Montecristo No. 30: Review

Wrapper: Connecticut Valley
Binder: Dominican Rep.
Fillers: Brazil and Dom. Rep.
Size: 5 inches by 50 ring gauge
My Strength Rating: Starts off intense – 7; Mid-point to finish 5

I got this cigar at a cigar dinner fundraiser about two years ago. I smoked all the other cigars that I received from that sampler pack. For some reason this one is still sitting around so, let’s smoke this one up today.

Holy cow am I smoking a Montecristo? It starts off spicy spice, black pepper, and maybe I can call it bitter citrus. Remember, a characteristic of a coarse black pepper is a citrus note. The first third of this stick was fairly strong.

This cigar has some burning issues. It is canoeing on the burn. That is when one side does not burn and you have to keep on lighting it to get it to burn properly. A couple of times it wanted to tunnel on me as well. Tunneling is when it burns in the middle but is not burning on the outer edges. I had to continually keep hitting this cigar with the lighter in order to smoke it.

By mid-point the spicy profile disappeared and I was left with an earthy style. The earthy style reminds me of burnt soil. The texture was still a little on the harsh side.

This cigar needs a beverage to help control the mouthfeel.

5 Vegas Miami Double Nickle: Review

Wrapper: Corojo Nicaraguan
Fillers: Nicaraguan ligero long-fillers
Size: 5.5 x 50 box press Double Nickel
My Strength Rating: 8

This cigar is spicy on the opening and throughout the smoking experience. This cigar has a solid black pepper profile. There is a good mixture of moss, mushroom, and hardwood earthy notes. This is what I expect out of a ligero tobacco filled cigar. The texture is coarse from the bold black pepper notes and the smoking experience if fairly intense. This was a good ligero filled cigar.

I am glad I have a few more of these cigars for this will have to be paired with a good stout or porter.

Carlos Torano Exodus 1959 – 50 Years: Review

Wrapper: Brazilian Arapiraca Sun-grown
Binder: Honduras
Fillers: Esteli and Pueblo Nuevo, Nicaragua
Size: 5 x 50 rubosto
My Strength Rating: 6

This is an attractively wrapped cigar. A good looking dark sun-grown wrapper and the black and copper colored ring bands just scream – SMOKE ME!

The cigar starts off with some nice roasted coffee notes. A soft and slightly sweet pink peppercorn profile takes hold and is maintained through-out the smoking experience. There are some burnt dark chocolate and medium roasted coffee notes. By mid-point I am picking up a woodsy note. It is coming across like oak. The oak seems to overtake the sweet pink pepper taste. The mouthfeel is rich and balanced. The texture is smooth yet, has a nice spice presence from the pink peppercorn like quality. I find this a very enjoyable smoke.

CAO La Traviata Maduro and Arbor Brewing's Dirty Love

Arbor Brewing Dirty Love

Stout Brewed With Coffee

Barrel-aged Espresso Love with a dash of chocolate, chipotle, and vanilla

?? abv - Probably 6.5% like their Espresso Love
No tasting notes to be found on the beer.
1pt 9.4 oz bottle
Arbor Brewing Company-Corner Brewery
Ypsilanti, Michigan, USA
Arborbrewing.com

This stout has a blackish body with some brown highlights. A fine tan head sits on top when poured and does not stay around long and leaves no lacing on the glass. With only a few ounces in the glass the beer looks more brownish on the edges – almost cola like.

The aroma is green apple when I popped the cork. When poured into the glass it must be the chipotle spice and touch of oak that gives it that tart aroma. There is a touch of coffee on the nose. The aroma is light but, interesting.

On my first sip, I think I like this stout – let’s see. The chipotle spice comes through on the taste and lingers on the gums for a spicy aftertaste. A sweet-sour, ying-yang, profile is happening here. There is a little vinegar tartness on the front with a sweet note to give it some balance. This is making me think of the chipotle vinegar that I use for cooking. There is a medium coffee profile that is pleasing. They say, ‘a dash of chocolate’ and that would be it ‘a dash’ for it is hard to identify. I like the hint of vanilla and touch of oak that is more of an undertone.

The texture does not make me think of a stout for it seems thin. I don’t get a thick or creamy mouthfeel as I would expect from a stout.

Despite the mouthfeel, I like this brew.

The Cigar
CAO La Traviata Maduro
Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro
Binder: Cameroon
Filler: Nicaragua and Dominican Republic
Size: 7 x 50 Churchill
My Strength Rating: 5

This nice shiny maduro looks good enough to eat. I like the sweet maduro taste that floats around the earthy coffee, touch of chocolate, dark dried fruits (fig, raisin like), and a pecan nutty like note. The sweet note mingles well with the spice.

As the cigar approaches the mid-point I notice more of a musty white peppercorn profile. The sweet maduro and nutty notes are still present along with the medium-full earthy coffee taste. I don’t notice the touch of chocolate or the dark dried fruits at this point. The mouthfeel is smooth and semi-dry.

The Pairing
I think these two should work well together or just be a big bust. I think the spicy chipotle and the tart notes of the stout should balance well with the sweet maduro and nutty, earthy notes of the cigar.

A Fuente Anejo No 50: Review

This hard to find cigar has a maduro wrapper that is rolled around the Dominican fillers and binder. This cigar has been aged in cognac barrels for five years.

This hearty cigar has strong flavors of oak, espresso coffee, and a fine grind black pepper spice. I have to give it an 8.5 on My Strength Scale.

Every year around the holidays when this cigar comes out I always have to try one or two of these cigars. I have to admit that I am not a big fan of the Anejo. I personally think they are overrated just because they keep them in short supply. They are also pricy, around $16.00 in Michigan for this stick. I also have found that I appreciate them more when I have aged them for a year or two in my humidor.

I did enjoy this strong and robust cigar today.

Graycliff G2 Turbo Torpedo and Founders Breakfast Stout: Review

The Stout
Founders Breakfast Stout
Double Chocolate Coffee Oatmeal Stout

8.3% abv
60 IBU
$10.99 a four pack
Founders Brewing
Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA
Foundersbrewing.com

This stout has a black body with a creamy thick burnt tan head. The foam is tasty by itself. The nose is pretty clean for this stout. I expected more.

As I drink this stout there is some thick lacing on the glass. The mouthfeel is thick, creamy, and smooth. Solid burnt coffee notes on this stout. Hint of chocolate to me. The bitterness is not that strong and seems to be on the aftertaste. To me it is not complex. It is pretty straight forward – coffee and some chocolate. Roasted grains and some bitter notes pick up as the stout warms up. If you are looking for a coffee stout this is pretty good. The carbonation is low, as stouts usually are.

It is an enjoyable coffee stout, but I don’t see it as a classic as they see it on beeradvocate.com.

Here is the description on the packaging: ‘The coffee lovers consummate beer. Brewed with an abundance of flaked oats, bitter and imported chocolates, Sumatra and Kona coffee. This stout has an intense fresh roasted java nose topped with a cinnamon colored frothy head that goes forever.’

I can think of better Breakfast Stouts.

The Cigar

Graycliff G2 Turbo Torpedo
Wrapper: Habano San Andres Valley
Filler: Volcanic regions of Nicaragua, ligeros tobacco leafs
Size: 6 x 60 Torpedo
My Strength Rating: 7.5

Off the light: Nice roasted coffee notes. Robust with some nice spiciness. Medium-full.

Mid-Point: Good earthy notes, nice toasted spice, medium body coffee, a bit of cedar.

Final third: The earthy notes come across as burnt earth, the toasted spice seem a little more burnt like, and the coffee builds as well, while the mouthfeel is thicker as I finish this cigar.

The first half came across as a 7 strength rating and the second half was an 8.

The Pairing

This is a pretty good pairing. The spiciness of the G2 turbo adds some texture to this pairing. The fuller coffee profile of the stout brings out the coffee notes in the cigar. The earthy notes of the cigar mingle well with the roasted notes of the stout.

The stout helps to control the fuller flavors of the cigar on the final third.

Gurkha Avenger G5 Torpedo and Founders Porter: Review

Founders Porter

A Roasty-Toasty Pairing

The Beer
6.5% abv
45 IBU
12 oz stubby bottle
$10.99 a six pack
Founders Brewing
Foundersbrewing.com
Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA
My Strength Rating: 7.5 the bitter notes pick it up – this is not your creamy smooth porter.

This porter pours a black body with a tan head. I had to make an aggressive pour to get a two finger head which, dissipated quickly.

The nose has some hoppy spice, dark chocolate – 90% dark, grainy coffee.

Upfront on the taste are a variety of toasted, roasted, and burnt notes. Roasted coffee, burnt grains, burnt chocolate (yes, 95% dark chocolate bitter) and this is all mixed with some good hoppy spice like citrus rind and black pepper on the tongue. There is a burnt caramel note on the back of my palate. Thinking of malts; think of Black Russian or pumpernickel bread.

The roasted notes linger on the palate for a satisfying aftertaste. The brew is on the thick side, not creamy, just thick. With a 45 IBU (international bitter units), there are some hoppy notes in this porter.

I have to say, I enjoyed this porter and I am looking forward to having another one on Christmas day.

The Cigar

Gurkha Avenger G5 Torpedo
Wrapper: Nicaragua Maduro
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Size: 6 x 52 box press
My Strength Rating: Starts off with a 5 / 7 on the mid-point / 8 on the finish

This Puro hails from Nicaragua and is billed as full-bodied. Puro means that the wrapper, binder, and fillers are all from one country. I picked this stick up in a sampler pack but, I have smoked all of them except this one. I have to admit I do not remember the flavor profile of the G5. Coffee is all I remember.

I am not going to be doing my regular process here where I smoke the cigar to write my review and then I drink the beer to understand the flavors and then later I pair the two. I have this one cigar and this one bottle. I am saving the other bottles for Christmas day.

I am going to establish the taste of the porter first and after a few sips I will light the cigar for the pairing. Oh, now I think I remember this cigar. From memory, it was not complex. Straight forward dark coffee notes, roasted earth, and green peppercorn.

Off the light it is on the medium side with a smooth coffee profile.

As it approaches the mid-point of the cigar the body builds to medium-full strength. Some nice spice, coffee, and hardwood notes make for a tasty smoke.

Paired with this porter I am enjoying this cigar. The simplicity of this cigar matches well with the complexity of the beer. The coffee and woody notes of this cigar of course fits with the word description of the porter. I think these two are meant for each other. The strength ratings of each are similar, as well.

On the final third of the cigar: The body continues to build. The cigar started off with a medium body and the body moved to a medium-full by mid-point. Now, it is on the fuller side of medium-full, if not full. The coffee is more espresso like, while the burnt earthy notes become a little stronger. 7.5 or an 8 on my strength scale for the finish.

If you like coffee, roasted notes of earth and hardwood with a touch of pepper, this cigar is for you.

I like – how about you? Leave a comment.

Por Larranaga Maduro Cigar and Terra Andina Reserva 2007 Carmenere

Terra Andina Reserva 2007 Carmenere

For me it has a nice black cherry and dark berry taste without the bite of a blackberry. There is a solid spice presence without being peppery. Definitely dry on the palate and comes across chewy and meaty. That means this wine has some body. This is yummy. The wine just coats the mouth with its grapey goodness.

This is a must buy.

Pairing this wine up with a cigar should be easy. One thing I don’t want to do is go too full bodied. I don’t want too strong of spice and pepper from the cigar. I want to work with the fruit profile of the wine. I am going to select a Por Larranaga Maduro Cigar. This cigar is mild to mild-medium in body.

This is a good pairing. The cigar lets me enjoy the full grapiness of the wine and the wine actually helps this cigar out some. The Por Larranaga Maduro is a good break from the bold and fuller bodied smokes but, it can be a little uneventful. The wine seems to transfer some of it flavors to the cigar.

Cuba Libre Brute: Cigar Review

Wrapper: Corojo
Filler: Jalapa Valley
Size: 4.5 x 60 box pressed
My Strength Rating: 4

This fine looking cigar has notes of earth, nut, and toast. The earthy notes come across as mossy and mushroom on the first half and soil and mineral earth on the second half. The toasty notes are white bread like. There is a mild almond nut like taste. The texture is smooth and almost creamy.

La Gloria Cubana Serie R No. 6 Maduro and Triple Overtime 2005 Cabernet Franc



Signed bottle by Igor

 The Wine
Triple Overtime 2005 Cabernet Franc

14.5% abv
Iltripleovertime.com
Napa Valley, California, USA
Igor Larionov Select Wines
My Strength Rating: 4.5

Igor Larionov is a former Detroit Red Wing hockey player and being from the Detroit area as well as a hockey fan I just had to buy this bottle. As it states on the bottle about Igor, “…being the oldest player in NHL history to score a triple overtime goal in the Stanley Cup Finals on the way to winning his 3rd Stanley Cup Championship.” Oh, how great that moment was and how great it was to see him skating for the Red Wings. I did not make it to the Fine Wine Source when Igor visited (about a year ago) and signed bottles of his wines but, Jim Lufty got me a few bottles of his fine wine with Igor’s signatures.

Here is the description from the bottle, “…bouquet of cedar, spice and black fruits. In the mouth there is an abundance of sweet cherry, blackberry and vanilla…”

On the opening of the bottle there is plenty of sediment on the cork and within the neck of the bottle. Oh, this is good stuff.

Based on the first glass; to me I get the spice and black fruits and berries on the nose along with a sweet vanilla-cherry note. I am not picking up the vanilla on the taste but, the sweet cherry and blackberry along with black currant fills the palate. A pretty straight forward wine. The tannins and acidity are moderate making it approachable for most palates. The mouthfeel is smooth overall.

Decanted second glass; the black fruits are a little richer and there is a little more earthiness on the nose while the sweet vanilla-cherry notes become more of an undertone.

Now, this is what I like about Cab Franc wines - the earthy style is showing up. While, the earthy notes are showing up it still is smooth in texture. The sweet cherry, blackberry, and black currants are still on board for a very tasty wine.

The medium body of this wine and its smooth texture will give it some good range for pairing with food and cigars. This is a nice Cabernet Franc.

The Cigar
La Gloria Cubana Serie R No. 6 Maduro
Wrapper: Ecuadoran Grown Maduro
Filler: Dominican and Nicaraguan
(as it states on the tin)
Size: 5-7/8” x 60
My Strength Rating: 6

This is one smooth and rich tasting cigar. I have always enjoyed the Serie R line-up from La Gloria. The key to a tasty cigar with the maduro is to get a jet black stick and not the ruddy blackish-brown stick. Back when I use to buy these by the box I would have the tobacconist open the box up before I would purchase the box to make sure I was buying the jet black ones.

Now, this is not a complex cigar. Just like the Triple Overtime wine this cigar is pretty straight forward. This cigar has a very rich and tasty earthy-coffee style. The earthiness is like the rich soil that the plants are grown in. The coffee is a rich and thick Espresso style. On the second half of the smoke there is a green peppery spice that builds to add some character. The earthy style becomes thicker as you near the end of the cigar.

I think the earthy style of this cigar will go well with the wines cherry and blackberry taste.

The Pairing
I would like to sit back with Igor and enjoy this pairing. The earthy profiles are working with each other for a good medium bodied experience. The moderate spice and espresso like notes of the cigar are nice with the berries from the wine. This is a good pairing to just sit back and enjoy.

5 Vegas Gold Maduro Torpedo and Bell’s Hell Hath No Fury Ale

The Cigar
5 Vegas Gold Maduro Torpedo
Wrapper: Pennsylvania Broadleaf
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Honduran and Nicaraguan
Size: 6 x 54
My Strength Rating: 6
This stick has the same profile as The Brick Gold Maduro by 5 Vegas.

Dryness abounds in this smoking experience. The earthy quality comes across as dry soil and this dominates the profile. There is coffee bean and a dry powdery cocoa note present. The spicy notes are firm with a nice level of white peppercorn to tingle the palate. Besides the dryness the texture it also delivers a semi-smooth yet robust smoking experience. This cigar does need a quality beverage or it could get a little harsh on its own. While this stick is billed as a mild-medium bodied smoke – I give it a 6 on my strength scale because of the texture (the dryness).

I have enjoyed a few of these since I bought some about a month ago. They seem to burn well with little or no correction needed. The ash holds on for an inch or so before you have to remove it. The ash is salt and pepper in color. I have smoked each one down to the nub with no bitterness to the finish.

This cigar is Worthy of consideration.

The Ale
Bell’s Hell Hath No Fury Ale
7.5% abv
12 oz bottle
Bell’s
Comstock, Michigan, USA
Bellsbeer.com

Appearance: Very dark almost black body with a very thin creamy tan head.
Aroma: sweet malts, toasted toffee
Taste: Layers of toasted malts: sweet toffee and caramel. Roasted coffee bean and a low % dark chocolate – 60% dark chocolate type.
Mouthfeel: Thick, almost creamy texture just short of syrupy. Low carbonation. Roasted sweet caramel coffee notes linger on the palate.

This is a sipper! Take your time to enjoy the variety of flavors.

Worth a try.

The Pairing
On the cigar, I have smoked a few to know that all I think of this stick is that it is just an okay cigar to me. Now, the ale I have only drank one bottle and my first impression is that it is just okay to me as well (I’ll see as I finish the six pack).

What is going to happen when I pair up two products that I am billing as just okay? While I think they are both just ok – I also seem to like both of these as well. I am hoping that the flavor profile of the ale will help the dryness of the cigar.

This is a decent pairing overall. The sweet toffee and caramel notes, of the ale, help to combat the dryness of this cigar. The roasted coffee bean and low percentage dark chocolate notes from the ale help to bring out the undertone of coffee bean and a dry cocoa notes of the cigar.

The cigar also helps the ale. The creamy style of the ale seems to improve and the cigar also helps to keep that syrupy style at bay.

Maybe, these two were meant for each other.

Man O’ War Ruination #2 and Indian Brown Ale

The Cigar
Man O’ War Ruination #2
Wrapper: Habano Ecuador ligero leaf
Filler: Nicaraguan and Honduran ligero
Size: 6 x 60 Robusto #2
My Strength Rating: 6.5

This big boy is one nice smoke. This cigar has a solid roasted grain profile with a good portabella mushroom earthy style. The oaky notes are present but settle. The Ruination seems to have a toasted oak note. There is also a roasted nut like flavor. To me it does not have the peppery spice like the regular Man O’ War line-up.

If you like a rich roasted and toasty tasting cigar this is it.

The Ale
Indian Brown Ale
Dogfish Head Craft Brewery
Milton, Delaware, USA
Dogfish.com

This 7.2% abv ale pours a dark drown body with a one finger tan head. The aroma is pleasing with a nice toasted malt nose. It reads on the bottle, “A clean, well-hopped brown ale with aromatic barley, caramelized brown sugar and whole-leaf liberty & Goldings hops.”

It must be the aromatic barley giving me the dark fruit taste. It tastes like fresh dried dark raisins and fig. I also like the mild coffee note and cola like character.

The caramelized brown sugar is tasty but, the sweetness is tempered by the hops. The hops supply a nice bitter quality to the taste profile.

The mouthfeel is smooth and the carbonation level is moderate. There is a good roasted malt taste on the palate but, the aftertaste and lingering notes are relatively calm.

This pleasing brown ale is easy to drink. I have never had this one before but, I am sure glad I bought a six pack.

The Pairing
The cigar seems to bring out the hoppy notes in the ale. There is a little prickly feel from the salty and peppery notes, from the beer, during this pairing. The caramelized brown sugar takes a back seat and the dark fruit and mild coffee holds on for a tasty experience. This is a fuller bodied pairing.

Overall, the pairing is not bad. I think this cigar would be really good with an oaky tasting beer or a fuller bodied Meritage Red Wine.

Man O’ War Torpedo

Wrapper: Habano Ecuador
Filler: Nicaraguan
Size: 6.1 x 54
My Strength Rating: 7.5

The Torpedo reminded me of the Corona Size in that the robust style keeps on delivering. The Torpedo was just a steady stream of solid oak, black pepper, full earthy notes, and a hearty aftertaste. The beverage pairing was a bottle of water. This would not be a good cigar to pair up with a Pinot Noir but, a nice Syrah, Sirah, Cab. Franc, or Sauvignon.

Man O’ War Toro and the turk red wine: Review

The Cigar
Man O’ War Toro
Wrapper: Habano Ecuador
Filler: Nicaraguan
Size: 6.5 x 52
My Strength Rating: 7.5

The first two inches of this cigar showcases that wonderful oaky profile that I like so much from this Man O’ War series. There is a nice sweet style of pecan wood coming through here. The earthy notes are smooth, the spicy notes are at play, and the medium-full roast coffee notes are flavorful. All these flavors are being delivered with a rich and robust mouthfeel. During the first third of the smoke it is like a rollercoaster ride for my strength rating: Off the light the cigar delivered a calm 6 and then built up to an 8 and then settled down to a 7 strength rating. The strength rating is not the only thing that changes during this smoke; the pepper spice profile changes. There is a good black pepper note during the first couple of inches and then it mellow to a nice white peppercorn taste.

The final half of the cigar is a solid medium-full and pushing toward the full. The smoking experience pushes toward that 8 strength rating on the finish. The black pepper notes come back and the earthy notes are abundant. The oaky profile builds in strength as well. This is one eventful smoke.

The Wine

the turk 2005 Blend
50% Shiraz, 28% Grenache, 16% cabernet, 6% mourvedre
Turkey Flat Vineyards
Barossa Valley
Australia
14.5%abv
http://www.turkeyflat.com.au/
My Strength Rating: 6.5

the turk 2005 has a deep purple color. The bouquet is absolutely wonderful. Smelling this wine makes me think of walking into a winery. The smell of all the grapes in a winery is such a great experience. The aroma from this wine is of dark berries and fruit along with some spice hitting the nose and I am in red wine heaven.

As the wine hits the tongue I realize there is a smorgasbord of flavors to be had. The two dominant notes to me; dark berries and green peppercorn. There is a solid blackberry profile mixed in with some sweet raspberry and red currants. Plum and black currants mix in to make this one tasty experience. Then, the earthy and smoky style kicks in to coat the palate with red wine delight. To me there is a nice undertone of rich milk chocolate.

Let me try to explain the mouthfeel. You know how your mouth gets coated from a piece of … let’s say 70% dark chocolate, how it just covers every square inch of your mouth. That is what I experience from this wine. The aftertaste is long and tasty. The texture is thick but, not overpowering. Overall the mouthfeel is rich, thick, and medium-full in body but, still smooth in its delivery.

The smoky style, the variety of berries, the spices, the earthy quality, the pepper – wow, this wine has some complexity. This wine is made for a great cigar.

I am looking forward to the 2006, which is a different blend consisting of: 33% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Shiraz, 24% Mourvedre, and 18% Grenache.

The Pairing
As I stated above, “this wine is made for a great cigar.” The variety of berries, the smoky and earthy notes, and the interesting peppery style is just going to work with so many cigars.

The oaky profile of this cigar adds a great dimension this pairing. It makes the wine taste a little fuller, while the other tasting notes comingle so well for a solid medium-full tasting experience.

The wine really manages the strength rating of this cigar. I find this cigar to be a 7.5 on my strength scale when I smoke it all by itself but, during this pairing the wine keeps this in check. I think the cigar comes across like a 6.5 during this pairing.

This would be an excellent for an after dinner experience.

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Man O’ War Robusto and Horse Play Rollicking Red 2005 Red Wine

The Cigar
Wrapper: Habano Ecuador
Filler: Nicaraguan
Size: 5.5 x 50
My Strength Rating: 6 during this pairing

Off the light the cigar shows smooth earthy notes. The Robusto has a richer tobacco taste than the Corona. The oak and earthy notes have a nice smooth texture. As I smoke the cigar there is a light sweet cedar note that helps to balance the oak and earthy notes. I also notice a medium roast coffee style that is enjoyable. While the Corona size had a black pepper spice the Robusto has a good musty white pepper like character. The earthy notes are that of toasted wood, leaves, and soil.

The ash is salt and pepper in color and holds on for an easy inch and a half. It was still holding firm when I removed the long ash.

This cigar would be good to pair with a fuller red wine or an oaky ale maybe a sour beer.

The Wine
Horse Play Rollicking Red 2005
The blend: Cabernet Sauvignon 44%, Merlot 39%, Syrah 17%
13.8% abv
Vinted and bottled by: Horse Play
Santa Rosa, California, USA
Horseplaywines.com

I picked this bottle up at the local grocery store for only $7.50 a bottle – half off its regular price. I only bought one bottle and got home and tasted it and then went back to buy the remaining bottles. This is a tasty red wine. The aroma has a rich dark berry nose. The taste will not disappoint you. The blackberry and currants are flavorful. The red cherry and plum notes help to balance the lush texture of this wine. The mossy earth, tobacco, and delicate spice undertones help to bring this flavorful wine together.

This is what they have to say on their web site:

“Our debut 2005 vintage was produced from choice grapes grown in Sonoma County and the Central Coast regions of Paso Robles and San Benito County. The outstanding 2005 growing season fostered intense, concentrated flavors in our grapes, greatly enhancing the quality of this robust, yet graceful red, which gained further complexity from five months’ aging in French and American oak.”

Pick up a bottle of this wine if you find it.

The Pairing

This is one tasty pairing. The berry flavors of the wine mingled with the rich oak and earthy notes of the cigar for a great taste experience. The smooth and lush texture of the wine was not lost during this pairing. These two complimented each other well during this experience. I recommend this pairing.

Man O’ War Corona: Cigar Review

Wrapper: Habano Ecuador
Filler: Nicaraguan
Size: 6 x 44
My Strength Rating: 7.5/8

The mouthfeel is robust and full. Solid oak and thick earthy notes swirl around with black pepper spice that just tingles the tongue. A long finish of chewy earth notes just coat the palate. To me it has a typical firm draw of a 44 ring gauge sized cigar. The cigar does go out easily when not attended to. I had to relight a couple of times. These are a couple of reasons I like the 52+ ring gauge sizes.

This cigar starts off on the first half as a 7.5 on my strength scale and the second half builds to an eight. Being a smaller ring gauge the cigar does burn on the warm side to build that fuller mouthfeel.

Man O’ War Series Review

I will be reviewing five different sizes from the Man O’ War line up.

Corona 6 x 44
Robusto 5.5 x 50
Toro 6.5 x 52
Torpedo 6.1 x 54
Robusto #2 6 x 60 Ruination

Wrapper: Habano Ecuador
Filler: Nicaraguan

The tasting notes from Cigar International read, “Rich with spice and wood undertones supported by a chewy, smooth core of oak and earth which coats the palate, leaving behind a sweet array of spices.”

I have always enjoyed this cigar for its firm oaky style with notes of white pepper, earth, and coffee.

Let’s see how each one measures up.

5 Vegas Gold Maduro The Brick: Cigar Review

Wrapper: Pennsylvania Broadleaf
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Honduran and Nicaraguan
Size: 5.5 x 55 box-pressed
My Strength Rating: 6

Dryness abounds in this smoking experience. The earthy quality comes across as dry soil and this dominates the profile. There is coffee bean and a dry powdery cocoa note present. The spicy notes are firm with a nice level of white peppercorn to tingle the palate. Besides the dryness the texture it also delivers a semi-smooth yet robust smoking experience. This cigar does need a quality beverage or it could get a little harsh on its own. While this stick is billed as a mild-medium bodied smoke – I give it a 6 on my strength scale because of the texture (the dryness).

I have enjoyed a few of these since I bought a box of them about a month ago. They seem to burn well with little or no correction needed. The ash holds on for an inch or so before you have to remove it. The ash is salt and pepper in color and a little rugged in appearance. I have smoked each one down to the nub with no bitterness to the finish. To me this cigar is just okay, but I do like this 'okay' cigar.

I enjoyed this cigar yesterday on the way home from Grindstone City, Michigan. No wife or dogs in the car with me and a three hour drive, what is a man to do? I had it paired with my Bigby Best Coffee which is a medium roast. Tonight, I have it paired with a red wine named CIGARZIN. Read the posting on WinePostings2.

This cigar is Worthy of consideration.

Perdomo Reserve Cabinet La Tradicion Oscuro and Gulden Draak Ale

The Ale
Gulden Draak Ale
10.5% abv
330ml
Brouwerij Van Steenberge
Belgium

The nose on this Triple Ale makes me think of roasted sweet caramelized malts. There is also a nice aromatic feel to the smell. The taste follows with toasted toffee sweetness and some yummy yeast. Playing off the aromatic nose there seems to be some fancy raisin and fig on the taste. There is a little spice coming from the alcohol and the hoppy intonations. The texture is smooth and creamy while the slight carbonation gives my palate a cleansing effect. The sweetness is never overwhelming. The hops must be doing their job to keep things in check. There is an herbal tea and a rich milk chocolate that blends in with the other yummy notes to create a wonderful taste experience.

Skip that pie dessert after your Holiday dinner and pour yourself a liquid dessert – Gulden Draak is perfect for that Holiday dessert.

The Cigar
Perdomo Reserve Cabinet La Tradicion Oscuro
Wrapper: Oscuro
Filler: Blend of Nicaraguan Long-leafs
Size: 7 x 50 Churchill
My Strength Rating: 6.5

Off the light there is a good toasted rye bread note. The taste starts to build in character during the first third. A robust earthy and full dark roast coffee style becomes the main profile. There is a dry yet rich mouthfeel with each puff. I’ll give this cigar a five, on my strength rating, off the light and then it builds to a 6.5 during the first third.

As the experience moves to the mid-point there are still good earthy notes mingling with the dark roasted coffee notes. There is an undertone of sweet cedar which can be overlooked because of the robust scorched earth flavors. The strength rating hangs around that 6 texture on my scale.

The ash is gray and holds for a strong inch or so. The burn has been even throughout. This has been a good robust smoke so far. While the mouthfeel comes across a bit dry it maintains a rich style.

As the cigar burns into the final third the earthy and roasted coffee notes are still flavorful. I believe the strength rating is just short of seven. The cigar does not get harsh or build to any bitter notes.

This cigar would be good paired with a dark roast coffee, a porter or stout beer.

The Pairing
I am basing this pairing on the word description of each of these products. The cigars main profile is earth and dark roasted coffee while the ale has a toasted toffee and milk chocolate sweetness. These two should complement each other.

The sweet style of the ale seems to control that slightly dry mouthfeel of this cigar. That touch of sweet cedar on the cigar plays off the sweet malts of the ale. The robust earthy notes and roasted coffee from the cigar circulate with the rich milk chocolate and toffee notes of this triple ale. And, I think this makes the ale feel a little thicker because the earthy notes are transferred. The richness of this cigar really seems to elevate from this pairing. I think this ale makes this cigar better than when I have smoked it by itself.

Overall I have to say this is one yummy pairing. This would be a wonderful way to end the night after one of those Holiday dinners.

Butera Maduro Cigar & Woodbridge Moscato 2008 White Wine

This is a posting that I wrote back in summer.  It got lost in the shuffle.  So, on this cold November day let's remember summer for a moment.

The Cigar
Butera

I have not had a Butera Maduro in a long time. It is an excellent mild-medium maduro from what I remember. The natural Butera wrapped cigars are usually creamy and cedary in their taste profile. The maduro in that plus a pleasant toasty bread and a maduro sweetness. Let’s see!

This is a very good maduro cigar on this very hot and steamy day. This cigar is what I remember, it is an elegant maduro smoke indeed. It might not be the perfect match for this white wine but let’s see.

I did not plan this cigar with this wine. I was in my ‘old’ favorite beer store and he carries cigars as well and I saw this Butera on the shelf and could not resist. When you have it in your head, that you have to have it, you have to have it. So, let’s do it.

The Wine
Moscato 2008
Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi
California

The appearance is light straw in color with a fresh fruity nose. The fresh summertime fruity nose transfers over to the taste along with a wonderful kiss of summer sweetness. This is a perfect white wine to enjoy on a summer day. Today is 91 degrees with humidity over 90% (feels like it could rain at any time). With a day like this I thought this wine would be a pleasure. I picked this wine up at a fundraiser for Waggin Tails Dog Rescue.

I hope the picture shows the sweat on the wine glass. I poured the glass and went outside to take the picture and the cold wine mixed with this heat and humidity had this glass sweating in a matter of seconds. This wine was excellent on this extremely hot day.

The Pairing
This actually worked well on this very hot day. This was the right maduro to play with this white wine. The chilled fresh fruity notes of the wine mingled well with the toasty and sweet maduro profile of the cigar. I believe it is the elegance of this cigar that pulled this off with this white wine.

Perdomo Reserve Cabinet La Tradicion Series: Cigar Review

Wrapper: Oscuro
Filler: Blend of Nicaraguan Long-leafs
Size: 7 x 50 Churchill
My Strength Rating: 6.5

Off the light there is a good toasted rye bread note. The taste starts to build in character during the first third. A robust earthy and full dark roast coffee style becomes the main profile. There is a dry yet rich mouthfeel with each puff. I’ll give this cigar a five, on my strength rating, off the light and then it builds to a 6.5 during the first third.

As the experience moves to the mid-point there are still good earthy notes mingling with the dark roasted coffee notes. There is an undertone of sweet cedar which can be overlooked because of the robust scorched earth flavors. The strength rating hangs around that 6 texture on my scale.

The ash is gray and holds for a strong inch or so. The burn has been even throughout. This has been a good robust smoke so far. While the mouthfeel comes across a bit dry it maintains a rich style.

As the cigar burns into the final third the earthy and roasted coffee notes are still flavorful. I believe the strength rating is just short of seven. The cigar does not get harsh or build to any bitter notes.

This cigar would be good paired with a dark roast coffee, a porter or stout beer.

Kristoff Maduro and Vision Cellars 2007 Red Wine

The Wine

Vision Cellars 2007 Red Wine
Vinted & Bottled by: Vision Cellars
Rutherford, California, USA
Visioncellars.com

The nose of this wine has a dark berry aroma that is just yummy. And, that yummy nose follows to the taste. This is one delicious wine. A mixture of red and black berries leaning toward the red, just swarm the palate. There is a hint of sweet raspberry with a touch of oak that is oh so tasty. The mouthfeel is very smooth and elegant. If you are a Cabernet Sauvignon fan, pick this up. If you are not – still pick this bottle up because, you will fall in love with this tasty Cab.

In Michigan, the only store you will find it is the Fine Wine Source in Livonia. The store is located on Middlebelt near Six Mile Road. The bottle will run you $39.00 a bottle. Believe me – it is worth every penny and more. It has been a few years since I have had a bottle of Quintessa but, this reminds me of that and it costs around $110.00 a bottle.

I am calling Jim at the Fine Wine Source tomorrow and ordering a six pack.

The Cigar
Kristoff Maduro

This is one of my favorite cigars and my favorite to go with a bottle of fine wine. So, this is the moment to light this baby up.

Wrapper: Brazilian Maduro
Fillers: Dominican, Nicaraguan
Made with ligero tobaccos
Size: 6.5 x 56
My Strength Rating: 6

This stick is just sooo tasty. It has a deep medium roast coffee and dark chocolate profile. There is a nice spice presence with a white pepper dusting to make things interesting. If you pay attention there is a hint of bing cherry on the undercurrent.

Looking at the word description of this cigar you should see that it is a perfect fit for a quality Cabernet Sauvignon.

The Pairing

This is just one yummy pairing. The roasted coffee and dark chocolate notes mingle so well with the red and black berries of the wine. The hint of oak picks up a bit while maintaining that smooth and elegant texture. As I approach the end of the cigar and the bottom of the wine glass a little sadness sets in for this excellent pairing. I will be enjoying these two together again and soon.

Please leave a comment.

Duvel Belgian Golden Ale and Vega Talanga Cigar

The Ale
Duvel Golden Ale
8.5% abv
1 pint 9.4 oz bottle
Brouwerij Duvel Moortgat
Belgium

On the bottle it says, “The pilsner malts, Bohemian hops, and unique yeast strain combine to create Duvel’s intensity, aroma and oomph.”

This ale pours a pale golden color with plenty of white foam for the head. The lacing on the glass just clings on for dear life.

The aroma is that of a fresh cut Fuji apple and spice – slightly peppery.

The texture is fresh and crisp from start to finish. The mixture of hops and malts make me think of pink peppercorn, slightly sweet with a delicate peppery note. With a hint of fruit, a touch of citrus, and some tasty yeast and malts, it all combines for a delicious golden ale. If you want to experience a well-balanced brew give Duvel Golden Ale a try.

I recommend this as a must buy.




The Cigar
Vega Talanga - blue label
This is one of those cigars you cannot find any longer. This was a very good value cigar. My only disappointment with this cigar is that I did not buy more when they were being closed out. Solid flavor for the bucks you spend. This cigar to me always had a toasted white bread quality along with pecan nut taste and a touch of sweet cedar flavor.

If you read the previous posting I had a difficult time pairing this ale up with a cigar. The ale has a very tasty pink peppercorn like quality with a touch of citrus but, when the cigar was oaky that brought out the bitterness in the ale. Then the cigar with the coffee profile just didn’t do this ale justice.

So, I was thinking that a cigar with an earthy profile that is not complex or a smooth and simple tasting cigar might just do the trick. I noticed the Vega Talanga cigar in my humidor and thought this would do the job – simple but tasty in profile. I could not think of any tasting notes in this cigar that would bring out the bitterness in this ale.

The Pairing

Home Run! This is a very fine pairing. The toasted white bread and pecan notes of the cigar mingle well with the malts and the slight taste of sweet cedar does a fine balancing act with the pink peppercorn and that touch of citrus from the ale.

I get to enjoy all the fine flavors of this delicious ale and the taste of the cigar stays true to what it is.

Duvel Belgian Golden Ale and a Cigar or Two

I bought a few bottles (750ml) of Duvel the other day because they had them on sale. So, tonight I am going to have a little fun and change things up. I have had this ale before but, it has been a year or two. I am not going to figure out the flavor profile and the strength ratings and I am just going to select a cigar or two to pair up with this ale. All I remember is that I did like this ale. Let’s see how this goes.

The first cigar to be paired this ale is the 5 Vegas Double Nickel. I thought the mellow style of these two should work. But, I was wrong. The oak profile of the cigar did not match up with the Duvel. The cigar made the ale taste bitter tonight. The ale had a strong bitter and peppery-spicy bite during this pairing.

The ale also affected the cigar. This cigar is usually smooth and tasty but, it also had a bitterness during this pairing. These two are not meant for each other. I don’t recommend this pairing.


Let’s grab a maduro cigar. I have a Hoyo de Monterrey Double Maduro just waiting to be enjoyed. This is a little better. “Little.” The ale does not seem as bitter during this pairing. There is no oaky taste to this cigar so, that should help according to the last pairing. The main profile is a medium roast coffee and earthy notes to this cigar. The earthy note of the cigar works a little better with the spice of the ale. There is a little sweetness coming from the ale during this pairing. I keep trying to identify any other notes but, nothing is standing out. This pairing was just ok.

Let’s see how the beer review goes tomorrow with a clean palate.

Vega Talanga Reserva En Tercio Corojo Series and Double T 2006 Red Wine

The Wine

Double T 2006
Trefethen Family Vineyards
Napa, California, USA
TREFETHEN.com

Here is what they have on the bottle: “…Cabernet Sauvignon gives depth and structure: Merlot adds a lively spiciness, Cabernet Franc floral fruit, Petit Verdot intense color, and Malbec a silky softness.”

This is my last bottle of this wine. I bought a six pack a couple of years ago and I have to say I have always enjoyed this wine. This wine should be paired with game, steak, filet mignon, lamb, and other hearty fare. This wine is also deserving of a bold cigar as an after dinner treat.

Appearance: Deep purple body with deep ruby edges.

Aroma: Big berry, light spice; it is just terrific with each sip.

Flavors: Big bold dark berry profile; the blackberry and black currant notes are thick; good spice and earthy notes to fill the palate; the earthy notes to me seem to include a portabella mushroom and forest floor like quality. The dry soil just adds to the texture of this bold red wine. An undertone of floral comes into play; it is just a hint of violet. The dryness of the mouthfeel along with all these wonderful flavors mingle together and make me think of a rich 87% dark chocolate.

Mouthfeel: The feel is full bodied. The berry profile makes it a little jammy; the earthy qualities coats the tongue. There is a long aftertaste of these two on palate.

Tonight I am going to give this wine an 8 on My Strength Rating Scale. Big bold flavors, jammy mouthfeel, dry texture, earthy notes coat the palate for a long aftertaste.

Tonight I was rummaging through my humidor and I came across some cigars that I have not had in a long time. I don’t even know if these cigars are still on the market. I always liked these cigars. And, not only was it a good value cigar, it was just plain and simple a good cigar. I wish I had purchased more of them.

The Cigar

The cigar is Vega Talanga Reserva En Tercio Corojo Series. This cigar band has the brown label. This toro is a 6 x 60 big boy. The earthy, nutty, dry spice, and light pepper notes are always pleasing. The nutty note reminds me of walnut. The earthy notes to me come across like mushroom and hardwood. The light pepper has a musty white pepper like quality.

This cigar always burns perfectly, holds a solid gray ash, and I cannot remember ever having a bad one. I also think this cigar has gotten better with age.

This cigar should pair up well with this wine.

By the way don’t go out of your way looking for this cigar – I don’t think they make it anymore.

The Pairing

This is one terrific pairing. I love bold wines and bold cigars and this is it! Just look at the word profile of each of these and you will see why this is such a good pairing.

Rocky Patel Decade 10th Anniversary: Cigar Review

Wrapper: Ecuadorian Sumatra
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Size: 6.5 x 52 Torpedo
My Strength Rating: 7.5 Medium-full
Rockypateldecade.com

Here is what they had to say on their web site, “The smoke has a rich and creamy texture with distinct notes of blackcherry and a nutty finish. Balanced and elegant.”

Two things I don’t get from this description ‘creamy’ and ‘elegant.’ Right off the light there are ample roasted tobacco notes with some spice.

Then during the first 3rd of the smoking experience I get a good toasted rye bread note with a medium roast coffee and a white pepper like quality that tickles the tongue.

By mid-point I have a hard time finding the black cherry note. From a puff here and there I think maybe I could buy that description but, I get more of a cedary profile. There is an overall earthy quality that brings everything together. It is like I can taste the soil that the tobacco plants were grown in. Also, at mid-point the peppery notes build to fine grind black peppercorn character. So far my texture experience would have to be described as robust, rich, and hearty. I am thinking a good porterhouse steak would be a perfect match.

On the final 3rd of the smoke the lingering aftertaste is that of earth and pepper. The spice and cedar seem to tingle the sinuses. The peppery style continues and the rich roasted coffee notes thicken with each puff. The mouthfeel is meaty and the smoke is thick. The experience is never bitter, harsh or overpowering. It is during this final 3rd of the cigar I detect that black cherry tobacco taste.

Overall this is an excellent smoke. I always enjoy a quality medium-full cigar and this is one of them.

Macanudo Hampton Court Maduro: Cigar Review

Wrapper: USA Broadleaf Maduro
Binder: Connecticut Shade
Filler: Mexico, Piloto Cubano
Size: 5.5 x 42

This is a decent little maduro. But, nothing that eventful or that complex. The smoke has a cedary, roasted cocoa bean and burnt tobacco taste.

When I smoked the cigar with a Cabernet Franc Wine, the wine really helped this cigar. It felt like the cigar picked up some of the characteristics of the wine. The spice and pepper from this Cab Franc mingled well with this cigar. I can think of better cigar to enjoy with this wine. Nothing to go out of the way and try here.