CIGAR BLEND TASTING NOTES- BATCHES #516 – 532
Just as winter is gasping its last breaths before the beginning of spring, Jos. Magnus Cigar Blend Bourbon batches #516 – 532 continue to pay a nod to cold winter days spent watching classic cinema indoors. This time around, the names of the batches are taken from famous movie lines which have become idioms in popular culture over the past 45 years, and in particular, are derived from films that were directed by the late great director Rob Reiner. These incredibly rich and unctuous batches are composed of 10 year-old 36% MGP rye Bourbon, 17 year old Barton rye Bourbon, and 20 year old MGP 21% rye Bourbon. Can you guess what from what films the lines are taken?
“THESE GO TO ELEVEN” – BATCHES #516 – 523
This famous movie line is an idiom that describes something that is beyond the maximum threshold, and these heavy hitting batches have the requisite intense flavors and aromas in spades. The initial aromas on the nose assault all the senses in the most enjoyable of ways with notes of blackberry and cherry compote, chocolate covered coconut macaroons, and oatmeal raisin cookies sweetened with molasses. The plethora of flavors from the nose, and a whole host of new ones, coat the palate like waves of loud rock music blaring from a Marshall
“Plexi” stack amplifier. Further notes of cider doughnuts dipped in cappuccino, warm banana bread filled with brown butter and toasted walnuts, Coca Cola with real cane sugar in green tinted glass bottles, Jamaican allspice, and hints of Armagnac wash over the mouth cavity. The length on the palate is exceptional. These batches truly go to eleven and beyond!
“I’LL HAVE WHAT SHE’S HAVING” – BATCHES #524 – 532
There is nothing fake about the intense flavor of these batches, as their boldness leads to absolute rapturous delight on the nose, palate, and finish. The initial nose rushes forth with aromas of blueberry waffles smothered hot butter and maple syrup, dates in heavy syrup, and aromatic pipe tobacco. The palate, while grounded in the sweet maple syrup, crème brulee, and date notes, holds ground but further is augmented with a cornucopia of spicy flavors such as candied ginger cubes, cardamom pods, cassia bark, cloves in dried oranges, and smoky chipotle pepper. This all leads to a feverish apex on the finish, with cascading notes of dried apricots, stewed prunes, and blackberry preserves over cinnamon toast. If this is indeed what she is having, then let’s all have another!
