Wheel Horse Cigar Blend Bourbon (2023 Release)

My initial experience with this was quite disappointing, possibly because it was in a plastic cup which I believe muted the flavor; it tasted too thin and reedy. Upon a second tasting in a proper glass, it revealed more of its true character. Yes, it tastes young because it is young, only four years old, but the bright strawberry and cherry notes from the sherry aging are noticeable, along with a subtle rye spice underneath, a bit of port oakiness, and rustic warmth from the armagnac cask. Naturally, its depth and complexity might be considered shallow and thin, and it lacks the luxurious mouthfeel of the Joseph Magnus or the rich body of the Copper and Cask (my current favorite cigar blend I've encountered), but I appreciate this bottle for a key reason: I purchased it for $30 at my local liquor store, compared to $179 for the Joseph Magnus. You certainly don't find this level of complexity and flavor for $30. Overall, the Copper and Cask stands out as the most superior cigar blend bourbon I've tasted, but considering many people might dislike anything from MGP (a preference I've never understood; if it's good, it's good, drink it), if you're seeking a Kentucky-distilled cigar blend offering excellent value, this one is hard to surpass.

Nose: Earthy fruit, oak. Palate: Incredible! Difficult to describe. Imagine a fantastic apple pie combined with a superb cherry pie. A hint of sweet cherry wood tobacco emerges. Pleasant heat and spice. A lingering, syrupy finish. This is absolutely the greatest value bottle I've ever found! The aroma is lovely, and the taste surpasses it. It deviates from the standard bourbon character, presenting a perfectly executed, sweet-forward profile. I grasp the concept behind the cigar pairing, but this spirit excels on its own. Introducing tobacco might detract from its intricate nature, though a touch of smokiness could complement the sweetness nicely. WELL DONE. IT'S FANTASTIC!

NEAT NOSE - Cherries and Vanilla complemented by subtle hints of caramel and sweet oak. PALATE. Understated. Thin mouthfeel. Abundant Cherries and Vanilla. FINISH - Brief. Sweet Oak and Vanilla, with notes reminiscent of diluted sherry. WORTH BUYING? - Yes, but you won't miss much if you skip it. $40 is a fair price considering the age and finishing casks. Just don't expect it to be a substitute for Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend. REPURCHASE? - No, though perhaps with additional aging I might reconsider.

101 proof. Aged in sherry, port, and armagnac barrels. Composed of 70% corn, 21% rye, and 9% malted barley. Flavors include sweet wood, banana, cherry, vanilla cream, candied apples, oranges, smooth, char, sweet tobacco, toasted caramel, buttery corn, and grapes.

Not sure about the expert reviews on this but as a scotch drinker affectionado branching out into bourbon and whiskey....this one is smooth and soft with a nice caramel background lending to a subtle lingering warm finish.