Heading into the weekend with four heavyweight cigar blend whiskeys on the table! On this episode of Your Bourbon Journey, Wayne and Rebecca dive into an incredible lineup inspired by our recent Whiskey University cigar pairing masterclass. We’re putting four distinct, cask-finished expressions to the test to see how their layered wood finishes stack up, which bottles truly need a cigar in hand, and which are rich enough to sip neat.
From our first official Cigar Malt Scotch to the holy grail blend from Nancy Fraley, a 5-cask traveler from Old Elk, and a thieved single-barrel powerhouse from Cox’s Creek Distilling, we break down tasting notes, mash bills, finishing casks, and recommended cigar pairings for each.
Which pour takes the crown and earns a spot in our September Whiskey of the Month competition? Drop your favorite cigar-pairing whiskeys in the comments below!
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The Dalmore Cigar Malt Reserve
- Classification: Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky
- Company: Whyte & Mackay
- Distillery: The Dalmore Distillery (Alness, Highlands, Scotland)
- Mash Bill: 100% Malted Barley
- Age: NAS (Components aged roughly 10–15 years)
- Proof: 88 Proof (44% ABV)
- SRP: ~$179.99–$199.99
- Released: Ongoing core expression (re-introduced 2012)
- Other: Matured in American white oak ex-bourbon casks, 30-year-old Matusalem Oloroso sherry butts, and premier cru Cabernet Sauvignon wine barriques
- Purchased: 08/11/26 for $134.94 at Hi Proof (online)
- Recommended Cigar: Davidoff Winston Churchill The Late Hour
Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend Bourbon (Batch 507, Bottle 49)
- Classification: Blended Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished in Sherry, Cognac, and Armagnac Casks
- Company: Jos. A. Magnus & Co.
- Distillery: Distilled in Indiana (MGP); blended and finished by Jos. A. Magnus & Co.
- Mash Bill: Undisclosed MGP high-rye & low-rye bourbon blend
- Age: Blend of straight bourbons aged 9 to 20 years
- Proof: 111.7 Proof (55.85% ABV)
- SRP: ~$199.99–$219.99
- Released: Periodic small-batch releases (Batch 507)
- Other: Nancy Fraley’s signature “coupage” process; finished in vintage Armagnac, Cognac, and Sherry casks
- Purchased: 08/11/26 for $169.99 at Hi Proof (online)
- Recommended Cigar: My Father The Judge
Old Elk Cigar Cut “Island Blend” Straight Whiskies
- Classification: Blend of Straight Whiskies Finished in Port, Rum, Sherry, and Sauternes Casks
- Company: Old Elk Distilleries (Fort Collins, CO)
- Distillery: Distilled in Indiana (MGP); blended and bottled by Old Elk
- Mash Bill: Blend of Old Elk High-Malt Bourbon (51% Corn, 34% Malted Barley, 15% Rye), 95/5 Rye, and Wheated Bourbon (51% Corn, 45% Wheat, 4% Malt)
- Age: 6 Years base whiskies (finished an additional 6 months to 2 years across casks)
- Proof: 114.6 Proof (57.3% ABV)
- SRP: ~$129.99
- Released: Late 2023 / 2024 (Second national Cigar Cut release)
- Other: Secondary aging breakdown: 2 years in Sherry, 6–10 months in Port, 8 months in Rum, 6 months in Sauternes
- Purchased: 08/11/26 for $99.99 at Hi Proof (online)
- Recommended Cigar: Padrón 1926 Serie Natural
Good Times Cigar Batch “Mexican Vanilla” (Barrel #709)
- Classification: Single Barrel Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished in Mexican Vanilla, Oloroso Sherry, Cognac, and Armagnac Casks
- Company: Good Times Bourbon
- Distillery: Distilled in Indiana (MGP); secondary finished and bottled by Good Times Bourbon
- Mash Bill: Undisclosed MGP Bourbon (typically 75/21/4 or 60/36/4)
- Age: NAS (typically 4–6 years base)
- Proof: 116 Proof (58% ABV)
- SRP: ~$149.99–$169.99
- Released: 2025/2026 Limited Rare Release
- Other: Barrel Strength, Non-Chill Filtered; finished using charred Mexican vanilla wood staves alongside classic cigar blend fortified casks
- Purchased: 09/04/26 for $149.99 at Coxs Creek Distilling
- Recommended Cigar: Liga Privada No. 9 (or Arturo Fuente Hemingway).
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NOTE: The spirits in this review were purchased by us. We were not compensated by the spirit producer for this review. This is simply our opinion based on what we tasted on this day. Please drink responsibly.
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