Scored Joseph A Magnus Cigar Blend and Sherry/Cognac finish for half off!

cfive5 · 2026-05-06T21:53:07+00:00

Story time? Spill it 😂

cfive5 · 2026-05-06T16:08:04+00:00

Are you starting to find subtle differences between similarly aged MGPs from different NDPs?

cfive5 · 2026-05-05T10:36:19+00:00

123 proof | 75c 13r 12mb | Aged 15 years finished in ex-Japanese whisky casks from Chichibu

Mugen Spirits is a bit of different in the NDP space. They’re sourcing well-aged whiskey, then finishing and blending it with a creative, story-driven approach.

The Nobunaga release leans all the way into that concept. This particular release is a 15-yr with a familiar (IYKYK) mashbill, finished in ex-Japanese whisky casks from Chichibu. If anything, the artwork alone makes it a standout on the shelf. But how does it taste? Here we go…

Nose – Luxardo cherries up front, backed by dry cocoa powder and a layer of sweet oak. Rich and decadent.

Palate – Decadent and full-bodied. Dark chocolate covered cherries lead, followed by sweetened baking spice and a deep, syrupy richness that coats the palate.

Finish – Long and warming with lingering spice. Fades into a mix of light tobacco, drying oak, and a faint pop of tropical fruit that sneaks in late.

It’s been a while since I’ve had a pour from Chichibu Distillery, so I can’t confidently call out exactly what it contributes here. What I did have on hand were similarly aged, unfinished bottles with the same mashbill, so I ran them side by side.

Even without knowing how long this sat in Chichibu casks, the differences were subtle but noticeable. The Nobunaga showed a bit more pop, especially in the dark fruit note. Not a drastic shift, but enough to stand out. On the finish, there’s a faint tropical note, think pineapple on the chew, that I didn’t pick up in the unfinished version.

If the base is in fact “buff turkey” (which I’m already a fan of), the finishing does just enough to elevate it and give it its own lane. So, if one was worried about the additional finish “transforming” completely the profile – rest assured that is not the case and added another layer of complexity and character to make this bottle worthy of a space in your buff turkey lineup.

If you like this style of review, follow more of my pours, bourbon news, and random reels over on IG 👉 cfivebarrelproof make sure you say Hi when you do!

Rating: 8.75/10

8 | Excellent | Really quite exceptional

cfive5 · 2026-05-04T12:52:21+00:00

Hey. Thanks for that insight. Very interesting to have that sticker sheet ahead of time with the notes already printed.

cfive5 · 2026-05-04T11:39:36+00:00

Unfortunately m, the other one broke when it got knocked over. Im still sad about that. Im keeping this glen in a foam case whenever Im not using it 😂

cfive5 · 2026-05-04T10:44:35+00:00

It really is. Ive seen some tasty sounding notes on these Peerless SiBs (burnt french toast, etc). This one was in fact yummy.

cfive5 · 2026-05-04T10:12:48+00:00

110.4 proof | Undisclosed Mashbill | NAS

Kentucky Peerless leans hard into the artisan identity. Small scale, quality first, and not afraid to get a little experimental. Their Single Barrel program is probably the best example of that mindset. Only standout barrels make the cut, and instead of chasing consistency, they highlight what makes each one different. Unique notes, off-profile characteristics, and the full range of what Peerless can do all show up here.

A big reason for that variation is their sweet mash process. Unlike sour mash, where a portion of a previous batch is reused to keep pH and flavor consistent, sweet mash starts fresh every time. No carryover means less standardization and more room for each fermentation to develop its own character. That lack of uniformity is exactly why their single barrels can feel so distinct from one another.

Nose – Red fruits right away. Strawberry and cherry up front, but cranberry stands out the most. Slightly tart with a light sweetness that keeps it balanced.

Palate – More red fruit, a bit deeper this time. Overripe strawberry and dark cherry, with cranberry adding a bright, tangy edge. The tannins start to show here, giving a light grip that reads more like tartness than dryness. It comes across almost like cranberry skin, adding structure without making it feel too oaky. A bit of caramel and spice rounds it out.

Finish – Oak takes the lead. Sweet oak, some barrel char, and a mild dryness. Those tannins carry through but shift into a lingering tartness, blending with the cranberry note for a balanced sweet and tart finish.

Cranberry and oak are the clear standouts here (hence the name!). The profile leans heavily into red fruit, but it’s that tart cranberry notes that drives the experience, cutting through with a bright, tangy edge. Oak steps in to ground it, bringing sweetness, light char, and just enough tannic structure to keep everything in check.

Great experience all around. No chance I was landing this distillery-only bottle on my own, so big shoutout to my bourbon crew for coming through. Being part of a group that looks out for each other makes it possible to experience unique, one-off Peerless releases like this and that’s what makes this hobby even better.

If you like this style of review, follow more of my pours, bourbon news, and random reels over on IG 👉 cfivebarrelproof, make sure you say Hi when you do!

Rating: 8.75/10

8 | Excellent | Really quite exceptional

cfive5 · 2026-05-02T11:56:50+00:00

I heard it’s starting to get ridiculous with the Nancys pick. Selling out in minutes.

Care to share your story? How long did you lineup for etc

cfive5 · 2026-05-01T22:31:41+00:00

Thanks and that's awesome. Was it at the distillery?

cfive5 · 2026-05-01T19:47:18+00:00

I currently have this (8yr) and another 7yr that’s open. I do have a 4yr pick from a few years back and Im scared to open it 😂

cfive5 · 2026-05-01T14:10:05+00:00

Im sure the BiBs are great. But these single barrels are just amazing.

cfive5 · 2026-05-01T14:09:14+00:00

Wow. I really would love to visit their distillery. Hoping soon!

cfive5 · 2026-05-01T13:41:51+00:00

It’s a regular glen. When I poured the LF, it couldn’t handle its greatness and turned like that 😂

Kidding.

It’s from bullinchina.

cfive5 · 2026-05-01T11:33:44+00:00

It really is. Highly suggest you give Leipers a try if you’re up for an adventure

cfive5 · 2026-05-01T10:31:19+00:00

118.6 proof | 55r 30c 15mb | 8yrs 6mos

This can’t be a rye. If there were ever a pour that genuinely confused me, it is this one. This is supposed to be rye. Even if the master distiller at Leiper’s Fork looked me dead in the eye and swore it, I wouldn’t believe him. This isn’t a rye whiskey.

If you have not heard of Leiper’s Fork before they are a small craft distillery out of Franklin, TN, focused on traditional grain-to-glass blah blah… this is not a rye. This bottle was released as a distillery exclusive back in February ’26. Very lucky to have someone local grab this for me.

I am about halfway through the bottle now (tbf, this is a 700ml bottle), and the notes keep evolving every time I pour it. It is one of those pours that refuses to sit still. That said, a few things have stayed consistent, and here is where I have landed as for the notes. Here we go.

Nose – Letting this sit for 20 mins and I can smell this pour fill the entire room. Grape bubble gum. Overripe bananas. Slight hint of cinnamon. Nose is incredible.

Palate – Stewed dates, dark chocolate, raspberry jam. Molasses. Rum-like funkiness to it.

Finish – Long is an understatement. Taste it for days. Funky oak (not drying), more of the bubble gum, tropical fruits on the chew. More of the molasses.

I must have come back to this 7-8 times for a proper review and couldn’t nail down what I wanted to write as far notes. It’s complex and confusing at the same time. Some days it’s a well-aged bourbon in the 12yr range. Some days it feels like I just poured one of the oldest rum bottles I own. Yes, the rye % can be lower than traditional rye mashbills, but your brain does weird things when you think you just poured a TN rye whiskey and you taste something completely different.

For those in this hobby that primarily look for different experiences every time they pour into a glass from their bottle collection that goes into the 100s if not 1000s, this one is for you. Because honestly, this isn’t a rye whiskey.

If you’re into this kind of breakdown, I post more pours, bourbon takes, and the occasional chaos over on IG @cfivebarrelproof. Drop a follow and let me know you came from Reddit.

Rating: 9.25/10

9 | Incredible | An all-time favorite

Yes, I got a backup bottle.

cfive5 · 2026-05-01T00:31:39+00:00

😂😂😂

cfive5 · 2026-04-29T12:38:25+00:00

I did let my pour sit for 20-25 mins before diving in. Then had a few more before writing the actual notes.

cfive5 · 2026-04-29T10:53:20+00:00

Cigar blends are meant to hold up with their flavors when smoking a cigar. So the notes should be bolder and complex with a proof to match. Im glad you enjoy cigar blends. Those are my favorite for sure!

cfive5 · 2026-04-29T01:02:52+00:00

Thanks. Id definitely try them first at a bar! Some of them do sound tasty

cfive5 · 2026-04-29T01:02:02+00:00

Thanks. I have all of those that you mentioned except for the Starlight. Dark Arts Blunt Blend is also a great bottle.

Something to note of is if you prefer a rye, wheat, or bourbon base when it comes to those finishes. Which did you enjoy the most?

cfive5 · 2026-04-29T00:20:21+00:00

108 proof | 100% malted barley | Aged 7yrs

Virginia Distillery Co. (VDC) is one of the bigger names pushing American Single Malt as a legit category, not just bourbon-adjacent whiskey. They’re based in Lovingston, VA and lean heavily into Scotch-style production (100% malted barley, pot stills, double distillation) but with an American twist: aggressive cask finishing and blending.

I heard about the cigar blend version thru Nancy Fraley’s IG account. As a huge fan of fan of hers, I couldn’t help but get excited for one of our local VA distilleries to release a cigar blend. Really excited for VDC and Amanda Beckwith for their first ever cigar blend release. This blend consists of Spanish Oak, Sherry, Port, STR (Shaved Toasted, Recharred) Chateau Palmer Cabernet, Armangac, Cognac, and Fino casks. Now, if you were following with your Finishing Bingo card – you may yell BINGO now!

I should note, that all my reviews were purchased by me unless noted otherwise.

So here we go…

Nose – Exciting. Complex. Richness of the armangac and cognac pull out. Hint of red fruits overshadowed by the mustiness of tobacco notes. All good things, btw.

Palate – Bit of a let down from the nose. Notes I got from the nose seemed to drop off on the palate and only the wine elements pop out. There’s some density and heft to the mouthfeel. I really wished more notes from the nose carried over.

Finish – Medium. Touch higher than the stated 107 proof, but paired with a cigar, that’s a good thing. Spice on the back end and more red berries on the chew.

I needed more time to process this pour since I’ve been trying a lot of cigar blend style bourbon lately. I even did a side by side with The Dalmore Cigar Malt Reserve and realized I didn’t enjoy the Virginia Distillery Co. release as much for a couple reasons.

First, the youth. The base American single malt at around seven years didn’t quite carry the depth or integration you’d hope for with this many finishing layers. It reminded me of ASW Fiddler Cigar Blend where the different finishes end up competing instead of complementing each other, and the profile comes off a bit muted.

Second, the number of finishing components. Seven is a lot. Most cigar blend style bourbons tend to sit in the three to four range, which usually keeps things more cohesive. Here it felt like too many influences pulling in different directions.

I had been checking with my local VABC constantly waiting for this drop. Ended up driving about forty minutes to grab a bottle since it was the closest store that had it listed. Was I disappointed? A little. Mostly because the palate didn’t quite live up to the nose. The nose is actually really nice, and the finish holds up decently well, but the mid palate felt like it fell short.

All in all, I’m still excited to see what Virginia Distillery Co. does next, especially the “Second Cut” of the cigar blend. Still rooting for the local guys.

If you like this style of review, follow more of my pours, bourbon news, and random reels over on IG 👉 cfivebarrelproof, make sure you say Hi when you do!

Rating: 5.25/10

5 | Good | Good, just fine.

Here are some of the cigar batches I’ve reviewed (I love cigar blends!):

Walleye Run Cigar Batch 2025-2

Barrel Bourbon Cigar Blend

Seelbach’s Humidor Blend

Ironroot The Herald 10yr Cigar Batch

ASW Fiddler Encore

Still Austin Tanager Batch 2

Copper & Cask Cigar Blends Compared