Pinar del Rio Clasico Gordo: Review

Clasico Exclusivo

Wrapper: Connecticut Shade from Ecuador

Fillers: Nicaraguan and Dominican

Size: 4.5 x 60

I bought this sampler pack of this small Gordo size when CI had them on special (15 for 30 bucks).  I have never had this lineup before so it sounded like a good deal.  A week after getting them I sampled each type of wrapper; the Connecticut Shade, Habano Sun Grown, and the Oscuro.  I have to admit that I liked each one that I tried.  Now, it is review time. 

This size is not in the regular offerings, I’ll have to measure, but I think it is a 4.5 x 60 stick. 

Off the light: good oak quality and dry leafs.  As the burn continues there is a dry roasted coffee note that is mild-medium.  There is ample smoke with each puff that seems smooth in its delivery.  The oak profile is front and center during this first half.  You could make the argument for a toasted almond and walnut blended note.  To me there seems to be a light rye bread quality. 

This cigar reminds me of one of my favorite oaky type cigars the Hoyo Excalibur #1. 

Second Half: The oak profile remains front and center.  The earthy note reminds me of dry leafs and grains. The mild-medium coffee is still swirling around.  The delivery is still smooth yet dry in texture.  I smoked this one down to the nub and the notes never became bitter or burnt. 

My Strength Rating: 5 – a firm medium bodied smoke.  The oaky quality really comes through. 

To the Point: if you like medium bodied smokes this is a must try.  The cigar is not complex but, is an enjoyable smoke.   

I would like to pair this with an oaked Chardonnay, try it with an IPA or a bold red wine.  I don’t think I have paired an IPA with an oaky style cigar before.  I recommend a cigar that is earthy in profile and if you can get a hint of floral in the mix even better.  I just wonder how the oak would mingle with a citrusy IPA.         

Look for the reviews on the other two

Gurkha Empire Series II and Kuhnhenn 4D: Pairing

The Ale

Kuhnhenn  4D

4^th D Olde Ale 2010

Fourth Dementia

13.5% abv

12 oz bottle

Kuhnhenn Brewing Company

Warren, Michigan, USA

I bought a four pack of this ale and I have had two bottles (about a month ago) before reviewing this ale.  From what I remember is that it is rich, sweet and still has a nice bitter note.  For me I have to be in the mood for this ale.  Tonight I am in the mood.  Let’s review! 

Appearance: deep mahogany, poured a one finger tan head that disappeared quickly.  No lacing. 

Aroma: rich caramel and sweet malts dominate

Flavors: the rich caramel carry over with roasted toffee, rich sweet notes abound, hint of toasted vanilla and oak.   With each sip the rich toasted sweetness on the nose is enjoyable.  Be careful drinking this ale for the alcohol taste is not present and it is 13.5%.  It is a sipper but, it’s easy to forget that.  There are some nice bitter notes from the hops on the back of the palate. 

Mouthfeel: semi-creamy, smooth, hardly any carbonation, full bodied, a bit syrupy.

The Cigar

Gurkha Empire Series II

Wrapper: dark Connecticut 

Fillers: 6 year old Dominican ligeros

Size: 5.5 x 52

I have smoked this cigar before and it is just an okay smoke.  But, I think its simple style should match well with this bold ale.  I have had this cigar in the humidor for over a year now, so let’s see if it has improved.   

Off the Light: light soil earthy tones.  As the smoke continues it is the light earthy tones that dominate.  There is a hint of sweet cedar. 

The ale dominates this cigar at this point.  Don’t get me wrong this is not all that bad.  This cigar is fairly simple with its earthy style.  I think that is what this ale needs when being paired.  This cigar would also be good with an IPA. 

Mid-Point: the light earthy tone continues with a woody note that seems like plywood.  This cigar is truly boring.   

The sweetness from the ale needs this cigars straight forward and simple style. But, I feel like I should find a cigar with some flavor.  There is nothing to write about here.    

Down the Stretch: wake me up when I finish this cigar.  Good thing I am drinking an interesting ale. 

My Strength Rating: 4 – with the boredom it should be a 0.  Did they forget to put the ligero tobaccos in this stick?  I did not find any spice worth mentioning. 

I found this cigar boring one year ago and it is still the same.  Damn, I am glad that this is the last one. 

One way to make a rather boring cigar interesting is pair it with something that has a lot of style and this is the ale to do just that.  This ale seems to help this cigar but this cigar can’t help but be boring. 

Will someone carry me to bed?  This cigar put me to sleep. 

This ale deserves better. 

La Flor Dominicana DL 700 and Clos de los Siete: Pairing

The Wine

Clos de los Siete

Clos de los Siete Winery

Mendoza, Argentina

By Michel Rolland

14.6% abv

$35.00 at A Matter of Taste Restaurant

Blend: 56% Malbec, 21% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Syrah, 2% Petit Verdot

I had a glass and a half at the restaurant and brought the rest home to sit back to do a review and then smoke a fine stogie with it. 

Appearance: deep dark garnet, this is pretty close to black with a purple edge.

Aroma: very dense dark currant note, smoky, it smells like the dark chocolate with berries in it, earthy – mineral soil like

Flavors: heavy soil earthy tone, dark berry concentrate, 90+% dark chocolate that covers the palate, bold and intense.

Mouthfeel: thick and very dry on the palate, tart, earthy, the dry finish reminds me of 95% dark chocolate, leathery texture, lingering aftertaste

You can feel this wine just clinging to your teeth and gums. 

My Strength Rating: 8.5 – this full bodied blend is hearty.  It deserves a big steak.  I think I’ll make plans for that one day.  

The Cigar

La Flor Dominicana DL 700

Double Ligero

Laflordominicana.com

A very good web site to visit

Wrapper: Dark Ecuadorian Sun Grown

Binder: Dominican

Filler: Dominican

Size: 6.5 x 60

$10.00 Smoky’s in Northville, Michigan

Their web site warns you to eat before smoking this cigar.

I have never had this cigar before so, I do not know what I am getting into here.  This cigar just looked good and oily and strong.  That is what this wine needs for a good pairing.   

This Sun Grown wrapper has a beautiful sheen to the tobacco leaf.  It looks rugged yet rich.  The vein is the tobacco leaf and the color is just like art work or one expensive leather sofa. 

Off the Light: Oh yes, this is a double ligeros.  Rich soil earthy tone with a bit of spice and I can tell this is just the beginning.  Of course I just lit the cigar.  No just the beginning of the spice. 

As the smoke continues the texture is leathery and the body weight on the full-medium side.  I am thinking 7.5 or 8 on my strength scale and I am just a half an inch into this baby.  I’ll bet it gets fuller from here! 

The spice seems to be in play more on the finish and aftertaste.  A medium coarse black peppercorn like quality.  The rich soil continues and there is a strong dark roast coffee note. 

Now, I could not pass the smoke through the sinuses so, is this cigar going to be that strong of is it that I tried to inhale the dipping bread that I had before dinner. 

Mid-Point: strong dark roast coffee, rich mineral soil, hardwood, and spice.  The cigar has a strong mouthfeel with a leathery texture and a lingering aftertaste.  The black pepper seems to build on the aftertaste.  I’ll go to 8.5 on my strength scale. 

The Pairing: I just introduced the wine as I entered the mid-point of the cigar.  Wow, this cigar makes this wine seem … medium bodied.  This is a full bodied wine and this cigar is controlling this wine.  This is like two heavy weights in battle. 

The earthy tones match up well.  The dark berries and dark chocolate of the wine pair up well with the dark roasted coffee and hardwood notes of the cigar.  This is a full bodied experience. 

Down the Stretch: Just when I thought the cigar was starting to mellow on the last few puffs … Wham … the spice kicked in.  The smoke is now an earthy coffee profile with some robust roasted notes and charred hardwood.  The body weight is heavy.  Let me call it a 9 on my strength scale. 

The Pairing: I needed a few sips of the wine to control the heavy smoke of the cigar.  This is a strong earthy pairing.  I recommend a glass, no gallon, of water to go along with this pairing. 

I had some burning issues where I had to continually correct the burn of the cigar.  Since this cigar has such an oily wrapper I recommend dry boxing the cigar a day or two before smoking. 

I have not done a cigar review in a month.  What a cigar to choose to get back in the swing of things. 

Rocky Patel Renaissance Robusto and Robert Mondavi 2009 Meritage: Pairing

The Wine

Robert Mondavi 2009 Meritage

Private Selection

13.5% abv

Blend: 41% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon,

11% Petit Verdot, 10% Malbec, 3% Cab. Franc

Vinted & Bottled by: Robert Mondavi

Woodbridge, California, USA

rmprivateselection.com

$10.00 a bottle

I bought this bottle at the fundraiser for Waggin’ Tails Dog Rescue

Appearance: deep purple with a nice purple edge

Aroma: mixed dark berries with a slight spice

Flavors: spice is right up front, touch of black pepper, hint of blackberry with a dose of boysenberry, there is a slight watery edge that hits the palate.   Once the wine opens a bit there is just a touch of mocha and a hint of coffee and I am going to add a note of Michigan Cherry.

Mouthfeel: smooth; dark berries dance on the tongue; feels a bit thin at first but fills in a little if you get it to breath. 

My Strength Rating: 4.5 – I was going to do a 4 but, the lingering berry notes said 4.5. 

To the Point: a nice medium bodied Meritage.  Not the most complex wine, a bit thin at first and then fills in a little as it breathes.  For $10.00 a bottle it is a good party wine or a good introductory wine for the newbie. 

The Cigar

Rocky Patel Renaissance Robusto

Wrapper: Ecuadorian Sumatra

Binder: Honduran

Fillers: Honduran

Size: 5 x 50

$7.00 a stick

Off the Light: tasty roasted grains, a bit of mild coffee, and a hint of 60% type dark chocolate.  The cigar has a nice firm gray looking ash. 

Mid-Point: good mild-medium roasted grains, the mild coffee continues but, I don’t notice any dark chocolate since those first few puffs on the first inch; there seems to be a nice soil earthy tone settling in. 

As the burn passes the halfway mark there are some spice notes on the finish.  There seems to be no burning issues. 

Mouthfeel is Rocky Patel smooth and medium in body.  There is a dry soil earth note that lingers on the palate.    

Down the Stretch: nice roasted grains and mild coffee continue to please the palate.  A touch of dried brown spice and a hint of pink peppercorn enters the picture.   

My Strength Rating: 5

To the Point: a very pleasing smoking experience.  A solid medium bodied smoke.  This is my first Rocky Patel Renaissance and I would buy another. 

The Pairing

This is a nice pairing.  The cigar actually helps this wine.  The earthy notes and roasted grains of the cigar help to perk up the body of this wine so the wine feels a little fuller.  After a few puffs of the cigar the wine refreshes the palate.  I enjoy this wine more so with the cigar than by itself. 

Both the wine and the cigar are medium in body.  Both seem to be short of being complex.  Both are tasty, enjoyable, and budget friendly. 

Graycliff Profesionale Series Robusto: Review

Blue Label

Wrapper: Indonesian

Binder: Indonesian

Fillers: Brazil, Nicaragua, and Honduras

Size: 5.2 x 50

$ around 16: I got it as a freebie with my purchase awhile back

Beverage: Bigbby Costa Rica Blend

Off the Light: Lightly buttered wheat bread toast, mild start.  As the smoke continued there was slight almond and peanut like quality. I’ll give it a 4 on my strength scale

Mid-Point: as the smoking experience entered into the mid-point the body started to build a little.  Toasted grains, light soil earthiness, and mild coffee.  Right when I was thinking about ‘no spice,’ then the next few puffs … spice.  Seemed like fennel.  Now, I can add cedar.  The cedar didn’t hit me till the middle of the cigar.  It started off with a sweet cedar and changed to a firm cedar.  The cigar is medium at best in the mid-section. I’ll give it a 5 on my strength scale.

The texture has been smooth through this point.  The aftertaste is like a dusting of a fine grind black pepper. 

Down the Stretch: the toasted grains and soil like earthy notes build slightly as the cigar enters the final third.  The firm cedar note is still present. 

As the final third continues the mouthfeel becomes more dry and leathery in texture.  The cedar note takes front seat on the finish.

My Strength Rating: 5 – mild start and builds to a 5.5 on the finish.

Ashton VSG Enchantment and Gulden Draak Vintage 2009: Pairing

The Ale

Gulden Draak 2009

Vintage Ale 2009

7.5% abv

750ml bottle

$13.99 a bottle

Br.Van Steenberge

Belgium

Appearance: rich caramel with a slight reddish tint.  Big bubbly tan head.

Flavors:after the fizz explosion that hits the mouth, there is a rich malt sweetness of caramel, toasted grain, and a hoppy spice and  bitter note.   

Mouthfeel: tons of carbonation, Champagne effervescent like, cola like feel, semi-dry texture that lingers on the palate. 

It is not like the regular Gulden Draak.  See my posting on Nov. 22, 2010.  It does have a few of the tasting notes but, missing some of the others.  It also looks different.  The 2009 vintage is not as rich tasting and lacks that creamy feel of the regular. 

My Strength Rating: 6

The Cigar

Ashton VSG Enchantment

Wrapper: Virgin Sun Grown Ecuador from the Oliva family

Binder and Fillers: Dominican Republic 4 to 5 year old tobaccos from Carlos Fuente Jr. grown exclusively for Ashton. 

Size: 4.38 x 60 Perfecto

Source: Ashtoncigar.com

$15.99 in Michigan

Off the Light: oh yes, VSG spiciness hits me on the first puff.  The spice reminds me of a coarse black pepper with its citrus bitter bite and a fine grind black pepper the kind that makes you sneeze.  And I did sneeze a few times. The texture is dry. 

This is one spicy pairing.  The cigar is really bringing out the spiciness in this ale but, the high level of carbonation is there to help replenish the palate.

Mid-Point: This is why we love our VSG’s … the VSG spice.  Bold spiciness and dry earthiness is the main profile. 

The ales effervescence helps to control the bold strength of the cigar.

Down the Stretch: this cigar is pretty consistent throughout with the VSG spice profile.  It is not a very complex smoke with its spice and earthy quality.  But, VSG fans buy this for one reason and that is the spicy profile. 

To the Point: for the price I would rather smoke the Spellbound or Wizard.  But, if time is the issue this is an hour plus smoke where the other two will last 2 hours. 

My Strength Rating: 7.5 during this pairing

I don’t think I would pair these two together.  The cigar seems to magnify the spice and bitter notes of the ale. It was hard to pick up any of the malty notes during this pairing.  I would like to pair it with the regular Gulden Draak. 

Jaime Garcia Reserva Especial and Ovila Dubbel: Pairing

The Ale

Ovila Dubbel

7.5% abv

1pt 9.4oz bottle

$12.99

Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.

Chico, California, USA

SierraNevada.com

“A collaboration between Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. and the monks at the Abbey of New Clairvaux…”

Appearance: caramel brown body with a fine fluffy tan head that has some good staying power.

Aroma: fairly light with sweet malty notes and a touch of dark dried fruits.  The bottle says, “The aroma is heady and layered mix of fruit and spice with hints of clove and black pepper …” No spices to me.  Maybe when the ale warms up?

Flavors: Nice malty character without being overly sweet.  The dark dried fruits follow.  Not complex nor does it have that wow factor but, it is a very pleasing Abbey Ale to drink. 

Mouthfeel: light in body, fine fizzy carbonation, a touch of dried fruit lingering on the palate.  I expected more.

My Strength Rating: 2.5 – nice mild Abbey Dubbel Ale.

The Cigar

Jaime Garcia Reserva Especial

Jaime (Hi-may)

Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro

Binder: Nicaraguan

Fillers: Nicaraguan

Size: 6 x 54

$8.30 a stick in Michigan

I have never had this cigar before.  Tony from Smokey’s in Northville said this would be a full bodied smoke.  Let’s see. 

Smokey’s is in the former Trader Tom’s location in Northville, Michigan.  If you are ever in the area stop on by. 

Off the Light: nice light soil on the first two puffs and then the black pepper spice hits the sinuses and then the palate.  Wow, heavy dose of black pepper.  Don’t pass the smoke through the sinuses it is brutal.  If there any other types of flavors they are underneath this heavy dose of black pepper.  I don’t know if I will be able to smell anything the rest of the day.  Let me give this a 10 on my strength scale. 

The Pairing: The ale with its zippy carbonation sure helps to refresh the palate after a few puffs of the cigar.  I don’t think this cigar is helping the ale in any way.  It is hard to notice any flavors in the ale during this pairing. 

Mid-Point: The black pepper style is still present.  It may not be as strong as the first third but, it is still on the full side of town.  There is a good earthy mineral soil quality to the smoke and a strong dark roast coffee note is starting to show up.  I am going to give it a 9 on my strength scale. 

The Pairing: this cigar is too powerful for this mild ale.  The only thing good about this pairing is that the ale refreshes the palate from this strong peppery cigar.  The ale is only a 7.5% abv but, it is feeling like a 12% right now with this cigar – my head is spinning.  I don’t know if I should stand up at this point. 

I think this cigar may be good to pair with my old favorite Piraat Ale or a spicy Cabernet Franc red wine. 

Down the Stretch: the dark roast coffee and mineral soil seem to be the main profile at this point.  The spicy black pepper is still in the mix but not as strong as the beginning.  I go with an 8 strength rating here at the top of the stretch. 

The Pairing: this cigar is still overpowering the ale. It is hard to notice any flavors from the ale during this pairing.  This ale would be better paired with a mild or mild-medium Cameroon wrapped cigar like a Hemingway.  

Ashton VSG Spellbound and Darioush 2008 Shiraz: Pairing

The Wine

$100.00 Pairing

The cigar is just as big as the bottle



Darioush 2008 Shiraz

Napa Valley

Darioush, Inc

Napa, California, USA

Darioush.com

$80.00 The Fine Wine Source

It has been a few years since I have had Darioush Cab. Sauv. and that was a great bottle of wine.  So, when I saw the bottle I had to check it out.  I have never had their Shiraz – let’s give it a try. 

Appearance: rich ruby

Aroma: blueberry, plum, fairly light soil

Flavors: lots of dark berries and fruit. Not picking up any spice but, this is the first glass and I did not decant this glass.  Picking up a hint of caramel and a touch of vanilla as I near the end of the first glass.  There is a soft soil note starting to appear.  When the wine has not been decanted it comes across like a Pinot.

Mouthfeel: warm alcohol spice on the back of the palate. 

My Strength Rating: 6

Time for the second glass (been decanted)

Aroma: Ah, there is that Shiraz spicy nose.  There is blueberry and dark current on the nose with a good splash of sweet spice and a very light peppery note.  This makes me think of pink peppercorn mixed with allspice.  Seems a bit leathery on the nose.  While the notes are pleasing it does not come across as big or bold. 

Flavors: Yes, much better. Rich boysenberry with a splash of ripe blackberry greets the palate.  Dark rich soil, touch of vanilla bean, and a very pleasing Shiraz spice quality. 

Mouthfeel: light peppery and alcohol spice on the finish.  Starts to get jammy on the teeth and gums.  Thick dark berries just coat the palate.  Sumptuous is the word for the overall mouthfeel of this tasty Shiraz.  The tannins and acidity seem to be well under control here.

My Strength Rating: 7.5 – nice jammy texture follows some rich and complex flavors.  

To the Point: is it worth the 80 dollar price tag?  Sure.  Can you find a 40 or 50 dollar bottle that is just as good?  Sure.  But, this Darioush Shiraz is ‘sumptuous.’

This bottle should be good to age for years to come.  Well, not this bottle for I am halfway through it.  I am going to buy two more to age.  I can’t wait to see how it ages and compare the tasting notes. 

The Cigar

Ashton VSG Spellbound

Wrapper: Ecuadorian Sun Grown

Fillers: Dominican

Size: 7.5 x 54

Ashtoncigar.com

$18.99 a stick

Oh, my old favorite out of the VSG lineup.  I have not had a Spellbound in years.  I have not seen them at the old Trader Tom’s store in a very long time.  Now that Smokey’s has bought the Trader Tom’s location in Northville the VSG Spellbounds are back.

The one thing I like about this big stick is that it is much smoother in texture compared to the smaller VSGs. 

Appearance: This is the roughest looking Spellbound I have ever seen.  It usually has a square boxed pressed shape but, this seems oval in sections and uneven on the edges.

Off the Light: touch of earth and then the second puff VSG spice. Yes, this is the VSG Spellbound that I remember – smooth yet spicy. 

I think I have been smoking this stick for a half an hour already and I am not done with the first third.    

Mid-Point:  I should have used white out to mark the first third and second third points on this cigar.  Tasting notes of: mineral rich soil, nice pepper mill notes, I like the dusting of white peppercorn, dry coffee bean, and a good hardwood quality (oak like). 

This cigar holds a firm salt and pepper colored ash.  The burn has been perfect all the way through.   

Just a little past one hour and I am finally at the halfway point.

Down the Stretch: This is the Kentucky Derby of cigars.  The best 2 hour smoking experience.  After one hour and twenty five minutes I think I am finally in the last third of this cigar. 

The notes become a bit toastier and slightly burnt.  The rich soil note has changed to a burnt forest floor.  The pepper mill mix has evolved into a dusty spice.  The mouthfeel is a good seven, even pushing an eight, on my strength scale.  The wine really helps to keep the final few inches of this cigar under control.  And, I smoked this big baby down to the nub and I did not want it to end.  Sadness overcomes me on the last two puffs. 

My Strength Rating: 6.5 – This bigger stick is not as warm or spicy as the smaller VSG cigars. 

To the Point: I still love this stick.  I will be buying more … soon!

The Pairing

After I finished the second glass I ran to the humidor to get this VSG.  Not only is the wine sumptuous but this pairing follows suit.  The cigar seems to bring out a sweet caramel and vanilla quality in the Shiraz.  The earthy and woody notes of the cigar mingle well with the rich soil and ripe dark berries of the wine. 

The overall mouthfeel of this pairing is tantalizing, rich, smooth, and luxurious.

Punch Gran Puro Sesenta and Bear Republic XP Pale Ale: Pairing

The Cigar

Punch Gran Puro Sesenta

Honduran Puro

Wrapper from San Agustin Valley

With sungrown binder and filler tobaccos

Size: 6.2 x 60

$8.25 in Michigan

Off the Light: Nice dose of peppery spice and hardwood.  As the smoke continued the peppery spice settled and earth notes dominated. 

Mid-Point: nice soil earthy tones, classic tobacco quality smoking experience.  Damn, I just like a quality ‘old school’ style smoke once and a while.  I guess that is why I like this big boy. 

Down the Stretch: the earthy tones are still the main profile.  There seems to be a bit of spice coming onto the scene at the top of the stretch.  Like a dusty brown spice with a touch of musty white pepper.

As the cigar nears the finish line the earthy tones are hearty, there is a slight bitterness and there is a dusting of white pepper. 

My Strength Rating: 6

The Ale

Bear Republic XP Pale Ale

5.5% abv

1pt 6oz bottle

$5.50 a bottle

Bear Republic Brewing Co.

Healdsburg, California, USA

Bearrepublic.com

Appearance: a shiny golden copper tone with nice clarity and an off white foamy head that leaves plenty of lacing on the glass. 

Aroma: faint nose, yeasty yes, otherwise it is uneventful. 

Flavors: flavors seem light and hard to distinguish.  Notes of grains, grassy hops, slight bitterness, good earthy quality and the malts must be doing their job for the ale seems balanced.  A strange one to review.  Let me just enjoy. 

Okay, on that ‘just enjoy’ level, it’s a pleasing pale ale.  Nothing strong, nothing outstanding, to me nothing interesting from this ale.  I was expecting more since I really liked their Racer 5 IPA.  This one does not light my fire.  Well, in a matter of fact it does not even light the match to light the fire. 

Mouthfeel: low carbonation, strange lingering slightly bitter note that reminds me of a citrus rind. 

My Strength Rating: 6 – a pool of non-descript and muted flavors. 

To the Point: I could care less for this ale.  But, on Beer Advocate, 360 reviewers averaged out for a B+ on this ale.  What do you think? 

The Pairing

On the first third of the cigar I was so busy trying to figure this beer out it I did not really think about how they were matching up. 

The earthy quality of each matches well.  And then, the other rather non-descript flavors of the ale, thank god, did not really interfere with the cigar. 

This ale was not a good pairing with this cigar.  And, I can blame it on the ale for I know I like this cigar.  I’ll be doing another pairing with the Punch Sesenta.