The Cigar Batch series has always been an exercise in patience, precision and balance. Rather than relying on a single finishing cask type to define the whiskey, the series is built by blending separately finished components, allowing different mash bills, maturation profiles and finishing casks to each contribute to the final whiskey.

This year’s release incorporates whiskey finished in Armagnac, Cognac, rum, Tawny Port and Sherry casks, with Sherry casks appearing in Cigar Batch for the first time. Together, the finishing casks contribute layers of fruit, spice, oak and richness while allowing the underlying bourbon to remain at the center of the finished whiskey.

The foundation of Cigar Batch #4 is built from mature bourbon components with mash bills of 60% corn, 36% rye and 4% malted barley; 70% corn, 21% rye and 9% malted barley; 75% corn, 21% rye and 4% malted barley; and 91% corn and 9% malted barley. Distilled in Kentucky and Indiana, these whiskeys were selected and blended to contribute different expressions of body, spice, fruit, oak and texture to the finished whiskey.

Nose: Dark cherry preserves, fig compote, candied orange peel, toasted walnut, aged leather, pipe tobacco, cocoa nibs, roasted espresso, caramel, vanilla bean and mature oak.

Palate: Luxardo cherry, raisin, burnt sugar and milk chocolate layered with cinnamon, clove, cracked black pepper, candied citrus, toasted almond, cigar wrapper, dark maple syrup and mature oak.

Finish: Long and evolving with dried fruit, cocoa powder, supple leather, toasted oak, tobacco leaf, orange oil, vanilla and persistent rye spice.