Shortbarrel Cigar Blend American Whiskey

At 120 proof (60% ABV), this is cask strength whiskey with nothing pulled back. The Kentucky spirit carries plenty of weight on its own, and a finish in Armagnac and Madeira casks pushes it toward dark fruit — raisin and stewed plum sitting over a broad seam of vanilla.

Leather and tobacco give the palate its grip, dry and savory against the sweeter fruit. Baking spice picks up toward the back, and toasted oak holds the finish long after the heat settles. The texture is thick, closer to syrup than most whiskeys at this strength, which keeps the alcohol from taking over.

Undiluted barrel proof means a few drops go a long way, and this one opens up considerably with a small splash. It also stands up well in a whiskey sour or an old fashioned, where the fruit and spice come through the other ingredients rather than getting buried. 750 mL.