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Cornell & Diehl's Sun Bear Returns: Introducing the Bourbon Cask Edition
Filmed by Nicole Weed and Chris Herath | Edited by Nicole Weed
Jeremy Reeves of Cornell & Diehl walks us through this year's edition of the brand's popular summertime Small Batch release, Sun Bear — this time featuring black mangrove honey aged in a bourbon barrel.
Note: The following transcription has been edited for clarity and brevity.
Cornell & Diehl Small Batch Sun Bear Bourbon Cask will be available in limited quantities as of August 4 at 6:00 p.m. ET.
[Jeremy Reeves]: Hi, everyone. Jeremy Reeves here with Cornell & Diehl, and I'm excited to tell you about this year's iteration of Sun Bear. Last year we did the Navy Cask, which opened up a whole new way of thinking about the honey varieties we could work with, since adding barrel aging into the mix gives us another interesting place to play.
This Year's Honey: Black Mangrove Aged in a Bourbon Barrel
This year, I'm again working with Vic Seested, the beekeeper who has supplied us with black locust honey and a number of other batches over the years. Last year, for the Navy Cask, he handled the barrel aging himself; this time, he sourced the honey again — black mangrove honey from Florida.
On its own, black mangrove honey has a salty note, almost like butter on pancakes — salty but also sweet. It's wonderful.
How Bourbon Barrel Aging Changes the Sun Bear Profile
The boozy notes of Sun Bear are really kicked up by this barrel aging, and there's also a wonderful background creamy note I can detect. The honey is the one thing that changes in the blend every year, and I'm always amazed by how much of a difference that one variable makes.
Sun Bear Bourbon Cask Blend Components
This year's blend uses 2023 Red Virginia, 2023 Canadian Bright Virginia, and black mangrove honey aged in an ex-bourbon barrel. One thing that might jump out visually this year is how well the flakes held together — otherwise, it's the same Sun Bear profile with the differences I've noted.
How Sun Bear Bourbon Cask Will Age
Sun Bear always ages well, thanks to the high sugar content of the Bright Virginias we use, as well as the natural sugars in the honey. With last year's Navy Cask, I was impressed at how, in just one year, a deep woody note emerged from the ex-rum barrel aging of the honey — and I expect something similar here.
It's interesting to watch these more volatile character notes evolve over time, and I'm excited to keep tasting Sun Bear as it ages. For anyone who already loves Sun Bear, the flavor profile you know is still there, but with a deeper note from the bourbon and a creamy element that feels unique to this release.
I hope you all enjoy this one as much as I have — and as much as I've enjoyed working with Vic over the years. This is a really cool release, so thanks, Vic, and thanks to all of you.
Tagged in: Cornell and Diehl Jeremy Reeves Small Batch Sun Bear Tobacco Tobacco Selections Video
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Comments
So, does it have basma, izmir, tequila and elderflower? Or is it 2023 virginia and gum?
How can I get a can of sun bear burbon cask?