Old Elk Cigar Cut Bourbon 750ML

Old Elk Cigar Cut Bourbon 750ML is a multi-cask finished bourbon bottled at 55.3% ABV (110.6 proof) in a 750ml bottle from Fort Collins, Colorado. Awarded a Gold medal at the 2024 San Francisco World Spirits Competition and 92 points from the Ultimate Spirits Challenge in 2023, this expression layers four distinct cask finishes into a single, richly textured pour designed to stand alongside a fine cigar.

Quick Facts: ABV: 55.3% (110.6 Proof)  |  Origin: Fort Collins, Colorado, USA  |  Minimum 6 Years Old + Secondary Cask Finishing  |  Distillery: Old Elk Distillery

Production & Heritage

Old Elk Distillery operates out of Fort Collins, Colorado, and has built its reputation around a distinctive Slow Cut™ proofing process that extends the standard 24–48 hour proofing period to several weeks. This gradual water integration is designed to preserve delicate flavor compounds that faster proofing can strip away. The Cigar Cut expression starts with a high-malt mashbill of 51% corn, 34% malted barley, and 15% rye — notably malt-forward compared to most bourbons. After aging a minimum of six years in new American oak, the whiskey is separated into four batches and finished individually: Sherry casks for approximately 1.5 years, Armagnac casks for roughly 1.25 years, Port casks for 3–8 months, and Cognac casks for 3–6 months. Those four finished components are then blended back together to create the final Cigar Cut bottling.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with layers of caramel and dark fruit — cherry and plum in particular — before giving way to toasted oak, vanilla, and a warm nuttiness reminiscent of graham cracker. A bright thread of citrus lifts the heavier notes and keeps the bouquet from becoming one-dimensional.

Taste: On entry, rich caramel and almond lead the way, transitioning quickly to crème brûlée sweetness at mid-palate. Dark fruits return with force — heavy black cherry most prominently — balanced by citrus zest and sturdy oak tannins. At 110.6 proof, the whiskey carries real density without veering into harsh territory, a credit to the extended proofing process.

Finish: Long and assertive, with a buttery, oily mouthfeel that coats the palate thoroughly. Lingering notes of rich oak, caramel, and vanilla fade slowly, accompanied by a faint wisp of smoke that emerges on the very tail end.

How to Drink Cigar Cut

At 110.6 proof, this bourbon rewards patience. Pour it neat and let it sit for five to ten minutes; a few drops of water open the dark fruit character considerably without diminishing the oak backbone. For cocktails, the high proof and layered sweetness translate well into several classic formats. An Old Fashioned plays to the caramel and cherry notes with minimal dilution loss. A Boulevardier pairs the dark fruit complexity against Campari's bitterness for a deeply savory drink. A Vieux Carré leverages the existing Cognac and Armagnac influence, making the bourbon feel almost native to that split-base format.

Best For

• Pairing with a premium cigar after dinner — the expression was blended specifically for that purpose
• Gifting a bourbon enthusiast who has already explored standard single-barrel releases
• Building a cask-finished bourbon tasting flight alongside single-cask expressions
• Cold-weather fireside sipping where bold, warming proof and rich dark fruit shine

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Cigar Cut taste like? Old Elk Cigar Cut delivers bold caramel, black cherry, and crème brûlée sweetness anchored by toasted oak and a buttery, full-bodied mouthfeel. A faint smokiness emerges on the long finish, rounding out a complex, dessert-like profile.

How does Cigar Cut compare to Dalmore Cigar Malt? Dalmore Cigar Malt is a Highland single malt Scotch finished in a mix of sherry and cabernet sauvignon casks, sitting at a much lower 44% ABV, while Cigar Cut is a high-proof American bourbon with four distinct cask finishes and a corn-and-malt mashbill. Both are designed as cigar companions, but Cigar Cut brings significantly more proof-driven intensity and New World dark fruit character.

Is Cigar Cut good for sipping neat? Yes — its extended Slow Cut™ proofing process keeps the 110.6 proof remarkably approachable, and the layered cask finishes provide enough complexity to hold attention through a slow pour without needing a mixer.

Where is Cigar Cut made? Old Elk Cigar Cut Bourbon is produced at Old Elk Distillery in Fort Collins, Colorado, situated along the Northern Front Range of the Rocky Mountains.

What foods pair well with Cigar Cut? Dark chocolate truffles complement the caramel and cherry notes. Smoked brisket mirrors the faint smokiness on the finish. Blue cheese amplifies the Port-cask sweetness. Pecan pie echoes the nutty, graham cracker aromatics. Dried figs or dates reinforce the concentrated dark fruit character.

What sizes does Cigar Cut come in? Old Elk Cigar Cut Bourbon is available in the standard 750ml bottle size.

Is Cigar Cut worth the price? Cigar Cut positions as a premium expression within Old Elk's lineup, justified by its minimum six-year age statement, four separate cask finishes, and barrel-proof bottling — a level of production complexity uncommon in its price tier and supported by consistent competition recognition.

Why Cigar Cut?

The defining move here is the four-way cask finishing program. Where most multi-finished bourbons blend two cask types at most, Cigar Cut integrates Sherry, Armagnac, Port, and Cognac influences — each finished for a different duration calibrated to that wood's extraction rate. Combined with a 34% malted barley mashbill that sits well above the industry norm, the result is a bourbon with the fruit depth of a European brandy and the structural backbone of a well-aged American whiskey. The 2024 San Francisco World Spirits Competition Gold medal and 92-point Ultimate Spirits Challenge score confirm that the ambition behind the blend translates to the glass.