Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend 383 Bourbon Review | Nancy Fraley’s Legendary Cigar Blend Creation

Written By Tortured Bourbon

Joseph Mangus Cigar Blend Bourbon

🎥 Watch the full episode here: Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend 383 Bourbon Review

Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend 383 isn’t just another bottle—it’s a bourbon legend. On this week’s Pour Decisions Wednesday, Heather and B crack open Batch 383 and dive into the origin story, tasting notes, and why this series remains one of the most coveted releases in bourbon today.

🥃 The Legend Behind Cigar Blend

Master Blender Nancy Fraley was enjoying a pipe and a pour of Joseph Magnus Triple Cask Bourbon one evening when she realized the tobacco overpowered the whiskey. Inspired by her love of Cognac cigar blends, she went back to the lab to create something bold enough to stand up to smoke. The result was Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend Bourbon, finished in French Armagnac casks and blended with carefully selected older bourbons.

🔍 What’s in Batch 383?

While every batch is different, Batch 383 stays close to the original blueprint:

  • A base of Joseph Magnus Triple Cask Bourbon (20–25%).

  • High-rye bourbon from MGP (36% rye mash bill), aged 11+ years.

  • Older 18-year MGP bourbon for depth and maturity.

  • Finished in 300-liter Armagnac casks, adding dried fruit and spice.

👃 Tasting Notes (Batch 383)

  • Nose: Tobacco, spice, leather, vanilla, blanched almonds, toffee, fig, prune, and dried apricot.

  • Palate: Dark molasses, old saddle leather, black cherry cola, and sweet barrel char smoke.

  • Finish: Long, bold, and layered with citrus peel, herbal notes, and botanical spice.

💵 Price & Availability

At around $175 MSRP, Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend isn’t easy to find. Batch 383 was a lucky score at a local ABC store, and bottles rarely last long on shelves. For bourbon lovers and cigar aficionados, it’s worth the chase.

🙌 Why We Love It

Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend 383 captures everything we love about bourbon: complexity, intensity, and a finish that lingers long after the sip. Pair it with a cigar, or enjoy it neat—the bold Armagnac finish ensures it won’t get lost.

🚀 More From Tortured Bourbon

We’re on a mission to explore bourbon one pour at a time—with laughs, debates, and plenty of banter along the way.

📌 Connect With Tortured Bourbon

🔥 Final Pour: Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend 383 proves why Nancy Fraley is considered the “nose” and “palate” behind so many iconic whiskeys. If you’re looking for a bourbon that can stand up to a cigar and deliver layers of complexity, Batch 383 is a must-try.

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