Review of World Whiskey Society 20-Year-Old Cigar Blend Gothic Edition

 

Light Whiskey is a relic from the 1960s that is experiencing a modest resurgence in today's market. It came about when whiskey was falling out of favor because vodka was suddenly in fashion. The reason? American drinkers became health-conscious and wanted something with fewer calories.

 

Its popularity was short-lived, and it disappeared from the market. MGP/Ross & Squibb sat on its stocks, unsure what to do with these barrels that no one cared about. But then, someone got the bright idea to taste what was in those barrels, and viola! People again are interested in Light Whiskey. Granted, it isn’t as popular as other expressions, and it may never be, but we’re seeing more and more Light Whiskeys on store shelves.

 

While not distilled exclusively by MGP, almost all of the well-aged Light Whiskey is sourced from it. In a nutshell, Light Whiskey is distilled between 160° and 190° (compared to Bourbon, which is distilled at 160° or less) and aged in either used or new, uncharred oak containers.

 

Today, we’ll dive deep into a 20-year-old American Light Whisky called Cigar Blend Gothic Edition. It is produced by World Whiskey Society, which was established in 2020 and bills itself as “creating the world’s most interesting whiskeys.” 

 

"The 20YR Cigar Blend showcases our passion for creating one-of-a-kind spirits. From the blend of six distinct cask finishes to the bold presentation, this release is designed for whiskey enthusiasts looking for something truly special." - Alex Kogan, CEO of World Whiskey Society

 

So, how does this one taste? The only way to answer that question is to #DrinkCurious. Thanks to the World Whiskey Society, who provided me with a sample in exchange for my no-strings-attached, honest review.

 

• Whiskey Type: American Light Whiskey
• Distiller: Undisclosed Indiana distillery (meaning MGP)
• Age: 20 Years
• Mashbill: 99% corn, 1% malted barley
• Cooperage: Finished in former Tawny Port, Cognac, Awamori, Tequila, Madeira, and Pedro Ximénez (PX) Sherry casks.
• Alcohol Content: 48% ABV (96°)
• Price per 750mL: $169.00

 

Appearance: I used a Glencairn glass to explore this Light Whiskey neat. Light Whiskeys are not known for retaining color (especially when vintage cooperage is involved), but this is one of the most vibrant I’ve encountered. It was somewhere between gold and orange. A massive rim formed a wavy curtain of tears.

 

Nose: As I was busy observing the color, the air was filled with notes of tropical fruits, including pineapples, oranges, grapefruits, and limes. Those carried through into the purposeful nosing, along with raisins, apricots, toffee, chocolate, tobacco leaves, and nutmeg. Drawing that air through my lips brought dark chocolate and ripe plums.

 

Palate: The soft, creamy, warm mouthfeel led to flavors of melted dark chocolate (there was definitely something melty about it), hazelnuts, and almonds on the front of my palate. Next came pineapples, plums, and orange peel. Flavors of toffee and tobacco leaves, along with an herbal quality, comprised the back.

 

Finish: The finish featured more melted dark chocolate, tobacco, hazelnuts, orange peel, pepper, grilled pineapples, and sweet plums. There was also a smoky component that came out of nowhere and left almost as quickly. The duration ran 1:43, which classifies it as long.

 

Bottle, Bar, or Bust: There was a lot of information to digest here. I will begin by saying that I have never encountered a Light Whiskey like Cigar Blend Gothic Edition. For that matter, I’ve never had an American whiskey finished in so many types of vintage cooperage. Additionally, since I don’t smoke cigars, I cannot comment on how they would pair with this whiskey or vice versa.

 

The aroma was both confusing and outstanding. The depth and breadth of smells I experienced blew my mind. The palate – that melted dark chocolate component especially – was beyond anything I could expect from this whiskey category. Kudos to the curious soul who said, Hey, let’s see what happens if we take all of these different types of casks to finish a Light Whiskey, because this Cigar Blend Gothic Edition was just stunning. It earns every bit of my Bottle rating. Cheers!

 

 

My Simple, Easy-to-Understand Rating System

• Bottle = Buy It
• Bar = Try It
• Bust = Leave It

 

Whiskeyfellow encourages you to enjoy your whiskey as you see fit but begs you to do so responsibly.