What Is Cigar Blend Bourbon?

What Is Cigar Blend Bourbon?

If you've been browsing bourbon shelves lately, you've probably noticed bottles labeled "Cigar Blend," "Cigar Cut," or "Cigar Batch." But what does that actually mean? Here's the story behind one of bourbon's newest and loosest designations.

The Origin Story

Master blender Nancy Fraley is credited with coining the term "cigar blend bourbon" while working at Joseph Magnus & Co. The story goes that one evening she was smoking a pipe and drinking bourbon, finding that the flavors were just a little lacking for the experience she wanted. What she concocted was a blend of older whiskies (aged 11-18 years) finished in Cognac, Sherry, and Armagnac casks—flavors intended to be bold enough to hold up against tobacco and pair well with a fine cigar.

The first batch of Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend was released in late 2016, and the term quickly caught on across the industry. But Fraley's inspiration didn't come from nowhere—she was paying homage to a long tradition in France, where Cognac makers have created "cigare blends" designed specifically to pair with cigars for decades. Examples include Cognac Frapin Cigar Blend XO, Hine Cognac XO Cigar Reserve, and Cognac Park XO Cigar Blend dating back years. There's even Dalmore Cigar Malt, a single malt Scotch first introduced in 1999.

What Defines a Cigar Blend?

Here's the catch: there's no strict definition or widely agreed-upon use case for what makes a bourbon a "cigar blend." As Terry Lozoff of Latitude Beverage explains, "While there is no official definition for a 'Cigar Blend,' there is history to the term. In American whiskey, Cigar Blends have typically involved a combination of finishes, with Armagnac and/or Cognac being a favored choice."

Most cigar blend bourbons seem to fall into two categories:

Type 1: Multiple Cask Finishes These are blends combining whiskey finished in various casks—typically some combination of Cognac, Armagnac, and Sherry barrels, often with Port thrown in. Examples include Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend (Cognac, Sherry, Armagnac finishes), Old Elk Cigar Cut (Port, Sauternes, Sherry, or Rum barrel finishes), and Penelope Cigar Sessions 01 American Whiskey.

Type 2: Amburana Cask Finishes Amburana is a type of Brazilian oak that imparts a distinctly strong, sweet flavor profile, think cinnamon toast crunch or liquid churro. When tasters encounter amburana, the notes are very distinct and sometimes overpowering. Examples include Starlight Cigar Batch and Rare Character Cigar Batch.

The Flavor Connection

Why do these finishes work with cigars? According to Fraley, it comes down to a specific aroma called "rancio" that develops in aged spirits, particularly those distilled on the lees. "Over time, it develops notes that are somewhat nutty, earthy, even a little buttery, with some notes of pipe tobacco," she explains. "Needless to say, this note pairs well with cigars."

Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend actually touts "bold, rich aromas of tobacco" in its marketing. The whiskies are aged longer (typically 11-18 years for Magnus, minimum 6 years for Old Elk) and the finishing periods vary from a few months to two years depending on the producer.

Does "Cigar Blend" Mean You Need a Cigar?

Not necessarily. While these bourbons were designed to pair with cigars, many brands have broadened the appeal. Old Elk's Production Manager Melinda Maddox describes Cigar Cut as "designed to celebrate the summer moments we all cherish, whether that be enjoying a sunset and a nice glass of whiskey, getting the family together, or going on vacation with friends", making no mention of cigars at all.

The general idea seems to be a spirit that's spent time in unique barrel combinations, possibly (but not necessarily) giving off tobacco-like notes. The proof points tend to range from around 100 proof up into the 120s, though most have settled around 115 proof.

Why They're Popular

"They sell!" says Jimmy Underwood of Good Times Bourbon bluntly. And he's not wrong, you can't spend time on bourbon Instagram, Facebook, or Reddit without encountering cigar batch releases, and whiskey collectors scramble to grab them.

The typical flavor profile? Expect dark dried fruits like raisin, dried apricots, and dried cranberries, sometimes with notes that almost resemble scotch. The palate is usually thick, rich, and decadent with those dried fruit notes carrying through, often with honey and chocolate-covered raisin on the finish. The combination of older whiskey and multiple cask finishes creates complexity that stands up to bold flavors—whether that's a fine cigar or just a quiet evening.

The Bottom Line

Cigar blend bourbon has no official definition, but it generally means whiskey finished in multiple interesting casks (often Cognac, Armagnac, Sherry, or Amburana) with bold flavors designed to hold their own against tobacco. Whether you're an actual cigar smoker or just appreciate complex, richly flavored bourbon, these releases offer something different from standard expressions. Just don't expect consistency across brands, each producer interprets "cigar blend" their own way, which is both the frustration and the fun of this loosely defined category.