Heavy baking spices | French toast sticks | Syrup | Nutmeg | Oak | Faint mixed dark berries 

Spiced honey | Maple syrup | Cinnamon cake | Baking spices | Rye spice | Light berry turnover

Rye spice | Chewy dry oak | Baking spices | Leather | Quick dash of dark berries | Spiked caramel

Larrikin Bourbon Company is located in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, and began as Lawrenceburg Bourbon Company. The company was founded by LCDR Greg Keeley, which stands for Lieutenant Commander and hints towards the founder’s background, which is noted by the company as “a Service-Disabled Navy Combat Veteran. Greg has the unique honor of commissioned service in both the United States Navy and the Royal Australian Navy, with combat roles in Iraq, Afghanistan, and the Pacific. Raised in Oz, he also served with the Australian Federal Police.” The term “Larrikin” is Australian slang, meaning “a person who disregards convention; a maverick.

Every “cigar” bourbon has its own story, with the company producing it taking liberties to define what they mean by a cigar bourbon. Some blend various mashbills together, while others use specific barrel finishes to achieve their desired result. In the case of Larrikin Bourbon Cigar Lounge, the company utilizes five different barrel finishes, including Brazilian Jaca fruit, also known as jackfruit, which is an uncommon barrel finish. Additionally, the company is serious about cigars, as Larrikin Bourbon houses the Bourbon Trail’s only walk-in cigar humidor. 

Whiskeys that utilize Amburana oak, along with other barrel finishes, always run the risk of the Amburana finish being too dominant. In the case of Larrikin Bourbon Cigar Lounge, that is exactly what happens and is compounded by the Brazilian Jaca fruit barrel, which often imparts a similar, albeit lighter, flavor profile as Amburana barrels in my experience. While the sip is full of spice and is overall enjoyable, the Cognac, Madeira, and maple syrup barrels are overpowered from start to finish in the sip. If you’re looking for a heavy Amburana flavor profile, Larrikin Bourbon Cigar Lounge will scratch that itch; however, if you’re looking for a more evenly influenced flavor profile from this whiskey’s five finishing barrels, you’ll walk away disappointed.