San Miguel Torpedo Cigar and Sanson Estate Bird Dog Red 2005: Review

Wino Wednesday Cigar Pairing

The Cigar

San Miguel Torpedo

I think this cigar is just worth the price to look at the artwork on the cigar band.

Wrapper: Sun Grown Sumatra-seed from Ecuador

Fillers: from the Esteli, Jamastran, and Ometepe regions. 

Size: 6 x 52

$6.00 a stick

My Strength Rating: 6

Off the Light: Solid pepper style that has that classic white pepper musty note.

After that first inch of peppery delight the cedary flavor starts to present itself.  The white pepper is still present but, not as dominate as off the light.  The texture is more wool like than smooth and creamy as it is billed as. 

Mid-point: Firm cedar flavors are the main profile with the pepper taking the back seat.  As the cigar burns past the mid-point the cedar seems to mix with a dry light soil note and the white pepper dances on the tongue during the aftertaste. 

The texture softens a bit to a soft wool like mouthfeel.  The burn is perfect so far and the cigar holds a firm dark gray ash. 

Down the Stretch:  The cedar builds in strength and a black pepper profile picks up on the palate.  The texture is wool like on the mouthfeel. 

Overall, a tasty peppery and cedar like profile that is pleasing to the palate.  Worth the price of admission. 

The Wine

Sanson Estate Bird Dog Red 2005

13.5% abv

$20.00 a bottle

Sanson Estate Winery

9236 Walker Road

Amherstburg, Ontario, Canada

Sansonestatewinery.com

Cabernet Sauvignon 40%, Cabernet Franc 35%, Merlot 25%

My Strength Rating: 5.5

When I opened this bottle of wine it was like I just walked into a winery.  The aroma filled the air with fresh berries, oak, and earth.  The taste follows the nose.  The red and black currant like notes with sweet raspberry and Bing cherry flavors make for a tasty berry experience.  A pleasing light oak and delicate earthy profile adds some structure.  

The mouthfeel is smooth.  This blend leaves a light aftertaste of berries and has a fairly clean aftertaste for a red wine.

The Pairing

I thought this would make an interesting pairing.  These two should complement each other.  The wine is smooth and has a wonderful berry profile without any spice.  The cigar has the spice and cedar to balance things out in this match up. 

This does work well.  The wine calms the peppery and cedar notes of the cigar and prepares the palate for more.  The cigar brings out a little fuller taste in the wine during this pairing.