in sight.


Finish:
    Long and layered. Sweet earth, subtle pepper, soft wood. Each cask finish steps up, takes a bow, and moves aside for the next. Nothing overpowers. This isn’t a chaotic chorus—it’s a symphony. And that’s no small feat with this many components.


Final Thoughts: 
    This is masterclass-level finishing. You’re getting a 20-year-old light whiskey finished in six different barrels, each adding character without overshadowing the base. That alone makes it a unicorn bottle. But what really seals it is the balance. Nothing here feels forced. The flavors are bold but never bloated, and the underlying whiskey, light, sweet, and mature, carries the load like a pro.

    Would I have loved to see this at barrel proof? Sure. But even at 48%, it’s rich and expressive. This is the kind of pour you break out to impress friends or mark a special evening. It's a triumph of blending, finishing, and restraint.


Rating: A (Excellent).

Cost: $179.99 for 750ml.

For the full video review visit the link here: https://youtu.be/yyVjiauEut0.

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

Learn more about the World Whiskey Society via the link here: http://worldwhiskey.com

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