Starlight Distillery Cigar Batch is a small-batch, limited-release bourbon made from grains grown on Starlight’s 700-acre farm. Produced using a sweet mash process, it is a double pot distilled on a Vendome copper pot still. The blend consists of 4.5- to 6.5-year-old bourbons with two mashbills: 60% corn, 20% rye and 20% malted barley; and 51% corn, 9% wheat, 20% rye and 20% malted barley. It enters the barrel at 108 to 112 proof and is bottled at 106 proof. Initially aged in fire-charred new American white oak barrels, it undergoes a secondary maturation of three to six months in Brazilian amburana oak casks with a mix of medium toast, heavy toast and char #3.
Starlight’s use of Amburana casks is an inspired addition to a crowded cast of finished bourbons, and – despite a slightly sparse mouthfeel – the cavalcade of atypical flavors and unique overall experience goes to show that talent will always bring something new to an art form.
Unique - I’ve never had amburana wood-finished bourbon before, and I love it. It’s different from any other “cigar blend” or any finishing I’ve had before. I’m now off to try some cachaça.
