The Last Call

Copper & Cask continues to impress me with both the quality of their releases and the level of transparency they provide. While plenty of companies source whiskey, very few are willing to give consumers this much information about what's actually in the bottle. Between the detailed blending information and the QR code that lets you hear directly from the master blender, it's clear they're proud of what they're producing.      This particular release immediately caught my attention because I'm a huge fan of cigar blend bourbons. Even though I'm not a cigar smoker myself, I love the sweeter, fruit-forward profiles these blends often create. With a blend of 8-year-old MGP bourbon finished in Armagnac, Cognac, Tawny Port, and Sherry casks, this one checked all the boxes before I ever pulled the cork.      Copper & Cask created this release using a 26-barrel blend of both high-rye and low-rye MGP bourbons aged at least 8 years. The blend was then separat...

     Larrikin Bourbon Company has quickly become one of the more interesting names in sourced whiskey. Their approach has been fairly straightforward so far: find quality barrels, bottle them at robust proof points, and create releases that stand out from the crowded bourbon landscape. Based in Kentucky, they've built a strong reputation among enthusiasts who enjoy unique finishes and bold flavor profiles. The Cigar Lounge Bourbon has been on my radar for well over a year, and when it finally landed in Indiana in 2026, it was an immediate purchase.       I've always enjoyed cigar-style releases. Even as someone who doesn't smoke cigars, I appreciate the richer, sweeter, and often more complex profiles these whiskeys aim to deliver. Looking at the specs on paper, this one certainly sounded ambitious. While Cognac and Amburana have become increasingly common in the whiskey world, Jackfruit Wood is something rarely encountered. Madeira can be somewhat div...

       Barrell Craft Spirits has built a reputation on bold blending and creative finishing, and their Cigar Blend Bourbon immediately caught my attention the moment it was announced. As someone who gravitates toward sweeter, richer profiles, cigar-style batches tend to land right in my wheelhouse, though they can be hit or miss depending on execution. This release is bottled at cask strength, and features a blend of straight bourbons sourced from Kentucky, Indiana, and Tennessee. The blend includes barrels ranging from 7½ years all the way up to 18 years, creating a layered foundation of mature whiskey.           Where things really get interesting is the finishing. This blend is finished in a combination of Madeira, Armagnac, rum, and Hungarian oak casks. Each component plays a role in shaping the final profile, with the goal of creating a whiskey that pairs well with the richness and depth typically associated with a cigar-style pour....

     Circle City Whiskey Company is one of those brands that has slowly earned more and more space on my shelves. Every time a new release drops, it feels like they push the envelope just a little further while still keeping that transparency we all want to see in modern whiskey. Tonight’s pour is their newest release for 2026, the Robusto Blend, and this one immediately caught my attention because it was designed as a cigar-style batch.      I am not a cigar smoker myself, but I have always enjoyed cigar-style bourbons because they tend to lean richer, darker, and more layered while still bringing a higher proof to the table. This one checks all of those boxes before the bottle is even opened.       The Robusto Blend is a four-barrel blend built around both transparency and creativity. Three of the barrels come from Heaven Hill, all at least eight years old, and each one was finished differently. One was placed in a toasted cask, a...

     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.      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 h...