March 2026

Barrell Bourbon Cigar Blend

/ / Bourbon, Review / ,

Barrell Bourbon Cigar Blend
Bourbon Whiskey Finished in Madeira, Armagnac, Rum and Hungarian Oak Casks

55.6% ABV
$85
Website
Barrell Bourbon Cigar Blend
We would like to thank Barrell Craft Spirits and Ro-Bro Marketing & PR for sending us a sample to review.

What the Producer Says

Barrell Cigar Blend Bourbon is a blend of whiskeys aged 7.5 to 18 years finished in Madeira, Armagnac, rum, and Hungarian oak casks, delivering layered notes of dark fruit, molasses, and warm spice. Refined yet expressive, it’s equally compelling with or without a cigar—crafted for slow sipping, long conversations, and a finish designed to linger.

Boston cream pie and grape soda announce that you’re in for a dark, sweet, brandy-inflected bourbon. The barrels have imparted everything from cedar chest to pipe tobacco and pu’er tea. Hungarian oak’s gentle cola spices pervade every part of the drinking experience while the Madeira adds pecan pie to the palate and sweet vermouth to the finish.

APPEARANCE: Maple syrup.
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 cask’s themselves. The oxidized wine imparts walnuts, dry autumn leaves, and leather of rancid, 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 potent, 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.

  • A blend of straight bourbon whiskeys aged 7.5 to 18 years
  • Distilled in Kentucky, Tennessee, and Indiana
  • Finished in Madeira, Armagnac, rum, and Hungarian oak casks
  • Bottled at 111.2 proof
  • Crafted and bottled in Kentucky

What Gary Says

Nose: Musty cigar paper, toffee, dark fruit notes give way to baked pears, light roasted coffee, cedar, oak, worn leather and vanilla.
Palate: Thick mouthfeel with vanilla, black cherry, caramel, brown sugar, honey, oak, cinnamon, pepper spice and a bit of cloves.
Finish: Moderate in length with caramel, rouge vermouth, cocoa and oak.
Comments: When I think of ‘cigar blend’ whiskies, I imagine a whiskey that reminds me a bit of a cigar as well as one I might enjoy simultaneously with a cigar (although this latter is a bit of a stretch for me, as despite several attempts I don’t happen to enjoy cigars – so I’m guessing a bit on this front). The nose on this definitely brings images of a cigar that hasn’t yet been lit (or ‘spiced up’ Arnold Schwarzenegger style; thanks to Big Rich for sharing that video!) But it isn’t one dimensional, and the bourbon shines through along with the wine cask influence, and some hallmarks of well aged whiskey (note not ALL age on whiskey is “well aged”) like worn leather. This is an absolute gem – sips brilliantly neat but also opens up really nicely with a few drops of water (bringing notes of figs and butterscotch).  The folks at Barrell Craft Spirits have a long track record of blending and finishing some amazing whiskies, and this is another great example!

Rating: Must Try/Must Buy

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High West Bourye 2026

/ / Other Whisk(e)ys, Review /

High West Bourye 2026
Blend of Straight Whiskeys

50.5% ABV
$125
Website
High West Bourye
We would like to thank High West Whiskey and lippe taylor for sending us a sample to review.

What the Producer Says

Bourye invites you in with a bright, inviting nose of candied lemon, apricot jam on buttery shortbread, wrapped in caramel macaron sweetness, spiced cookies, a hint of toasted cinnamon, drifting through an Alpine breeze.

On the palate, grilled peaches and orange blossoms unfold into rich layers of chocolate‑covered haystack, molasses cookies, brown sugar bacon, sarsaparilla, lavender, and warm leather, like stepping into Grandma’s cabin tucked among old-growth oaks.

A luxurious finish of sticky toffee pudding and warm ginger tea leaves a final, irresistible impression.

The 2026 Bourye release features an elevated ABV, which highlights the elegance and complexity of its 10+ year‑old whiskeys while preserving the decadent flavor developed through extended aging.

Mash Bill Details
Straight Bourbon Whiskey: 75% corn, 21% rye, 4% barley malt from MGP; 60% corn, 36% rye, 4% malted barley from MGP
Straight Rye Whiskey: 95% rye, 5% barley malt from MGP; 80% rye, 20% malted rye from HWD

Aging: A blend of straight Bourbon and Rye (BOU + RYE) whiskeys aged a minimum of 10 years (10-19yo)
Availability: National Limited Release
Filtration: No Chill Filtration, No Flavor Added

Nose: Candied lemon, apricot jam on shortbread, caramel macaron, pfeffernüsse spice cookies, toasted cinnamon stick, dried ginger, springtime meadow in the Alps
Palate: Grilled peaches, orange blossom, chocolate-covered haystack, soft molasses biscuit, brown sugar bacon, black licorice, sarsaparilla, lavender, warm brown leather, rustic log cabin
Finish: Sticky toffee pudding with ginger tea
Blend: A unique and premium blend of rich straight bourbon and rye whiskeys, making for a premier sipping whiskey and one of High West®’s all-time favorites.
How to Enjoy: Bourye® is best enjoyed around a campfire while looking at the Milky Way. Sip straight or with a little water. Not recommended with ice.

What Gary Says

Nose: Thick with caramel, toffee, shortbread cookies, graham cracker, slightly burnt brownie, cinnamon, oak, orange zest, hint of maple syrup and leather.
Palate: Creamy mouthfeel with caramel, grilled peaches, brown sugar, cinnamon, anise, cocoa, orange zest, hint of mint with nutmeg.
Finish: Long with honey, cinnamon, a bit of ginger and pepper spice.
Comments: This is NOT your regular, annual release of Bourye folks. I had the pleasure of sitting down with a side-by-side-by-side comparison of batches from 2024, 2025 and this years – and it was not even close. The additional age in this year’s release, plus the higher ABV really put this above the rest – and the rest are pretty damned good! The 2024 and 2025 were fairly similar, but by comparison this had more fruit notes, and more of those candy-bar qualities that I’m a fan of. In short, this is a delicious pour, and agree with the recommendation of sipping neat.

Rating: Must Try

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Columbia Creek 6 Year Tennessee Whiskey

/ / Other Whisk(e)ys, Review /

Columbia Creek 6 Year Tennessee Whiskey

47.8% ABV
$50
Website
Columbia Creek Tennessee Whiskey
We would like to thank Columbia Creek and The Whiskey Bard for sending us a sample to review.

What the Producer Says

THIS IS THE WHISKEY FOR THOSE FLUENT IN REFINEMENT — FULL OF CHARACTER, NEVER NEEDING TO SHOUT.

Aged undisturbed deep beneath Tennessee’s capricious skies for no less than six years in new American white oak barrels– bottled at 95.6 Proof (47.8% ABV).
Our whiskey emerges bold, eloquent, and unfiltered, crafted for those who recognize excellence on their own terms. It honors both heritage and the new generation that values authenticity and knows that quality needs no fanfare.

OUR RECIPE:
80% CORN
10% RYE
10% MALTED BARLEY

THE RESULTING CHARACTER IS VIBRANT YET POISED, WITH FLAVOR THAT RESONATES LONG AFTER THE GLASS IS SET DOWN. BOLD OUT FRONT AND LINGERING LONG AFTER.

No shortcuts. No chill filtering. Just Columbia’s crystalline spring water, the distinctive temperament of southern summers and winters, and the revered Lincoln County Process—charcoal mellowed for sublime complexity giving our whiskey its unmistakable depth.

TASTING NOTES
Color: A warm gold-to-amber hue, catching the light with a gentle copper glow.
Nose: Bright floral and fruity aromatics open immediately—think orchard blossoms and ripe stone fruit—layered over a subtle but distinctive peppery undertone that adds depth and intrigue.
Palate: Rich and inviting. Caramel leads the way, followed by a lively burst of orange zest that lifts the sweetness. Mid-palate notes of dark honey add viscosity and warmth, while a whisper of coriander brings a delicate, spiced complexity.
Finish: Smooth and clean, tapering off with a mellow sweetness and a lingering hint of citrus and spice.

A MULE’S STUBBORN STANDARD.
A CREEK’S SLOW PATIENCE.

What Gary Says

Nose: Caramel creme candies, oak, vanilla, apple with a bit of a mineral note.
Palate: Vanilla, caramel, apples, cinnamon, nutmeg, mineral note and pepper spice.
Finish: Short to moderate in length, slightly drying with vanilla, oak and fading spice notes.
Comments: This is a bit spicier than some other Tennessee whiskies (in particular those known for a distinctive ‘mineral note’ which is familiar here). I’m not sure where this is distilled, so not making any claims on that point. Appreciate the non-chill filtration. While there was nothing off-putting for me in the glass, it also didn’t necessarily stand out in any memorable way. It doesn’t come across as young (not getting a lot of corn, but was hoping for more complexity/maturity at six years old than I was able to pick up.

Rating: Average

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Redbreast 1989 30 Year Old Port Finish

/ / Irish Whiskey, Review /

Redbreast 1989 30 Year Old Port Finish
Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey
The Whisky Exchange Exclusive

57.2% ABV
$900 – $1,800 (initially sold for £675 in 2020)
Website
Redbreast 1989 30 Year Old Port Finish TWE Exclusive Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey 57.2%

What the Retailer Says

A limited-edition 1989 Redbreast single pot still Irish whiskey, bottled exclusively for The Whisky Exchange. Initially matured in ex-bourbon barrels, it was re-casked in 1995 into a Port cask from the Douro Valley in Portugal. Rich aromas of dried mango, plums, dark berries, oak, vanilla and coffee fill the nose, complemented by notes of cinnamon, exotic fruits, dark berries, vanilla and toasted oak.
Cask #: 38635
Number of Bottles: 444

Tasting Notes From The Producer
Nose: Rich medley of fruits, from sweet mango to fleshy ripe plums to dark berry fruits. The oak adds notes of toasted wood with touches of vanilla, brown sugar and roasted coffee beans along with a mild touch of leather. Pot still spices continue to build and evolve overtime adding further depth and complexity.
Palate: Initial notes of cinnamon spice and soft wood tannins along with exotic fruits and dark berries. Rich mouth-coating texture with sweet notes of vanilla and treacle toffee layered over a toasted oak foundation.
Finish: Lingering with the ripe fruits and pot still spices having the final word.

Tasting Notes From Billy Abbott, The Whisky Exchange
Nose: All of the fruit, from the fresh to the exotic, dried, and imaginary. Gummi bears, apples, pears, mango, pineapple, sultanas, raisins: if you can think of it, it’s probably here. Along with the fruit is aromatic old oak, many times polished, brown sugar and gentle spice.
Palate: Rich and rounded on the tongue, with toffee and caramel leading to the intense fruit of the nose. The tropical notes sit up front, with rich and sweet raisins, glacé cherries and plums sitting behind. Aniseed and cinnamon spice bring up the rear, with a touch of menthol freshness.
Finish: Brown sugar and cinnamon dusted pastry cases, filled with fruit. Gentle aniseed spiciness lingers.
Comment: One of the fruitiest whiskies I’ve ever tried, mixing classic, old-Irish tropical- and orchard-fruit notes with rich, dark dried fruit. It’s complex, layered and both rewards and deserves long consideration.

What Gary Says

Nose: Robust dark fruits, plums, poached pears, mango, berry compote, toasted oak and leather.
Palate: Thick and syrupy with dark fruits leaning towards tropical with coconut and mango, dark chocolate toffee, cinnamon, nutmeg, cherries and honey.
Finish: Long and slightly drying with fading fruit and spice notes.
Comments: This is an absolute gem. Probably 4 of my top 5 ever tastes of Irish whisky have been exclusive offerings by The Whisky Exchange (so thanks to them, but also my good fortune to have friends who gift me samples of these fine bottles!) This is intense, and amazing neat – although if you add a few drops of water it brings the fruit more into that tropical lane. Just delightful!

Rating: Must Try

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Yellow Spot 1999 23 Year Old Malaga Cask Exclusive to The Whisky Exchange

/ / Irish Whiskey, Review /

Yellow Spot 1999 23 Year Old
Malaga Cask Exclusive to The Whisky Exchange
Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey

57.5% ABV
$705-$850
Website
Yellow Spot 1999 23 Year Old Malaga Cask Exclusive to The Whisky Exchange Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey

What the Retailer Says

This exceptional whiskey takes everything we love about the classic Yellow Spot to new heights. At 23 years old, it’s a perfect example of cask and spirit working in harmony. Following initial maturation in bourbon barrels, this fruity pot still whiskey was filled into a single sweet Malaga cask. Over the years, the influence of this Spanish fortified wine has imparted a luxurious roundness to the palate along with notes of sultana, vanilla and warming oak. Limited to just 564 bottles, this unique Yellow Spot is available Exclusively at The Whisky Exchange.

Cask Number: 60075
564 Bottles
Non-Chill Filtered

What Gary Says

Nose: Rich and intense fruitcake with vanilla icing, cinnamon, toffee and green tobacco.
Palate: Stewed pears, apples, peaches and figs with honey, cinnamon, anise, nutmeg and allspice.
Finish: Long and drying with fading fruit notes and baking spices.
Comments: This is a damn fine pour – with the flavor intensity you hope for given the age and ABV. Really love the ABV for this age too! A bit of water doesn’t hurt it one bit, bringing citrus notes forward on the nose and a bit of honey, and on the palate amps up the honey while giving a nod to orange liqueur (like someone added a couple of drops of Grand Mariner). Delicious on every level, although the price point is challenging. The fine folks at The Whisky Exchange have done some stellar Irish picks (Redbreast 19 Year Old Oloroso Sherry Cask and Green Spot 1991 26 Year Old Marsala Cask were both exclusives, and amazing). This is similarly priced to that Green Spot 26 yr old, although I enjoyed that one a bit more.  For my tastes, this reminds me that matured, cask strength Irish can be some of the finest whiskey you can find.

Rating: Must Try

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