RY3 Cigar Blend
Overall Score: 7.75/10
Overall Value: 3.5/5
Distillery: RY3
Classification: A blend of Rum Cask, Madeira Cask, and Narajna Cask finished whiskeys, finished with French Oak staves.
Company: Phenomenal Spirits
Release Date: Ongoing
Proof: 124.2
Age: NAS
Mashbill: Undisclosed
Color: Rust
MSRP: $115 (2026)
The Barrel Bros’ Review
The nose on this RY3 Cigar Blend opens with an immediate wave of sweet red fruit and dessert-like richness. Notes of chocolate-covered cherries and cherry pie come through first, followed by deep fudge, brownie batter, and even hints of German chocolate cake. There’s a candy-like sweetness at times—almost like opening a pack of Smarties—along with touches of blackberry and a faint coconut note. Overall, it’s dark and rich.
On the palate, this rye drinks silky and smooth despite its Cask Strength presentation. Sweetness carries over from the nose with flavors of chocolate cherry cola and candied fruit leading the way. While the fruit-forward notes dominate early, a darker character emerges mid-sip, bringing in earthy, seasoned-wood tones reminiscent of old railroad ties. The chocolate remains the star throughout, grounding the sweetness and giving the whiskey a dense, dessert-like mouthfeel. Traditional rye spice is minimal, and the experience leans much closer to a bourbon profile.
The finish balances both sides of the pour. Cocoa powder and dark chocolate linger first, followed by a return of playful sweetness—cotton candy, bubble gum, and light fruit candy notes. The darker wood influence stays present but never becomes harsh, creating a clean and satisfying close rather than a complex one.
This RY3 Cigar Blend is a boldly sweet and dark-leaning whiskey that drinks far more like a bourbon than a traditional rye. The layered barrel finishing adds richness, even if individual cask influences aren’t easily identifiable.
If you enjoy chocolate-heavy, fruit-forward pours with minimal spice, this bottle hits that profile extremely well. At its MSRP, it faces tough competition, and value becomes a bigger conversation unless you find it on Sale. Still, for fans of cigar-finished or dessert-style whiskeys, this is an enjoyable and memorable pour that stands out for its sweetness and drinkability.
If you’re looking for specific notes from our Barrel Bros, read their individual reviews below!
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Individual Reviews
The Rye Guy Says
Score: 7.5/10
Value: 3.5/5
THE NOSE:
Sweet Red Fruit, It smells like opening a pack of smarties.
The sweetness is definitely dominating.
I don't get a whole lot other than sweet candy.
THE TASTE:
It still has the sweetness from the nose, but there is an unexpected dark profile that makes itself known.
It reminds me a bit of the smell of seasoned rail-road ties when I was younger and my Dad and I would explore train tracks together.
I do think the fruitiness is lost a bit here.
THE FINISH:
The finish keeps the darkness, but the main flavor I get is cotton candy or bubble gum.
It really brings back that sweet fruitiness from the nose.
BUY OR PASS?
This is a very sweet experience from start to finish providing mostly a fruity and candy profile. There is a bit of a dark wood profile during the palate but mostly sweetness.
Additionally, I hardly get any traditional Rye profiles. It drinks very much like a bourbon.
The Hunter Says
Score: 8/10
Value: 3.4/5
THE NOSE:
I get chocolate-covered cherries or even cherry pie.
There’s a lot of fudge and brownie notes, maybe a bit of blackberry too.
It really reminds me of German chocolate cake, and yes, even that hint of coconut comes through. It’s rich, dark, and honestly just smells great.
THE TASTE:
This whiskey drinks silky and smooth. The main flavor is a bold chocolate cherry cola, which I absolutely love.
Chocolate is the star here, and it sits really nicely in the mouth.
It doesn’t change a whole lot as you sip, but that’s okay because what’s there is exactly what I want from a darker-style whiskey.
THE FINISH:
The finish keeps things simple but enjoyable. The chocolate sticks around in more of a cocoa way rather than a sugary sweet one.
It’s not super complex, but it’s satisfying and clean, with no rough edges.
BUY OR PASS?
Overall, this is an excellent bottle and easily one of my preferred profiles when it comes to cigar-finished whiskeys. I don’t really pick up clear notes from the Madeira, Rum, or Naranja barrels, so if you can’t either, you’re not alone.
It’s very enjoyable and competes well with other bottles in its price range. That said, at $100+, it’s hard not to compare it to something like an Elijah Craig Barrel Proof at $60, which still feels like the better value.
