Penelope Cigar Sessions Chapter 01 American Whiskey 750ML....

Penelope Cigar Sessions Chapter 01 American Whiskey 750ML is a 101-proof (50.5% ABV) blend of three distinct American whiskey styles, bottled at 750ml. What sets this expression apart is its deliberate rejection of barrel finishing — instead building complexity entirely through the art of blending straight bourbon, American single malt, and American light whiskey, all aged six years.

Quick Facts: ABV: 50.5% (101 Proof)  |  Origin: Lawrenceburg, Indiana, USA  |  Age: 6 Years  |  Distillery: MGP Ingredients (Ross & Squibb Distillery)

Production & Heritage

Penelope Bourbon sources its whiskey from MGP Ingredients at the historic Ross & Squibb Distillery in Lawrenceburg, Indiana — a facility with roots dating back to the 1840s and one of the most prolific American whiskey producers in the country. The Cigar Sessions Chapter 01 takes a fundamentally different approach from most cigar-oriented whiskey releases, which typically rely on secondary barrel finishing in port, sherry, or stout casks to achieve richness. Instead, Penelope's blending team combined three distinct whiskey types — a straight bourbon built on a mashbill of 72% corn, 15% rye, and 13% malted barley, a 100% American single malt, and an American light whiskey — all aged a minimum of six years. The result is a whiskey engineered for depth and body without the influence of finishing barrels, letting the individual character of each component carry the final profile.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Warm caramel and toasted oak greet the nose immediately, followed by layers of dried fruit and milk chocolate. Beneath those opening notes sit vanilla, candied apple, and a gentle sweetness that signals the single malt component.

Taste: The entry is rich with vanilla and honey, transitioning at mid-palate to roasted nuts, subtle baking spice, and a distinct chocolate quality. As it develops, dried peach and tobacco leaf emerge alongside warm caramel, giving the whiskey a fullness that justifies its cigar-pairing intention without ever becoming heavy-handed.

Finish: Long and rich, with toffee and dark fruit lingering alongside light oak tannins and sweet malt. The 101-proof backbone provides structure through the finish without excess heat, tapering gradually into dry oak and a faint sweetness.

How to Drink Cigar Sessions Chapter 01

At 101 proof, this whiskey is built for sipping neat or with a single cube of ice to open the blend's layered aromatics. A few drops of water help unlock the dried fruit and chocolate notes hiding beneath the oak. For cocktails, the robust proof and complex profile hold up well in an Old Fashioned, where the caramel and tobacco notes harmonize with bitters and citrus oil. It also works in a Manhattan, as the single malt sweetness complements dry vermouth beautifully. A Boulevardier is another strong match — the whiskey's roasted nut and chocolate character stands up to Campari's bitterness without being overwhelmed.

Best For

• Pairing with a full-bodied cigar during an evening session
• Gifting a whiskey enthusiast who values blending craft over single-barrel hype
• Exploring the range of American whiskey styles — bourbon, single malt, and light whiskey — in a single pour
• After-dinner sipping alongside rich desserts like dark chocolate or pecan pie

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Cigar Sessions Chapter 01 taste like? It delivers rich vanilla, honey, and roasted nuts up front, transitioning into chocolate, dried peach, and tobacco leaf with a long toffee-and-oak finish. The three-whiskey blend creates a layered, full-bodied profile at 101 proof.

How does Cigar Sessions Chapter 01 compare to Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend? Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend uses multi-barrel finishing techniques (typically including sherry and Cognac casks) and tends to carry a significantly higher price point with greater complexity from those secondary influences. Penelope's Cigar Sessions achieves its richness entirely through blending three unfinshed whiskey types, making it a more accessible and distinctly different approach to the cigar-pairing category.

Is Cigar Sessions Chapter 01 good for sipping neat? Yes — the 101-proof strength provides enough body and warmth to stand up to a cigar without overwhelming the palate, and the six-year age statement ensures the blend has had sufficient time in oak to smooth out any rough edges.

Where is Cigar Sessions Chapter 01 made? It is produced at MGP Ingredients' Ross & Squibb Distillery in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, one of the largest and most established whiskey distilleries in the United States. Penelope Bourbon handles the blending and bottling of the final product.

What foods pair well with Cigar Sessions Chapter 01? Dark chocolate truffles complement the whiskey's cocoa and toffee notes. Smoked brisket or pulled pork works well against the oak and tobacco character. Aged cheddar or Gruyère echoes the nutty mid-palate, while pecan pie mirrors the caramel and sweet malt finish. Dried fruit and nut boards also make a natural companion.

What sizes does Cigar Sessions Chapter 01 come in? Penelope Cigar Sessions Chapter 01 is available in the standard 750ml bottle.

Is Cigar Sessions Chapter 01 worth the price? It positions as a mid-premium American whiskey, and its six-year age statement, 101-proof strength, and unusual three-whiskey blending approach deliver considerable complexity for its price tier — particularly when compared to finished cigar blends that often cost substantially more.

Why Cigar Sessions Chapter 01?

The most compelling thing about this release is what it doesn't do: there are no finishing barrels, no port or sherry influence, no secondary maturation tricks. Penelope built this whiskey's cigar-worthy richness entirely through the blending of three distinct American whiskey categories — straight bourbon, single malt, and light whiskey — each aged six years at MGP's Lawrenceburg facility. That approach is genuinely uncommon in a market saturated with multi-finished releases. At 101 proof, it carries enough weight to stand alongside a full-bodied cigar while remaining balanced enough for straightforward neat sipping, making it a thoughtful addition for anyone exploring blended American whiskey beyond the bourbon-only mainstream.