Penelope Enters the Cigar Lounge

Penelope Enters the Cigar Lounge: “Cigar Sessions Chapter 1” Hits the Scene

Penelope Bourbon just lit up the whiskey world—literally and figuratively—with its latest limited release: Cigar Sessions Chapter 1, a bold new American whiskey designed to pair perfectly with a good smoke. It’s a first for Penelope, and they’re not holding back.

What’s in the Bottle?

Cigar Sessions Chapter 1 blends two straight whiskeys—one light whiskey aged 15 years and another aged 7 years in newly charred oak barrels. This combo brings deep, concentrated oak, spice, and rich caramel notes that can stand up to the boldest of cigars.

But what really sets it apart? The final whiskey is finished in Toasted American Oak barrels, dialing up the char and rounding out the profile with warmth and a lingering sweetness. The result is big, smoky, complex—and bottled at 111 proof to ensure it doesn’t get lost behind a Maduro.

Built for the Lounge

This release is all about vibe. Whether you’re lighting up a Cohiba or just enjoying the whiskey solo, this is a pour meant for slow sips and good conversation. As Penelope co-founder Danny Polise told Fred Minnick, the goal was to create something that “embraced the moment,” something that feels right when the ashtray’s full and the playlist’s just right.

And this isn’t just a gimmick—it’s a serious pour with top-tier sourcing and flavor development. Penelope leaned on MGP’s light whiskey stocks (already a favorite for enthusiasts), blending them with more traditional bourbon elements for a final product that’s both familiar and unique.

Packaging and Availability

The bottle leans into the theme with moody, dark label art and custom box packaging made to resemble a humidor. This isn’t just a whiskey—it’s a collector’s piece.

Available now via Penelope’s website and select retailers, but heads up: it’s a limited release, and bottles are already moving fast.

Final Pour

Penelope continues to prove they’re more than a sourced bourbon brand—they’re curators of experience. With Cigar Sessions Chapter 1, they’ve stepped into the lifestyle game in a big way. If you’re a cigar lover, a whiskey fan, or just someone who enjoys a thoughtful pour with personality, this is one worth hunting down.

Lost Lantern Shines Bright with Summer 2025 Estate Distillery Collection

Independent bottler Lost Lantern just dropped its Summer 2025 Collection, and this time they’re putting the spotlight on a rising trend in American whiskey: estate distilleries. These are distilleries that not only produce their own whiskey, but also grow their own grains and often distill, age, and bottle everything on-site—offering a full sense of place in every pour.

For a brand known for showcasing the country’s top craft whiskey makers, this latest lineup is as much a tribute to craftsmanship as it is to terroir.

What’s in the Summer 2025 Collection?

The new collection features six single cask releases from six estate distilleries across the U.S., each one chosen to reflect the distillery’s unique region, process, and grain source:

1. Whiskey Del Bac (Arizona) – Mesquite-smoked single malt that screams Southwest character.

2. Chattanooga Whiskey (Tennessee) – A malt-forward Tennessee whiskey showcasing bold grain complexity.

3. Watershed Distillery (Ohio) – A 6-year-old bourbon made from Ohio-grown corn, soft and sweet with rich caramel notes.

4. Freeland Spirits (Oregon) – A delicate but flavorful bourbon from a woman-founded and operated distillery.

5. Frey Ranch (Nevada) – Straight from one of the leaders in the estate movement, known for grain-to-glass excellence.

6. Kō Hana Distillers (Hawai‘i) – A standout with its heirloom Hawaiian sugarcane-based agricole rum, reminding us that estate spirits aren’t limited to whiskey.

Each release is cask strength and non-chill filtered, staying true to Lost Lantern’s commitment to transparency and flavor integrity.

Why Estate Distilleries?

Lost Lantern co-founders Nora Ganley-Roper and Adam Polonski are clear about their mission: highlight great whiskey being made all over the country. And this collection dives deep into the growing passion for estate-grown whiskey, where distillers are reclaiming agriculture as part of the story.

It’s also a savvy move—consumers are increasingly looking for authentic, traceable spirits with a sense of origin. Lost Lantern taps directly into that ethos.

Availability

The full Summer Collection is available now via Lost Lantern’s website and select retailers. Like all their releases, this one is limited—and based on early buzz, these bottles won’t stay on shelves for long.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re chasing grain-to-glass authenticity, expanding your palate with regional flavors, or just love discovering what American whiskey can really be, the Lost Lantern Summer 2025 Collection deserves a spot on your radar—and maybe your shelf.

Old Forester’s “President’s Choice” Goes Nationwide

It’s a big moment for Old Forester fans—one of the most coveted bottles in the brand’s portfolio is finally getting a national release. After years of being a distillery-only treasure (and a grail bottle for collectors), President’s Choice is officially headed to shelves across the country.

And that’s not all: Old Forester is also debuting a brand-new single barrel rye under the President’s Choice label. Let’s break it down.

What Is President’s Choice?

President’s Choice is Old Forester’s rarest and most exclusive single barrel offering. Each bottle comes from a hand-selected barrel, chosen by Old Forester Master Taster Melissa Rift and a rotating panel of tasters, including Old Forester President Campbell Brown.

The barrels are bottled at barrel strength (usually around 110–120+ proof), non-chill filtered, and released with zero shortcuts. Think intense flavor, robust spice, and serious depth.

Until now, these releases were only available at the Old Forester distillery in Louisville—and even then, extremely limited. Bottles sold out fast and often ended up in the hands of collectors or serious whiskey hunters.

National Release: What’s Changing?

Starting this summer, President’s Choice Bourbon will be available in select markets nationwide, finally giving fans across the U.S. a shot at this elusive gem without making a pilgrimage to Kentucky.

Even more exciting: Old Forester is introducing a President’s Choice Rye—the first time the label has expanded beyond bourbon. According to Forbes, the rye will follow the same high-barrel-strength, single barrel, hand-selected model.

Fred Minnick notes that the rye is expected to be spicy, bold, and complex, maintaining the brand’s reputation for high-quality flavor, but giving fans a whole new profile to explore.

Behind the Name

President’s Choice has deep roots. Originally created in the 1960s as a private selection for Brown-Forman executives, it was revived in 2018 as a distillery exclusive. The name itself honors the legacy of Old Forester’s presidential leadership over the years—and each barrel is signed by President Campbell Brown.

Availability

Expect extremely limited allocations even with this broader release. These are still single barrels, after all—just more accessible than before. If you see one on a shelf, it’s worth grabbing (or at least texting a friend about immediately).

Final Pour

With the nationwide release of President’s Choice Bourbon and the introduction of President’s Choice Rye, Old Forester isn’t just expanding its portfolio—they’re cementing their place at the top tier of American whiskey.

This is one for the collectors, the connoisseurs, and anyone who’s ever stood in line at the distillery hoping to score a bottle. Now, there’s a shot we all can.