Summer Fruit Cup Batches #407-416
The coupe mere that comprises batches #407 – 416 is quite fruity, comprised of 10 year-old 36% MGP Bourbon, 17 year old Barton’s rye Bourbon, and 20 year old MGP 21% rye Bourbon. It offers up notes of apricot bundt cake, hot buttery croissants, and Italian ricotta pie. These notes carry over to the palate, where tropical inspired flavors of shaved coconut, pineapple upside down cake, and mango lassi make themselves known. The finish is long, with further fruity notes of fruit cocktail with cinnamon swirls. For those that prefer the fruitier batches of Jos.Magnus Cigar Blend Bourbon, these batches will not disappoint.
Sweet and Sassy Batches #417-426
The initial nose for batches #417 – 426 offers great intensity, with a spectrum of aromas from Southern chess pie, muddled mint in simple syrup, and caramel apple cheesecake. The palate retains the caramel and vanilla type notes found on the nose, but more spicy elements such as ginger snap cookies and Mexican hot chocolate reveal themselves too. The finish is a good balance of sweetness and spice, with citrusy Madagascar cinnamon and coffee cake. For those that enjoy some spice to temper the sweetness of the oak, this series of batches will deliver.
The Dark One Part III Batches #427-436
The coupe mere or “mother blend” that serves as the base for Cigar Blend batches #427 – 436
shares some similarities with earlier batches #20 and #73 ( “The Dark One” and “Return of the Dark One”) and presents an array of dark dried fruit notes and brown baking spices, exhibiting aromas such as grilled figs drizzled with aged balsamic vinegar, date cake in heavy syrup, and crème de cassis. The dark aromas go even further on the palate with Black Forest cake with cherries, pecan pie filling with chocolate chips, baklava with honey, and Root Beer float with vanilla ice cream. There is great length on the palate with these batches, as they tend to show the subtle dark fruit notes from the Armagnac casks quite well.
Aurora Borealis Batches #437-446
The set of batches that hail from this particular coupe mere are inspired by a host of Scandinavian and other desserts hailing from Northern countries where the Aurora Borealis can be spotted. Dark red berry fruit notes of Hindbæsnitter (Danish raspberry squares), lingonberry jam over dark rye bread, and Våfflor (Swedish waffles) topped with fresh strawberries and whipped cream prevail on the nose, while Cranashan, a famous Scottish dessert of toasted oatmeal, raspberries, toasted oats, cream, and heather blossom honey fills the palate. These berry-filled batches are sure to put stars in your eyes.
Ginger Spice and Everything Nice Batches #447-456
Cigar Blend batches #447 – 456 offer a panoply of exotic spices and fruits, with the nose presenting heady aromas of gingerbread cake with cream cheese frosting, Buddha’s Hand Citron, spring Jasmine blossoms, and tangy ground Sumac. The palate initially presents very defined flavors of nutty Dragon fruit and prickly pear juice, but quickly dissipates into more familiar notes of egg custard pudding with vanilla bean and nutmeg, hazelnut ravioli with sage in brown butter, and classic French crème caramel. Undoubtedly these are batches of Cigar Blend that are hard to pin down aromatically yet have much complexity and interest.
Mint Madness Batches #457-465
For those who love all things with the sweet cooling spice sensation of mint and menthol, the barrels that went into the mother blend that makes up Cigar Blend batches #457 – 465 will not disappoint. The initial bouquet on the nose delivers a range of savory and sweet mint notes along with dark berries and citrus fruit, from a blackberry Bourbon smash cocktail with muddled mint, candied blood orange citrus wheels, and chocolate mint chip ice cream. The mint shines through in an even more pronounced way on the palate, with breathtaking sensations of wintergreen mint tobacco and chewing gum, Sarsaparilla, and Thai sweet basil with ripe mango. The finish is long and savory, with lemon balm tea, crème de menthe, and Cuban mojito cocktails with mint and lime.
Pepper Pot Batches #466-473
For Cigar Blend fans who enjoy their drams on the spicier side, the batches that derive from this coupe have a decidedly peppery spice quality to them with lots of sugary tones underneath to keep balance. These batches offer up a complex bouquet of four peppercorn blend, spice cake with cream cheese frosting, and Root beer float with vanilla ice cream and whipped cream topping. The palate boasts Bourbon molasses cookies with Jamaican allspice, apple fritters sprinkled with cinnamon sugar, and smoky sweet chocolate fudge brownies with chipotle peppers. The whiskey is semi-dry with some subtle citrusy notes and tangy freshness of juice oranges with star anise.
Southern Sipper Batches #474-482
This group of Cigar Blend batches has all the makings of a Southern sweet iced tea, with just enough tannins from the oak to replicate black tea tannins and just enough sweetness to make for a very refreshing long drink. The sweet tea flavors follow through to the palate, with hints of mint sprigs, peach cobbler with vanilla bean ice cream, and cinnamon apple butter over buttered toast. Further fragrances of summery honeysuckle blossom, lemon loaf cake with white icing, and sweet potato pie round out the nose and palate. The finish has some gentle tannins with lots of fruit and confectionary notes. These set of batches can best be enjoyed on a lazy summer day on a cool porch.
Baby Bad Axe and The Firedawgs Batches #483-491
This series of Cigar Blend batches is dedicated to Parker Bonin, the son of YouTube whiskey channel personality, Fire Captain Robert “Bobby” Bonin aka “Bad Axe.” Parker is arecent graduate of the USAF Fire Academy, where members of the 312th Training Squadron are referred as “Fire Dawgs.” Parker and his Fire Dawg brothers and sisters are known to be the “best of the best” of firefighters not only in the US Air Force, but in the world. To all the courageous and heroic men and women like Parker who put their own lives at risk every day to provide fire protection, emergency medical services, and Hazmat responses around the world, this dram’s for you!
The Baby Bad Axe and the Fire Dawgs series of batches exhibit all the intensity of a five-alarm fire, with a cornucopia of deep, dark aromas ranging from Italian black walnut liqueur (Nocino), sticky date cake with toffee sauce, rum raisin ice cream, and dried fruit compote. The palate delivers what the nose promises, with further notes of grilled figs drizzled with aged balsamic vinegar, Devil’s Food cake, muddled mint, a whiff of aromatic pipe tobacco, and brandied cherries in syrup. The finish is long and luscious, with brooding notes of dried tea leaves, black currant jam, and wild prunes in Armagnac syrup (Pruneau d’Agen). Definitely a hero’s pour!
