Dark fruits | Cherry | Raisin | Plum | Pear | Candied almond | Tobacco | Leather

Luxardo cherry | Stewed dark fruits | Honey | Raisin | Toffee | Aged oak | Leather | Clove | Rich

Baking spices | Peppery oak | Tapering dark fruits | Raisin | Caramel | Graham cracker | Leather | Tobacco | Brown sugar | Long

Doc Holliday 16 Year Cigar Blend is the latest release in World Whiskey Society’s Doc Holliday line and is part of the company’s Western Collection. It complements the standard, unfinished Doc Holiday 16 Year Straight Bourbon, which was released simultaneously and adds 1 year of aging to the 15 year we reviewed last year. 

While the distillery source is undisclosed, the mashbill matches one used by several Kentucky distilleries, including Heaven Hill, Wild Turkey, and Jim Beam. Given that World Whiskey Society has disclosed Heaven Hill and Jim Beam as sources for other releases, the bourbon is likely to have originated from one or both of those distilleries. 

There is no specific definition of a cigar whiskey, as we have seen whiskey makers bottle everything from multi-finish bourbon blends to unfinished whiskeys that combine various types of whiskeys. Moreover, the concept of pairing with a cigar evokes a wide range of possible flavor profiles, all of which showcase the whiskey maker’s vision for what whiskey should taste like when paired with a cigar. Some go heavy on cigar box or tobacco notes, emphasize proof, or go heavy on other specific flavors, while others tone things down with the intention of pairing with a lighter cigar. 

Doc Holliday 16 Year Cigar Blend dives head-first into the side of cigar blends that intend to cut through the taste of a cigar with deep, rich, dark fruit flavors delivered with a high proof point. The dark fruits are evident from start to finish, with raisin, cherry, plum, stewed dark fruits, and even a slight Luxardo cherry note at the start of the palate. They’re complemented, but never overshadowed, by a range of sweet and savory flavors, which includes just the right amount of tobacco to tie into the cigar theme and bring the two together. The whiskey has a high proof, but is not overly hot either; instead, it uses the proof to intensify flavors, which is needed to cut through sometimes overpowering cigars. The only real downside to this whiskey is its price point; however, if your budget allows and you appreciate a high proof, cigar-friendly whiskey, Doc Holliday 16 Year Cigar Blend is a fantastic cigar blend focused whiskey. 

The bourbon in review is from barrel 641 and is bottle 554 of 600.