This week on High Proof Ashes, we’re diving into a heavy hitter from Red Hot Liquors with a barrel pick of Southern Star Paragon — a barrel strength wheated bourbon that brings big proof, rich sweetness, and that soft wheated profile that always sparks debate at the table.

Paired with it is something truly special — the Arturo Fuente Rare Pink. Built on Fuente’s legendary Dominican craftsmanship, the Rare Pink line delivers a refined, complex smoke with notes of cream, cedar, subtle spice, and just enough sweetness to complement a bold pour like this Paragon pick.

As always, the pairing is just the start.

Doran gets into his ongoing love/hate relationship with wheated bourbons — are they smooth and balanced, or just missing the punch? We also break down some buzz around Drew Estateand their newest brand direction, plus a look ahead to the PCA 2025 and what it means for the industry.

We wrap things up with a conversation on which smaller brands are starting to step into the “big boy” space — and who might be next to make serious noise.

Grab a pour, light up something special, and enjoy the ride!

In this episode of High Proof Ashes, we’re putting the spotlight on the Copper & Cask Cigar Blend — a bold 7-year bourbon coming in just under 120 proof. This blend is specifically crafted to stand up to a cigar, bringing rich oak, deep caramel, and layered spice that doesn’t get lost when paired with a full-bodied smoke.

Copper & Cask is known for their small-batch, high-proof offerings, and this cigar blend is no exception — delivering a balance of sweetness, heat, and complexity that makes it a strong contender in the growing “cigar blend” whiskey category.

We continue smoking the Privada Cigar Club Purple People Eater, but if you want the full breakdown on that cigar, check out the previous episode where we dive into all the details.

Along the way, we get into:

• What actually makes a “cigar blend” whiskey different

• Other notable cigar blend bottles and how they compare

• Jason’s past experiments trying to build his own blends

• Doran talking Knicks basketball

• And of course, some March Madness discussion

If you’ve ever wondered whether cigar blend whiskey is legit or just marketing, this one’s for you.

In this episode of High Proof Ashes, we crack into one of the more mysterious releases from the Privada Cigar Club — the Purple People Eater. This limited cigar is distributed through LCA (Limited Cigar Association) lounges, meaning it’s only available to those subscribed lounges that carry Privada’s rotating small-batch releases. As usual with Privada projects, the blend carries a bit of secrecy and experimentation, making each release a bit of a treasure hunt for cigar enthusiasts.

For our pour, we’re sipping on Park & Tilford Small Batch Bourbon, a brand revival that’s quietly making a comeback using Green River Distilling Company distillate. This Kentucky straight bourbon clocks in with a mashbill-driven profile that leans into classic caramel, vanilla, and toasted oak notes, backed by 6–7 years of aging that give it a balanced but flavorful backbone. Green River’s resurgence in the bourbon world has been gaining attention lately, so we dig into what this sourced-but-curated release brings to the glass.

Along the way, the conversation shifts into something closer to home as Doran gives an update on his brand-new home cigar lounge. From layout ideas to future upgrades and plans for hosting friends and tastings, we get a peek into how the lounge is coming together and what’s next for the space.

So pour something good, light something interesting, and join us for another laid-back episode of High Proof Ashes.