Don Pepin Series JJ Maduro Sublime and Little Kornkny Ale 2006: Pairing

The Ale

Little Kornkny Ale 2006

Norrebro Bryghus

Barley-Wine Style Ale

“…brewed with US hops and European malts…”

“…notes of plums, dried fruits, spice, and caramel.”

Copenhagen, Denmark

12% abv

1pt 4.3oz bottle

$25.00 a bottle

On sale $21.00

Appearance: dark brown body with a thin tan head this turned to nothing in a split second.

Aroma: rich sweet caramel, touch of delicate spice

Flavors: sweet caramel mixed with molasses and brown sugar upfront, dry fig, dried brown spice, touch of pink peppercorn, touch of semi-sweet chocolate, vanilla extract.  This is a sipper.  When the ale warms up the alcohol spice is a little more noticeable.

Mouthfeel: smooth, a touch boozy or cognac like, note much in carbonation, a syrupy sweetness dominates the palate and lingers on the tongue. 

My Strength Rating: 7.5 – the syrupy feel adds some good weight, the cognac likeness adds depth and the complex flavor profile adds a lot of character. 

This Barley-Wine Style Ale should be very good to pair with a cigar. 

 

Don Pepin Series JJ Maduro Sublime

Wrapper: Broadleaf Maduro

Fillers: Nicaraguan Corojo and Criollo

Size: 6 x 54

$13.75 in Michigan

This cigar has been around for a while for the white cigar band has turned to a cream color from the tobacco. 

Off the Light: dry earth and hardwood greet the palate.  As the smoke continues there is a fine grind peppercorn blend that plays on the palate and sinuses. 

Mid-point: dry earth, forest floor, toasted oak, medium dark roast coffee, white peppercorn mustiness,

Down the Stretch: The toasted oak note was a bit stronger, roasted tobacco, dark roast coffee, and dry earthy notes.  The peppercorn notes seemed to take a back seat during the last third. 

My Strength Rating: 7 - firm medium-full body with rich meaty flavors.

The Pairing

When I take a few puffs of the cigar and then sip the ale the cigar helps to cut through some of the sweetness and leaves a wonderful aftertaste. 

Now, when I sip the Barley-wine style ale first I get that rush of sweetness and the other flavors of the ale and then when I puff the cigar it seems like some of the flavors transfer to the cigar.  The maduro sweetness is little more noticeable.

This is a solid pairing.