The Bourbon Pitmaster

08/09/2026

🥃🔥 STAGG SUNDAY 🔥💨

Closing out the weekend the right way with a pour of Stagg Batch 24A paired with The Tabernacle David Perfecto 5 x 54 Maduro.

Stagg 24A comes in bold and unapologetic—dark caramel, brown sugar, cherry, oak, cinnamon and baking spice, with that barrel-proof heat settling into a long, warming finish.

The Tabernacle David brings that rich Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro into the mix with dark chocolate, espresso, earth, black pepper and a touch of natural sweetness.

Together? 🔥🔥🔥

The sweetness and dark fruit from the Stagg play perfectly against the deep, earthy Maduro profile of the David, while the spice from both keeps building throughout the pairing.

Big bourbon. Big cigar. No shortcuts.

That’s how we do at The Bourbon Pitmaster. 🥃💨🔥

What are you pouring and smoking tonight?

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I can also make it a little more raw and conversational, like your usual pairing posts, with less formal tasting-note language.

08/07/2026

🥃 🥃

This week’s lineup is one I couldn’t wait to crack open a pour of Sazerac Rye Full Proof (125 Proof) paired with the newly released HVC La Decoración.

The Sazerac brings everything I look for in a high-proof rye: layers of caramel, cinnamon, black pepper, and rich oak with that signature rye spice that hangs around long after the sip.

The HVC La Decoración is a perfect match. Right from the first third, I was getting notes of cedar, roasted nuts, baking spices, and a touch of cocoa, with a creamy smoke that stayed smooth from start to finish. As it developed, a subtle natural sweetness balanced the spice, making each sip of the rye even better than the last.

This is one of those pairings where neither the whiskey nor the cigar steals the show—they simply make each other better.

Have you had a chance to try the new HVC La Decoración yet? If so, what did you pair it with?

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08/06/2026

A pleasant surprise at today’s barrel selection! 🥃

Sometimes the best moments are the ones you never see coming. Today’s Rare Character barrel selection was already shaping up to be something special, but having Pablo Moix personally lead the tasting and selection experience took it to another level.

There’s nothing like working through barrel after barrel with the person who created the vision behind the brand. The insight, the stories, and the attention to every nuance made this an unforgettable experience.

Now the hard part…waiting for this incredible barrel to make it into a bottle. Stay tuned—this is one you’ll want to keep an eye out for.

Thank you, Pablo, and the entire Rare Character team for the hospitality and an outstanding experience.

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07/26/2026

🥃💨 Silky Sunday 💨🥃

Some Sundays are made for subtlety… this one is made for 140-proof power wrapped in velvet.

Today’s pairing features the Silk Velvet Whiskey Hazmat at a scorching 140 Proof alongside the San Cristobal Ci**rs Golden Hour Magico. The silky Ecuador Habano wrapper provides the perfect balance to stand up to a bourbon that refuses to be ignored.

The Silk Velvet Hazmat delivers layer after layer of rich caramel, toasted oak, baking spices, and deep sweetness before finishing with the unmistakable warmth that only a true hazmat bourbon can provide. Paired with the Golden Hour Magico, every sip and draw creates an experience worthy of slowing down and savoring.

A special thank you to Zach from Silk Velvet for crafting an exceptional whiskey and to Frank Frank Rivera for putting this outstanding cigar in my hands. Great pours and great smokes are always better when shared with great people.

🔥 140 Proof
🥃 Silk Velvet Hazmat
💨 San Cristobal Golden Hour Magico

Stay tuned for a new podcast release with Silk Velvet!

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07/25/2026

🥃 Fresh Crack Friday + Mail Call! 📦🔥

Today’s Fresh Crack Friday features an exciting mail call from Tiffany Gibson —her hand-selected Dettling Bourbon Whiskey, Barrel #564, bottled at a bold (115.6 Proof) 57.8% ABV.

This one opens with inviting notes of brown sugar and warm cinnamon, followed by a rich, velvety mouthfeel that coats the palate beautifully. Layers of caramel, toasted oak, and baking spice carry through to a long, warming finish that showcases why barrel picks are so special.

Huge thanks to Bourbon at Tiffany’s for selecting and sharing this outstanding barrel. Looking forward to seeing how this one evolves with a little time in the glass.

Have you tried this pick yet? What tasting notes are you getting?

🥃 Cheers!

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07/23/2026

Happy Whiskey Wednesday

07/22/2026

Michigan-made. Barrel-strength. Summer-approved. 🥃🍑💨

Today’s pour is the Traverse City Whiskey Co. Barrel Proof Peach, a 6-year-old straight bourbon whiskey steeped with Michigan peaches and bottled at a bold 56.4% ABV (112.8 Proof). Don’t let the peach influence fool you—this is still a bourbon lover’s pour. Rich caramel, toasted oak, vanilla, and baking spices provide the foundation, while the steeped Michigan peaches add a vibrant, natural fruit character that enhances rather than overwhelms the whiskey.

For the cigar, I paired it with the Payback from Room101 Ci**rs. The earthy notes of cocoa, espresso, leather, and black pepper create an excellent counterbalance to the bourbon’s bright peach character, resulting in a pairing that’s both bold and incredibly well-balanced.

Traverse City Whiskey Co. continues to showcase what Michigan whiskey can be, and this expression proves that when fruit is steeped into a quality barrel-proof bourbon, the result can be both authentic and sophisticated.

🥃 Pairing Score: 9/10

Now it’s your turn… What would YOU rate this pairing on a scale of 1–10? Drop your score in the comments and let me know if you’ve tried either the Barrel Proof Peach or the Payback!

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07/21/2026

Proof Meets Purpose. 🥃💨

Some pairings don’t need an introduction—they simply belong together.

Tonight’s pour is Smokeye Hill Barrel Proof Blue Corn Straight Bourbon Whiskey, a 5-year powerhouse bottled at 134.2 proof (67.1% ABV). The heirloom blue corn mash bill delivers rich caramel, toasted oak, dark fruit, and baking spice, all wrapped in an unapologetically bold finish.

Sharing the spotlight is the Crowned Heads Las Calaveras Edición Limitada 2022, the first release in the series crafted entirely from Nicaraguan tobaccos. Expect notes of leather, earth, cedar, cocoa, and a balanced pepper spice that beautifully complement the bourbon’s depth and intensity.

This is the kind of evening that reminds you to slow down, appreciate the craftsmanship, and savor every draw and every sip.

🥃 Smokeye Hill Barrel Proof Blue Corn
🔥 134.2 Proof | 67.1% ABV | 5 Years
🚬 Crowned Heads Las Calaveras Edición Limitada 2022

“Good bourbon tells a story. Great pairings let you experience it.” — The Bourbon Pitmaster

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07/20/2026

07/14/2026

As a huge proponent of Mental Health this cigar brings it on home for me. 40 % of the profits supports Men’s Mental Health.