We’re shaking things up on this episode of High Proof Ashes with a very special guest—Steven Cooke. There’s a big reason we invited him to join us, but you’ll have to tune in to hear the full story. (Trust us, it’s worth it.)

For this occasion, we’re lighting up the Caldwell Long Live the King, a bold and complex cigar built with a Dominican Corojo wrapper, a mix of Dominican and Nicaraguan fillers, and a deep backbone of flavor that lives up to its name.

As for the pour? It’s drinker’s choice—we brought a table full of bottles and let the night guide us.

This is Part 1 of our time with Steven, so be sure to catch both halves of this great conversation.

We’re on location at Ocoee Cigar Lounge for another flavorful episode of High Proof Ashes, and this time we’re going single barrel barrel-proof head-to-head with two standout rye whiskeys:

• Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Cask Strength Rye – Bold, powerful, and uniquely Tennessee. This barrel-proof rye delivers notes of toasted oak, dark fruit, and classic JD vanilla with a spicy rye edge.

• Smooth Ambler Old Scout Single Barrel Rye – Sourced from MGP with their signature 95/5 mash bill, this cask strength expression brings high spice, bright citrus, and a punchy finish that rye lovers crave.

To pair with this rye rumble, we’re smoking the Plasencia Cosecha 149—a Honduran puro made from the 149th harvest (cosecha), offering earthy depth, refined sweetness, and elegant complexity from one of the most respected names in cigars.

Which rye comes out on top? And how does the Cosecha hold up alongside them? Tune in to find out.

On this episode of High Proof Ashes, we’re diving into one of the most unique cigars we’ve ever lit up — the Chocolate Ice Cream from Privada Cigar Club. Known for their rare, small-batch drops and deep commitment to storytelling through cigars, Privada delivers something truly different with this dessert-inspired stick. We’ll break down the flavors, construction, and experience of this intriguing blend.

But the smoke isn’t the only thing bringing the heat today. We’ve got a cask strength showdown on our hands — Old Overholt 10-Year vs. 11-Year, both bold rye whiskeys released in limited quantities. The 10-Year is a 2022 powerhouse at 121 proof, aged at Beam’s Clermont facility, while the 11-Year steps it up a notch in age and flavor intensity, rumored to be a Warehouse K gem. Which will rise to the top?

Grab your cigar and pour a glass — this one’s a flavor-packed ride.

In this episode of High Proof Ashes, we’re lighting up the Crowned Heads Four Kicks Mule Kick 2025 Edition—a bold, limited annual release that features an Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper over Nicaraguan binder and fillers, offering a rich profile of spice, earth, and dark fruit.

For our spirits, we’re digging into another criteria bottle with Old Fourth Distillery Bottled in Bond, a small-batch Georgia bourbon crafted with precision and aged a minimum of four years. It brings a balanced palate of oak, vanilla, and baking spice. Joining it is a new Red Hot pick—Shortbarrel Bees Knees IV, a high-proof blend of 5–6 year old bourbons known for its layered sweetness, toasted caramel, and a finish that stings in the best way.

We talk cigars, tasting notes, and whether these bottles hit the mark for a repeat pour. Pull up a chair and pour a glass—this one kicks!!

We’re on location at Kulture Cigar Lounge in Dalton, GA for this week’s episode of High Proof Ashes! Today’s cigar is the Jaime Garcia Reserva Especial, a bold Nicaraguan beauty wrapped in a dark Connecticut Broadleaf that brings rich notes of cocoa, espresso, and pepper. On the whiskey side, we crack open the Wild Turkey 101 70th Anniversary, a special limited release that honors the legacy of this iconic bourbon with extra age and complexity. We’re also sipping on a unique experimental blend by Jason, who combined Larceny Barrel Proof—known for its deep, wheated heat—with the smoother, more approachable Larceny Small Batch to see how the high-proof and low-proof profiles play together.

Light one up, pour a dram, and hang out with us as we break it all down—cigar lounge vibes included.

In this episode of High Proof Ashes, we spark up the El Septimo Sacred Arts Michelangelo—a premium cigar from the Sacred Arts Collection that’s just as complex as its namesake. This cigar is crafted with well-aged Costa Rican tobaccos and purports to deliver a profile of chocolate, espresso, earth, and a lingering spice. With flawless construction and a luxurious feel, this cigar is designed to be savored slowly and thoughtfully.  Let’s see how it stacks up.

On the whiskey side, we’re pouring two rare gems. First, we’re cracking open a fresh bottle of Penelope Valencia—a limited release bourbon finished in Spanish Valencia wine casks. This one brings a dessert-like richness with notes of dried fruits, vanilla cream, and subtle wine tannins that make it stand out from traditional bourbons. Next, we visit the Old Forester 1924 10-Year Bourbon, a high-rye mashbill aged for a full decade and packed with bold oak, spice, and deep caramel sweetness.

How do these two pours hold up—and which one pairs best with the Michelangelo? Tune in for our full impressions, tasting notes, and honest opinions.

In this episode of High Proof Ashes, we light up the Rocky Patel Number 6—a flavorful blend that features a Honduran-grown Corojo wrapper, a Honduran binder, and fillers from Honduras and Nicaragua. Known for its natural sweetness and smooth, creamy profile, this cigar delivers a refined and complex smoking experience.

On the bourbon side, we crack open a bottle that caught us off guard: Bardstown Bourbon Company’s Straight Wheated Bourbon. With a mashbill of 68% corn, 20% wheat, and 12% malted barley, this bottle clocks in at 107 proof and carries serious Weller Antique vibes—maybe even better.

And it’s criteria bottle time again. This round, we’re pouring New Riff Straight Bourbon, a high-rye, bottled-in-bond favorite crafted in Kentucky. It’s bold, spicy, and unfiltered—just the way we like it.

Tune in for our takes on the pairings, tasting notes, and whether this Bardstown bottle could really unseat a wheated classic.

In this episode of High Proof Ashes, we’re back at one of our favorite spots, Ocoee Cigar Lounge, for a laid-back session filled with rich cigars and classic bourbons.

Today’s cigar is the Leaf by Oscar Corojo, a unique smoke known for its rustic, tobacco-leaf outer wrapping that protects a well-aged Honduran Corojo wrapper. Beneath that, a Honduran binder and filler create a medium-bodied profile with notes of cedar, earth, pepper, and a subtle sweetness that builds as you smoke.

For our spirits, we’re bringing two criteria bottles to the table:

• Conecuh Ridge Bourbon – A small-batch bourbon with Alabama ties, featuring a balanced mix of caramel, vanilla, and oak, with a slightly peppery finish.

• Evan Williams Bottled In Bond – A 100-proof Kentucky staple that sticks to the basics: rich caramel, toasted oak, and a touch of spice, delivering a straightforward, full-flavored pour.

Join us as we kick back with good cigars, solid whiskey, and conversation at Ocoee Cigar Lounge. Grab a pour, light up, and tune in!

In this episode of High Proof Ashes, we’re lighting up the Rocky Patel Royale—a box-pressed cigar with a complex blend that includes an Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper, dual binders of Connecticut Shade and Broadleaf, and aged Nicaraguan fillers. It’s known for delivering rich flavor and a smooth draw from start to finish.

For the spirits, we’ve got two of our criteria bottles on deck: Rebel 100 by Lux Row and Old Tub Bottled in Bond. We’ll let the episode speak for itself as we put these two bourbons to the test alongside the Royale.

Tune in for our honest impressions, pairing thoughts, and plenty of cigar-and-whiskey talk. Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more from High Proof Ashes.

In this episode of High Proof Ashes, we light up the Crowned Heads Cabinetta Maduro, a unique blend that combines an Ecuadorian Connecticut-seed wrapper with a rich Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro foot, delivering a complex balance of creamy smoothness and bold cocoa notes.

On the bourbon side, we’re diving into Old Fourth Bottled in Bond Bourbon, a revived legacy now under Shortbarrel’s ownership, known for its well-aged, high-quality profile. Alongside it, we’re pouring Shortbarrel’s Red Hot Bee’s Knees 4, a single barrel selection showcasing deep caramel richness and spice, handpicked for its standout character.

We’ll explore how these spirits stack up next to this Maduro beauty and break down the flavors as we go. Tune in for tasting notes, cigar pairings, and all the usual banter you love!