Soft and round on the palate, yet hitting all the right notes. The richness continues on the lush, syrupy palate which maintains an even, easy heat from beginning to end. Its a very dark and long-lasting finish. If subsequent batches are anything like #13, and at this point theyre being released more frequently, I highly recommend that you add Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend of any batch to your whiskey shelf. But it was sunny and comfortable for a December day, and the four of us had driven a long way to be there. Joseph Magnus joins a very small number of bottlers that continuously sells MGP bourbon aged at least 10 years or more in single barrel form. Even so, this is not a whiskey that will take guff from anyone. Limited availability. Unfortunately, the companys website and marketing information do little to showcase this bourbon, and as a result miss the opportunity to better educate consumers on this intriguing product. No, its not that! . /* greek */ For the Frankfort, Ky., brand, that likewise means a blend of Armagnac, Cognac, and sherry barrels of course, they were inspired by Fraley. A recovering Federal government employee, he is happy to have finally found a career where it is acceptable to drink on the job. Cigar Blend Batch #47 is to date the darkest of the dark and also the highest proof batch to date. src: url(/fonts.gstatic.com/s/opensans/v34/memvYaGs126MiZpBA-UvWbX2vVnXBbObj2OVTSCmu0SC55K5gw.woff2) format('woff2'); A. Magnus Cigar Blend Bourbon.It's a straight bourbon whiskey finished in Armagnac, Sherry and Cognac casks. font-weight: 700; Fraley thought those would surely already possess a rancio character that might impart notes of blanched almonds, walnuts, and even blue cheese aromas into the bourbon, along with a rich, full mouthfeel, despite the relatively low 100.7 barrel proof. Type & Region:Bourbon, Washington DC / Indiana, USA, Aged:Blend of 13 and 20 year bourbon finished in Sherry, Armangac, and Cognac barrels, Color: 1.6/2.0 on the color scale (mahogany, henna), Much like Batch #12, Cigar Blend Batch #13 has deep, rich notes from older bourbon components, but it takes on more brown-baking spice notes such as allspice, clove, mace, and cinnamon, with copious amounts of roasted coffee bean, semi-sweet dark chocolate, candied orange peel, vanilla bean, and oxidized charred oak. .wp-review-23769.review-wrapper { font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; }. font-style: normal; For enhanced enjoyment of each batch, Master Blender Fraley recommends that you open the bottle, take a small pour off the neck, and allow the bottle to aerate for an hour or more to fully appreciate the intensity and complexity of the dram. More shipping infoShipping info, Free Shipping in Manhattan over $251. fulfilled through local licensed retailers. 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. The journey of these 6 barrels from D.C. to Holland, MI, inspired Magnus Master Blender Nancy Fraley to dub this batch The Rock & Roll Series to commemorate the intense interaction between the spirit and oak, when the whiskey inside the Armagnac casks was churned and swirled during the journey on the truck, thereby penetrating deeply into the wood and pulling out more matured oak tannins, sweet caramelized wood sugars and richly aromatic and fruity Armagnac spirit notes than is typically found in the Cigar Blend Bourbon batches. 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. font-family: 'Open Sans'; 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. Joseph Magnus Bourbon is comprised of 12-year-old bourbon from MGP in Indiana and triple-cask finished over several months in Oloroso sherry, Pedro Ximenez sherry, and cognac casks at the Jos. Paired with a cigar, this became a sweet, mellow and easy-going bourbon that was ideal for the occasion. In fact, you cant stop the hype that currently surrounds the term among extremely online bourbon drinkers. font-weight: 400; By 2001 Germain-Robin would produce Old Havana Alembic Brandy, for the lover of fine cigars. (Theres likewise Dalmore Cigar Malt, a single malt Scotch first introduced in 1999. The finish continues to be dark after chewing, as its definitely oaky and chocolatey with dried orange peel, candied ginger, cocoa powder, and just a little smoke. This is bourbon with a backbone, complex and moody and daring you to pull your best cigars out of the humidor. One evening in the spring of 2016, Fraley was sitting on her deck in Berkley, Calif., smoking a pipe when inspiration struck. If you couldnt tell by now, the nose is fantastic and keeps evolving, making me want to keep searching for more luscious treasures. More shipping infoShipping info, State shipping regulations apply. Awards Latest Batch Tasting Notes font-weight: 400; Old and low proof cask strength MGP bourbon is truly something to behold. Originally a Cognac maker, he would use his skills to produce brandies in Ukiah, Calif., starting in 1982. This in no way, per our editorial policies,influencedthe final outcome of thisreview. (714) 672-0323 src: url(/fonts.gstatic.com/s/opensans/v34/memvYaGs126MiZpBA-UvWbX2vVnXBbObj2OVTSKmu0SC55K5gw.woff2) format('woff2'); A. Magnus & Co. Vigilant Navy Strength Gin. [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. Cigar finishing adds approximately $1,000 in costs and six to nine extra months of aging onto any single barrel selection. Bottled and stored with producer, excludes shipping and tariffs. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". Your email address is never shared. @font-face { More shipping infoShipping info, Most orders ship within 24 hours Location of engraving on the bottle is at the discretion of our engravers and cannot be modified. font-stretch: 100%; src: url(/fonts.gstatic.com/s/opensans/v34/memvYaGs126MiZpBA-UvWbX2vVnXBbObj2OVTS2mu0SC55K5gw.woff2) format('woff2'); 35 in January and would be releasing it soon. @font-face { font-family: 'Open Sans'; Batch 13, my first experience with Cigar Blend and the focus of this review, is a blend of 13 and 20-year bourbon finished in Sherry, Armangac, and Cognac casks, a very unique set of finishes in bourbon today. By then she had become one of the top consultants in the American spirits business, known for her seemingly superhuman sense of smell, which she has used to aid upstarts like Wyoming Whiskey, Virginia Distillery Co., Still Austin Whiskey Co., and Joseph A. Magnus, which had just launched the year before. 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. Charred oak and leather taper in, but it remains savory versus sweet in overall delivery. 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. and Other Alcoholic Beverages May Increase Cancer Risk, and, During Pregnancy, Can Cause More shipping infoShipping info, Standard delivery 1-2 weeks A whiskey that combines power and finesse. Reviews Nov 8, 2021 Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend Batch 31 "James Bond" Finished Bourbon Review This @josamagnus Cigar Blend was opened purely to share a sample before I ever had a chance to try it myself! font-display: swap; As the second highest proof Cigar Blend Bourbon released to date, Batch #44 is sure to soothe the aromatic dark side of any Bourbon fan! font-display: swap; Confirm that personalization you entered is correct. Samples were taken from that 122-year-old bottle and the liquid was reverse-engineered. Nevenglosky agrees that will eventually prove more important than any trendy marketing lingo. It rapidly developed distribution in much of the United States, and cemented a reputation as a high-end blender and finisher. For this Rapid Review we're diving into Jos. font-weight: 700; So does Buzzards Roost Cigar Rye, surely the most on-the-nose of these efforts. This whiskey maintains its bourbon backbone, but does deviate quite significantly from a traditional bourbon flavor profile. More shipping infoShipping info, Free local shipping over $34.99. 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. Joseph A. Magnus Cigar Blend Batch 124 750ml. 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. A beautiful whiskey, masterfully constructed. Los Angeles, Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend Bourbon 750ml (Limit 1), USA, KENTUCKY, USA: (NJ) This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. /* latin */ CIGAR BLEND BATCH #86: "TREASURE CHEST"121.62 PROOF "Treasure Chest," offers a cornucopia of interesting and unique flavors and aromas. Magnus is a distillery with an interesting story. 142, Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend, Joseph A. Magnus, USA: (CA) 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. font-weight: 400; src: url(/fonts.gstatic.com/s/opensans/v34/memvYaGs126MiZpBA-UvWbX2vVnXBbObj2OVTS-mu0SC55I.woff2) format('woff2'); font-display: swap; The subreddit had been debating what exactly a cigar blend, sometimes known as a cigar batch, actually is. His distillerys release offers notes of spice, cinnamon, and nutmeg. I feel a lot could be gained by sharing more information about the creation of this product and batch variation more readily with consumers, and of course making it easy to find! The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". Out of stock online and in store. Atlanta, Joseph Magnus Murray Cigar Blend Straight Bourbon Whiskey , United States , 750 mL, 50.35% ABV, JOSEPH MAGNUS BOURBON 3 BOTTLE SET - 1 BOTTLE EACH OF STRAIGHT BOURBON, MURRAY HILL CLUB & CIGAR BLEND. A swirl of the glass reveals clove, dark roast coffee, and dried dark fruit notes. Re-established as a brand in 2015, Joseph Magnus quickly asserted itself in the growing whiskey industry. src: url(/fonts.gstatic.com/s/opensans/v34/memvYaGs126MiZpBA-UvWbX2vVnXBbObj2OVTSOmu0SC55K5gw.woff2) format('woff2'); The Armagnac cask finish lends fruity notes of fig, prune, and dried apricot. font-display: swap; It's part of a series #42 - 46 dubbed the 'Rock and Roll Series' by Nancy The Nose Frahley These batches all hail from the same mother blend of six specific armagnac casks that made their way from DC to the current distillery home in Holland, Michigan. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. These aromas follow through to the palate, together with notes of crme brulee and orange marmalade. Today its made of 14.5- and 20-year-old Kentucky and Indiana-sourced 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. There's no doubt that Cigar Blend is an experience that every bourbon drinker and cigar aficionado alike will fall in love with. src: url(/fonts.gstatic.com/s/opensans/v34/memvYaGs126MiZpBA-UvWbX2vVnXBbObj2OVTS2mu0SC55K5gw.woff2) format('woff2'); Hard hit by Prohibition, for decades American Whiskey has been primarily thought of as a Southern staple rather than a world class spirit. review. font-weight: 400; The Anglocentric language of wine is increasingly exclusive to the wider wine world. Of, Indiana-based distillery Hard Truth is looking, Review: Woodford Reserve Masters Collection Historic Barrel Entry. This series of 6 batches, all from the same coupe mere, or mother blend, have loads of personality, individuality, raw energy and excitement, just like musical form! 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). font-stretch: 100%; font-family: 'Open Sans'; By using this site you acknowledge you are at least 21 years old and you afree to our Terms I'm correcting that tonight and finally giving this the full tasting it deserves. Originally started by Joseph A. Magnus in 1892, the company focused on producing whiskey until Prohibition took hold. unicode-range: U+0370-03FF; } 3 different batches (75, 77, 98) of Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend. font-family: 'Open Sans'; It was at Germain-Robin where Fraley learned about the long tradition of Cognac makers creating cigare blends, designed to pair especially well with a stogie. The palate has a good mix of sweetness, spice, and savory notes, with buttered croissant and Seville orange marmalade, honeyed hay, candied orange peel, and chipotle. 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. font-stretch: 100%; font-stretch: 100%; Two things coincided at once with Joseph Magnus increasing production of Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend around 2020. A. Magnus, This is the inaugural batch of our special Michigan state-only edition of Jos. unicode-range: U+1F00-1FFF; You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. A. Magnus & Co. | A Brand | Designed & Developed by Kynda, Joseph Magnus Bourbon and Gin Score Big at International Spirits Competitions, Reconnecting Our Brand to the Legacy of Jos. font-style: normal; Lewes, Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend Straight Bourbon 750ml Bottle, USA: (MI) } Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend Bourbon (Batch 27) (image via Scott Nelson/The Whiskey Wash). | VinePair, https://vinepair.com/articles/why-is-beer-foam-important/. I have yet to see Joseph Magnus bourbons on the shelves locally, and because batches of Cigar Blend are so small, I have rarely seen it online either. That gentle char, smoke, and chocolate finish just keeps going and going. A. Magnus. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". 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. Overall its rich and intriguing, inviting you in for more. font-stretch: 100%; Though Joseph A. Magnuss 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 Batch #92. What we learned sitting in camp chairs deep in that river canyon in December is that this bourbon was slightly too aggressive for us on the first pour. @font-face { The palate reveals notes of deep purple blackberry jam, Rice Crispy treats with marshmallows and melted butter, crme de menthe, old fashioned Tutti Frutti ice cream with pineapple, raisins, cherries, black currants, and grilled nuts. The latest Cigar Blend Bourbon tasting notes are available online, Reconnecting Our Brand to the Legacy of Jos. They were thinking I was wanting to do a bourbon-infused cigar, recalls Fraley. unicode-range: U+0460-052F, U+1C80-1C88, U+20B4, U+2DE0-2DFF, U+A640-A69F, U+FE2E-FE2F; It was an ideal pairing for the Davidoff Aniversario and Arturo Fuente cigars she favored. Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend is the DC-based distillery's annual-ish release of older bourbon finished in various wine and brandy casks. /* hebrew */ . Because its not just a marketing gimmick. } . Magnus Cigar Blend Bourbon. However, such small batches combined with a high price tag will not be worth the risk for many. A little rough around the edges, like a loud-mouthed gambler looking for trouble in a wild west saloon. Buy online for home delivery or pick up in our store near you in Brea, CA. Rate Jos. 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. 116.52 Proof. According to Master Blender Nancy Fraley, the new Cigar Blends have the greatest range of proofs and aroma profiles yet in the series. src: url(/fonts.gstatic.com/s/opensans/v34/memvYaGs126MiZpBA-UvWbX2vVnXBbObj2OVTSumu0SC55K5gw.woff2) format('woff2'); After 25 minutes of sitting, the nose is virtually absent of any heat. 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. font-stretch: 100%; The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. 97 votes, 19 comments. The finish immediately shifts to becoming quite dry, offering trailing flavors of cocoa and tobacco amidst a leather note. When you drink it, it leaves a cigar taste in your mouth, he says. font-display: swap; Producer: Joseph Magnus Long and rich on a silky finish, with a final note of tobacco leaf atop chocolate, cinnamon, and cherry. font-weight: 700; Get Drinkhacker's top stories, exclusive goodies, and more! Wholesalers' Online Wine Claims Don't Stand Up, New York World Wine & Spirits Competition, Popularity relative to other wines, spirits and beers, Jos. font-display: swap; Clove, tobacco, and seasoned oak form a foundation. } A. Magnus & Co. distillery was re-established in 2015, but the legacy of Joseph Magnus Bourbon dates back to the 1890s. @font-face { Im optimistic that it will be just as outstanding. The Japanese specialty has burst free of its traditional market and is getting consumers very thirsty indeed. 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. Pick Up. All of that unique barrel influence threatens, at various moments, to add some woody astringency, but every time it dissolves into an elegant blend of pie spice and sweet, aged oak. In-stock and available for sale at the price shown. Editors Note: This whiskey was provided to us as a review sample by Jos A. Magnus. Jos. Aenean eget libero sit amet arcu facilisis dapibus Tasting Notes for Cigar Blend Batches #42 - 47 Jos. 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. 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. A. Magnus & Co. | A Brand | Designed & Developed by Kynda, Bold, rich aromas of tobacco, spice, vanilla, fig, prunes, and dried fruit. @font-face { Im not joking, I really can pick out all of that and its so ridiculously complex and an absolute masterpiece. Cigar Blend Batch #53: "Rock the Cabash" 64.26% ABV. Batch 24 is particularly suited to cigar pairing, and I would assume other batches are as well. The palate offers notes of sweet Meyer lemon tart with meringue, ginger snap cookies, almond paste, caramel pudding, sandalwood incense, and candied tangerine slices. font-style: normal; Flushing, JOSEPH MAGNUS CIGAR BLEND STRAIGHT BOURBON WHISKEY BATCH 114, 750 ML, USA: (FL) Drop-in your email address and we'll send you Drinkhacker's best reviews, most insightful features, and great extras like exclusive contests and giveaways, once a week. 2021 Null Media LLC All Rights Reserved. } But once we lit cigars and sipped the Joseph Magnus as we talked, it took on a different character altogether. The Bourbon and old vintage Armagnac notes are in complete harmony on this dram. We have expert advice on all our selections. Orders will ship as soon as possible after engraving is completed. Now whether you're looking for a Rye, Bourbon, or even a Single Malt, you'll find a large range from a number of distilleries, from North to South and from the Pacific to the Atlantic coasts. Fraley hasnt tasted any of the other cigar batch releases on the market yet, though she welcomes the trend she started, with slight hesitation. This is a complex bourbon. 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. The Armagnac cask finish lends fruity notes of fig, prune and dried apricot. My fear is that I dont want to see these cigar blends become gimmicky, she says. New Releases: Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend Bourbon batch 2,599 Views By The Bourbon Flight This autumn series of Jos. A perfect accompaniment to a cigar or pipe. It was well reviewed, even if some critiques thought the labeling wasnt quite apt. It still takes a long time for bourbon people to completely understand it.. (Paulus joking labeled it Rumchata but make it rye.). @font-face { The marketing and website are lacking and the bourbon itself is pricey as hell, but its so well worth it if youre willing to splurge. More shipping infoShipping info, Standard delivery next day Joseph Magnus Bourbon Cigar Blend. 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. Special Guest Nicole (Brody's Mom) is bringing 3 of her FAVORITE bottles. At the time, the then-Washington D.C.-based Magnus today it is located in Holland, Mich. had an incredible stock of well-aged MGP bourbon. } @font-face { - 91/100, Whisky Advocate, No shipping available font-display: swap; Like all of the batches in this series, the finish is quite long, with a kaleidoscope of flavors lingering on the tongue for minutes. Acc. Whiskey Review: Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend Bourbon (Batch 27). Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. In addition, we have a large variety of cigar accessories such as, lighters, cutters, humidors, ash trays, and cigar holders. Hard hit by Prohibition, for decades American Whiskey has been primarily thought of as a Southern staple rather than a world class spirit. @font-face { Joseph A. Magnus Cigar Blend Batch 124 750ml [click image to zoom] image may not be actual bottle available. src: url(/fonts.gstatic.com/s/opensans/v34/memvYaGs126MiZpBA-UvWbX2vVnXBbObj2OVTSKmu0SC55K5gw.woff2) format('woff2'); Complex and savory overall, the palate is quite robust and enjoyable. A combination of award-winning Joseph Magnus Bourbon and 11 and 18-year-old whiskeys to assume bold, rich aromas of tobacco, spice, leather, vanilla, blanched almonds and toffee. One of our grooviest releases to date. With its sweet creaminess and brown baking spice notes, Batch #44 really rocks! 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. A. Magnus & Co. is a Bourbon and dry gin distillery located in Holland of West Virginia. Some traces of minerality can be found in this batch, with much balance, finesse, and elegance. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. I personally cannot comment on how it pairs with cigars since I dont smoke. (616) 796-8274 | 184 120th Avenue | Holland, MI 49424, 2023 Jos. unicode-range: U+1F00-1FFF; font-stretch: 100%; Give it a splash of water and a little bit of time, and it opens up nicely. 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. It was the lowest proof of the bunch which should mean more of the Armagnac cask gets to shine through in the finishing. /* cyrillic */ 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.