Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend Bourbon Batch 394
Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend Bourbon Batch 394 is a bourbon whiskey in a 750mL bottle, blending Joseph Magnus bourbon with 11- and 18-year-old whiskeys and finishing the marriage in Armagnac, sherry, and cognac casks — master blender Nancy Fraley's tribute to French "Cigare" blend cognacs, built for the company of a fine cigar and available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.
- ABV: 50.35% (100.7 proof) per the brand's published Cigar Blend line spec — FLAG: batch proofs vary; Batch 394's bottle-specific proof is unverified, confirm from the bottle
- Size: 750mL
- Blend: Joseph Magnus bourbon plus 11- and 18-year-old whiskeys
- Finishing casks: Armagnac, sherry, and cognac
- Origin: blended and finished in Holland, Michigan by Jos. A. Magnus & Co.; spirit distilled in Indiana
- Master Blender: Nancy Fraley — the Cigar Blend is her nod to the French brandy tradition she trained in
- Heritage: the revived brand of Joseph Alexander Magnus, who began distilling in 1892; resurrected by his great-grandson from a rediscovered pre-Prohibition bottle
- Awards (line): Double Gold, 2017 San Francisco World Spirits Competition (Batch 3); Whisky Advocate 91; Drinkhacker 95
Blended for the Cigar Hour
The Cigar Blend is Nancy Fraley's love letter to the French brandy tradition she was trained in — a bourbon built like a great "Cigare" blend cognac. It starts with Joseph Magnus bourbon, then layers in 11- and 18-year-old whiskeys and finishes the union in Armagnac, sherry, and cognac casks. The result is a whiskey designed from the ground up to stand next to a fine cigar: bold tobacco and leather notes from the blend, dried fruit from the finishing casks, and the kind of depth that rewards slow sipping. It is one of the most decorated bourbons in the American craft scene, with a Double Gold from the 2017 San Francisco World Spirits Competition on its shelf. Explore more in our bourbon collection and the full Joseph Magnus range.
Tasting Notes
Official brand copy describes bold, rich aromas of tobacco, spice, leather, vanilla, blanched almonds, and toffee, with the Armagnac finish adding fruity notes of fig, prune, and dried apricot. The 11- and 18-year-old whiskey components contribute mature oak depth, while the cognac and sherry casks layer in dried fruit and nuttiness. Built to pair with a fine cigar — the tobaccos and leather notes mirror the smoke beautifully.
How to Enjoy
Neat, in a snifter, alongside a cigar — that is the blender's intent. Take it with a few drops of water to open the dried-fruit notes. At 100+ proof it also carries a cocktail: try it in a Manhattan or a Boulevardier where the Armagnac-finished fruit adds a French accent. Pair with dark chocolate or aged cheddar.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend?
A bourbon blended with 11- and 18-year-old whiskeys and finished in Armagnac, sherry, and cognac casks — created by master blender Nancy Fraley to be enjoyed with a fine cigar.
Who blends it?
Nancy Fraley, Jos. A. Magnus & Co.'s master blender, who designed the Cigar Blend as a nod to French "Cigare" blend cognacs and her training in the French brandy tradition.
What is the proof?
The brand's published line spec is 100.7 proof (50.35% ABV), but batch proofs vary across releases — the Batch 394 bottle should be checked before stating a figure.
Has the Cigar Blend won awards?
Yes. Batch 3 took Double Gold at the 2017 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, and the line has earned 91 points (Whisky Advocate) and 95 points (Drinkhacker).
A bourbon built for the cigar hour — order Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend Bourbon Batch 394 online at Del Mesa Liquor in San Diego, CA.