They sell! Jimmy Underwood of Good Times Bourbon told me recently about his companys cigar finishing. Fraley used blending tactics she had learned from her brandy days, creating a truly one-of-a-kind bourbon that offered notes of dark, dried fruits like raisins and dates, vanilla, toffee, spice, leather, and, of course, the bold aroma of tobacco. unicode-range: U+0301, U+0400-045F, U+0490-0491, U+04B0-04B1, U+2116; } If you're not old enough to drink, then you're not old enough to read Breaking Bourbon. Michigan, Volume 1. I wouldnt hesitate to pour this for bourbon-loving friends at home any time, but in this case Ive already stashed the rest of the bottle away for future outings likely to involve good friends, good cigars and the great outdoors. fulfilled through local licensed retailers. Every batch is a blend of various aged bourbons (I believe sourced from MGP) and finishes, leading to variation across batches. This batch flaunts notes of mint chocolate chip ice cream, old saddle leather, aromatic pipe tobacco, eggnog with shaved nutmeg, and prunes in syrup (Pruneau dAgen) that it gained on the long, over the road journey northwest in Armagnac barrel #13. Sed euismod These flavors combine with a robust mix of spice, with rye and baking spices being the most prominent. This is a complex bourbon. font-weight: 700; More shipping infoShipping info, Free local shipping over $34.99. /* latin-ext */ Released earlier this year, an entirely new type of barrel was created for the whiskey, with Buzzards Roost working with Independent Stave Company to cold-smoke American oak barrels with aged cigar tobacco leaves. Nose: Sweet and savory aromas of Moroccan B'stilla chicken pie loaded . The finish is quite long, with crests of sweet and spice and plenty of soul! In Borden, Ind., Starlight Distillery finishes its 4-year-old Carl T. Huber Cigar Batch in Brazilian Amburana barrels, a native hardwood most typically used to age cachaa. font-display: swap; I know people use the term cigar blend, but I would actually argue it has nothing to do with cigars, says Nevenglosky, though even he cant help noting that Rare Characters is delicious with cigars. Each batch is selected from that mother blend and then mixed with regular Joseph Magnus Bourbon, which was finished in sherry (two types) and Cognac casks. A. Magnus & Co. distillery was re-established in 2015, but the legacy of Joseph Magnus Bourbon dates back to the 1890s. A. Magnus & Co. 'Joseph Magnus' Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Jos. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. No, its not that! Foolish or not, we were determined to wet our lines. This dram is guaranteed to transport the connoisseur into a mental magical realm of relaxing in a leather club chair on a warm spring evening at a Marrakesh riad! font-stretch: 100%; The Armagnac cask finish lends fruity notes of fig, prune, and dried apricot. @font-face { Dark, a touch funky. font-family: 'Open Sans'; Shop additional bourbons. Released in only a few hundred bottles at an MSRP of $200, I remember this distillery and brand that previously no one had heard of, instantly becoming a darling on Facebooks secondary market, and bottles going for several multipliers of their initial cost. In eu sodales elit, sed dapibus elit. font-family: 'Open Sans'; I immediately thought of a moist pound cake soaked in amaretto, which explodes with flavor after you pop it into your mouth. Hint to Joseph Magnus get some help with marketing, because from what I can see it could be a lot better (unsolicited advice from a University of Michigan MBA). Prepare for an existential crisis and break out your best black beret and turtleneck sweater to fully experience this batch, as the nose takes in notes of Bakers bittersweet dark chocolate, black licorice, high proof Russian Imperial Stout, cracked old saddle leather, aromatic pipe tobacco, and spicy Armagnac barrel tannins. In fact, you cant stop the hype that currently surrounds the term among extremely online bourbon drinkers. @font-face { A. Magnus & Co. distillery in Washington, D.C. You must be 21+ to use our site and sign up for promotions. src: url(/fonts.gstatic.com/s/opensans/v34/memvYaGs126MiZpBA-UvWbX2vVnXBbObj2OVTSOmu0SC55K5gw.woff2) format('woff2'); /* cyrillic-ext */ My fear is that I dont want to see these cigar blends become gimmicky, she says. font-style: normal; A. Magnus, 6 Pre-Prohibition Cocktails Joseph Magnus Would Have Loved, 7 Last Minute Gift Ideas for Whiskey Enthusiasts. font-weight: 400; font-family: 'Open Sans'; The subreddit had been debating what exactly a cigar blend, sometimes known as a cigar batch, actually is. And many more of these Rare Character Amburana-finished single barrels are on the way theres a waiting list in fact including a highly anticipated one from the Rhody Barrel Brotherhood, which has a label that simply depicts a Glencairn resting next to a smoking cigar. Magnus Cigar Blend Batches #42 47 all hail from six particular Armagnac barrels that were transferred from the distillery in Washington, D.C., to Holland, MI in the fall of 2020. Use Code FREESHIP149 For FREE SHIPPING On All Orders Over $149, Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend Bourbon Whiskey. Acc. The nose promises aromas of couscous with raisins and pine nuts, potpourri, Moroccan Bstilla topped with cinnamon and confectioners sugar, thick pomegranate syrup, as well as sweet, savory, and fruity tangine dishes. Specialties: We cater to all levels of cigar shoppers and aficionados. src: url(/fonts.gstatic.com/s/opensans/v34/memvYaGs126MiZpBA-UvWbX2vVnXBbObj2OVTSGmu0SC55K5gw.woff2) format('woff2'); Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend Bourbon - Batch 24 The Fruit Bomb, Bernheim Barrel Proof Original Wheat Whiskey (Batch A223), World Whiskey Society Doc Holliday 8 Year Bourbon, Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series Bottled in Bond Bourbon, Lifting the shroud on malted corn bourbon with Frey Ranch's Co-Founder Colby Frey, The definitive guide on how to drink bourbon. Less predictably, we had a day we will remember fondly the rest of our lives. A whiskey that combines power and finesse." font-stretch: 100%; How Long Does Baileys (And Other Cream Liqueurs) Last? Originally started by Joseph A. Magnus in 1892, the company focused on producing whiskey until Prohibition took hold. font-weight: 700; Joseph A. Magnus Cigar Blend Batch 124 750ml. More shipping infoShipping info, Same day shipping for orders before 3pm Location of engraving on the bottle is at the discretion of our engravers and cannot be modified. font-weight: 400; Please sign in or create a free account to . Chewing just makes it so much better. Cigar Blend batch #37 takes a somewhat exotic turn, inviting the whiskey connoisseur to probe deep into the fragrant world of the spice vendors in the Souks of coastal North Africa. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". Some traces of minerality can be found in this batch, with much balance, finesse, and elegance. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Because on this day, rather than spread out along the Deschutes River to chase redband trout, we settled in next to the water, broke out cigars and opened a bottle of Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend Bourbon. Ill cut to the chase, Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend Batch 13 has one of the best noses in American Whiskey, and compares very well to some of the best Scotches Ive ever had. Clove, tobacco, and seasoned oak form a foundation. Cigar Blend Batch #53: "Rock the Cabash" 64.26% ABV. The proof makes itself known with an ample amount of heat, but it doesnt overpower the other scents. Drew Beard is Assistant Editor and Social Media Manager for Drinkhacker. Special Guest Nicole (Brody's Mom) is bringing 3 of her FAVORITE bottles. It should also be noted that by clicking the buylink towards the bottom of this review our site receives a small referral payment whichhelps to support, but not influence, our editorial and other costs. Given its relatively high age, multiple barrel finishes, and insanely small batches, this ongoing release product is also very limited. Grosse Pointe, Joseph Magnus' Cigar Blend Bourbon Whiskey, Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend Straight Bourbon Batch 93 750ml Bottle, Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend Straight Bourbon Batch 86 750ml Bottle, Joseph A Magnus Cigar Blend Bourbon, Batch 3 By Prav Saraff, USA: (GA) Even so, this is not a whiskey that will take guff from anyone. Unfortunately, its also one of the most expensive bourbons Ive ever purchased. Re-established in 2015, the company now focuses on blending and finishing techniques initially employed by Joseph Magnus.Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend Bourbon was developed by Nancy Fraley, a Master Blender and widely revered whiskey and rum consultant. /* hebrew */ Numerous other states produce Bourbon however, particularly Kentucky's neighbor Tennessee. Jos. Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend includes the standard Joseph Magnus bourbon which is triple cask finished in Armagnac, Sherry, and Cognac casks, adds an additional high rye (36%) bourbon, and then finishes the entire blend again in Armagnac casks. Come in . Jos. font-style: normal; } This inspired bourbon has rich and deep notes of vanilla, citrus, dark chocolate, brown sugar, and dark stone fruits which deliver a lingering, warm finish. According to Master Blender Nancy Fraley, the new Cigar Blends have the greatest range of proofs and aroma profiles yet in the series. With an MSRP of around $50, I found this one sitting on the shelf for $40 and figured it was an opportune time to give this one a shot. Its asking price of $175 is unexpected, but at the same time not entirely surprising. A. Magnus, (616) 796-8274 | 184 120th Avenue | Holland, MI 49424, 2023 Jos. font-display: swap; } The sip hits with a potent punch of flavors. Having rested during a long, cold winter, Cigar Blend batch #36 is reminiscent of aromatic images of attending a local county fair during the hot summer months. unicode-range: U+0301, U+0400-045F, U+0490-0491, U+04B0-04B1, U+2116; src: url(/fonts.gstatic.com/s/opensans/v34/memvYaGs126MiZpBA-UvWbX2vVnXBbObj2OVTSKmu0SC55K5gw.woff2) format('woff2'); Cigar finishing adds approximately $1,000 in costs and six to nine extra months of aging onto any single barrel selection. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. There are also notes from the Armagnac casks, with top notes of fruity lime blossoms, plus deeper aromas of wild prunes in syrup, smokey sweet pipe tobacco, and hints of oily blanched hazelnut and walnut known as rancio.. Classification: Straight Bourbon Finished in Armagnac, Sherry, and Cognac Casks, Distillery: Sourced (from undisclosed distillery[ies] in Indiana), Age: NAS (Website states a blend of Joseph Magnus Bourbon and an 18 year old bourbon, which is then finished in Armagnac casks). The historic producer started in Cincinnati and later reestablished in D.C prior to moving to Holland in 2020. It, too, tastes nothing like Fraleys originator, and I have no clue if its a great cigar pairing either, but its the most interesting American whiskey Ive had this year and one of the best as well. Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend 119 live quick reviewThe most expensive bottle I've ever purchased! Predictably, we ended up getting skunked and gave up after a couple of hours. font-weight: 400; More shipping infoShipping info, Most orders ship within 24 hours font-weight: 700; A. Magnus & Co. 'Murray Hill Club' Bourbon Blended Whiskey, Jos. The Armagnac cask finish lends fruity notes of fig, prune and dried apricot. A. Magnus Cigar Blend Bourbon is comprised of batches #53-58 and part of. @font-face { . Though Joseph A. Magnus's overall profile remains fairly unknown among drinkers at large, Cigar Blend continues to be a reliable hit for the brand with connoisseurs it recently released. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. Toasted oak, cinnamon apples, clove, blueberries, and vanilla cake on the nose, followed by a palate of chocolate cream pie, brown sugar, and more apple, cinnamon, and blueberry. Unfinished and not yet bottled. Jos. The resulting combination of flavors and finishes is unusual in the industry, and such a unique finish and blend is rarely attempted with such high aged bourbons. A. Magnus, This is the inaugural batch of our special Michigan state-only edition of Jos. There's no doubt that Cigar Blend is an experience that every bourbon drinker and cigar aficionado alike will fall in love with. font-stretch: 100%; These aromas follow through to the palate, together with notes of crme brulee and orange marmalade. I have the Friday Ni. Joseph Magnus American Whiskey from United States. At Good Times Bourbon, on its list of custom finishing barrels, among a slew of dessert-leaning flavors like mango brandy and coconut rum, youll also see the option to turn anything they own into a cigar finish. Awards Latest Batch Tasting Notes Jos. While having a deep underlying sweetness that it shares with the other batches from this coupe mere, it is a little more rye-forward with notes of dark pumpernickel bread with caraway Price starts low and is sold to the highest bidder. @font-face { Price aside, this Cigar Blend is one of the most layered and rich bourbons and a shining example of how finishing done right can launch a bourbon to new and ridiculous heights. A. Magnus & Co. | A Brand | Designed & Developed by Kynda, Bold, rich aromas of tobacco, spice, vanilla, fig, prunes, and dried fruit. Six years ago, Fraley wasnt thinking about an easy sell like Underwood, she was simply trying to pay homage to her mentor. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Fraley hasnt tasted any of the other cigar batch releases on the market yet, though she welcomes the trend she started, with slight hesitation. The finish is extremely long, with undulating waves of caramel, pecan, and French toast smothered in butter and maple syrup. Finished in Armagnac brandy casks imparts the liquid with its fruity notes, elevating the liquid to another level of fruity richness. With its sweet creaminess and brown baking spice notes, Batch #44 really rocks! } This is the inaugural batch of our special Michigan state-only edition of Jos. Limited availability. A. Magnus & Co. is the second iteration of the Magnus brand. A. Magnus & Co. 'Joseph Magnus' Cigar Blend Straight Bourbon Whiskey, USA: (CA) Magnus Cigar Blend Bourbon. A. Magnus & Co. is the second iteration of the Magnus brand. Maybe its because Ive been drinking pear brandy lately? After Magnus' great-grandson rediscovered an old bottle of his ancestor's whiskey amongst family heirlooms, the idea was hatched to revive the art of finished bourbon. I dont smoke cigars (and dont plan to start), but it seems that the dark oak and chocolate would hold up well to a cigar, as was intended by Nancy Fraley. Shop wines, spirits and beers at the best prices, selection and service. The palate offers notes of sweet Meyer lemon tart with meringue, ginger snap cookies, almond paste, caramel pudding, sandalwood incense, and candied tangerine slices. Brandy will always have my heart, but bourbon is my bread and butter, she says. Two things coincided at once with Joseph Magnus increasing production of Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend around 2020. Regardless of the batch though, Cigar Blend was developed by Nancy Fraley, Joseph Magnus master blender, as a bourbon that pairs well with cigars, hence the name Cigar Blend. Its coming at you hard and fast out of the glass. More shipping infoShipping info, State shipping regulations apply. According to the website, The 2021 autumn series is part of a larger "coupe mere," meaning mother blend, of 16 bourbon barrels ranging in age from 14 to 20-y. USA: (NY) font-weight: 700; Batch #35, aka The Nutcracker, is arguably the nuttiest expression in the Cigar Blend series of batches to date, offering notes of the much prized nutty rancio from the Armagnac casks, as well as Marzipan, Nutella, light brown baking spice, and baklava with toasted walnuts and orange blossom honey on the nose. A little rough around the edges, like a loud-mouthed gambler looking for trouble in a wild west saloon. [D]ont be fooled by the Cigar Batch label its not close to the same profile as Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend (sic), wrote one blogger, while adding, and thats just fine., When single barrel bottler Rare Character released its first Cigar Batch in late summer 2022 in conjunction with the Bourbon Outfitter online store, which also sells branded cigars it was a rye finished in lightly toasted Amburana barrels. Drinkhacker was founded in 2007 by Christopher Null, a longtime entertainment, technology, and lifestyle writer, award-winning winemaker, and the finicky proprietor of what has been called "the best home bar in San Francisco". font-family: 'Open Sans'; 3.8. } Past releases were already a mature blend of 11- and 18-year-old bourbons (plus a bit of the standard Joseph Magnus Bourbon), but the latest batches reportedly comprise stocks between 12 and a whopping 20 years old. Reviews font-style: normal; Specialties: Embassy Cigars & Lounge "The Headquarters of Premium Cigars" Specializes in Cigars, Humidors, Gift Set, Lighters, Pipe Tobacco & Pipes, and Accessories to fit any lifestyle. The bottle we opened that December day on the side of the river is batch no. font-display: swap; In June, the distillery released six different batches of Cigar Blend, which was a bit unusual as they had typically trickled them out one at time throughout the years. font-display: swap; It does not store any personal data. The company website also does a poor job of distinguishing batch to batch qualities and flavor profile for consumers burying them in their blog (hint hint Jos. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); We first reviewed Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend back in 2017. As its fanciful name suggests, Cigar Blend batch #39 The Tobacconist conjures up a tobacco shop in Victorian era London, with notes of aromatic, pungent pipe tobacco on the nose, Earl Grey black tea leaves with the floral rind of orange bergamot, sugary birthday cake white icing and vanilla cake batter, egg custard lightly sprinkled with Madagascar cinnamon, and sweet dark brown sugar. Interestingly, the finish turns into pear after three or so minutes, coming out of nowhere and surprising me. } Bottled and stored with producer, excludes shipping and tariffs. Every batch is a blend of various aged bourbons (I believe sourced from MGP) and finishes, leading to variation across batches. } There are occasional bursts of fresh citrus, cherry, and mint that add to the depth and provide interesting contrast to dark oak from the old bourbon. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. @font-face { font-style: normal; Get Drinkhacker's top stories, exclusive goodies, and more! Re-established as a brand in 2015, Joseph Magnus quickly asserted itself in the growing whiskey industry. The others, of course, are Smoke Wagon, Backbone Bourbon and to a lesser extent, Belle Meade. More shipping infoShipping info, Standard delivery 3-5 working days 27, which the official tasting notes say includes a blend of bourbons aged 12 to 20 years. (10) $169.99. } At that time, our sample was only the second release of what has since become the distillerys most premium offering and a coveted, cult whiskey amongst bourbon lovers. In that regard, its a limited release with a unique and developed flavor profile that I can understand how some could become enamored with. unicode-range: U+0370-03FF; Its best-known and most sought-after whiskies, though, are the ones in its series of cigar-blend bourbons. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". Batch 46 of Cigar Blend Bourbon is known as Psychedelic Summer around the distillery. In addition, we have a large variety of cigar accessories such as, lighters, cutters, humidors, ash trays, and cigar holders. To our knowledge, Magnus bourbons are still sourced MGP even these very old Cigar Blends. Notes of golden raisins, vanilla custard, rum cake, and chocolate-covered toffee add ample sweetness which is tempered with tobacco, black tea, and a bit of licorice. Its a very dark and long-lasting finish. Once perfectly blended, this bourbon is finished in Armagnac, Sherry, and Cognac casks. All of this means that Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend's profile would now change a bit. His distillerys release offers notes of spice, cinnamon, and nutmeg. For the Frankfort, Ky., brand, that likewise means a blend of Armagnac, Cognac, and sherry barrels of course, they were inspired by Fraley. Ali Anderson, general manager at Joseph Magnus, said all of the Cigar Blend batches are part of a mother blend of 16 bourbon barrels ranging in age from 12 to 20 years old.