5 Vegas Gold Bullion and Troubadour Blond: Pairing

The Cigar

5 Vegas Gold Bullion

Wrapper: Connecticut Shade

Filler: Honduran, Dominican

Size: 6 x 60

These 5 Vegas Golds are very smooth and tasty mild cigars.  Out of the 5 Vegas lineup I think I like the Gold the best.  It reminds me of one of my favorite cigars; Hoyo Excalibur #1.  And, what you can buy these for at Cigar International it is a deal.

Off the Light: toasted white bread slightly buttered.  As the smoke continues the toasted bread is mingled with an almond nutty note and the oak profile is starting to build.

Look at the size of this cigar compared
to a hammer head

Mid-Point: smooth mild oaky profile with light toasted grains and a nice almond nut like quality.  This cigar is perfect for this summer day.  It is time to pour that Troubadour Blond Ale to finish up the last half of the cigar.

Down the Stretch: One thing about this cigar is that it does not change much.  The mild-medium oaky profile is still tasty.  The toasted bread and almond nutty note is still in the mix. 

My Strength Rating: 2.5 – the texture is smooth and delicious all the way to the nub. 

The Ale

Troubadour Blond

Blond Ale - Refermented in the bottle

6.5% abv

11.2oz bottle

$17.00 a four pack

Br. The Musketeers

Ursel, Belgium

Globalbeer.com

Freshness date on the cap: 19/3/11

Okay, I have to admit that I had a love affair with this blond last year.  From what I remember is that I think this is one of my favorite Blond Belgian Ales. 

Appearance: cloudy amber-orange body with a beautiful white head that has big time staying power. 

Aroma: Belgian hoppy and yeasty nose.  As the ale warms up so does the hoppy musty spice. 

Flavors: rich earthy tone probably from the yeast, fruity but nothing distinct, a bit of citrus rind and meat that gives it a little bitterness, then the sweet malts come to play, it seems like a rich earthy honey,

Mouthfeel: this baby is smooth, semi-creamy and enjoyable.  Mild-medium bodied ale that is not overpowering in taste.  Rich earthy style.

My Strength Rating: 2.5 – mild-medium structure overall. 

To the Point: while the fruity notes seem muted they are tasty at the same time.  Nice and pleasing sweet earthy profile.  If you want to give yourself a treat pick up a four pack.  Or, pick up two and invite me over!

The Pairing

This was a no brainer pairing.  Both are mild-medium in structure and both are pretty straight forward in their delivery.  The mild oaky profile of the cigar plays well with the sweet earthy tones, dried fruits and light citrus meat of the ale.  Nothing complex and that is a good thing on a warm summer evening here in Grindstone City, Michigan.