Copper & Cask Small Batch Series #015 Cigar Blend Whiskey Review

Distillery: Undisclosed Alberta, Canada Distillery

Proof: 157.8 (78.9% ABV)

Age: Twenty-One Years

Mashbill: Undisclosed

MSRP: $80

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Layered.  High-proof.  Builds before its strongest moment.

Copper & Cask Batch #015 Cigar Blend Whiskey brings extended aging, secondary finishing, and cask strength intensity together in a way that immediately sets expectations.  This 21-year Canadian whiskey, originally aged in oak before spending time in Armagnac and Tawny Port casks, is bottled at a “hazmat” level, 157.8 proof.  With just 17 barrels in the blend and a limited release of 3,000 bottles, this is clearly positioned as a high-intensity, enthusiast-focused expression rather than something built for broad appeal.

The “cigar blend” label suggests a whiskey designed to hold its own alongside bold flavors and slow sipping.  That kind of positioning raises a different question than usual.  Instead of asking if it’s balanced in a traditional sense, we have to ask if it delivers a sipping experience that rewards time to slow down, pay attention, and let the setting play a part in how this whiskey performs.

Copper & Cask Small Batch Series #015 Cigar Blend Whiskey Review: Tasting Notes

Nose – 3.6/5

Sweet.  Dark grape.  Light fruit.  Subtle green grain.
Strengths:  Opens softer than expected for the proof.  Sweetness leading into dark, grape-like fruit.  There’s a gentle emergence of grain notes underneath.  That helps to keep the profile from being completely overtaken by the secondary finishing.
Why It’s Not Higher:  Limited separation between notes.  For a whiskey with this kind of age and finishing, it never seems to fully open up.
Rating Justification:  Clean.  Approachable.  Ultimately restrained.  Establishes its direction early and stays there.

Palate – 3.7/5

Sweet.  Dark fruit.  Delayed heat.  Tannic edge.
Strengths:  Inviting, with sweetness and fruit arriving first before the proof begins to build.  There’s a clear progression to the sip, and the direction of the flavors align with what the Nose predicts.
Why It’s Not Higher:  Mid-palate is where it loses control.  Proof surges and takes over, interrupting the flow rather than carrying it forward.  Once it settles, the whiskey returns to sweetness with a slight tannic bitterness.  That transition feels disjointed rather than flowing.
Rating Justification:  There’s structure and intent, but not full integration. The components show up in sequence instead of working together throughout the sip.

Finish – 4.2/5

Overripe purple grape. Lingering sweetness. Tannic bitterness.
Strengths:  Here is where this whiskey finds its footing.  It’s long, intense, and evolves over time. The fruit becomes more defined as it lingers, and the bitterness integrates in a way that adds character rather than distraction.
Why It’s Not Higher:  Intensity at the start of the Finish can feel abrupt, especially after a disrupted mid-Palate.  It doesn’t fully erase what came before it.
Rating Justification:  Memorable.  Feels like its well-aligned with the whiskey’s intent.  This is the strongest and most complete part of the sipping experience.

Value – 4.0/5

Limited release.  Extended aging.  Niche appeal.  At $80, the Value depends heavily on who this is for. With 21 years of age, cask strength proof, and secondary finishing profile, there’s a lot packed into this bottle.  But it’s not built for everyone.

For enthusiasts who enjoy high-proof pours and are drawn to uniqueness, this bottle offers a distinctive experience.  For those looking for balance and clarity from start to finish, it will like feel uneven.

This is Value that shows up, not across all levels of consumers.  Rather, the Value is when it’s consumed in the right context.  Just as its name reflects.

Copper & Cask Small Batch Series #015 Cigar Blend Whiskey Review: The Verdict

Copper & Cask Batch #015 Cigar Blend Whiskey is a pour that improves as it goes.  The Nose and early Palate are less defined than you might expect, while the proof takes over and disrupts the flow.  Fortunately, the Finish brings it back together, delivering a long, evolving, and ultimately satisfying close.

This isn’t a cohesive whiskey from start to finish.  Instead, it feels like a series of phases, with the back half outperforming the front.  Where it lands strongest is in its ability to leave an impression, particularly in a setting that allows you to take your time with it.

For enthusiasts willing to sit with it, this becomes a slow, deliberate pour that rewards patience.

Verdict – 3.9/5

We score each bourbon based on nose, palate, finish, and value.

Scoring System:

• Platinum – 4.5 – 5
• Gold – 4 – 4.5
• Silver – 3 – 4
• Bronze – <3