S5 E1 - Exploring Penelope Toasted Bourbon & Perdomo Bourbon Barrel Aged Sungrown

An exploration of complementary sweet and spicy craftsmanship

When two thoughtfully crafted products—each aged in bourbon barrels and made with meticulous attention to detail—are brought together, the result can be more than the sum of its parts. The pairing of Penelope Toasted Bourbon with the Perdomo Bourbon Barrel Aged Sungrown Robusto cigar is one such harmonious experience, rooted in shared flavor foundations and contrasting character that enhances both.

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Penelope Toasted Bourbon: A Toasted Twist on Tradition

Penelope Bourbon’s Toasted Series starts with their signature four-grain straight bourbon, typically aged 4–5 years and finished in a variety of custom-toasted barrels. The toasted barrel finish imbues the whiskey with added layers of sweet char, spice, and baked confection notes.

Flavor Profile
Nose: Vanilla bean, warm marshmallow, baking spice, and light oak.
Palate: Caramelized sugar, cinnamon roll, nutmeg, graham cracker, and toasted almond.
Finish: Medium to long with a gently drying warmth, hints of toasted coconut, and a lingering brown sugar sweetness.

What stands out is its balance—sweet but never cloying, warm but not overly oaky. The toasted barrel finish lends a mellower, smoother character that makes it both sippable neat and ideal for pairing with rich tobacco.

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Perdomo Bourbon Barrel Aged Sungrown Robusto: Sun-Kissed Strength with Subtle Sweetness

The Perdomo Sungrown Robusto is a Nicaraguan puro, aged for a total of six years—five in traditional aging rooms, then an additional year in spent bourbon barrels. This secondary barrel aging process infuses subtle caramel and oak undertones into the tobacco without overwhelming the robust Nicaraguan character.

Flavor Profile
Size: 5x54
Visual: dark oily Habano wrapper, tight seams, minimal veining
Pre-light aroma: Earthy with a hint of spice and faint molasses.

The wrapper, exposed to significant sun, brings natural oils and strength, delivering medium-full body and consistent flavor evolution throughout the smoke.

First third: Black pepper, roasted coffee, and charred wood.

Second third: Transitions into cedar, cinnamon, and nuttiness, with emerging sweetness.

Final third: Leather, dark chocolate, and a touch of smoky bourbon oak.

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Pairing Dynamics: A Balanced Dance

The appeal of this pairing lies in the shared bourbon DNA. Both the whiskey and cigar benefit from contact with charred oak barrels, offering complementary flavors of caramel, vanilla, toasted spice, and charred wood. Yet, they diverge just enough to create an engaging contrast.

Togerher
The toasted sweetness of the Penelope Bourbon mellows the cigar’s earthy spice, particularly during the first third.

As the cigar deepens into its cedar and pepper core, the whiskey’s nutty and marshmallow tones act as a soothing counterpoint, never overshadowing the cigar’s bold Nicaraguan base.

During the final third, where the cigar gains complexity and a hint of cocoa and char, Penelope’s long finish provides continuity, adding a buttery sweetness that echoes the cigar’s richer notes.

This pairing is a fine example of parallel aging techniques leading to flavorful harmony: each elevates the other without domination. The bourbon draws out the cigar’s sweeter nuances, while the cigar gives the whiskey an earthy anchor.

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Final Thoughts

This pairing works not simply because both the bourbon and cigar have seen time in charred oak barrels, but because of how each interprets that influence. Penelope Toasted Bourbon leans into softness, confection, and layered warmth, while the Perdomo Sungrown Robusto delivers sun-drenched strength, earth, and spice.

Together, they tell a story of tradition modernized, a shared conversation between distiller and blender, fire and barrel, grain and leaf. For the enthusiast looking for a rich and rewarding pairing that speaks to the heart of American whiskey and Nicaraguan cigar craftsmanship, this duo delivers a memorable session worth savoring.

Rating: 9/10 for pairing potential
Recommended for: Bourbon lovers seeking a cigar companion with character, and cigar aficionados looking for a whiskey that enhances without overpowering. - Live via OneStream Live #onestreamlive