Dark Arts Whiskey House Blunt Blend Vol. 3
If you’re reading this, you’ve heard of Cigar Blends. Whiskies - usually, but not exclusively, bourbons - finished in a variety of wine and spirit casks and blended to pair well with a cigar.
The idea sounds simple enough, and it grew out of a long tradition in France of blending cognacs and brandies to pair well with stogies. When Nancy “the Nose” Fraley took on the idea with Joseph Magnus in 2016, she borrowed from the learning she’d received from Hubert Germain-Robin, a Frenchman who started one of the first craft distilleries in the US in 1982.
Here’s where things get messy. Over the near-decade since that first Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend was released, that single brand has put out at least 350 batches. Add in Cigar Batches and Cigar Blends from dozens of other brands, and I’m willing to bet it’s over 500 if not approaching 1,000 releases with that moniker somewhere on the label.
Then add in the variable of the cigar. What kind of cigar is that cigar blend/batch meant to pair with? Few specify the wrapper, the filling, any aspect of the cigar other than its presence.
So what does it mean? What does it mean for someone like I who doesn’t smoke cigars? I could still enjoy it, but was I missing something by not pairing it?
Ultimately, no - you can never smoke a cigar in your life and still appreciate a well-done blend. Is it a blend? I guess so, though I’m hesitant to call it one if it’s a single whiskey with multiple finishes. There’s no rational or logical reason, it just feels off to me.
Let’s now take what we’ve learned and apply it to this release, Dark Arts Whiskey House Blunt Blend Volume 3. The third release in the “Dank Arts” series is a straight rye whiskey (95/5 MGP) aged 8 years finished in a madeira cask and an Armagnac cask. Again, tried pot once. Certainly smelled it enough in my life, but smelling it and having the flavor match with a whiskey is different. Those who imbibe will have to let me know how it matches.
Go further - does it pair well with certain strains? Certain methods of ingestion (smoking, edibles, etc.)? No idea.
What I can say is that this is an insanely tasty product. All three components show up in force - the rye spice, the Armagnac red fruit tartness and astringency, and the madeira yellow fruit sweetness. You never forget it’s a whiskey (a BIG problem for me with many finished products), and neither do you forget what finishes are involved. You can taste each element and you can taste the whole; either way, you’ll enjoy it.
With a platinum medal for me, meaning 9.0 or higher on my 10-point scale, this is a must-buy. I said in a social media post the other day that I don’t know why so many products are now earning higher marks from me, but they are. I haven’t changed my rating system other than to put visible medals on 8+- and 9+-point products. So, take it for what you will - this Dark Arts “Dank Arts” Blunt Blend Volume 3 is an absolute stunner.
Slainte!
Thank you to Dark Arts Whiskey House for supplying this bottle for review. All opinions are my own.
Dark Arts Whiskey House Blunt Blend Vol. 3: Specs
Classification: Indiana Rye Finished in Armagnac and Madeira Casks
Producer: Dark Arts Whiskey House
Mash Bill: 95% Rye, 5% Malted Barley
Proof: 113.8º (56.9% ABV)
Age: 8 Years
Location: Indiana, Blended in Kentucky
Dark Arts Whiskey House Blunt Blend Vol. 3 Price: $99.99
Dark Arts Whiskey House Blunt Blend Vol. 3: Tasting Notes
Eye: Old bourbon. Medium rims, medium legs, slow falling drops.
Nose: Sweet and spicy, like a plum pudding spiced with Christmas spices. The madeira shows first, more syrupy, while the armagnac is sharper and fruitier, red fruits at different points of being stewed down. No proof or oak, hints of toasted Indiana rye.
Palate: Ooh - the armagnac and rye bite zings down the center of my tongue, laying on the front in a blanket of date and pomegranate. Spice from the rye is a stronger here than on the nose, like the spices were fresher, bolstered by an apple cobbler-like note from the madeira. Remarkable for not being too sweet. Mouthfeel is drying and medium-bodied, cinnamon stick and plum wine. Moderately coating, dark red fruits and dried dates.
Finish: Medium bodied to the end, a touch numbing on the upper palate. Armagnac remains the top note while the madeira rounds out the rye spice in a fruity, spicy dessert. Keeps this drinking closer to 100 proof, that much lower. Medium to long.
Overall: The flavors are fantastic, as are the balances between the sweet, spicy, and dry components. Each can be pulled out, but it works comprehensively, too. A miniscule added punch to the rye would cut the sweetness even further, but it’s frankly not necessary to make this exceptional. This drinks dangerously below proof, like 20 points lower. The pot connection is lost on me, so I’ll just appreciate this as an excellent whiskey worthy of your attention.
Final Rating: 9.0
10 | Insurpassable | Nothing Else Comes Close
9 | Incredible | Extraordinary
8 | Excellent | Exceptional
7 | Great | Well above average
6 | Very Good | Better than average
5 | Good | Good, solid, ordinary
4 | Has promise but needs work
1-3 | Let’s have a conversation
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