Penelope Cigar Sessions: Chapter 2

For the last few years, cigar blend whiskeys have been all the rage. There’s no legal definition of what a cigar blend must be; its purpose, however, is to pair a whiskey with cigars by offering a pour that features richness, spice, tannin, and sweetness so the cigar smoke doesn’t overpower it.

 

Some brands accomplish this by finishing their whiskey in Armagnac, Cognac, Sherry, or other cask types. Others blend different whiskey types. Usually, cigar blends are higher-proof offerings; many are at cask strength.

 

Last year, Penelope Bourbon released its Cigar Sessions: Chapter 1, a blend of MGP’s Straight Bourbon, American Light Whiskey, and American Single Malt. A new year brings a new chapter.

 

Cigar Sessions: Chapter 2, meant to be paired with medium or bold cigars, was developed as a true collaboration from start to finish. You can read for yourself what was going through the minds of both partners:

 

“Chapter 2 was an exciting collaboration between cigar and whiskey blenders. We would adjust the blend, taste it alongside the cigars, get the Alec Bradley team’s feedback and keep dialing it together. That process helped us find the right balance of proof, depth, and flavor so the whiskey could stand up to a fuller-bodied cigar without either one overpowering the other.” – Danny Polise, Founder & Master Blender

 

“A full-bodied cigar needs a whiskey that won’t back down from it. Working with Penelope’s blending team from the start let us build something bold without either one overpowering the other.” – Alec Rubin, Brand Manager of Strategic Partnerships at Alec Bradley

 

With the 2026 blend of Rye, Barley Malt, and American Light Whiskey, the combined mashbill is 69% corn, 19% rye, and 12% malted barley. It carries a 6-year age statement and is packaged at 58.7% ABV (117.4°). A 750mL bottle has a suggested price of $79.99. Cigar Sessions: Chapter 2 is a limited-edition whiskey, so once it is gone, it’s gone.

 

Penelope was kind enough to send me a sample of Cigar Sessions: Chapter 2 in exchange for my no-strings-attached, honest review. Let’s #DrinkCurious and discover what it is all about.

 

• Whiskey Type: American Whiskey
• Distiller: MGP
• Age: 6 years
• Mashbill: 69% corn, 19% rye, and 12% malted barley
• Cooperage: New, 53-gallon charred oak barrels
• Alcohol Content: 58.7% ABV (117.4°)
• Price per 750mL: $79.99
• Non-chill filtered

 

Appearance: I poured this whiskey neat into my Glencairn glass. The liquid was bronze in color and formed a fragile rim with slow, syrupy tears.

 

Nose: After waiting for about 15 minutes, I was ready to begin my sniffing journey. The aroma included older leather, dry oak, toffee, brown sugar, and nutmeg. When I pulled the air through my lips, I tasted thick molasses.

 

Palate: Cigar Session’s mouthfeel was oily, and it left the tip of my tongue tingling with oak tannins. With the second sip, the front of my palate discerned cocoa nibs, toasted oak, and campfire-cooked corn on the cob. Next came an almost sticky molasses, smoke, and tobacco leaf. Flavors of leather, dark chocolate, and allspice were on the back.

 

Finish: Allspice, dark chocolate, cocoa, leather, and smoked oak remained in my mouth and throat. There was no build-up, not even a gradual one. Instead, the finish was bold from beginning to the end. Speaking of the ending, the duration ran a full 1:34, dragging it into the long venue.  

 

Bottle, Bar, or Bust: Much to the dismay of my friends, I don’t indulge in tobacco of any kind. As such, I’m not able to tell you how this whiskey would interact with a cigar. Yet, I can share my impression of Cigar Session: Chapter 2 with you.

 

I’ve had a few dozen cigar blends over the years, and Penelope’s is one of the more off-profile. That’s not a knock; it is merely an observation. I can certainly imagine how neither a cigar nor this whiskey would overpower the other. It had a combination of savory and spicy notes; what was unusual was how subdued the sweetness was.

 

While Cigar Session: Chapter 2 defied any of my preconceived notions for what a cigar blend should be, I appreciated its uniqueness. That’s almost always a plus for me. It does seem a bit pricey for a 6-year-old whiskey; at the same time, I do recognize how much extra work went into this collaboration to bring it to fruition. I enjoyed what was in my glass, and I think you will too. My Bottle rating is appropriate. Cheers!  

 

 

My Simple, Easy-to-Understand Rating System

• Bottle = Buy It
• Bar = Try It
• Bust = Leave It

 

Whiskeyfellow encourages you to enjoy your whiskey as you see fit, but begs you to do so responsibly.