Penelope Bourbon x Alec Bradley: Cigar Sessions Chapter 2 Whiskey Review

Penelope Cigar Sessions Chapter 2 Review: Is this $80 whiskey worth buying if you don't smoke cigars? This week I'm finding out by tasting Penelope's latest collaboration with Alec Bradley Cigars both on its own and paired with an Alec Bradley Black Market cigar. But first, we're talking about something I don't get to say very often in whiskey news: older, higher-proof whiskey is actually getting more affordable. Copper & Cask just announced X Bourbon, a permanent 10-year barrel-proof release made from 10-12-year-old Indiana whiskey for just $70. Starlight Distillery is also releasing a 7-year, 110.8-proof estate-grown bourbon for $60, while newcomer Whisky Craft is offering a 21-year Highland single malt Scotch matured in first-fill bourbon barrels for just £85. We also have an important update on the devastating fire at Glenns Creek Distillery, which destroyed several historic structures at the former Old Crow site. Thankfully, nobody was injured, no bourbon was lost, and the distillery has reopened to visitors. Then The Dalmore is getting into the cigar-pairing conversation with its new 18-year Cigar Malt Signature Reserve, a premium Scotch designed to complement a good cigar. Which brings us to this week's Byte-Sized Review. Penelope Cigar Sessions: Chapter 2 was developed in collaboration with Alec Bradley Cigars, specifically to complement medium-to-full-bodied cigars. The specs: • 6 years old • 117.4 proof • 69% corn, 19% rye, 12% malted barley • $79.99 MSRP • Paired with an Alec Bradley Black Market cigar I spent an evening out on my patio trying the combination before coming back to review the whiskey on its own. And the difference genuinely surprised me. On its own, Penelope Cigar Sessions Chapter 2 delivers cinnamon, cardamom, brown sugar, vanilla cream, strawberry, chocolate, and a sweet dessert-like profile. But paired with the cigar, the brighter fruit notes really come alive against the darker tobacco flavors. It's enjoyable on its own, but at $80, I think the pairing is where this release really proves itself. Also in this episode: Copper & Cask X Bourbon, Starlight's new estate bourbon, Whisky Craft First Light 21 Year Scotch, the Glenns Creek Distillery fire update, and The Dalmore 18 Year Cigar Malt. Would you pay $80 for a whiskey specifically designed to go with a cigar? And what's your favorite whiskey and cigar pairing? Whiskey and cigar samples were provided by Penelope and Alec Bradley for review. Find more Bourbon Bytes, join the Byte Club, and hang out in Discord at BourbonBytes.com. Chapter Markers: 00:00 Intro - Affordable Aged Whiskey + Penelope Cigar Sessions 00:27 Welcome + This Week's Theme 01:38 Copper & Cask X 10 Year Barrel Proof Bourbon 03:12 Starlight 7 Year Estate Bourbon 05:29 Whisky Craft First Light 21 Year Scotch 07:29 Glenns Creek Distillery Fire Update 08:41 The Dalmore 18 Year Cigar Malt 10:11 Byte-Sized Review - Penelope Cigar Sessions Chapter 2 + Alec Bradley Pairing 20:29 Final Thoughts + Outro