Over the past year, Penelope Bourbon Company has been releasing some amazing bottles of bourbon and whiskey in my opinion. If you are interested in some great bottles from this company, please check out my recent reviews of Penelope Wheated Bourbon and Penelope Estate Collection Private Select. Spoiler alert, unfortunately sometimes you get a new bottle that just misses the mark. Today’s review comes from the Penelope Bourbon Company and is their new release of Penelope Cigar Sessions.

Bottle Information

From the Penelope Bourbon website: The Perfect Pairing. Introducing the first release in our new Cigar Sessions series—crafted to elevate the cigar experience, one pour at a time. Chapter 1 is a masterful blend of Straight Bourbon, American Single Malt, and American Light Whiskey, aged six years and bottled at 101 proof. Developed in collaboration with master cigar blenders, this rich and balanced expression was designed to complement medium-bodied cigars with depth, complexity, and harmony.

• Distiller: Distilled in Lawrenceburg, IN, Bottled by Penelope Bourbon Bottling Company
• Mash Bill: 72% Corn, 15% Rye, and 13% Malted Barley
• Proof: 101
• Age: 6 Years Old
• Year: 2025
• MSRP: $79
• 2025 National Average: $99
• Official Website

This is another one of those bottles that seemed to never make it to the NoCo area. We just happened to walk into one of the smaller stores in our area and this bottle was on the counter at MSRP, so we snagged it. Overall, I had honestly hoped for something more from this bottle as in my opinion, Penelope has been releasing some amazing bottles lately. Unfortunately, neat, this is an above-average pour, and with a cigar, I found the palate even more underwhelming. With that said, let’s get our taste on; NEAT!

• Nose: Bright Fruit (Green Apple/Pear), Vanilla, Almond, and Oak
• Palate: Nuttiness, Vanilla, Oak, Baking Spice, and a General Fruitiness
• Finish: Medium with Notes Dry Oak and Baking Spice
• My Rating: Mix It!/Drink It! (Neat, this is an above average pour)

With an ALEC Bradley Project 40 CIGAR!

• Nose: Dark Red Fruit (Cherry/Fuji Apple), Vanilla, Brown Sugar, and Oak
• Palate: Unfortunately… subdued. Subtle Notes of Vanilla, Oak, and Fruitiness
• Finish: Long with Lasting Notes of Deep Red Fruit and Sweet Oak
• My Rating: Mix It! (The cigar brought out an amazing nose and finish but left the palate very underwhelming. I would say that personally, I prefer this pour without a cigar)

Please remember, drinking bourbon is a personal adventure, so do not be afraid to drink it neat, with ice, or add some water. It’s your bourbon, you bought it, and you should enjoy it how you want to enjoy it!

Cheers! Prost! Sláinte!

Bourbon Bossman®