Pinar del Rio Toro Oscuro and Justin Isosceles 2008: Pairing

The Cigar

Pinar del Rio Toro Oscuro

Liga Cubana No. 2

Wrapper: Brazilian Oscuro

Fillers: Dominican and Nicaraguan

Size: 6 x 50

Flavors: dark roasted coffee and dry soil earthy notes make up the main profile of this toro.  There is a touch of dry cocoa powder that floats around during the smoking experience.  The fine grind black pepper adds some character to this stick.  The mouthfeel is dry and a little wool like. 

The cigar becomes very robust on the last third of the smoking experience.  Strong coffee and burnt woody notes dominate. 

The Wine

Justin Isosceles 2008

78% Cabernet Sauvignon

13% Cabernet Franc

8% Merlot

1% Petit Verdot

Unfiltered

Interesting?... a four sided Isosceles. 

Aroma: Blackberry, smoke and coffee bean

Flavors: big dark juicy berries, with a squeeze of red raspberry and red currant, coffee, chocolate, smoked hardwood

Mouthfeel: smooth, semi-creamy feel, tannins and acidity are good and in balance.

The Pairing

These two work well with each other.  The dry style of the cigar needs a red wine with a smooth and creamy mouthfeel.  The big juicy berries of the wine mix well with the coffee and dry soil earthy tones of the cigar.  This cigar gets really strong toward the end and it needs a quality beverage.