Several months ago, the owner of my favorite liquor store told me about a new brand he was getting in…and how his store was going to be the only place to get it in Tennessee, at least for some time. I got to try several of the bourbons and ryes (and other whiskies) that were coming in and when they actually went on sale, I chose the “Cigar Blend,” a blended whiskey made of a variety of bourbons and ryes.
Several of the Art of the Spirits releases support the Freedom 13 Veterans Recreational Retreat, a movement to build “Veteran Recreational Camps on 100+ acres of land in all 50 states to help US military veterans, their families and fellow veterans rediscover themselves and to support the physical and mental well-being of these veterans.” Cigar Blend features the image of Marine LCpl Jared Schmitz (KIA Abbey Gate Kabul, Afghanistan 8.26.21) as a reminder of the cost of freedom and an incentive to support the mission of Freedom 13.
Cigar Blend is a cask strength (116.4 proof, 58.2% ABV) blend of 70% Bou-Rye finished 9 months in 15 year Foursquare rum casks, 20% Rye finished 18 months in sherry casks, and 10% of a 7-year old rye finished 6 months in a tokaji wine casks. I have bottle 34 of this blend (there are apparently other “Cigar Blend” releases).
On the nose, I got the expected bourbon aromas of vanilla and oak, but with a whiff of something sweeter, probably influenced heavily by the sherry cask aging as that has a potent aroma. An initial sip brings a bright sweetness to the tip of the tongue, followed quickly by an intense rye whiskey spiciness, which was in turn followed by the heat from the high alcohol content. It had a nice lingering finish…plenty of spice hanging around, with a residual honey sweetness and just a touch of berries from the wine and sherry casks.
Art of the Spirits isn’t all that well known yet, but I expect that you will see more from them in the coming months and years. They have a range of excellent whiskies for prices that are practically unheard of (a 19 year bourbon for $200? Crazy!). I encourage you to find a tasting event to see what your preference would be…then grab one of their artfully decorated bottles.
