Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend Bourbon Batch 23
Joseph A. Magnus and Co. are a producer operation now out of Michigan, but formerly of Washington, DC until October 2020 (hence why the location below is DC, not Michigan). For several years now, they’ve been sourcing high quality aged bourbon from MGP in Indiana.
I wouldn’t be the first to say that Magnus’ secret weapon isn’t even on full-time staff: her name is Nancy Fraley, master blender, consultant, and self-proclaimed “professional nose”. Ms. Fraley’s work extends from Joseph A. Magnus to Still Austin in Texas, to the American Distilling Institute, Virginia Distilling Co., Wyoming Whiskey, Ironroot Republic, and some Smooth Ambler products (there are more, but I think the point is made!)
For Joseph A. Magnus Cigar Blend, Nancy and her team take the Magnus whiskey and age it further in a mix of Armagnac, Sherry, and Cognac casks, with different casks used in each batch. The result is a deeply fruity bourbon infused with the richness of the fortified wine and brandies. Not to mention, at 120+ proof, it’s no slouch in and of itself.
The batches are all slightly different, and several come out each year. I’m not a cigar man, so I can’t vouch for how good it is with a cigar, but I’d be hard pressed to think it’s not good with just about anything.
The only complaint I have, if that’s what you can call it, is that it comes off as more of a wine-and-brandy-flavored bourbon than a bourbon finished in those casks. I hedge because it is so delicious that I don’t mind it that much - just don’t go into it thinking you’re going to be tasting mostly bourbon with a little fruit.
Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend Bourbon Batch 23: Specs
Classification: Bourbon
Origin: MGP
Mashbill: Undisclosed
Proof: 124.19 (62.095% ABV)
Age: NAS (Barrels in the batch are 12-20 years old)
Location: Washington, DC
Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend Bourbon Batch 23 Price: $175
Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend Bourbon Batch 23 Review: Tasting Notes
Eye: Rich ochre. Very thin rim and no legs.
Nose: Beautifully sweet nose, all those wine and brandy notes blossoming amidst solid proof heat. Dark, a touch funky. The bourbon itself isn’t terribly strong, but it’s there.
Palate: Much hotter than the nose led me to expect, all focused on the tongue, with the sherry and Armagnac in full bloom: chocolate, dark fruit, sweet bourbon, very little rye (a touch of herbs and mint). Mouthfeel is mouthwatering, medium-bodied while being prickly and a touch astringent. The Armagnac takes over in the back palate and flows forward from there.
Finish: All sherry and Armagnac, chocolate and proof the whole way on a medium-length finish.
Overall: Delicious, more a yak-finished bourbon than a bourbon with finishing. The finish dominates, but it’s so delicious it remains a lovely pour.
Final Rating: 6.7
10 | Insurpassable | Nothing Else Comes Close (Blanton’s Straight from the Barrel)
9 | Incredible | Extraordinary (GTS, Elijah Craig Barrel Proof B518 and B520)
8 | Excellent | Exceptional (12+YO MGP Bourbon, Highland Park Single Barrels)
7 | Great | Well above average (Blanton’s Original, Old Weller Antique, Booker’s)
6 | Very Good | Better than average (Four Roses Small Batch Select, Knob Creek 14+ YO Picks)
5 | Good | Good, solid, ordinary (Elijah Craig Small Batch, Buffalo Trace, Old Grand-Dad Bottled-in-Bond)
4 | Sub-par | Many things I’d rather have (A.D. Laws Four Grain, Compass Box “Oak Cross”)
3 | Bad | Flawed (Iron Smoke Bourbon, Balcones)
2 | Poor | Forced myself to drink it (Buckshee Bourbon and Rye)
1 | Disgusting | Drain pour (Virginia Distilling Co. Cider Cask)
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