Are Cigar Blends Finally Hitting Their Stride? A Look Inside Barrell Bourbon’s Latest Cigar Blend
- Jes Smyth
- 32 minutes ago
- 4 min read
The first cigar blend from Barrell Bourbon has officially landed, and I'm surely not the first person to wonder why it took them so long. Cigar blends soared onto the whiskey scene a few years ago but seem to have fallen off recently, suggesting their time in the limelight has passed. It seems I may be wrong in this thinking. The buzz around this release is real. Heck, I'm excited about it, and guess what? I don't even smoke cigars. You don't have to be a cigar enthusiast to enjoy a cigar blend. In fact, that's exactly what Barrell Bourbon notes on their back label: "Refined yet expressive, it's equally compelling with or without a cigar."
What are the key highlights in a cigar blend that make it a "cigar blend"? Well, intention, first and foremost. This blend is meant to stand up to the bold, smoky, and earthy flavors of a cigar. Which means the whiskey should have a richer flavor profile, a higher proof, fuller body, and bolder notes that lean sweet and spicy. It's also inherently more complex since the purpose of this pour is to slow down as one does when smoking a cigar. Complexity can take many forms, but often involves finishing casks. For Barrell Bourbon's cigar blend, they used Madeira, Armagnac, rum, and Hungarian oak casks to finish their blend of Kentucky, Tennessee, and Indiana bourbons aged 7.5 to 18 years.
I've had many experiences with Barrell Bourbon releases, and at this point, I hold trust and respect for their blending team. This is what they do! And while I try to release any expectations for any whiskey I review, it's hard not to feel some anticipation when the inherent qualities of a cigar blend are at play.
Thank you to the fine folks at Barrell Bourbon for providing this bottle. I'm always so grateful for the opportunity to intentionally explore whiskey alongside what I love to do—write! And thank you, dear reader, for spending time here with me. Are you ready for the tasting notes? Let's get to it!
Company on Label: Barrell Craft Spirits
Whiskey Type: A blend of straight bourbon whiskeys
Mash Bill Percentages: Undisclosed (multi-mashbill)
Proof: 111.2°
Age: 7.5 years (7.5 to 18 years)
MSRP: $84.99
Further Identification: This blend was finished in Madeira, Armagnac, rum, and Hungarian oak casks
Nose: As I lift the glass to my nose, the leading aromas are spice and tropical notes, like someone sprinkled cinnamon on grilled pineapples. The ethanol is a bit much, making it hard to nose, but I’m not discouraged; sometimes higher-proof pours need a bit more time to relax in the glass. After an additional ten-minute rest, I’m greeted with more balance and vibrancy. I find sweettarts, roasted cinnamon, baked pineapple, and raspberry chocolate tart. Deep inhales bring in allspice and clove, while swirling releases notes of vineyard grapes and steeped black tea. There’s a lot going on here, and I’m curious to see what a sip will do. And it does wonders! The nose has transformed into buttercream, with notes of leather and tobacco present now, and a more pronounced vanilla quality, cakey and moist, rich molasses, and those tropical fruits throughout, pineapple, and a wisp of coconut. This transformation tells me this is an all-encompassing blend for the senses, favoring none over the others, yet complementing them—the nose and palate sync once both are experienced. It's a satisfying experience. As the liquid disappears, molasses and brown sugar ramp up. The empty glass smells like roasted marshmallows, graham crackers, and amaretto.
Palate: Hm, this is nice, what a creamy mouthfeel, a note I did not find on the nose. The flavors coating my tongue are sweet, spicy, decadent, and creamy. Wow, I’m surprised. The nose did not lead with such cohesion, and I’m only one sip in! A second sip is just as creamy and lovely, goodness, the sweet vanilla buttercream, candied cherries, and cinnamon bun filling, I'm swooning. It’s so well balanced on my tongue. This is artistry. The linger is long, transforming into earthy notes of corn husks and sugar cubes. More sips layer on the fruit characteristics, leaning more into baked apples, lemon slices, and cherry juice. My final sips are just as lovely as the first, if not even more cohesive and balanced. Every part has its place and is tucked in for a cozy night in, where comfy pants and messy hair are required.
TL;DR: A beautiful blend that's both approachable and complex
Rating: 4.5/5
Wow. I'm impressed. Barrell really hit it out of the park on a sleeper of a blend I thought was past its prime. The balance, the complexity, and the affordability make this one of the top pours I've had yet in 2026. Having recently purchased a bottle of Joseph A. Magnus Cigar Blend, I will absolutely venture into head-to-head land and hope to document my findings here soon!
