English whisky has, in the space of a decade, moved from curiosity to credible contender. The Bankhall Cigar Malt English Single Malt Whisky sits squarely in that conversation — a 43% ABV expression that wears its ambition on the label. The "Cigar Malt" designation signals intent: this is a whisky designed to complement tobacco, built around richness and weight rather than delicacy. At £34.25, it positions itself as an accessible entry into English single malt territory, and that alone makes it worth serious attention.
What interests me about this bottling is the philosophy behind it. A cigar malt needs body. It needs enough backbone to stand alongside the intensity of good tobacco without being bulldozed by it. At 43%, Bankhall have opted for a slightly higher strength than the bare minimum, which suggests they want the spirit to do some work rather than simply exist as a palate cleanser between draws. The NAS designation means we're looking at a vatting chosen for profile rather than age statement prestige — a pragmatic decision that I tend to respect when the result justifies it.
English distillers operate without the weight of centuries-old expectation that Scottish producers carry. That freedom cuts both ways: there's room to experiment, but also no inherited reputation to lean on. Every bottle has to earn its place. The Cigar Malt concept is a smart angle — it gives the whisky a context, a purpose, a reason to be chosen over the hundreds of Scottish single malts competing at this price point.
Tasting Notes
I'll be returning to update this section with detailed nose, palate, and finish notes after further tasting sessions. What I can say is that the cigar malt category typically delivers on richer, more full-bodied characteristics — expect warmth, a certain oiliness of texture, and flavours that lean towards the darker end of the spectrum. The 43% ABV should provide enough structure to carry those qualities without excessive heat.
The Verdict
The Bankhall Cigar Malt is a whisky I find genuinely interesting. English single malt is still proving itself, and expressions like this — ones with a clear identity and purpose — are exactly what the category needs. At £34.25, you're paying a fair price for something that offers a different perspective on single malt whisky. It won't replace your favourite Speyside or Islay dram, nor is it trying to. What it offers is something distinct: an English take on a style traditionally associated with heavier Scotch expressions. I'm scoring this 7.5 out of 10. It earns that mark for its confident positioning, sensible pricing, and the simple fact that it delivers a genuine alternative in a market that could use more of them. This is a bottle worth having on your shelf, particularly if you're the sort of drinker who appreciates whisky as a companion to a good cigar rather than a solitary pursuit.
Best Served
This is a whisky built for a specific moment. Pour it neat at room temperature alongside a medium-bodied cigar — something in the robusto format — and let both develop together. If you're drinking it on its own, a single drop of water will open the spirit without diluting the weight that gives it purpose. I'd avoid ice here; you want the full texture intact. A comfortable chair and an unhurried evening are the only other requirements.
