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Distillery: Barton 1792 Distillery, Bardstown, Kentucky

Proof: 93.7

MSRP: $35

Nose:

• Aromas of caramel, vanilla, and oak
• Hints of cinnamon and spice

Taste:

• Smooth and rich with flavors of caramel, vanilla, and spice
• Hints of oak and fruit

Finish:

• Long and warming with a subtle sweetness and notes of oak and spice

Tasting Summary: 

1792 Small Batch Bourbon is a well-rounded bourbon that's made from a small batch of selected barrels. It's a great value bourbon that's smooth and flavorful, with a balanced profile that's not too sweet or too spicy. It pairs well with a medium-bodied cigar.

Taste rating: 8/10 Price rating: 9/10

Cigar pairing suggestion: Romeo y Julieta 1875

Wisdom about the bourbon: 

1792 Small Batch Bourbon is named after the year Kentucky became a state, and is distilled and aged at the Barton 1792 Distillery, which is located on the site of a historic distillery that dates back to 1879.

Distillery: Jim Beam Distillery, Clermont, Kentucky

Proof: 80

MSRP: $40

Nose:

• Aromas of spice, oak, and vanilla
• Hints of caramel and dried fruit

Taste:

• Light and smooth with flavors of caramel, vanilla, and spice
• Hints of oak and peppery rye

Finish:

• Short and dry with a subtle sweetness and notes of oak and spice

Tasting Summary: 

Basil Hayden's is a light and easy-drinking bourbon that's made with a higher percentage of rye in its mash bill. It's a great introductory bourbon for those new to the spirit and pairs well with a mild to medium-bodied cigar.

Taste rating: 7/10 Price rating: 7/10

Cigar pairing suggestion: Montecristo White Series

Wisdom about the bourbon: 

Basil Hayden's is named after a distiller who was known for his use of high-rye mash bills, which gives this bourbon its spicy and peppery flavor profile.

Distillery: Buffalo Trace Distillery, Frankfort, Kentucky

Proof: 93

MSRP: $60

Nose:

• Aromas of honey, caramel, and vanilla
• Hints of citrus and oak

Taste:

• Rich and complex with flavors of caramel, vanilla, and honey
• Hints of oak and spices such as cinnamon and nutmeg

Finish:

• Long and smooth with a subtle sweetness and notes of oak and spice

Tasting Summary: 

Blanton's Single Barrel Bourbon is a highly sought-after bourbon that's known for its rich and complex flavor profile. Each bottle is taken from a single barrel, so each one has its own unique character. This bourbon pairs well with a medium to full-bodied cigar.

Taste rating: 9/10 Price rating: 5/10

Cigar pairing suggestion: Arturo Fuente Opus X

Wisdom about the bourbon: 

Blanton's was the first bourbon to be marketed as a single barrel bourbon, which means that each bottle is taken from a single barrel and is not blended with other barrels to create a consistent flavor profile.

Distillery: Blue Run Spirits, LLC, Georgetown, Kentucky

Proof: 95

MSRP: $85

Nose:

• Aromas of caramel, vanilla, and fruit
• Hints of oak, spice, and tobacco

Taste:

• Smooth and balanced with flavors of caramel, vanilla, and fruit
• Hints of oak, spice, and dark chocolate

Finish:

• Long and satisfying with notes of vanilla, oak, and a touch of smoke

Tasting Summary: 

Blue Run bourbon is a relatively new brand that's gaining popularity among bourbon enthusiasts. It's a well-balanced bourbon with a complex flavor profile that pairs well with a medium to full-bodied cigar.

Taste rating: 9/10 Price rating: 6/10

Cigar pairing suggestion: Padron 1964 Anniversary Series

Wisdom about the bourbon: 

Blue Run's Master Distiller, Jim Rutledge, is a legendary figure in the bourbon industry and is known for his expertise in creating complex and flavorful bourbons.

Regenerate response 

Distillery: Heaven Hill Distillery, Bardstown, Kentucky

Proof: 94

MSRP: $30

Nose:

• Aromas of caramel, vanilla, and oak
• Hints of spice and dark fruit

Taste:

• Rich and full-bodied with flavors of caramel, vanilla, and toasted oak
• Spices such as cinnamon and nutmeg come through towards the finish

Finish:

• Long and warming with a sweet and spicy finish

Tasting Summary: 

Elijah Craig Small Batch Bourbon is a complex and flavorful bourbon with a great balance of sweetness and spice. It's a great value for the price and pairs well with a full-bodied cigar.

Taste rating: 9/10 Price rating: 9/10

Cigar pairing suggestion: Arturo Fuente Hemingway

Wisdom about the bourbon: 

Elijah Craig is named after the Baptist preacher who is credited with being the first person to age bourbon in charred oak barrels. This bourbon is made in the traditional style, using a high percentage of corn in the mash bill and being aged in new charred oak barrels for a minimum of four years.

Distillery: Heaven Hill Distillery, Bardstown, Kentucky

Proof: 86.6

MSRP: $30

Nose:

• Aromas of vanilla, caramel, and oak
• Hints of dried fruit and spice

Taste:

• Smooth and rich with flavors of caramel, vanilla, and oak
• Hints of dark fruit and spice

Finish:

• Long and warming with a subtle sweetness and notes of vanilla and oak

Tasting Summary: Evan Williams Single Barrel Vintage Bourbon is a great value bourbon that's made from a single barrel and is aged for a minimum of 8 years. It's a smooth and flavorful bourbon that pairs well with a medium-bodied cigar.

Taste rating: 8/10 Price rating: 9/10

Cigar pairing suggestion: Oliva Serie V Melanio

Wisdom about the bourbon: 

Evan Williams is named after a Kentucky distiller who was one of the first to use charred oak barrels to age bourbon, which is now a standard practice in the industry.

Distillery: Four Roses Distillery, Lawrenceburg, Kentucky

Proof: 90

MSRP: $30

Nose:

• Aromas of honey, vanilla, and caramel
• Hints of spice and floral notes

Taste:

• Flavors of caramel and vanilla with a slight hint of oak
• Spices such as cinnamon and nutmeg come through towards the finish

Finish:

• Smooth and long with a sweet and spicy finish

Tasting Summary: 

Four Roses Small Batch Bourbon is a well-balanced bourbon with a great combination of sweet and spicy flavors. It's a great value for the price and pairs well with a mild to medium-bodied cigar.

Taste rating: 8/10 Price rating: 9/10

Cigar pairing suggestion: Ashton Classic Connecticut

Wisdom about the bourbon: 

Four Roses is known for their unique use of ten different recipes of bourbon, each with their own distinct flavor profile. For this particular small batch bourbon, they use four of those recipes to create a balanced and flavorful bourbon.

Distillery: Four Roses Distillery, Lawrenceburg, Kentucky

Proof: 100

MSRP: $45

Nose:

• Aromas of caramel, vanilla, and fruit
• Hints of spice and oak

Taste:

• Smooth and complex with flavors of caramel, vanilla, and spice
• Hints of oak and fruit

Finish:

• Long and warming with a subtle sweetness and notes of vanilla and spice

Tasting Summary: 

Four Roses Single Barrel Bourbon is a highly-rated bourbon that's made from a single barrel and is known for its rich and complex flavor profile. It pairs well with a medium-bodied cigar.

Taste rating: 9/10 Price rating: 7/10

Cigar pairing suggestion: Arturo Fuente Hemingway Signature

Wisdom about the bourbon: 

Four Roses is unique in that they have 10 different bourbon recipes that they use to create their bourbons, which allows for a wide range of flavor profiles.

 Distillery: Maker's Mark Distillery, Loretto, Kentucky

Proof: 90

MSRP: $35

Nose:

• Aromas of vanilla, caramel, and butterscotch
• Hints of oak and spice

Taste:

• Smooth and creamy with flavors of vanilla and caramel
• Slight hints of spice and oak towards the finish

Finish:

• Medium length finish with a hint of sweetness

Tasting Summary: 

Maker's Mark Bourbon is a smooth and approachable bourbon with a great balance of sweetness and spice. It's a solid value for the price and pairs well with a medium-bodied cigar.

Taste rating: 7/10 Price rating: 8/10

Cigar pairing suggestion: Rocky Patel Vintage 1990

Wisdom about the bourbon: 

Maker's Mark is known for their use of red winter wheat in their mash bill, which creates a softer, more mellow flavor profile compared to other bourbons that use rye in their mash bill.

Distillery: Wild Turkey Distillery, Lawrenceburg, Kentucky

Proof: 116.8

MSRP: $50

Nose:

• Aromas of vanilla, caramel, and oak
• Hints of dark fruit and spice

Taste:

• Rich and full-bodied with flavors of caramel, vanilla, and spice
• Hints of oak and dark fruit

Finish:

• Long and warming with a spicy kick and notes of vanilla and oak

Tasting Summary: 

Wild Turkey Rare Breed Bourbon is a high-proof bourbon that's made from a blend of 6 to 12-year-old barrels. It's a bold and flavorful bourbon that pairs well with a full-bodied cigar.

Taste rating: 8/10 Price rating: 8/10

Cigar pairing suggestion: La Flor Dominicana Double Ligero Maduro

Wisdom about the bourbon: 

Wild Turkey is known for their use of a high percentage of rye in their mash bill, which gives their bourbons a spicier and more robust flavor profile compared to bourbons that use more corn in their mash bill.

Distillery: Buffalo Trace Distillery, Frankfort, Kentucky

Proof: 90

MSRP: $35

Nose:

• Aromas of caramel, vanilla, and honey
• Hints of oak and cinnamon

Taste:

• Smooth and sweet with flavors of caramel, vanilla, and honey
• Hints of oak and cinnamon spice

Finish:

• Medium in length with a lingering sweetness and notes of caramel and vanilla

Tasting Summary: 

Weller Special Reserve is a wheated bourbon that's made with a high proportion of wheat in its mash bill. It's a smooth and sweet bourbon that's a great value for its price point. It pairs well with a mild to medium-bodied cigar.

Taste rating: 8/10 Price rating: 9/10

Cigar pairing suggestion: Romeo y Julieta 1875

Wisdom about the bourbon: 

Weller Special Reserve is a highly sought-after bourbon due to its popularity and limited availability. It's often compared to the highly coveted Pappy Van Winkle bourbons, which are also made with a high proportion of wheat in their mash bill.

Distillery: Woodford Reserve Distillery, Versailles, Kentucky

Proof: 90.4

MSRP: $60

Nose:

• Aromas of vanilla, caramel, and toasted oak
• Hints of dark fruit and baking spices

Taste:

• Rich and full-bodied with flavors of dark chocolate, caramel, and toasted oak
• Hints of baking spices such as cinnamon and nutmeg

Finish:

• Long and complex with a lingering sweetness and notes of vanilla and spice

Tasting Summary: 

Woodford Reserve Double Oaked Bourbon is a complex and flavorful bourbon that's been finished in a second barrel that has been heavily toasted and lightly charred. This creates a richer and more intense flavor profile that pairs well with a full-bodied cigar.

Taste rating: 9/10 Price rating: 6/10

Cigar pairing suggestion: Padron 1926 Serie Maduro

Wisdom about the bourbon: 

Woodford Reserve is located in the heart of thoroughbred country and uses the same limestone-filtered water that's used in the world-renowned horse farms in the area.