Penelope Bourbon Cigar Sessions One American Whiskey Review.
Penelope has long been a name to watch in the whiskey world, and with their 2025 release of Cigar Series Chapter One, they’re pushing the boundaries again. This bottle, which I stumbled upon in mid-July, had been out for about a month and a half, but there it was, sitting on a shelf like it was waiting for me. It felt like one of those “last one left” moments, maybe even a bottle someone stashed in the back hoping to grab later. Regardless, it came home with me.
Now, I’m not a cigar smoker myself, but I’ve always had a soft spot for cigar blends. There’s something about the sweeter, often multi-finished profiles that tend to hit my palate just right. This particular entry from Penelope doesn’t rely on multiple barrel finishes the way others in the space do. Instead, they’ve opted for a more blend-forward approach, and honestly, that’s what made me so curious. It’s a bold swing in a genre that’s often dominated by excess.
What sets it apart, though, is its blend: a mix of straight bourbon, 100% American single malt, and American light whiskey. Once blended, it’s finished with French oak staves, an interesting choice, especially considering that French oak isn’t typically associated with overt sweetness the way rum or port finishes are. While many cigar blends lean heavily on dessert-like finishes, Penelope seems to be saying, “We can get there through blending skill alone.” And frankly, I respect the hell out of that.
Age Statement: 6 years.
ABV: 50.5%.
Mash bill: 72% corn, 15% rye, and 13% malted barley.
Blend: 100% American single malt, and American light whiskey. French Oak staved finished.
Area of Distillation: Lawrenceburg, Indiana.
Appearance: Citrine.
On the nose:
This nose is a full bouquet of sweetness and depth. Right up front, you’re hit with a wave of malt and stewed fruits, raspberries, blackberries, even a little red licorice. There’s orchard fruit here too: ripe apples and soft pear, almost like walking through a fall fruit market. Underneath it all is a rich pastry layer that leans toward apple pie, with a touch of butterscotch and creamy vanilla weaving through. Subtle herbal notes and a faint chocolate-like depth round it out beautifully. There’s no ethanol bite and no sharp edges, just layers of warm, sweet complexity.
Taste:
Damn. This whiskey has teeth, in the best way possible. The fruit notes return full force, with red and green apples, pear, and a candied apricot edge that’s almost syrupy. There’s a soft herbal spice running underneath, with clove and cinnamon showing up to balance the sweetness. Chocolate reemerges from the nose, adding a richness that works wonderfully with the body of the whiskey. The light whiskey component really shines here, bringing caramel and creamy vanilla into sharper focus, while the French oak seems to add a touch of baking spice without overwhelming the blend.
Finish:
The finish is long, smooth, and layered. A gentle cedar spice lingers on the tongue, giving just a touch of wood and pepper to balance the sweetness. There’s a faint tobacco earthiness, likely from the American single malt, that adds a grounding element, but it never veers into the bitter or astringent. It’s got the kind of clean, candy-like sweetness that invites you back for another sip, but also enough depth to make you sit and think for a moment.
Final Thoughts:
Penelope Cigar Series Chapter One lands right where it should. This bottle belongs firmly in the $80 range, and for that price, you’re getting a well-constructed, flavorful pour that delivers complexity without overwhelming the senses. This is a cigar blend that doesn’t rely on layered finishing gimmicks. Instead, it showcases what thoughtful blending and stave integration can achieve when done right. While I do wish the age was a touch higher for the price, the result speaks for itself. If you enjoy sweeter bourbons or are looking for something to pair with a cigar that doesn’t taste like it was dunked in dessert wine, this one’s worth hunting down.
Rating: A- (Amazing).
Cost: $79.99 for 750ml.
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