I enjoy an occasional cigar, and i have been on the hunt for just the right whiskey to compliment my preference for a medium to bold tobacco. My search is finally over! In the past i have found most bourbons to overpower the cigar and cognac to be too sweet. This expression is a perfect complementary blend of the best qualities of both worlds. I admit when I originally got the bottle i was so anxious that I tried it neat by itself, and I wasn’t overly impressed given the strong reviews. Part of that I attribute to the fact I my taste buds have been spoiled by higher end whiskey :). However, when i added my favorite cigar in the mix, that is where the majic happens. I also wouldn’t get too hung up on the batch number, particularly if you are enjoying a good smoke. As I understand it, there are hundreds of batches released each year. My label is batch 400 for what it’s worth. Just kick and celebrate a good life!