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.