Penelope Bourbon & Alec Bradley Release Cigar Sessions: Chapter 2

Bardstown, KY / Ft. Lauderdale, FL — Penelope Bourbon and Alec Bradley Cigars have released Cigar Sessions: Chapter 2, the second collaboration between the two brands, built from the ground up as a whiskey made to stand toe-to-toe with a full-bodied cigar.

The Whiskey: Bottled at 117.4 proof and aged six years, the release carries a mash bill of 69% corn, 19% rye and 12% malt. Made in small batches, it opens with toasted oak, dark caramel, leather and baking spice on the nose, moves into charred brown sugar, sweet corn, cocoa and creamy malt on the palate, and finishes with dark chocolate, seasoned oak and warm spice that lingers alongside the smoke.

A True Collaboration: Unlike a typical pairing, Chapter 2 was blended in tandem by both teams from the start.

“A full-bodied cigar needs a whiskey that won’t back down from it,” said Alec Rubin, brand manager of strategic partnerships at Alec Bradley. “Working with Penelope’s blending team from the start let us build something bold without either one overpowering the other.”

“Chapter 2 was an exciting collaboration between cigar and whiskey blenders,” said Danny Polise, founder and master blender of Penelope Bourbon. “We would adjust the blend, taste it alongside the cigars, get the Alec Bradley team’s feedback and keep dialing it together. That process helped us find the right balance of proof, depth, and flavor so the whiskey could stand up to a fuller-bodied cigar without either one overpowering the other.”

Family Ties: Both brands trace their names back to family — Penelope Bourbon after Michael Paladini’s daughter, and Alec Bradley after founder Alan Rubin’s sons, Alec and Bradley.

“Family has always been at the heart of Alec Bradley, so it’s especially meaningful to be partnering with a brand that carries that same spirit,” said Bradley Rubin, brand manager and ambassador at Alec Bradley. “Bringing our two teams together on Cigar Sessions: Chapter 2 felt like a natural fit. We share a deep respect for the craft behind what we make, and we’re excited to see how that shared passion comes through in the pairing.”

Availability: Penelope Bourbon Cigar Sessions: Chapter 2 carries an SRP of $79.99 and is available now at select retailers nationwide while supplies last. Learn more at penelopebourbon.com or follow @penelopebourbon on Instagram.

About Penelope Bourbon

Founded in 2018, Penelope Bourbon is one of the fastest-growing, award-winning premium whiskey brands, known for uniquely blended and finished straight bourbon and whiskey expressions plus handcrafted ready-to-serve cocktails. Recent honors include a Best in Class finalist nod and Double Gold for Toasted at the 2025 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, Double Platinum for Wheated, and Platinum medals for the Peach Old Fashioned and Black Walnut Old Fashioned RTP cocktails at the 2025 ASCOT Awards. Visit PenelopeBourbon.com and follow on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.

About Luxco

Founded in St. Louis in 1958, Luxco is a leading producer, supplier, importer and bottler of beverage alcohol, operating as the Branded Spirits division of MGP Ingredients Inc. (Nasdaq: MGPI) since 2021. Its portfolio spans four distilleries: MGP Distillery in Lawrenceburg, Indiana (MGP Bourbon, Penelope, Remus); Lux Row Distillers in Bardstown, Kentucky (Rebel, Ezra Brooks, Blood Oath); Limestone Branch Distillery in Lebanon, Kentucky (Yellowstone Bourbon); and Destiladora Gonzalez Lux in Arandas, Mexico (Cortada, El Mayor, Escasa, Exotico). Visit Luxco.com.

About Alec Bradley

Founded in 1996, Alec Bradley has grown into one of the cigar industry’s most respected and award-winning brands, offering blends from timeless classics to innovative releases. The brand has earned Cigar of the Year honors and numerous 90+ ratings from leading publications. Visit AlecBradleyCigars.com and follow on Facebook and Instagram.