15 Stars Fine Aged Rye - Founder's Reserve Batch 001 - Review

Review: 15 Stars Fine Aged Rye – Founder's Reserve (Batch 001)

47.5% ABV | 95 Proof | $140 SRP

Delightful from start to finish.

15 Stars continues to make its mark on the premium whiskey scene with its Founder's Reserve Fine Aged Rye, an artful blend of straight rye whiskeys aged 14, 13, 9, and 8 years. Sourced from Kentucky, Indiana, and Tennessee, this expression showcases balance, depth, and luxurious texture—an elegant rye built for slow sipping.

Nose:

Delicate yet expressive, the nose opens with a cool wave of creamy mint, followed by soft green tea leaf and a touch of white pepper for brightness. There’s a subtle herbal quality here that hints at age and layered complexity.

Palate:

The mouthfeel is velvety smooth, bordering on decadent. Flavors of Italian sweet cream and milk chocolate dominate the front palate, offering a dessert-like richness uncommon in rye. Mid-palate, a soft backbone of mature spice begins to hum—controlled and refined rather than aggressive.

Finish:

The finish lingers medium-long, leaving a full oily coating and a whisper of gentle spice. It’s polished and composed, with no rough edges—just an elegant tapering of sweetness and warmth.

Final Thoughts:

15 Stars’ Founders Reserve Rye is a sophisticated pour that bridges traditional rye spice with refined dessert-like smoothness. For those who enjoy the structure of rye but crave a silkier, more luxurious expression, this batch delivers. The price point reflects its age and blending pedigree, and for fans of high-end, well-aged rye, it feels justified. A contemplative sipper—best neat, and best unhurried.

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Loch Lomond 12 Year & Cavalier Geneve Project Broadleaf Skywalker - Review

This pairing brings together a bright, fruit-forward Highland single malt and a rich, complex broadleaf cigar—resulting in a striking balance of elegance and depth.

Whisky: Loch Lomond Single Malt Scotch Whisky Aged 12 Years

ABV: 46% | Proof: 92 | Cask: American Oak | SRP: $60

On the nose, Loch Lomond 12 is inviting and vibrant—ripe pear and citrus zest take the lead, softened by a drizzle of caramelized vanilla. The palate is light yet layered, offering stewed pear and red apple with a creamy tartness that keeps things fresh and almost pastry-like. The finish is on the shorter side but warm, with a pleasing viscosity and mellow sweetness that leaves a graceful impression.

Cigar: Cavalier Genève Project Broadleaf Skywalker

Size: 6.25” x 50 | SRP: $15.60

Wrapper: USA Broadleaf | Binder: Mexican | Filler: Honduras & Nicaragua

Profile: Medium+

Part of the Luxury Cigar Club Palladium Subscription Box

The Skywalker opens strong in the first third with rich cocoa and robust espresso bean notes that immediately assert its boldness. The second third darkens, deepening into dark chocolate with a trace of bitterness that adds structure without becoming harsh. In the final third, the flavor ramps up with bold cedar and a dense earthiness that grounds the cigar beautifully.

The Pairing Experience:

This pairing shines through contrast and synergy. The bright, fruity profile of the Loch Lomond acts as a foil to the dense, dark richness of the Skywalker. Early in the cigar, the whisky’s stewed pear and creamy tart notes lift the cocoa and espresso, evoking the experience of a well-paired dessert course—think chocolate tart with a citrus glaze.

As the cigar transitions into its second third, the darker chocolate and bitter edge meet the whisky’s residual sweetness and viscosity, creating a satisfying tension. The whisky doesn’t overpower, but rather refreshes the palate between puffs.

In the final third, as the cigar becomes more robust with cedar and deep earth tones, the short-to-medium finish of the whisky allows the cigar’s complexity to shine, while the whisky’s sweet remnants subtly echo in the background—like the last soft note of a symphony.

Verdict:

A thoughtfully contrasting pairing. Loch Lomond 12 brings levity, brightness, and subtle creaminess to the table, while the Cavalier Genève Skywalker provides gravity, depth, and evolution. Ideal for an evening where you’re looking to explore both vibrancy and richness without either element overpowering the other.

Pairing Score: 8.5/10 – Balanced, flavorful, and harmonious across all thirds.

Calumet Farm Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey Small Batch & Tatuaje Cojonu 2012 Cigar - Review

Calumet Farm Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey — Small Batch

Mash Bill: 91% Rye, 9% Malted Barley

ABV: 50% (100 Proof)

SRP: ~$90

The Pairing

The Tatuaje Cojonu 2012

Preface:

Calumet Farm’s 100 Year Anniversary Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey is a bold, high-rye expression that delivers both classic spice and refined balance. Bottled at a sturdy 100 proof, this small batch rye offers a warming, layered experience that’s as elegant as the brand’s thoroughbred legacy.

Nose:

The nose opens with a blanket of warm vanilla and soft caramel, quickly joined by a sprig of fresh mint and a whisper of white pepper. It’s inviting, with a pleasant interplay between sweetness and spice that hints at what’s to come.

Palate:

On the palate, this rye brings a creamy mouthfeel that delivers a surprising mint chocolate chip note—reminiscent of a dessert, but never overly sweet. A peppery backbone and classic baking spices (think cinnamon and clove) add complexity and rye-forward character, striking a balance between indulgence and assertiveness.

Finish:

The finish is long, warm, and viscous — the kind of Kentucky “hug” rye lovers crave. The spice slowly fades, leaving a lingering impression of dark mint and oak that invites another sip.

The Pairing:

Enter the Tatuaje Cojonu 2012 (SRP ~$12) — a Nicaraguan powerhouse with a full-bodied profile, known for its peppery spice, earthiness, and bold cocoa/espresso tones. It meets the Calumet rye with complementary intensity.

Together, the mint and spice of the rye cut through the cigar’s richness beautifully, refreshing the palate between draws. Meanwhile, the cigar’s deep tobacco and espresso flavors echo the whiskey’s sweet-spice balance, amplifying both without overwhelming either.

This is a pairing for experienced palates — where strength meets finesse, and boldness meets balance. A nightcap-worthy duo for anyone who enjoys the thrill of spice, depth, and complexity in both glass and smoke.