Ironroot Cigar Blend ICC Edition Bourbon Review

About a year ago I finally made the trip to Denison to visit Ironroot Republic. At the time, all I really knew about them was Harbinger. I'd tried it before and, if I'm being honest, it didn't completely win me over. But after touring the distillery and tasting through the rest of the lineup, I went back to that same bottle with a different perspective. Maybe it was better the second time around, maybe I understood what they were trying to do a little more.

I've said before that I try not to let the excitement of visiting a distillery influence my opinion. There are too many things that can affect a pour anyway—oxidation, what you've eaten that day, a dirty glass, or even a black Sharpie (a story for another time).

So when I heard about the Cellar Reserve ICC Cigar Blend, I was genuinely excited. Living several hours away means I rarely get the chance to try Ironroot's limited releases, and this one wasn't just another special bottle.

The Cellar Reserve ICC Cigar Blend is a four-grain Texas straight bourbon built from corn, wheat, rye, and malted barley, then finished through three different casks before being bottled at 107 proof. More importantly, it wasn't designed to be a generic "cigar blend." Over the course of roughly 18 months, Ironroot co-founder and head distiller Jonathan Likarish worked alongside master blender Luciano Meirelles to develop both the bourbon and its companion cigar at the same time, refining each one against the other until they reached the final profile. The result is a whiskey created with a single purpose in mind: complementing one specific cigar rather than simply wearing the cigar blend label.

That's a pretty ambitious idea. The question is whether it translates into the glass.

The Bottle

Distillery: Ironroot Republic

Release June 2026

Classification: Four-Grain Texas Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Proof:107 (53.5% ABV)

Age: No Age Statement (NAS)

Mash Bill:Undisclosed (Corn, Wheat, Rye & Malted Barley)

First Impression: Custard, dark fruit, and a touch of lavender.

On the Palate:Bright citrus arrives first before toasted oak and raw sugar settle across the tongue.

The Last Sip:White pepper hangs on with nutmeg before fading into dry tobacco.

Final Pour

I don't know how many bottles made it into distribution, but as this release continues to roll out, I'd definitely keep an eye out for it. Ironroot has built a reputation for doing things a little differently, and this release is no exception. Rather than simply putting "cigar blend" on the label, they set out to create a whiskey with a specific purpose, and I think that intention comes through in the glass.

If you come across it at a bar or a bottle share, it's absolutely worth getting a pour. It's the kind of bourbon that invites conversation, especially if you enjoy exploring finished whiskeys or seeing what Texas distilleries are capable of. And if you're lucky enough to find a bottle sitting on a shelf, I wouldn't hesitate to bring it home. I know I'll enjoy revisiting this one over time, both on its own and eventually paired with the cigar it was created to complement.

🟢 Buy