World Whiskey Society Reserve Collection 20 Year Old American Light Whisky Cigar Blend
World Whiskey Society Reserve Collection 20 Year Old American Light Whisky Cigar Blend is the Gothic Edition — a 20-year-old American light whisky at 48% ABV (96 proof), 750mL, finished across six different casks and limited to 4,200 bottles. It is available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.
The World Whiskey Society hunts down rare, mature American whiskey stocks, and this Reserve Collection release carries its most elaborate finish yet: two full decades of ageing, then a six-way finishing program in Pedro Ximénez sherry, Madeira, Cognac, Tawny Port, tequila, and awamori casks — Spanish wine, French brandy, Japanese rice spirit, and agave, layered over one long-aged American whisky. It is bottled non-chill filtered with no added color, in a gothic-themed collector's decanter.
American light whisky — distilled at high proof from a 99% corn, 1% malted barley mash and rested in used oak — is prized as a smooth, sweet canvas for exactly this kind of finishing. The nose opens with dried figs and raisins, caramel, toffee, and earthy aged tobacco leaf over subtle spice and oak. The palate is bold and luscious: dark chocolate, roasted nuts, and candied citrus peel, with sherry-and-port richness, soft spice, a whisper of tequila warmth, and a herbal lift from the awamori casks. The finish is long and warming — dried fruit, dark caramel, a touch of smoke, and citrus zest over soft oak. Browse the World Whiskey Society collection, our whisky range, and rare top-shelf bottles at Del Mesa Liquor.
Serving note: the Cigar Blend was built to sip beside a fine cigar — pair it with a full-bodied Maduro or a medium-to-full Sumatra wrapper, and pour it neat in a Glencairn glass or with a splash of water. It also loves dark chocolate desserts, aged cheeses, grilled ribeye, and pecan pie.
What is American light whisky? A high-proof-distilled American style (over 160 proof) aged in used or uncharred oak — smoother and naturally sweeter than bourbon, which makes it an ideal base for creative cask finishes like this six-cask program.
Why is it called a Cigar Blend? World Whiskey Society designed this release to be sipped alongside a premium cigar: the sherry-and-port sweetness balances a bold smoke, while the blend's tobacco-leaf and spice notes mirror the cigar itself.
What is awamori? A traditional Japanese distilled rice spirit from Okinawa. Its casks contribute the blend's distinctive herbal, citrusy lift — a finish rarely seen on American whisky.
How many bottles were made? 4,200 bottles of the Gothic Edition were produced; each is non-chill filtered with no added color.