Copper & Cask Small Batch Series 002 Cigar Blend Whiskey

Packaging is nice but unfulfilled. The box is very well done - heavy paperboard with linen-y textured skin, rose-gold foil work, heavy parchment inset label, classy magnetic close. The bottle keeps the heavy labels and foil, but otherwise is very utilitarian glass and bottle shape, no linen texture, synthetic cork. Sorta got halfway to a good idea but stopped well short in the end. A deep amber with reddish-orange hue. Viscosity and legs don’t match expectations for 120 proof. The nose showcases sweet, fruit-forward casking, but does not obscure the rye heritage. Vegetal, floral, vanilla, mace and cardamom. Weed-whipped honeysuckle bush. Fresh green bean. The longer it sits lets the Port wine take over the aroma. Sharp ethanol neat, but diminishes quickly with dilution into a baked apple crisp. Again, the rye and proof present first. Only after can the other components and casking announce themselves. Orange liqueur, nutmeg, vanilla and a prominent spice when neat. Sweet but assertive. After dilution the flavors are still sharp, but approachable. Spiced, stewed pear with clove, orange zest, and more cider notes. Vanilla cavendish tobacco. Wasn’t smitten when I first opened it months ago, but revisiting can say with confidence this is pretty tasty stuff and well-barreled. Unlikely to ever be a thoughtlessly sweet sipper, but it is a spicy-sweet departure from convention. For $70, I think this is a good adventure and reasonable value. If the finishing sounds interesting to your palate, I recommend giving it a whirl.