A blend of well-aged bourbon, Cognac, sherry and port casks makes this new release worth settling in for.

There are plenty of good reasons to pour a glass of bourbon, and pairing it with a good cigar is certainly near the top of the list for some whiskey fans. Now, 15 STARS is making that combination a little more interesting with its new First West Cigar Blend, a limited-release bourbon built with the cigar experience in mind.

The new release brings together 11- and 15-year-old straight bourbons finished in Cognac, Pedro Ximénez (PX) sherry and tawny port casks. If that sounds like a lot of things going on in one bottle, that’s because it is. The idea is to bring together the richness of aged bourbon with the dark fruit, sweetness and spice contributed by those finishing casks.

Bottled at 106 proof, First West Cigar Blend is designed to hold its own alongside a medium to full-bodied cigar. Of course, nobody says you have to light up to enjoy it. The company says the bourbon is just as worthy of a slow pour and a little time in the glass on its own.

A Bourbon With Plenty to Say

The first thing to know about this whiskey is that it isn’t shy about its character. The nose brings deep plum, fresh pastry, brown sugar, baking spice and old leather, with lighter hints of citrus and banana showing up along the way.

On the palate, expect jammy dark fruit, crisp pear and caramel sweetness, balanced by cracked pepper, seasoned oak and a note of cigar box. The finish continues the darker side of the conversation, with molasses, stewed plum and black cherry giving way to earthy tobacco and charred oak.

In other words, this isn’t necessarily the bourbon you’d reach for when you’re in the mood for something light and easygoing. It’s built to offer layers of flavor, with enough richness and oak to keep things interesting from the first sip to the last.

The combination of Cognac, PX sherry and tawny port cask finishes is particularly intriguing. Each brings its own personality to the blend, helping build those fruit-forward and confectionery notes without leaving the aged bourbon character behind.

Made for the Cigar Crowd, Not Just the Cigar Crowd

15 STARS co-founder Rick Johnson says the brand noticed that some of its earlier expressions had found an audience among cigar enthusiasts, particularly those who appreciated the complexity brought by different finishing casks.

That interest helped inspire First West Cigar Blend.

According to Johnson, the goal was to create a bourbon with enough character and boldness to stand up to a full-bodied cigar. The combination of well-aged whiskey and rich cask finishes was selected to deliver dark fruit and sweet notes alongside the deeper flavors developed during years in oak.

The company also uses its proprietary Flavor Proofing process to bring the blend to its final 106 proof. That’s a useful detail for anyone who likes a bourbon with some muscle but still wants to explore the flavors beneath the alcohol.

And while the cigar pairing is the headline here, the whiskey’s mix of fruit, spice, caramel and oak should give it plenty to offer drinkers who prefer their bourbon without the smoke.

The Details

First West Cigar Blend joins the broader First West collection from 15 STARS, the Bardstown, Kentucky-based whiskey maker known for its carefully assembled blends and finishing techniques.

The new release is an 11-year-aged expression that incorporates both 11- and 15-year-old straight bourbons, with a suggested retail price of $79.99. It is bottled at 106 proof and will be available in limited quantities at select retailers nationwide and online.

For cigar lovers, it could be an appealing new option for the next time a good smoke calls for a good pour. For bourbon fans who simply enjoy exploring what different cask finishes can bring to a whiskey, there’s plenty to investigate here, too.

Find more information and check availability at 15STARS.com or shop the First West collection online.

Sometimes, a good bourbon deserves a little extra company. In this case, 15 STARS has a pretty good idea of what that company might be.