La Flor Dominicana Air Bender Maduro and Bell’s Cherry Stout: Pairing

The Stout

Bell’s Cherry Stout

Bell’s Brewery, Inc

Comstock, Michigan, USA

Bellsbeer.com

7% abv

12oz bottle
$16.99 a six pack

Packaged on 10/4/11

Stout brewed with Michigan cherry juice

The few beers that I have had with cherries added to the mix I have not truly enjoyed. So, let’s see if Bells can pull it off.

Appearance: black body with a toasty tan one finger head that leaves very little lacing if any.

Aroma: to me there is not much on the nose, I do pick up the cherry juice, but the stout notes seem relaxing

Flavors: oh yes, the cherry flavor is pleasing with a stout background giving it some body. The flavor reminds me of a coffee cherry blend. The coffee note seems medium in strength.

Mouthfeel: smoother than I expected, some nice stout like bitterness but not powerful, lingering cherry and roasted notes on the palate.

My Strength Rating: 6 – medium-full overall to me

To the Point: leave it to Bell’s to do it right with the cherry flavor. I cannot think of one beer with cherry added to it that I would drink again but, I would do this and good thing since I bought a six pack. I think the wife may even like this stout and she does not like too many types of stout.

The Cigar 

La Flor Dominicana Air Bender Maduro

Wrapper: Brazilian Habano
Binder: Dominican Republic
Filler: Dominican Republic

Size: 6.5 x 54

Off the Light: little spicy and earthy from the start.  Deep soil earthy tone with a grassy/grainy note with a white and black pepper mix swirling around.  The cigar has a good medium body mouthfeel here at the start.

Pairing: The Bell’s Cherry Stout reminds me of a coffee cherry roast blend.  This stout goes well with this Air Bender.  The cigars earthy style of soil, grass, and grains mingles perfectly with the stout’s upfront cherry profile.  The stout’s smooth and tasty mouthfeel is a nice complement to the cigars smooth mouthfeel yet light peppery taste. 

Mid-Point: the mid-point brings a ‘black and tan’ coffee tone that reminds me of the medium-roast black and tan coffee from Biggby Coffee.  The soil, grass, and grainy earthy tones of the cigar continue along with a tasty mild white and black pepper mill mix.  The texture is smooth while the earthy tones coat the palate.  I’ll have to give it a 5.5 on my strength scale. 

Pairing: during the exchanges between these two fine products the big cherry profile of the stout seems to transfer to the flavor profile of the cigar.  Take a couple of sips of this stout then, swirl it around the palate and then take a few puffs of the cigar and you will experience this exchange.    

Down the Stretch: the cigar picks up a little bitter bite during the final third but, nothing that detracts from the taste.  The earthy style is a bit more roasted.  The soil is deeper and the grains are toastier. 

My Strength Rating: 6 – just making into the medium-full range.  The final third brought it up to the 6 rating. 

To the Point (cigar): a good quality smoke but, is it worth the $14.00 a stick price?  Well, probably not.  It is worthy to try one or two sticks. 

Cardhu 12 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky: Review

The Cardhu Distillery

Morayshire, Scotland

Region: Speyside

40% Alc/Vol

Purchased: Super Fine Wine & Liquor; Canton, Michigan

$39.99

First: I am not a Scotch drinker.  I have only tried a few in the last couple of weeks with Tony and those two experiences have peeked my interest.  So, off to the store to buy a few bottles to start learning about Single Malt Scotch.  The guys at the Super Fine Wine & Liquor store guided me to this Single Malt Scotch with the understanding that I am a beginner. 

Color: light golden honey

Nose: light oak with a touch of pear and a light vanilla bourbon

Flavors: a thin yet almost creamy vanilla, applepear (if you have not had one – try it), then there is a slight void, and then a soft pink peppercorn like note on the late mid and finish

Body/Mouthfeel: a mild-medium body, soft and smooth, light warmth and low burn on the mid palate, slightly oily texture, faint finish at first but warms up a little after a few sips but that is not saying much, short lived on the finish

I added a couple of small rocks to the second glass and I really liked then. 

My Strength Rating: 4 – mild-medium

To the Point: Just the aroma lets me know that the guy at the store headed me into the right direction.  A very mild nose for a scotch and I think a bold one would have turned me off at this point in my game. 

I personally agree with them, at the party store, that this is a good one to begin with.  The warmth is light and the burn is low. 

I enjoyed this with a Viaje Oro Cigar.  In the past few weeks trying Single Malt Scotches I have found out that I really like them with a quality cigar more than the drink by itself. 

5 Vegas Gold Torpedo: Review

Wrapper: Connecticut Shade

Filler: Honduran and Dominican

Size: 6 x 54

My Strength Rating: This morning 3.5

Pairing: this morning – Biggby Costa Rica Coffee

The 5 Vegas Gold Cigar is a very smooth and tasty mild cigar.  This morning the oaky note is a little fuller and there is a toasted tobacco note.  I am not picking up any nutty tone. 

This is a good morning cigar.  The bold coffee this morning is adding a fuller style to the cigar.  This cigar, to me, is usually a 2.5 strength rating and this morning I am going with a 3.5 on my strength scale.  This is a decent pairing this morning but, I think a milder coffee blend would be perfect.

This cigar pairs well with pilsners, lagers, other lighter beers and white wine. 

Ave Maria Reconquista and Leelanau Brewing Petoskey Pale Ale: Pairing

The Ale

Leelanau Brewing Petoskey Pale Ale

Ale Aged in Oak Barrels

Leelanau Brewing Company

Traverse City, Michigan, USA

Brewed by: Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales

Dexter, Michigan, USA

Petoskeyrocks.com

1pt 9.4oz bottle

$18.99 a bottle

5.5% abv

The ale is aged in over-sized French oak vats with Petoskey Stones.

Opening the bottle is a treat in itself – oh the aroma just wonderful.

I have never had this ale before so, I don’t know what I am going to get into here. 

Appearance: an attractive amber-orange body with a solid two finger head that leaves some nice lacing on the glass. 

Aroma: fresh citrus orange peel, oak for sure, sweet malts swirling

Flavors: Okay, it does not make me think of a Pale Ale.  A tasty apricot note hits me first and I am not a fan of apricot but, I like this one.  A light orange peel comes through to add a tangy feel, with light spice that is reminding me of a soft coriander, earthy yeast with a nice touch of mineral water,

Mouthfeel: smooth, low-moderate carbonation, tangy citrus on the taste, soft citrus bitterness on the finish,  

The Cigar

Ave Maria Reconquista

Wrapper: Brazilian Habano Oscuro

Fillers: Esteli, Condega, and Jalapa Nicaragua

Size: 7 x 54

Vitola: Torpedo

I bought a three pack for $49.99 and they were out of the special three pack packaging (the individual boxes came inside another box) so they said they would give me 4 individual boxes for the same price.  Deal!

I have smoked two of these already and enjoyed each one.  With only two left I better start reviewing before I forget. 

Off the Light: pleasing earthy and spicy notes right off the bat.  Rich soil, woody tone that remind me of oak, and a nice peppery spice that reminds me ginger. 

Toward the end of the first third the spicy style settles down on the taste and is still noticeable on the finish though.  Along with the rich soil a robust medium-full bodied coffee style develops.  The overall flavor profile is very pleasing and makes it worth the price of admission. 

Mid-Point: I am not noticing the spice on the flavor profile; the earthy style is forest floor like with oak leading the way with some tasty toasted tobacco leafs and rich soil; the coffee note is medium roast like;

The Pairing: I introduced the ale at the beginning of the mid-point.  I have to admit I did not think this was going to work but, this ale does not have a typical Pale Ale profile.  Jolly Pumpkin does have a good handle on Belgian Style Ales and that is what you get here.  I think that is what makes it work. 

The rich soil tone of the cigar mingles well with the mineral water and earthy yeast of the Ale.  Good thing the citrus notes of the ale are soft and that helps with the comingling of the oak and coffee notes of the cigar.  If the citrus notes were stronger like a Pale Ale could have then, this would collide with the medium-full like coffee note of the cigar.  And, that is what I was planning for when I thought about pairing these two. 

Down the Stretch: more of the same from this tasty cigar.  The finish is similar to the mid-point. 

My Strength Rating: 6 – on the light side of medium-full. 

This was a tasty pairing that I would recommend. 

Cuba Libre Cigar and Hopslam Ale: Review

The Ale

Hopslam Ale

DIPA – Double India Pale Ale Style

Bell’s Brewery

Comstock, Michigan, USA

Bellsbeer.com

10% abv

Packaged on: 12/2011

Appearance: slightly hazy golden orange body with a big white head that leaves tons of lacing on the glass.  As they say, “female hops give the best head.”

Aroma: just opening the bottle is a pleasure to the nose.  That sweet citrus smell you get when you cut open a Ruby Red Grapefruit. 

Flavors: tasty grapefruit just like the nose.  Sweet Ruby Red and some usual tart grapefruit notes, a floral hop note, and I am going to say a sweet floral note as well, Now this is a balanced IPA

Mouthfeel: smooth, almost creamy feel, the alcohol does not stand out (be careful it’s 10%), moderate bitter bite on the finish,

My Strength Rating: 7 – this is on my high side of medium-full.  I was expecting an extremely full IPA here.

To the Point: if you can get someone to sell it to you, good luck, buy it if they do. 

The Cigar

Cuba Libre

Wrapper: Corojo
Filler: Jalapa Valley
Size: 5 x 50  box pressed

I think this was one of those CI special sizes

This cigar has notes of earth, nut, and toast. The earthy notes come across as mossy and mushroom on the first half and soil and mineral earth on the second half. The toasty notes are white bread like. There is a mild almond nut like taste that floats around. The texture is smooth and almost creamy.

I think this cigar should be a no brainer to pair with Bell’s Hopslam. 

My Strength Rating: 4

To the Point: This cigar is nice when you pair it up with the right beverage.  I have smoked this stick by itself before and it does seem a little boring to me then.  This cigar should pair well with some white wines, lighter to medium bodied reds and a variety of beers.  Overall, it’s just an average cigar. 

The Pairing

I was right!  Just tell my wife, please.  The almost creamy mouthfeel of both of these just come together for a very pleasing experience.  The Hopslam justs make this cigar better than what it is.  The cigar does not change any of the tasty flavors of this IPA.  This could be one of the better cigars to pair with an IPA.

I was planning to do another beer review later, after dinner, but I think I am going to do this pairing again tonight while I watch the Red Wings and some college basketball.  Week before March Madness at the time of this review. 

Curivari Reserva Limitada 4000 and Frankenmuth Brewery Red Sky: Pairing

The Ale

Frankenmuth Brewery Red Sky

Red Sky Irish Style Ale

Frankenmuth Brewing Co.

Frankenmuth, Michigan, USA

Frankenmuthbrewery.com

5.25% abv

23 IBU

This is the craziest beer I have ever experienced.  It is just too inconsistent.   

I drink it from a bottle and I really like it – it had a nice malt and spice style;

I pour it from the bottle to the glass and it is okay – I don’t notice the spice as much;

I have had this on tap at the brewery and it was a malt bomb that I could not finish. 

Poured into a pint glass:

Appearance: it’s a clear red with an amber tint, the off white head was bubbly and with an aggressive pour I barely got a one finger head.

Aroma: lager like, some sweet malts,

Flavors: lightly toasted grains and malts, light caramel, very light grassy hops, light spice

Mouthfeel: clean, too clean, no aftertaste, watery edge, low to moderate carbonation.

My Strength Rating: 2 – for this review

From the Bottle

The carbonation comes across stronger than from the glass (moderate).  The grassy and spicy hops are a little more noticeable but nothing that stands out.  The malts are still the same.    

The only thing I can think of with this Ale is that it depends on what batch you get for the ones I had last summer (in the bottle) had a better spicy style.  But, I then went next door to the brewery and had it on tap and it was a malt bomb. 

This should be a good Red Ale to pair with most cigars.  The light sweet style should be a nice balance to a cigar. 

The Cigar

Curivari Reserva Limitada 4000
Size: 6.25 x 54 Torpedo

Nicaragua Puro that sports a Colorado wrapper

Curivari.com

This cigar has a nice medium roast coffee, green and white peppercorn spice, toasted grains and a semi-dry mouthfeel. 

The Pairing:

This cigar pairs well with this light bodied Red Ale.  The sweet malty style is needed to go with the cigars spice and dry mouthfeel.  Going to the hoppy side makes for a tight and dry mouthfeel.

I paired this cigar with an ale a few weeks ago that had a dry mouthfeel to it and it was a bad match for this cigar.  The cigar was not all that enjoyable that day.  I wish I remembered what Ale I had that day. 

Macanudo Vintage Maduro 1997 Perfecto and Big Sky Powder Hound Winter Ale: Pairing

The Cigar

Macanudo Vintage Maduro 1997 Perfecto

Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro

Fillers: Nicaraguan, Brazilian, and Dominican

Size: 6 x 49 Perfecto

Yes, that band is solid metal.  They say it helps you to gauge your humidity in your humidor.  If the metal band just falls off you are under humidified.  If the metal band is too tight then you are over humidified.  And this one just needs a slight pull to remove it so my humidor must be just right. 

As you can see by the picture this one is not as black as the other two.  There are other Maduros that I will skip if they have this brownish tint to the wrapper versus having the jet black wrapper.  The La Gloria Series R is one for example. 

Off the Light: dry grassy, dusty soil on the first few puffs.  As the smoke continues the burn is a little uneven and the bite on the butt end of the stick is not feeling right.  I gave the cigar a little time to correct itself on the burn and I had to use the lighter to correct the canoeing. 

The dry grassy and soil tones continue and one could say there is a medium coffee note.  I don’t think this stick is as tasty as the others that I have smoked and all I can say, “It’s the wrapper.” 

The cigars flavor profile was pretty consistent all the way through. 

Three different sizes

I have a beer that this cigar should pair well with; it a winter ale.  I off the beer fridge. 

Big Sky Powder Hound Winter Ale should go well with the grassy and dry soil tones of the cigar.  From what I remember the hops from the Ale are similar and the touch of malts should help the cigar as well.  Let’ see what happens. 

The Ale

Big Sky Powder Hound Winter

Big Sky Brewing Co.

Missoula, Montana, USA

Bigskybrew.com

$8.99 a six pack

7.2% abv

Made with Hallertau, Palisade, and Amarillo hops

The appearance is clear amber.

The Aroma of the ale is lightly hoppy with grassy and a slight floral note with some sweet malts in the background.  As the ale warms the sweet malty notes are a little more noticeable.

The flavors are tasty on the winter ale.  The hops follow the nose with the grassy and tasty floral notes.  The malt shows off some caramel that are lightly toasted. 

On the aftertaste there is a light citrus and spicy note that lingers.  The mouthfeel is crisp with moderate carbonation. 

Paired with the Macanudo Vintage Maduro 1997 Perfecto; it is just right.  I made the right call for this matching.  The floral note of the Ale works with the grassy and dusty soil notes of the cigar.  The sweet and lightly toasted caramel malts help to add some character to the overall dry mouthfeel of the cigar. 

Gurkha Ancient Warrior and Peirano Estate Petite Sirah 2008

The Wine

Peirano Estate Petite Sirah 2008

The Heritage Collection

LODI

Graton, California, USA

14.2% abv

$14.00 at The Fine Wine Source in Livonia, Michigan

See Jimmy at The Fine Wine Source

He has the best prices around and tell him

WinePostings told you. 

Appearance: dark purple body with a purple rim

Right after opening:

Aroma: reminds me walking into a winery, fresh grapes galore

Flavors: rich dark berries, dark soil earthy tone with a firm oaky presence, soft white pepper

One Hour after Opening:

Aroma: the big fresh grapes are still on the scene, little smoky note, earthy tones, faint spice

Flavors: big bold dark berries, dusty cocoa, rich soil, the oaky note has mellowed since the opening,

Mouthfeel: thick on the palate, bold flavors, tannins and acidity are under control on this four year old bottle. 

My Strength Rating: 8 –full

The Cigar

Gurkha Ancient Warrior Presidente

Special Edition

Wrapper: Habano

Fillers: Dominican and Nicaraguan

Size: 8.5 x 52

I would be surprised if it was a 50 ring gauge

I got 10 sticks for $40 on CI

Normally $65 for 10

Off the Light: earthy start, sweet soil like; and lightly toasted leafs. Let’s see how it goes with this Petite Sirah.

The Pairing: after a few puffs on the cigar I introduce the wine. Oo La La, this is nice.  The sweet soil earthy style of the cigar mingles wonderfully with the bold earthy style of the Petite Sirah. 

Mid-Point (of the cigar): a good hardwood note develops with a rich mineral soil earthy tone, toasted sweet Russian bread, toasted tobacco leaf

The overall mouthfeel of this cigar has been smooth and rich. 

The Pairing: I don’t think they made this cigar for a while for I have not seen it around.  When I saw it on Cigar Internationals web site I had to buy this cigar.  This cigar was great with red wines and today it is not disappointing me.  The earthy tones (including wood) of the cigar and wine are working together just nicely. The dark berry and dark chocolate notes of the Petite Sirah are tasty whether I puff the cigar and then have the wine or the other way around.  This would be a great after dinner pairing.

There are a few things I like about this pairing but, the one that stands out to me is that the wine is fuller than the cigar without overwhelming it.   

Down the Stretch (on the cigar): the smoke is still rich in its earthy and toasty tobacco style. The sweet bready note has stepped to the side and the overall smoking experience now is more roasted like.

My Strength Rating (cigar): 6 – medium-full at best. 

Hemingway Work of Art and Barbera D’Asti Tre Vigne 2007: Pairing

A Tale of Two Cigars and a Bottle of Wine

The Wine

Barbera D’Asti Tre Vigne 2007

Bottled by: Vietti

100% Barbera grapes

Asti, Piedmont, Italy

14.5% abv

Vietti.com

First taster-glass poured after opening: 

Aroma: mixed berries with the focus on red

Flavors: a mix of dark berries and some red berries peeking through, black licorice,

Mouthfeel: smooth, on the light side of medium, lingering berries

Decanted Wine: (20 minutes)

Appearance: deep purple with a ruby edge.

Aroma: black berry like with a tart cherry, a slight inky and dark soil tone. 

After a good walk around the block with the dogs I comeback to a change on the nose.  I am not picking up that tart cherry and slight inky tone.  Wow, I liked it before now, it is just yummy to smell.  It is like smelling a bowl full of blackberries and dark currants mixed with some red currants, red cherries, and a few raspberries; to me there is a delicate earthy minerality with a nice touch of oak.

Flavors: the taste is following the nose; tasty dark berries and red cherries and that slight inky note has followed as well.  I like the black licorice that is swirling around the other notes.    

After that walk with the dogs the flavors are even better.  Decant this wine for a good hour is what I take from this adventure.  That slight inky note is gone; the dark berries are juicy with blackberry and black currant leading the way, a touch of tart red cherry is adding some character, and there are some sweet red berries that are spinning lightly underneath.  I think the vanilla-oak is now coming through after some real good breathing time. 

Mouthfeel: smooth, silky like, moderately coats the palate with berries, a firm medium body style.  While the aftertaste is moderate it is berry-tasty.  The tannins and acidity are well under control at this time. 

To the Point: a great time to drink this wine; remember decant for 45 minutes to an hour.  I wish I had more of this wine. 

My Strength Rating: 5.5 – medium body

The Cigar

Hemingway Work of Art

I have had this cigar in my humidor for a few years now and today is the day to review it.  And, I am going to review it with a fine bottle of wine.

Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro

Binder/Filler: Dominican

Size: 4.78 x 60 figurado

The length looks like 4.25 to me

Off the Light: ooooh, tasty sweet maduro right off the light.  A latte like coffee tone plays with a marble bread likeness.  The texture is smooth and elegant, like a Hemingway is supposed to be. 

As the smoke continues the latte likeness turns to coffee with cream so, it is not as sweet as the first inch.  The cigar has a mild spicebox note along with dark bread and an easy-going forest floor likeness. 

The Pairing: this is a tasty pairing.  I like this pairing much better than the La Aurora Maduro.  I think it is that touch of Maduro sweetness that does the trick.  The Hemingway does not have that dry style that the La Aurora has. 

This Hemingway cigar just brings out all the tasty berries and that touch of vanilla-oak in the wine. 

The aftertaste from this pairing is sweet berry like.  I just don’t ever remember an aftertaste like this during a wine and cigar pairing. 

This cigar just begs me to sit back and relax with this bottle of wine.  This would be a perfect after dinner pairing.  

Second Half: more of the same.  Coffee, mild spicebox, dark bread and an easy-going forest floor likeness. 

My Strength Rating: 4.5 – a very good medium body cigar.

To the Point: typical Hemingway style of elegance.  This cigar is perfect for special moments. 

Click here to see the La Aurora Cigar Pairing



La Aurora Preferidos #2 Maduro and Barbera D’Asti Tre Vigne 2007: Pairing

A Tale of Two Cigars and a Bottle of Wine

Barbera D’Asti Tre Vigne 2007

Bottled by: Vietti

100% Barbera grapes

Asti, Piedmont, Italy

14.5% abv

Vietti.com

First taster-glass poured after opening: 

Aroma: mixed berries with the focus on red

Flavors: a mix of dark berries and some red berries peeking through, black licorice,

Mouthfeel: smooth, on the light side of medium, lingering berries

Decanted Wine: (20 minutes)

Appearance: deep purple with a ruby edge.

Aroma: black berry like with a tart cherry, a slight inky and dark soil tone. 

After a good walk around the block with the dogs I comeback to a change on the nose.  I am not picking up that tart cherry and slight inky tone.  Wow, I liked it before now, it is just yummy to smell.  It is like smelling a bowl full of blackberries and dark currants mixed with some red currants, red cherries, and a few raspberries; to me there is a delicate earthy minerality with a nice touch of oak.

Flavors: the taste is following the nose; tasty dark berries and red cherries and that slight inky note has followed as well.  I like the black licorice that is swirling around the other notes.    

After that walk with the dogs the flavors are even better.  Decant this wine for a good hour is what I take from this adventure.  That slight inky note is gone; the dark berries are juicy with blackberry and black currant leading the way, a touch of tart red cherry is adding some character, and there are some sweet red berries that are spinning lightly underneath.  I think the vanilla-oak is now coming through after some real good breathing time. 

Mouthfeel: smooth, silky like, moderately coats the palate with berries, a firm medium body style.  While the aftertaste is moderate it is berry-tasty.  The tannins and acidity are well under control at this time. 

To the Point: a great time to drink this wine; remember decant for 45 minutes to an hour.  I wish I had more of this wine. 

My Strength Rating: 5.5 – medium body

The Cigar

La Aurora Preferidos #2 Maduro

I have always enjoyed this line by La Aurora and the Cameroon wrapped stick was always my favorite.  I have not had any of the Preferidos in a long, long time.  So, when I had the offer of 10 #2 Maduros for 50 bucks – I was all over it.  Let’s see how it reviews.

Wrapper: Brazilian Maduro

Binder: Dominican

Fillers: Dominican, Cameroon, Brazil

Size: 5 x 54 Perfecto

Off the Light: light forest floor with a focus on dry leafs.  As the smoke continues there is a dry wheat toast style that mingles with the forest floor tones.  And eventually a dry mild coffee tone develops.   

There is a firm and tight gray ash and the burn is good so far.  I remember back in the day we would try to make this a two ash smoke.

The mouthfeel is relatively smooth yet dry on the palate – one might call it smooth leather.  I never found these to be complex in any way.  It seems to be a rather stylish smoke.  The body weight is not overpowering and the look of the cigar has – well – let’s call it – style.  This cigar would pair well with a Pinot Noir, Baco Noir or maybe even a Merlot.  It could even be paired with a fuller bodied white.  For beers – I could see Nut Browns, Brown Ales, or a Belgian Dubbel.  As for an IPA – I think the mouthfeel may be too dry to pair with that. 

For the first half I’ll give it a 4 on my strength scale – just under medium.

Second Half: toasted forest floor, the dry leafs and twigs (wood tones) are in the mix, the dry mild coffee is still present; I hate to say that it is more robust so, I’ll say the style is toastier.   

The Pairing

This cigar is not doing much for me with this pairing.  I think it is that dry style of the cigar that just does not add any interest.  The cigar does not detract from the wine for the wines flavors still come through loud and clear.  It must be the forest floor tones and the mild coffee of the cigar that keeps my interest with this wine.  This wine needs a better pairing. 

Tomorrow the Hemingway Cigar Pairing