Virtuoso and Samuel Smith Tadcaster Yorkshire Stingo

The Ale

Samuel Smith Tadcaster Yorkshire Stingo

550ml bottle
In Michigan around $5.00 a bottle
8% abv
Samuel Smith Old Brewery
United Kingdom
This is an aged bottle: Brewed in 2008

This bottle conditioned ale is ‘aged in oak ale casks matured for over a year.’ I have never had this beer from Samuel Smith before and I really like oak aged beers.

This beer pours a murky, ruddy, copper color with a solid tan head. The aroma when I first opened the bottle was of sweet apples. It made me think of a cider mill at first. The nose is mainly malty. I had a little apprehension hoping it was not going to be too sweet.

The first sip brightened my eyes for the taste seemed wonderful. Of course there was the usual caramel sweetness but, it is the Granny Smith apple-tartness that starts to steal the show. There are plenty of dark fruit qualities that one can play the old guessing game of ‘what am I tasting?’ Then there is a good herbal bready profile that mixes well with all of the other wonderful flavors. Oh, don’t forget the nice little spice taste. This is one rich tasting and complex ale. The carbonation level is near perfect for this ale and it is on the back of my palate where I experience that slight oaky taste.

The Cigar

Carlos Torano Virtuoso Toro
Read previous posting
The Pairing

I think the Torano Exodus 1959 could be a quality fit here or the Casa Maduro with its sweetness would make an interesting pairing but, I went for the Torano Virtuoso. The solid coffee and peppery style I thought

would complement this tasty brew.

This is a solid pairing. That earthy coffee and pepper spiciness of the cigar helps to control some of the sweet caramel notes of the ale. And likewise, as the pepper profile of the cigar picks up the sweetness of the ale helps to settle the bite of the cigar. The apple tartness is still pleasing to the palate. All the other wonderful flavors of this ale seem to mingle well with this cigar during this session.

I am going to have to plan to have this pairing again – I am enjoying this during this cool autumn day.

Carlos Torano Virtuoso Toro

Wrapper: Nicaragua Sun Grown Pueblo Nuevo
Binder: Honduras
Filler: Nicaragua, Honduras, Panama
Size: 6 x 50
My Strength Rating: 5.5/6

On the sampler box it describes the tasting notes as, ‘roasted coffee, cocoa and a peppery spice.’ I find this to be a pretty good description of this cigar. The pepper to me is a mix of white and black pepper spiciness. The coffee profile is a medium-full roast likeness and there is a slight dark chocolate dryness that adds some character to the overall smoking experience.

Petrus Aged Pale Ale and Casa Torano Maduro Toro

The Ale


11.2 oz bottle
7.3% abv
Brewed by: Brouwerij Bavik
Belgium
My Strength Rating: 8.5

This delicious golden blonde ale is aged in oak barrels for over 20 months. This ale pours an attractive golden color and carries a nice white head that dissipates quickly.

The first thing I notice is the strong tart green apple taste that boarders the line on sour. This past weekend a friend brought some apples brushed with lemon juice to the party and this reminds a little of this ale. This ale has a bigger lemon juice profile and green apple bite though. I like the oak cask taste and the aroma that I get with each sip.

I have had this ale before and I already know that I like this one. This ale would be excellent after a big hearty meal like the one I had tonight.

Buy: yes – when your taste buds are ready for the acidic tart-sour bite of green apple and lemon.


Pairing this ale with a cigar could be interesting. With this big tart to sour profile along with a good oaky note just any cigar may not do the trick. I think I will have to do some deep research here and do multiple pairings – this will be a tough job but, I think I am ready.

This week I am pairing my beer with the Carlos Torano Cigars that come in a seven stick sampler pack. Out of the four cigars left I believe the 1916 Cameroon cigar would be an excellent choice. This medium bodied cigar has a good earthy and nutty profile that should mingle well with this ale but, I have had that cigar before and written about it as well. So, that is too easy of a pick – let me select the Casa Torano Maduro for its medium bodied strength and its sweet maduro taste. This ale could use a touch of sweetness to the beverage that it is paired with.

The Cigar

Casa Torano Maduro Toro - Read the previous posting


The Pairing

I just hope this does not ruin my flavorful ale. Here I go. Wow, this is not too bad. That tart-sour bite from the ale is really controlling that harsh profile of this cigar. The ale is making this a smokable cigar. The coffee note is not as burnt tasting and the earthiness is a little more pleasing while I pair these two together. I just wish there was a little more sweetness from the maduro cigar. The only thing that I am missing from the ale is that nice oaky flavor while I am smoking this cigar. I believe this ale deserves a better cigar than this Casa Torano Maduro. But, overall not bad. Good thing this ale could control this cigar.

Casa Torano Maduro Toro

The Cigar


Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Dominican, Nicaraguan
Size: 6 x 50
My Strength Rating: 6

I have had this cigar before but, it was so long ago that I do not remember much about it. Here is the description from the sampler box, “…medium bodied… full-flavor… undertones of dark molasses and brown sugar.”

Alright, they have been pretty good with their description of their cigars on this sampler pack but, they broke down on this one. Molasses and brown sugar?!? Really now. To me it is a burnt coffee and a 90% dark chocolate dry bitterness. There is also a scorched earth and burnt woody taste.

Now, I know why I don’t remember this one – I didn’t want to. I think the harshness that I am experiencing I would raise my strength rating up a little due to that fact. I would pass on this cigar and that is probably what I thought a few years ago as well.

Renaissance Cabernet Sauvignon 1999 and Casa Torano Cigar

The Wine

This cabernet comes from the Sierra Foothills in Oregon House, California. This 13.5% abv red wine is still fine eleven years later. There is a nice dark cherry nose. I like the blackberry bite that mixes with the plum, earth, black cherry, spice, and sweet cedar notes. This wine leaves a good thick earthy quality or jammy feel on the palate. This cab has some good body.

With each sip I can taste that moist plum flavor and then the dark fruits kick in to add some body structure to the flavor profile. The spice and woody notes play on the back of the palate for that nice Cabernet Sauvignon finish. I think I’ll give this wine a 7 on my strength scale. (medium-full)

This bottle use to sell for around $27 - $30 a bottle and I just picked up a few bottles at $15.00 each.

See earlier posting from today for cigar profile.
 
The Pairing

I have to admit that I wanted to pair this red wine with a fuller bodied cigar but, this seemed like the good opportunity to take a full-medium bodied wine and have something out of its strength rating (going to the milder side of course). I rated this cigar a 1.5 on my strength scale and I rated this wine a seven. So, I am moving 5.5 points over, this should be a good contrast.

The pairing is going very well. The cigar does not interfere at all with this Cabernet Sauvignon. I get to enjoy all the flavors of the wine as if I was not even smoking a cigar. And, I do not mean that as a bad thing either. I am enjoying the smoking experience without changing any of the qualities of this wine. I think this experience has convinced me to purchase a few more of these cigars – just for that reason.

Carlos Torano - Casa Torano Toro Cigar

Wrapper: Ecuador-Connecticut
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Honduras, Nicaragua, and A family blend of Central and South American tobaccos.
Size: 6 x 50
My Strength Rating: 1.5

On the sampler box it is described as 'light bodied and flavor.' This sure is light bodied. It is very mild. Not only is it very mild it is light in flavor. Almost void of flavor. No woody, nutty or earthy notes for me to describe. With each puff I tried to detect something and I will have to settle with describing it as a very mild classic tobacco taste.

This would be an excellent cigar for the newbie to cigar smoking. It is also an excellent choice to have with a wide range of beverages. There are no particular flavors from the cigar to interfere with the beverage of your choice. I’ll bet this would be an excellent choice with an IPA beer, strong spirits, and even a bold wine. It would also go well with lighter bodied beverages as well.

I remember when this cigar came out and made it to the store shelf. I did try a few but; due to its mild nature I discounted the cigar. I am glad I am trying this cigar again. I think I may keep a few on hand to match up with some quality beverages.

For a very mild cigar this is very good.