Joseph A. Magnus Cigar Blend Bourbon Review: The Balance Between Consistency and Scale
- Jes Smyth
- 6 minutes ago
- 4 min read
Jos. A. Magnus & Co is a brand perhaps most notable for this very release: The Cigar Blend. Named after the man himself, Joseph A. Magnus was a 19th-century distiller and blender in Cincinnati, who founded his whiskey business in the late 1800's and was most notable as a pre-prohibition blender "ahead of his time." The business was shuttered by Prohibition and remained dormant until 2015, when the great-grandson of Magnus, Jimmy Bedell, ushered in the brand's revival. A short year later, Nancy Fraley, a highly regarded blender of our time, introduced the first modern bourbon explicitly designed to pair with cigars post-prohibition: The Cigar Blend.
The idea was inspired by French Cognac "cigar blends", a tradition that bourbon hadn't really adopted yet. Following the initial release in 2016, cigar blends started popping up everywhere, and while the sub-category is not mandated, Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend Bourbon is often viewed as the template and reference point for this blender-driven experiment.
Fraley uses the coupe mère, or "mother blend," tradition for these releases, which consists of triple-cask bourbon (already finished in Sherry and Cognac), and older bourbon stock, often 11 to 18+ years old, which are then split into multiple barrels to marry and then divided into separate Armagnac barrels for the final finish.
Between 2016 and 2019, only 14 batches of the Cigar Blend were released. As of 2026, there are 500+ batches to date, with the number continuing to climb. But this isn't due to demand—this is a structural feature, and it's all thanks to the coupe mère method. Instead of one blend equalling one release, the "mother blend" allows for multiple releases. However, this shouldn't be confused with the solera method, where a blend is topped off continuously and perpetually blended. Once the coupe mère is used, it's gone, and another is created with the same base components.
As someone who does not smoke cigars, the hype around these releases fell into the background for me. It wasn't until I was introduced to other cigar blends, through samples or bottle shares, that I realized my palate quite enjoyed the flavors meant to stand up to cigars. With this newfound knowledge, I have since ventured into this bourbon subcategory with an open mind and palate. And since these releases are more readily available, the stars aligned one day at my local liquor store, and a bottle of Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend was welcomed home. Was it worth the wait and the slight hit to my wallet? Let's dive into the tasting notes and find out!
Company on Label: Jos. A. Magnus & Co
Whiskey Type: A blend of straight bourbon whiskey
Mash Bill Percentages: Undisclosed
Proof: 112.7° (56.35%)
Age: NAS
MSRP: $189.99
Further Identification: Batch 417 is constructed through a proprietary coupe mère and finished in individual Armagnac casks
Nose: Immediately, this gives off barbecue vibes, with high-flying vanilla tones, and a little proofy punch, but this is cask strength whiskey I'm smelling, after all. It doesn't take long for the alcohol to evaporate and usher in lovely apple tones, red delicious apples, in particular, with a bubbling glass of cream soda, a bowl of partially melted vanilla ice cream, and a candied orange garnish. Swirling releases the rich, abundant oak tones that were seemingly waiting in the wings, heavy on cinnamon, earthy, and sharp, like cinnamon sticks. As my hands warm the glass, the liquid transforms, offering a slight hint of umami, earthy new leather, and a dense, tomato-paste smell. There's a distinct texture in my nose here, tingly and enjoyable. The oak comes in and out at the right times, reminding me of seasoned oak and delaptated rickhouses where the temperature is unfelt and perfect. It's time for a sip. Returning to the nose after a few sips amplifies the aromas in a lovely way with notes of newspaper, nilla wafers, ginger tea, molasses, Biscoff cookies, and maple candy. The empty glass smells of brown sugar, paper bags, and cooling candle wax.
Palate: This is a tongue-tingling, oak-forward first sip. The proof is prominent, being the first sip of the day, but the tastes are intriguing, leading with notes of dirt and leather, and sweet corn fritters. A second sip layers on old-fashioned hard candies, gingersnap cookies, and a wisp of saffron. The heat is still pronounced but not off-putting, and slides down my chest in a welcoming way. The oak influence is also present and accounted for, with clove and cinnamon leading the pack. There is a slight tannic, dry finish, which isn't too surprising given the ages of bourbon in this blend. There's also a hint of nuttiness here, leaning on the bitter side, like walnuts. Additional sips and swishes bring about a subtle sweetness between the spicier notes. I find melted milk chocolate and shaved vanilla bean most notable. The earthiness remains, transforming into tomato paste, tobacco leaf, and grape skins. As I work my way through the glass, I can't help but note the patience this pour requires. The flavors are evolving, but the presence of oak spice slightly mutes that evolution. I also wonder if the oak influenced the creaminess that may have come through more on the palate, and how a cigar may change these flavors in turn. My final sips consist of burnt sugar, cinnamon powder, and corn bread crumbs.
TL;DR: A complex array of oak influence with a less-than-creamy palate
Rating: 4/5
As I continue to explore more of this sub-category of bourbon, I still stand by my belief that cigar blends can be enjoyed by cigar smokers and nonsmokers alike. Depending on how tolerant your palate is of less traditional bourbon flavors, your mileage may vary. These blends do not skimp on the robust flavors. I, for one, applaud a dram that keeps my attention from start to finish, and this one did just that.
