This week on High Proof Ashes, we’re diving into one of the most talked-about pours of the year — the Four Roses 2024 Limited Edition. Known for its annual small-batch craftsmanship, this release blends multiple aged recipes into a rich, layered bourbon that delivers deep fruit, oak, and spice… and in our case, a finish that just wouldn’t quit.

On the cigar side, we’re sticking with the Arturo Fuente Rare Pink — a rare and sought-after release from Fuente that’s been getting a lot of attention. We break down how it stacks up against other Fuente staples and whether it truly earns its reputation or just rides the name.

Along the way, we get into:

• Doran’s upcoming cigar band project and what he’s planning
• The ongoing struggle… he still doesn’t have a name for his lounge
• Our honest take on Fuente as a brand vs the Rare Pink and other offerings
• That surprisingly long finish on the Four Roses LE
• The world of bourbon lottery bottles and splitting pours with friends
• And the cigars we’re all still chasing down

It’s a mix of rare bottles, real opinions, and the usual rabbit holes — exactly how we like it.

This week on High Proof Ashes, we’re diving into a heavy hitter from Red Hot Liquors with a barrel pick of Southern Star Paragon — a barrel strength wheated bourbon that brings big proof, rich sweetness, and that soft wheated profile that always sparks debate at the table.

Paired with it is something truly special — the Arturo Fuente Rare Pink. Built on Fuente’s legendary Dominican craftsmanship, the Rare Pink line delivers a refined, complex smoke with notes of cream, cedar, subtle spice, and just enough sweetness to complement a bold pour like this Paragon pick.

As always, the pairing is just the start.

Doran gets into his ongoing love/hate relationship with wheated bourbons — are they smooth and balanced, or just missing the punch? We also break down some buzz around Drew Estateand their newest brand direction, plus a look ahead to the PCA 2025 and what it means for the industry.

We wrap things up with a conversation on which smaller brands are starting to step into the “big boy” space — and who might be next to make serious noise.

Grab a pour, light up something special, and enjoy the ride!

In this episode of High Proof Ashes, we’re putting the spotlight on the Copper & Cask Cigar Blend — a bold 7-year bourbon coming in just under 120 proof. This blend is specifically crafted to stand up to a cigar, bringing rich oak, deep caramel, and layered spice that doesn’t get lost when paired with a full-bodied smoke.

Copper & Cask is known for their small-batch, high-proof offerings, and this cigar blend is no exception — delivering a balance of sweetness, heat, and complexity that makes it a strong contender in the growing “cigar blend” whiskey category.

We continue smoking the Privada Cigar Club Purple People Eater, but if you want the full breakdown on that cigar, check out the previous episode where we dive into all the details.

Along the way, we get into:

• What actually makes a “cigar blend” whiskey different

• Other notable cigar blend bottles and how they compare

• Jason’s past experiments trying to build his own blends

• Doran talking Knicks basketball

• And of course, some March Madness discussion

If you’ve ever wondered whether cigar blend whiskey is legit or just marketing, this one’s for you.

In this episode of High Proof Ashes, we crack into one of the more mysterious releases from the Privada Cigar Club — the Purple People Eater. This limited cigar is distributed through LCA (Limited Cigar Association) lounges, meaning it’s only available to those subscribed lounges that carry Privada’s rotating small-batch releases. As usual with Privada projects, the blend carries a bit of secrecy and experimentation, making each release a bit of a treasure hunt for cigar enthusiasts.

For our pour, we’re sipping on Park & Tilford Small Batch Bourbon, a brand revival that’s quietly making a comeback using Green River Distilling Company distillate. This Kentucky straight bourbon clocks in with a mashbill-driven profile that leans into classic caramel, vanilla, and toasted oak notes, backed by 6–7 years of aging that give it a balanced but flavorful backbone. Green River’s resurgence in the bourbon world has been gaining attention lately, so we dig into what this sourced-but-curated release brings to the glass.

Along the way, the conversation shifts into something closer to home as Doran gives an update on his brand-new home cigar lounge. From layout ideas to future upgrades and plans for hosting friends and tastings, we get a peek into how the lounge is coming together and what’s next for the space.

So pour something good, light something interesting, and join us for another laid-back episode of High Proof Ashes.

On this episode of High Proof Ashes, we’re putting two heavy hitters head-to-head in a true side-by-side showdown: Shortbarrel Cigar Batch 2024 vs Shortbarrel Cigar Batch 2025.

Shortbarrel’s Cigar Batch releases are built specifically to stand up to bold, full-flavored cigars. These blends are crafted at higher proof and designed with deeper oak structure, richer caramelization, and amplified spice so they don’t disappear when paired with a robust smoke.

Shortbarrel Cigar Batch 2024 leans into intensity. Expect a nose packed with cinnamon stick, toasted oak, and dark caramel. On the palate, it brings forward baking spice, black pepper, roasted nuts, and dense vanilla sweetness. The finish carries a long, warming oak backbone that lingers — a classic “cigar batch” profile meant to punch through heavier ring gauges and Maduro wrappers.

Shortbarrel Cigar Batch 2025 shows evolution. Still bold, still proof-forward, but slightly more refined. The nose moves into deeper brown sugar, subtle dark fruit, and richer barrel char. The palate balances sweetness and spice more evenly, with layers of toffee, nutmeg, light leather, and a smoother oak integration. The finish feels rounder and more composed, suggesting either subtle blend adjustments or improved barrel selection.

We talk proof, structure, how each year handles spice vs sweetness, and most importantly — which batch actually performs better with a cigar in hand.

And speaking of cigars, we’re keeping it budget-friendly this week with the Oliva Serie G. Featuring an African Cameroon wrapper over Nicaraguan binder and filler, the Serie G is known for its approachable medium body and classic profile. Expect notes of cedar, coffee, light earth, and subtle pepper — a clean, dependable smoke that won’t wreck your wallet. It’s a great test case to see how premium, cigar-focused bourbons perform against a value-driven but well-made cigar.

Can the 2024’s bold spice dominate?

Does the 2025’s refinement give it the edge?

And how does a budget classic like the Serie G stack up in a premium pour pairing?

Pour one, light one, and let’s find out.

This episode is all about the thrill of the hunt. We’re cracking open another Kentucky Bourbon Fest pickup—Burton James Bourbon, a bottle that never leaves the state of Kentucky and caught our attention for being both solid and fairly priced while wandering the festival grounds. Sometimes the best pours aren’t the loudest names, and this one made the cut.

For the cigar, we’re going next-level exclusive with the Drew Estate Unico Series Savage Feast. This limited two-cigar coffin is only available at select Drew Estate events, making it one of those smokes you don’t just stumble into. We break down how we got our hands on it, what makes it special, and whether it lives up to the hype.

Pour a drink, light up something special, and join us as we talk festival scores, rare cigars, and why chasing experiences can be just as rewarding as chasing bottles.

This week on High Proof Ashes, we dive into a true boutique bourbon experience with a single barrel pick from River Roots Barrel Co. 10 yrs old Kentucky Bourbon sourced at Red Hot Liquors. River Roots Barrel Company is a Cleveland, OH - based spirits curator dedicated to hand-selecting top-tier single barrels and small-batch offerings with bold character and distinct profiles — perfect for whiskey lovers looking for something unique. Their program emphasizes meticulous selection and craftsmanship, bringing some of the best barrel-specific bourbon straight to your glass.

On the cigar side of the table, we continue our journey with the Rocky Patel 20th Anniversary Maduro — a medium-to-full bodied Honduran-made stick with a rich maduro wrapper and blend that delivers notes of coffee, leather, dark chocolate, and spice. It’s a thoughtful and sophisticated smoke that pairs beautifully with complex bourbons like today’s River Roots pick.

Join us as we unpack the tasting experience, the stories behind the bourbon and the cigar, and how these two come together for a memorable sip and draw. Cheers!

In this episode of High Proof Ashes, we put the Pinhook Vertical Series Bourbon 9 Year head-to-head with the 10 Year in a mini bourbon battle. Same series, just one year apart—but the difference in flavor, balance, and character might surprise you. We break down where that extra year shows up and let the glasses do the talking.

For the cigar, we’re smoking the Rocky Patel 20th Anniversary Maduro, a bold and refined stick wrapped in a dark maduro leaf, delivering rich notes of cocoa, espresso, and earth that pair beautifully with well-aged bourbon.

We’re also filming from Doran’s new indoor home cigar lounge, still a work in progress. Tune in as we talk through what it takes to build a functional indoor smoking space, from ventilation to layout, while enjoying great bourbon and a premium cigar.