Most whiskey enthusiasts agree: Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend Bourbon is a spirit meant for contemplation. This generally isn’t a whiskey for mixing; as a standalone spirit it’s a masterpiece of layered notes of fruit, spices, woodiness, and tobacco, begging to be savored neat or on the rocks. But on rare occasions, even the most remarkable of whiskeys belongs in a remarkable cocktail. Enter the Smoked Cigar Blend Cocktail.
Why Use Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend Bourbon in a Cocktail?
This smoked cocktail isn’t just about throwing ingredients together, or worse, disguising the taste of the whiskey. This particular cocktail is about showcasing and elevating the nuances of the Cigar Blend.
This isn’t your average bourbon. The Cigar Blend has a distinct personality, and the cocktail, in its simplicity allows that personality to shine through. Each batch of Cigar Blend, although unique, boasts layers of rich flavors – dark fruit, baking spices, and a subtle smokiness. This cocktail pulls out the smokiness and subtle fruit notes found in each bottle of Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend Bourbon.
A combination of award-winning Joseph Magnus Bourbon and 11 and 18-year-old whiskeys, the Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend Bourbon assumes bold, rich aromas of tobacco, spice, leather, vanilla, blanched almonds, and toffee. The Armagnac cask finish lends fruity notes of fig, prune, and dried apricot. The Cigar Blend Bourbon was dreamed up specifically to be paired with an excellent cigar, so enjoy this heavily smoked cocktail in the same manner.
We opted to smoke this decadent cocktail, and you can do so at home using either cherry wood chips and a glass to trap the smoke over the cocktail, or using an instrument like a smoking gun.
Smoked Cigar Blend Bourbon Cocktail
- 2 oz Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend Bourbon
- .5 oz Silvio Carta Vermouth di Sardegna Rosso
- .5 oz Condessa Black Cherry Liqueur
- 2 dashes of smoked orange bitters
- 3 maraschino cocktail cherries, garnish
- Cherry wood chips
Place half a scoop of ice into a cocktail shaker and add the Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend Bourbon, vermouth, cherry liqueur, and bitters. Stir for 30 seconds, or until well chilled. Strain into a lowball glass with no ice. Smoke the cocktail with cherry wood chips and a glass or bowl over the cocktail. Allow the cocktail to be smoked for at least one minute. Serve with smoke rolling off the top.
The best cocktails use Joseph Magnus Bourbon, available at a retailer near you or to buy online. Join our mailing list to stay up to date with the latest from Jos. A. Magnus. You can also follow us on Facebook and Instagram to stay up to date.