High Proof Ashes Podcast - Bourbon and Cigars Unite!

In this episode of  High Proof Ashes , we’re revisiting the CAO Amazon Basin Extra Anejo cigar to pair it with not one, but TWO fresh crack criteria bottles: Conecah Ridge 5-Year Bourbon and Rebel Small Batch Wheated Bourbon. Join us as we explore what makes a bottle meet our criteria, discuss possible updates for next year, and share some minor news as we approach the holiday season. Sit back, li...

In the latest episode of High Proof Ashes, we’re back with part 2 of our conversation with special guest Luke Jones. Continuing from part 1, Luke shares more about the challenges and triumphs of navigating life with a physical disability, offering incredible insights and inspiration. As we talk, we’re enjoying the Fratello Classico cigar, a masterful blend featuring a Nicaraguan Habano wrapper, an...

Join us on location at Ocoee Cigar Lounge for a powerful episode of the High Proof Ashes Podcast featuring special guest Luke Jones. Luke shares his inspiring journey through life while navigating the challenges and triumphs that come with using a wheelchair. For this episode, we’re enjoying the rich flavors of the Micallef A cigar, a blend that balances a dark, rich San Andrés wrapper with the sm...

Welcome back to  High Proof Ashes ! Today, we’re back at one of our favorite spots—Ocoee Cigar Lounge in Cleveland, TN! We’re diving into something special on this episode with the Padron No 90 Maduro. Known for its rich flavor and complexity, this unique stick brings together premium Nicaraguan tobaccos aged to perfection, crafted in honor of José Orlando Padrón’s 90th birthday. This box-pressed...

We’re back on location at Cigars International in East Ridge, Tennessee, and today we’re lighting up one of our all-time favorites—the Diamond Crown Maximus. Now, we say “all-time favorite,” but that’s only because the Diamond Crown Original Black Diamond is so hard to find! For the spirit of the day, the bartender at CI has whipped up an amazing Old Fashioned to pair with this legendary cigar. Tu...

We’re back on location, and this time it’s at one of our absolute favorite lounges—Ocoee Cigar Lounge! In this episode, we’ve got a lot lined up, starting with a cigar we’re both really excited about: the Caldwell Long Live The Queen Maduro. As big fans of Caldwell’s lineup, we’ve been eager to try this new maduro version. The original blend is a classic, but how does this one compare? We’ll break...

In today’s episode of High Proof Ashes, we’re coming to you from Cigars International in East Ridge, Tennessee! We’re smoking the Man O’ War Armada—one of the pricier cigars in their lineup. But does it live up to the hype? Join us as we break down our thoughts on this premium stick. Since the location doesn’t allow BYOB, we’ve purchased a couple of our favorite pours for the day. We’ll also give...

In this episode of High Proof Ashes, we’re stepping out of our comfort zone with a special treat: the boutique Luciano Dreamer Lancero. That’s right, it’s a lancero! We know we don’t typically go for this vitola, but the unique size of this cigar really brings something different to the smoking experience. Join us as we dive into what sets lanceros apart from other cigar sizes and why this one is...

8 Bottles….1 Winner This week on High Proof Ashes, we’re bringing you the exciting conclusion to our Wild Turkey Blind Tasting series, a project we’ve been working on for quite some time! If you’re a fan of Wild Turkey or curious about their lineup, this is the episode you won’t want to miss. Throughout this series, we’ve blind-tasted a selection of Wild Turkey’s finest spirits, and let’s just say...

8 Bottles….1 Winner This week on High Proof Ashes, we're continuing our brand-new series that’s been in the works for while; our **Wild Turkey Blind Tasting** series! 🥃🔍 That’s right, folks. Every spirit we’ll be tasting in this series is made by Wild Turkey. But don’t let the household name fool you – we absolutely LOVE almost everything they make.  So ranking these will likely be difficult...

8 Bottles….1 Winner This week on High Proof Ashes, we're continuing our brand-new series that’s been in the works for while; our **Wild Turkey Blind Tasting** series! 🥃🔍 That’s right, folks. Every spirit we’ll be tasting in this series is made by Wild Turkey. But don’t let the household name fool you – we absolutely LOVE almost everything they make.  So ranking these will likely be difficult...

8 Bottles….1 Winner This week on High Proof Ashes, we're continuing our brand-new series that’s been in the works for while; our **Wild Turkey Blind Tasting** series! 🥃🔍 That’s right, folks. Every spirit we’ll be tasting in this series is made by Wild Turkey. But don’t let the household name fool you – we absolutely LOVE almost everything they make.  So ranking these will likely be difficult...

8 Bottles….1 Winner This week on High Proof Ashes, we're kicking off a brand-new series that’s been in the works for while. Introducing our **Wild Turkey Blind Tasting** series! 🥃🔍 That’s right, folks. Every spirit we’ll be tasting in this series is made by Wild Turkey. But don’t let the household name fool you – we absolutely LOVE almost everything they make.  So ranking these will likely b...

Welcome back to High Proof Ashes! In this episode, we’re taking a nostalgic trip back to our beginnings by featuring a truly exceptional smoke—the Drew Estate Liga Privada H99. This cigar has become a favorite for its perfect blend of complexity and strength, making it a versatile choice whether you’re enjoying it as your only cigar of the night or as the grand finale after a few other smokes. If...

Welcome back to another flavorful episode of High Proof Ashes! We’ve got a real treat for you today as we continue with a cigar that’s quickly become a favorite in our lineup—the Southern Draw Manzanita. This cigar is a masterpiece of complexity and flavor, so much so that we had to keep smoking the same one and record a whole new episode dedicated to it. The Manzanita’s rich, nuanced profile dese...

Welcome back to another flavorful episode of the High Proof Ashes podcast! Today, we’re diving deep into the world of premium cigars and spirits with a double feature that’s sure to excite your senses. First up, we’re lighting up the Espinosa Sumatra, an exotic blend that boasts an Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper. This latest offering from Espinosa has been eagerly anticipated, and we couldn’t wait to...

Cigar aficionados and spirit lovers, we’ve got a treat for you in our latest episode of High Proof Ashes! Today, we’re lighting up a true gem: the Drew Estate Liga Privada T52. This cigar is known for its rich flavors and exceptional craftsmanship. If you haven’t tried it yet, you’re in for a real treat. The T52 is often compared with the equally esteemed No. 9, and in this episode, we discuss the...

In our latest episode of High Proof Ashes, we light up the Macanudo Inspirado Green, a cigar boasting a unique blend of tobaccos from Brazil, the Dominican Republic, and Nicaragua. We’re excited to share our thoughts on this intriguing smoke – does it stack up to its reputation? Tune in to find out! Our spirits lineup features two bourbons: Coppercraft Straight Bourbon and Rotary Straight Bourbon....

Today on High Proof Ashes, we’re diving deep into the world of experimentation! 🔬✨ This episode is packed with unique experiences and daring flavors that you won’t want to miss. For our smoke, we’re trying something truly unconventional: a Drew Estate Factory Smoke Sungrown that’s been rehydrated using Eagle Rare Boveda packs. This innovative method has imparted an intriguing aroma to the cigar,...

We’re excited to bring you the latest episode of High Proof Ashes! Today, we’re indulging in the bold and intriguing Drew Estate M81 Blackened – a triple maduro cigar that promises a powerful and rich smoking experience. If you’re a fan of strong cigars, this one’s for you! 💨 But that’s not all – our spirit of the day is another standout selection from Red Hot: the Rare Character Maple Cask. This...

In the latest episode of High Proof Ashes, we’re diving deep into the world of cigars and spirits with an exciting lineup. Today, we’re smoking the Oliva V 135th Anniversary cigar, a true masterpiece in the cigar world. This medium-bodied, medium-flavored cigar is perfect for anyone along their cigar journey. With its smooth and pleasing transitions, it’s a delight for both novice and seasoned smo...

We’re back with another thrilling episode of High Proof Ashes! This time, we smoked the intriguing Southern Draw Manzanita cigar. Despite its medium body, this cigar features a blend of no less than five different tobaccos, which must be the secret behind its incredibly full and exotic flavor profile. We were absolutely blown away by its richness and complexity. 🍂 The Southern Draw Manzanita is d...

🎉 It’s finally here, y'all! The moment we've all been waiting for: the grand finale of our Low Proof Blind Series on High Proof Ashes! 🍾 If you haven’t caught up on all the tasting episodes yet, now’s the perfect time to binge-watch and join in on the fun. We've had an incredible journey exploring and tasting some amazing low proof whiskeys, and today, we're bringing it all to a...

This week on High Proof Ashes, we’re continuing our Low Proof Blind Tasting series with part 4. If you haven’t watched parts 1-3, go and check them out!! 🥃🔍 As before, every spirit we’ll be tasting in this series is under 100 proof. But don’t let the lower proof fool you – we’ve meticulously selected some real low proof bangers that pack a punch in flavor and complexity.  Watch part 2 if you don...

This week on High Proof Ashes, we’re continuing our Low Proof Blind Tasting series with part 3. If you haven’t watched part 1 and 2, go and check them out!! 🥃🔍 As before, every spirit we’ll be tasting in this series is under 100 proof. But don’t let the lower proof fool you – we’ve meticulously selected some real low proof bangers that pack a punch in flavor and complexity.  Watch part 2 if you...