Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend Bourbon 750ML

Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend Bourbon 750ML is a triple-cask finished blend of aged bourbons bottled at 50.35% ABV (100.7 proof) in a 750ml bottle. Awarded a Double Gold Medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition in consecutive years and scoring 91 points from Whisky Advocate, this expression stands as one of the most acclaimed cask-finished bourbons on the market. Created by master blender Nancy Fraley, the Cigar Blend was designed from the ground up to complement a fine cigar.

Quick Facts: ABV: 50.35% (100.7 proof; varies by batch)  |  Origin: Washington, D.C. / Michigan, USA  |  Blend of 11 & 18-Year-Old Bourbons  |  Distillery: Jos. A. Magnus & Co.

Production & Heritage

Jos. A. Magnus & Co. traces its name to a historic Washington, D.C. distillery, with modern operations relocating to Michigan in October 2020. The Cigar Blend starts with MGP-sourced bourbon built on a 36% high-rye mashbill, selecting barrels aged 11 and 18-plus years. Nancy Fraley employs the coupe mère — or "mother blend" — tradition, combining triple-cask bourbon already finished in sherry and cognac barrels with older stock, then marrying the liquid before a final finish in Armagnac casks. This multi-layered approach yields a depth and complexity that single-finish bourbons rarely achieve. Note that proof can shift slightly between batches, with some releases appearing at higher strengths.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Toasted oak and cinnamon apples lead, followed by layers of cherry, blueberry, and vanilla cake. A subtle ribbon of clove and whipped cream emerges as the whiskey opens in the glass.

Taste: The entry is lush with red berries and chocolate cream pie, moving into a savory mid-palate of brown sugar, dried fig, and prune — hallmarks of the Armagnac influence. Rye spice and black pepper build steadily toward the peak, balanced by a persistent fruity sweetness that keeps the blend from turning hot despite its proof.

Finish: Long, rich, and silky, closing on tobacco leaf layered over dark chocolate, cinnamon, and maraschino cherry. Dried apricot and a wisp of oak tannin linger well after the final sip.

How to Drink Cigar Blend

Cigar Blend rewards neat pours or with a single large ice cube; the lower dilution opens the Armagnac-driven fruit notes without drowning the layered finish. Its complexity also makes it a formidable cocktail base in the right context.

• Old Fashioned — The tobacco and dark-fruit character amplifies the cocktail's classic bitters-and-sugar framework, producing an exceptionally rich version.
• Vieux Carré — The existing cognac and sherry cask influence mirrors the cocktail's brandy component, creating seamless integration.
• Manhattan — Cherry and baking-spice notes dovetail naturally with sweet vermouth, yielding a Manhattan with unusual depth.

Best For

• Pairing with a premium cigar after dinner — the expression was literally designed for this ritual
• Gifting a serious bourbon collector who has tasted every standard shelf offering
• Hosting a comparative tasting of cask-finished American whiskeys
• Celebrating a milestone occasion that calls for a whiskey well above everyday pours

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Cigar Blend taste like? The dominant profile centers on dark red berries, chocolate, tobacco leaf, and baking spices, with a pronounced dried-fruit sweetness from Armagnac cask finishing. The high-rye mashbill contributes black pepper and a savory edge that balances the rich fruit.

How does Cigar Blend compare to Angel's Envy Bourbon? Angel's Envy uses a single port-barrel finish and is bottled at a lower 43.3% ABV, producing a sweeter, lighter-bodied pour. Cigar Blend's triple-cask process — sherry, cognac, and Armagnac — and its use of 11 to 18-year-old stock deliver considerably more complexity and barrel influence at a higher proof.

Is Cigar Blend good for sipping neat? Absolutely — the blending and extended cask finishing round out the proof, making it drink smoothly at 100.7 proof without harsh ethanol bite. A few drops of water can further unlock the dried-fruit and chocolate layers.

Where is Cigar Blend made? Cigar Blend is produced by Jos. A. Magnus & Co., originally based in Washington, D.C., with operations that moved to Michigan in 2020. The base bourbon is sourced from MGP's distillery in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, and finished and blended under master blender Nancy Fraley's direction.

What foods pair well with Cigar Blend? Dark chocolate truffles complement the existing cocoa and cherry notes. Aged Gouda or Comté cheeses match the caramel and nutty oak character. Pecan pie mirrors the brown sugar and baking-spice profile. Smoked duck or charcuterie boards echo the savory tobacco-leaf undertones. Dried-fruit compotes reinforce the Armagnac-driven fig and apricot flavors.

What sizes does Cigar Blend come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle, which is the most widely available format.

Is Cigar Blend worth the price? Cigar Blend positions firmly in the ultra-premium tier, justified by its use of well-aged stock (11 to 18+ years), a labor-intensive triple-cask finishing process, and consistent critical acclaim including a Double Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition and a 91-point score from Whisky Advocate.

Why Cigar Blend?

Few American whiskeys undergo a finishing regimen this elaborate. The coupe mère blending method — splitting married bourbon into separate Armagnac barrels for a final maturation — is virtually unheard of in the bourbon world and borrows directly from centuries-old French brandy tradition. Nancy Fraley's background as one of the industry's most respected independent blenders gives the project a level of craft that extends beyond marketing. Backed by a Double Gold at SFWSC and a 91 from Whisky Advocate, the Cigar Blend earns its reputation as a benchmark for what cask-finished bourbon can become when time, skill, and exceptional source material converge.