Barrell Craft Spirits Cigar Blend Cask Strength Bourbon 750ml
About the Product: The Cigar Blend starts as a question: what if a bourbon were built specifically to be sipped slowly, the way a great cigar demands? Barrell Craft Spirits answered it by assembling a blend of straight bourbon whiskeys aged between 7.5 and 18 years, sourced from distilleries across Kentucky, Tennessee, and Indiana. That blend was then finished across four distinct cask types — Madeira, Armagnac, rum, and Hungarian oak — each one adding its own layer to what becomes a remarkably deep, dark, and contemplative bourbon. The result is equally at home next to a fine cigar or on its own, and absolutely built for the long, unhurried finish.
About Barrell Craft Spirits: Barrell Craft Spirits was founded in 2013 by Joe Beatrice in Louisville, Kentucky — not with a distillery, but with a philosophy. Inspired by Scotland's tradition of independent bottling, Joe set out to source exceptional casks from established producers and elevate them through blending, releasing every expression at cask strength and without chill filtration. A decade of relentless experimentation followed, with the team personally tasting and blending hundreds of products each year. Leading blending operations today is Nic Christiansen, named Master Blender of the Year by VinePair and recognized on Beverage Dynamics' 40 Under 40 — a testament to how seriously Barrell takes the craft of assembling something greater than the sum of its barrels.
Bottle Info:
- Proof: 111.2
- Age: 7.5 to 18 Years
- Distilled: Kentucky, Tennessee & Indiana
- Cask Finish: Madeira, Armagnac, Rum & Hungarian Oak
Tasting Notes:
- Nose: The heady, piquant scent of crusty sourdough bread strikes first. A distinctly fruity note plays second fiddle to the toffee, pipe tobacco and dusty cedar chest of the casks themselves. The oxidized wine imparts walnuts, dry autumn leaves, and leather of rancio, going as far as miso in the savory direction. As the whiskey breathes, pastries emerge ranging from sticky buns and eclairs to sweet potato pie. Fruits resolve into pear, persimmon, and a splash of grape soda.
- Palate: Warm cola with the cinnamon dialed up. Slightly burnt cornbread, pistachio ice cream, and a vanilla so pungent it’s perfume-like. The texture is big, rich and chewy, full of oils, sugars and tannins. The Armagnac makes its presence felt with dried cherries and dates, while the oak brings notes of pu’er tea, and fernet. Underneath that earthiness one finds a bit of dried mushroom and soy sauce.
- Finish: The combination of oak, spice and fortified wine reads as sweet vermouth, as if you’re swallowing a sip of Manhattan. Clove is particularly pungent, as is juniper berry and cocoa powder. There’s a rich mineral vein running through it containing slate and salt. As it lingers there’s ample opportunity to focus on facets of rosehips, cinchona bark, black truffle and incense.
With a splash of spring water
The nose is awash with butterscotch hard candy. Beneath it, it’s mostly the fruits which have been shuffled about, now reading as Mirabelle plum, honeydew melon, and hint of sun-dried tomato. On the palate the rum emerges showing a very clear molasses note backed up by café au lait and cinchona bark.
