The Cigar
Gurkha Black Dragon Imperial Presidente
Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf maduro
Binder: Cameroon
Fillers: Dominican
Size: 7 x 52
My Strength Rating: 6
Source: gurkhacigars.com I have seen other descriptions for the wrapper, binder, and fillers but, I’ll go with what the company/manufacturer says.
This cigar has a good earthy profile with some roasted mild coffee notes. The very delicate sweet tobacco and slight spicy notes remind me of a mild pink peppercorn flavor. There was a moment here or there where I thought maybe it had a pecan nut taste but, on the next puff – nope. The texture is a bit leathery yet smooth.
The Wine
Franciscan Magnificat 2005
Napa Valley Red Wine
Franciscan
Oakville, California, USA
Franciscan.com
My Strength Rating: 7.5
14.5% abv
Blend: 73% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot, 2% Malbec, 1% Petit Verdot, and 1% Franc
Aroma: rich dark berries, spice, and a touch of dark cocoa powder
Flavors: Blackberry bite, a squeeze of black cherry, 80% dark chocolate bite and dryness, spice.
Mouthfeel: dense and dry on the palate. There is a blackberry bite and green peppercorn on the aftertaste that seems to linger. Overall very pleasing for a medium-full mouthfeel.
The Pairing
These two are bringing out the deep rich flavors in each other.
When I drink the wine first and then puff on the cigar the cigars earthy and coffee profile really seems thicker and heavier almost meaty like.
When I puff on the cigar and then drink the wine the wines berry notes are note as noticeable but, the spice and the dry dark chocolate seem to stand out. Maybe it is that coffee note in the cigar that eliminates the berry and cherry notes in the wine.
One thing that I have noticed during this pairing is that the cigars spice profile seems to be more pronounced than when I have smoked it by itself.
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