Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend Bourbon

Batch 138. 57.5% ABV. Nose: milk chocolate, cinnamon, raisin, hazelnut, hints of floral notes, cherry Taste: Cinnamon, baking spice, hazelnut, slight nuttiness

This has been a bit if a unicorn for me. I spotted it in the wild 4-5y ago, hesitated because of the price and never saw it again… until now that is. Price is still painful. Batch 113, 57.8% ABV. Amber color, likely in part thanks to tripple cask finishing. I had thought this was all MGP but aparently is part Kentucky bourbon. The nose reinforces the KY component - reminiscent of Four Roses, cherry and floral notes, some light caramel and slightly dusty oak. It certainly evolves though and MGP shows up later with bits of dill, eucalyptus, cacao and tobacco. The question here is what comes from the base bourbons themselves va the casks. There is a slight mustiness I attribute to the armagnac, the cacao and buttery sweetness of cognac, and the brighter fruit notes could be the sherry (maybe a PX?). Some of this is getting into the palate as well. As far as taste goes it follows the nose with a welcoming warmth but little bite. Lighter body but still mouth coating and hits every single corner. Nothing dominates, just a wonderful balance. Back to price for a moment. Standard JM at $100 is leathery, and for me, nearly offensive with a hearty sulfur component. The result is that standard JM drinks like a +20y bourbon - which most people likely won’t want despite the madness of age statement hype. At twice the price, this cigar blend is what I hoped standard JM would be. Much sweeter, dare I say bourbon-like, complex and interesting. The finish of the cigar blend is everlasting and evolving - and perhaps the place where the price tag is justified. It drinks like a 12-16yo bourbon and the cask finishes compliment rather than dominate the final product. So, the scarcity. It’s frustrating. And the secondary prices are foolish. I would say the best substitutes are also blends - namely some of the Bardstown Discovery series. At $120 they are almost a bargain. This rivals their initial Laubade finish and if I wasn’t whiskey-broke I might snap up their second edition. Frankly, Rare Breed isn’t far off (and should still be under $60 unless you’re being price gouged). Short story - wonderful finished bourbon that is complimented rather than dominated by cask finishing, complex and interesting, approachable and yet not leagues beyond products that are half the price. Worth a splurge for a special pour but nothing to lose one’s mind over.

Complex - deep and light fruits - great with a cigar

Batch 92

Aroma - coconut, dark toasted oak. Char or charcoal, Huge in flavor and a significant Kentucky Hug. Molasses, mint, menthol and deep caramel. Water makes it explode further. Burnt Brown Sugar.

Nose: caramel and butterscotch nose Palette: so well balanced with cinnamon hot candy, cola, some rye minty notes, long finish, soft tannins

Very smooth with lots of flavor. I’ll definitely drink it again.