Alec Bradley and Starlight Distillery are ushering in the beginning of 2024 with a luxurious collaboration. Today marks the release of their second “Uncut Series” partnership, featuring the Alec Bradley Gatekeeper paired with Starlight Single Barrel Bourbon Finished in Vino de Naranja Casks. This collaboration represents the third instalment in STG’s Uncut Series.

The whiskey encapsulates the shared journey of Starlight Distillery’s seventh-generation master distiller, Christian Huber, and Alec and Bradley Rubin, legacy cigar makers. Together, they embarked on an exploratory mission, meticulously sampling cask-strength bourbon directly from the barrels to uncover subtle distinctions among them.

Ultimately, the Rubins chose a barrel they believed perfectly captured the nuanced essence of orange. This flavour profile was achieved through aging Starlight bourbon in casks previously used for Vino de Naranja, a fortified Spanish wine infused with orange peels.

Alec Rubin, Alec Bradley’s brand manager of strategic partnerships, expressed the dedication invested in the selection process, stating, “It would be an understatement to say that a lot of effort went into the selection process for this collaboration. Some might say it bordered on obsession.” He emphasized the uniqueness of this private barrel bottling, representing the expertise of Starlight Distillery in whiskey-making and Alec Bradley’s fascination with cigar pairing.

Christian Huber shared his perspective, highlighting the pleasure derived from both cigars and whiskey. He acknowledged the special nature of the pairing with Alec and Bradley Rubin, deepening the enjoyment of one passion with another finely-crafted indulgence.

The Starlight Single Barrel Bourbon Finished in Vino de Naranja Casks, with a robust proof of 112.1 (56% ABV), is a velvety and complex spirit aged five and a half years. It offers notes of orange zest, warm cinnamon buns, and milk chocolate, culminating in a warm, rich finish. When combined with the nuances of the Alec Bradley Gatekeeper cigar’s Ecuadoran Habano wrapper, Nicaraguan binder, and Dominican and Nicaraguan fillers, a truly memorable sensory experience unfolds.

Limited to just 132 pairing packages, each containing four Alec Bradley Gatekeeper Corona cigars (5.125 x 42) and one 750 mL bottle of Starlight Single Barrel Bourbon Finished in Vino de Naranja Casks, this exclusive pairing is priced at $99.99. Available for purchase starting today, interested buyers can secure their pairing via the following URL: https://bourbonoutfitter.com/collections/alec-bradley.

Alec Rubin concluded, inviting enthusiasts to extend their New Year celebration with this exceptional pairing, stating, “What better way to set the stage for a great year to come than with a cigar and bourbon pairing that’s one for the ages.”