Montecristo Royal Delacroix and Big Sky IPA

The Ale

Big Sky IPA

Big Sky Brewing Co.

Missoula, Montana, USA

Bigskybrew.com

6.2% abv

65 IBU’s

I did a quick review of this beer back in July of 2010.  Let me update this IPA.

Appearance: amber body with a light tan or off-white one finger head that leaves tons of lacing on the glass.

Aroma: light sweet malts and grassy, citrus peel hops

Flavors: moderate grapefruit, orange peel, herbal spice, malty notes of sweet biscuit, lightly toasted caramel,

Mouthfeel: flannel like texture, makes me want to put on a flannel shirt and sit by the fire; lingering aftertaste of citrus meat and light spice.  Carbonation is moderate.

My Strength Rating: 6.5 – medium-full body

To the Point: a good IPA; if I graded beers I would give it a B or B+.  This should be a good session IPA.  I would buy more of this beer.   

The Cigar

Montecristo Royal Delacroix

This is about a 12 year old cigar.

Size: 7.25 x 52

Double Corona

 

I don’t know the wrapper and fillers.  I did not find any info on the net either. 

Flavors: classic tobacco taste; grassy and grainy notes; touch of cedar; moderate earthy tones; medium roast coffee.  The flavors are a little more robust on the final third. 

My Strength Rating: 3.5 – mild-medium bodied overall

San Lotano Oval Robusto and The Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old: Review

The Single Malt Scotch

Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Region: Scotland Highlands

The Balvenie Distillery

Banffshire Scotland

43% alc/vol

Thebalvenie.com

First aged in whisky oak casks and then a few months in sherry oak casks

Here is their description from the web site:

Nose: Sweet fruit and Oloroso sherry notes, layered with honey and vanilla.

Taste: Smooth and mellow with beautifully combined flavours – nutty sweetness, cinnamon spiciness and a delicately proportioned layer of sherry.

Finish: long and warming.

My review:

Appearance: honey amber

Nose: sweet malt, honey, vanilla

Flavors: the sherry plays a nice role mingled with honey, vanilla, touch of oak, brown spice (I can see the cinnamon), when I leave it on the palate and swirl it around I do get the cinnamon – it reminds me of a cinnamon toothpick,

Mouthfeel: oh yes, smooth and mellow all the way, creamy texture, cinnamon warmth of the finish that lingers for a while on the palate.

My Strength Rating: 4.5 – a nice medium mouthfeel.  I could see a mild-medium call on this DoubleWood. 

To the Point: a very tasty Single Malt Scotch.  

The Cigar

San Lotano Oval Robusto

By: A.J. Fernandez

Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano 2000

Binder: Nicaragua

Fillers: Nicaragua, Honduras & a secret

Size: 5.5 x 54

Taste Profile: the Robusto size has a rich soil tone, some hardwood, a dash of white pepper like spice, light-medium coffee, and a dry texture on the finish. 

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

To the Point: a quality earthy smoke that will need a beverage to keep the palate refreshed.    

The Pairing

I was wondering if the dash of white pepper spice from the cigar would collide with the cinnamon stick from the Scotch – well, it didn’t.  They did work together. 

The rich soil tone and light-medium coffee note of the San Lotano cigar complemented the honey, vanilla, and touch of oak of the Doublewood Balvenie. 

The Scotch was tasty enough to also refresh the palate while smoking this cigar.  

Partagas 1845 Gigante: Review

Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano Viso

Binder: Connecticut Habano Broadleaf

Fillers: Dominican Piloto Cubano Ligero, Nicaraguan Guardian Viso, Esteli Seco, ASP Seco

Size: 6 x 60

$8.99 – Smoky’s of Northville

I saw this cigar for the first time yesterday and Teresa said she just got them into the store.  So, needless to say this is my first one to ever smoke.  Let’s see how it goes.

Off the Light: smooth, moderate soil earthy tone, woody, and a note of something that I can’t put my finger on.  As the smoke continues that unidentifiable note is no longer around.  Flavors: moderate soil earthy tones, nice touch of cedar wood, light/moderate coffee, sweet and lightly toasted tobacco leafs, light spice that reminds me of a white and green peppercorn.  I’ll give it a 4.5 on my strength scale during the first half. 

Second Half: as the halfway point approaches I am thinking that I really like this cigar.  The cedary quality seems to be leading the way with the soil tone following along with the light/medium roasted coffee still in the mix.  I don’t notice the sweet note at this point and the lightly toasted tobacco leaf is a little more robust.  The spice is still light to moderate.  The flavors and mouthfeel are rich and smooth.  I’ll have to give this stick a 5 on my strength scale during the second half of the smoking experience. 

To the Point: this is a tasty flavorful smoke.  Get to your Tobacconist and give a try.  I am looking forward to smoking another one.     

I paired this cigar with Layer Cake Shiraz 2009.  Click HERE to read the review on WinePostings.  The big juicy berry style matched up well with the Partagas 1845 cigar.  The wine was not interesting enough or should I say not complex enough to bother to write about this pairing.  The wine just helps to refresh the palate.  

Kinky Friedman Kinkycristo and Rodenbach Ale Grand Cru: Pairing

The Ale

Rodenbach Ale Grand Cru

Flemish Red Brown

Brewery Rodenbach

Roeselare, Belgium

33% young ale; 67% two year old matured ale

1 pt 9.4 oz bottle

6% abv

Appearance: the nice two finger tan head dissipates quickly over dark brown body with cordovan highlights

 

Aroma: musty oak, tart apple mash,

Flavors: tart apple, over ripened apples, big oak, little apple vinegar,  as the ale warms a sweet black cherry note swirls around.  

Mouthfeel: big tart style, super fine carbonation to keep the palate lively, dry, sweet-tart apple on the finish,

The Cigar

Kinky Friedman Kinkycristo

Wrapper: Honduran Habano

Binder: Costa Rican

Fillers: Honduran and Nicaraguan

Size: 6.2 x 54

Belicoso

Off the light: rich earthy coffee.  As the smoke continues a dash of white and pink peppercorn adds a nice spicy style.  The earthy note reminds me of rich black soil.  The coffee tone is a nice medium-dark roast. 

The Pairing: this pairing is better than I expected.  The rich black earthy profile of the cigar mingles well with the Ales apple tones and big oaky note.  The tart style of this Grand Cru also refreshes the palate during this pairing. 

I like sipping this ale first and then taking a few puffs of the cigar for the ale’s flavors seem to transfer to the cigar. 

Mid-Point: a firm medium bodied smoking experience.  A fairly straight forward cigar with notes of: medium roast coffee and soil.  The spice here in the mid-section has a hint of soft white pepper. 

This is a very interesting pairing.  The tart apple vinegar and oak wood notes play so well off the earthy notes of the cigar.  It must be the medium body and fairly smooth style of the cigar that makes this work.  I think if this cigar was fuller and the coffee note was bolder then we could have a collision in tastes. 

Down the Stretch: the cigar developed a leathery feel during this third.  Toasted grains mixed in with the dry soil.  I don’t notice the light spice and the coffee is like a mild-medium roast.  The cigar had plenty of burning issues so have a lighter full of butane and ready to do some work. 

My Strength Rating: 5 – medium body overall

To the Point: a decent smoke, fairly simple, should pair well with most beverages, it is nothing that is going to maximize your experience

The MACALLAN Ten Years Old: Review

Fine Oak Triple Cask Matured

Speyside, Scotland

The MACALLAN Distillers Ltd.

Easter Elchies, Craigellachie, Scotland

$42.90

Served ‘neat’ 

Appearance: gold; about the color of my gold ring on my hand

Nose: light malt; clean

Flavors: light honey, light-moderate sherry, pink peppercorn on the mid and late palate, oak

Mouthfeel: light-moderate ginger spice warmth on the finish, a light sweet sherry warmth lingers for a short while.

To the Point: another decent to good beginners Scotch.  I think I may like the Cardhu a little more.  

CAO L X 2 Toro and Alimony Ale IPA

The Ale

Alimony Ale IPA

India Pale Ale

Buffalo Bill’s Brewery

Hayward, California, USA

Brewed by: Independent Brewers United

Seattle, Washington, USA or Portland or Berkeley

6.8% abv

Appearance: somewhat clear amber body with a one finger head that dissipates quickly and leaves little lacing on the glass.

Aroma: not much to talk about here; little grassy hops

Flavors: hoppyful – floral, pine, little peppery, hint of pineapple with some undertones of malts,

Mouthfeel: low carbonation, little wool like texture,

My Strength Rating: 6.5 – medium-full bodied

To the Point: a good tasting IPA, probably not a beginner or introductory IPA but, the next step up so let’s call it intermediate level. 

The Second Pairing (day two)

CAO L X 2 Toro

Ligero Tobaccos times 2

100% Ligero

Wrapper: Nicaraguan

Fillers: Dominican and Nicaraguan

Size: 6 x 50

The flavor profile of this cigar is not as bold as one might expect from a 100% ligero cigar.  While it does have a nice spicy style the spice is on the finish and the aftertaste.  I don’t think it is too strong so, it should not clash with an IPA.  There is a good smooth earthy style with some light grassy notes and a sweet tobacco style that one would not expect. 

Paired with the Alimony Ale; this matched up well too.  I think I enjoyed this cigar better than the Montecristo.  It was the sweet tobacco style of the cigar that add a nice contrast to the ales hoppy style. 

Montecristo Royal Delacroix and Alimony Ale IPA: Pairing

The Ale

Alimony Ale IPA

India Pale Ale

Buffalo Bill’s Brewery

Hayward, California, USA

Brewed by: Independent Brewers United

Seattle, Washington, USA or Portland or Berkeley

6.8% abv

Appearance: somewhat clear amber body with a one finger head that dissipates quickly and leaves little lacing on the glass.

Aroma: not much to talk about here; little grassy hops

Flavors: hoppyful – floral, pine, little peppery, hint of pineapple with some undertones of malts,

Mouthfeel: low carbonation, little wool like texture,

My Strength Rating: 6.5 – medium-full bodied

To the Point: a good tasting IPA, probably not a beginner or introductory IPA but, the next step up so let’s call it intermediate level. 

The First Cigar

Going Old School – Old Stock (circa 2001)

Montecristo Royal Delacroix

Size: 7.25 x 52

From the Michel Delacroix Ceramic Humidor

This Humidor has to be from 2000 to 2002.  They discontinued the des arts series in 2002.  In 1998 and 1999 they did the Delacroix decorative boxes which I have (3) hanging on my office walls at work.  I have the 1999 box that has the 2000 glass tubes in it.  I smoked that on that New Year’s Eve where we were going to crash. 



15 tubos



I was at Smoky’s of Livonia (Michigan) and they had three of these old Montecristo ceramic humadors and so I had to buy this size because it was my favorite back in the day.  

This is a quality mild smoke on the first half and turns to a mild-medium smoke on the final third.  The flavor profile is classic tobacco taste, lightly toasted grains with a smooth mouthfeel. 

It is a great experience for me.  One, it is a blast from the past.  Two, I get too see how cigars have changed since then and how my own taste preferences have changed.  I have to say I still enjoy this mild smoke.  I am looking forward to pairing it with some wine in the future. 

As for the paring with the Alimony Ale; this cigar paired well with this ale.  This IPA is not too strong to pair with some bolder cigars but, with this mild smoke with its classic tobacco profile fits the bill here.  This cigar might even pair well with a stronger IPA. 

Click here to see the second pairing

Glenfiddich Single Malt Scotch Whisky 15 Year Old

The Valley of the Deer

“Oregon pine Solera Vat marries together whiskies matured in three types of casks. (Sherry, bourbon, and new oak casks)”

Glenfiddich.com

Region: Scotland Highlands

40% alc/vol

Color: light golden amber

Nose: delicate, faint, candied honey, vanilla.  Overall, a sweet bouquet.

Flavors: sweet light bodied honey, the vanilla on the nose follows with each sip, on the mid palate a bit of spice that reminds me of allspice, little peppery, just a hint of oak and sweet fansy raisin.

Body: medium body, slightly oily, mellow finish and aftertaste, smooth in an elegant way, every once in a while a slight burn,

To the Point: for this Scotch beginner (me) this is nice and smooth; the aftertaste is a bit too mellow, nice flavor when you pay attention to details.  

Fighting Cock Cigar and Red Snapper Roasted Pale Ale: Pairing

Fighting Cock Cigar and Red Snapper Roasted Pale Ale

Named after the Philippine national sport of cock fighting. 

I remember when this was out on the market back in the 90’s.  I was not all that bad of a smoke and then they stopped making the line.  Somewhere along the way they started to make them again.  Felipe Gregorio makes them in Nicaragua instead of the Philippines.  Just a side note; I can’t name two cigars that I like from Felipe.

I bought these from Cigars International a few years ago.  They were cheap, I remembered them from the past and I needed some cigars to smoke while throwing horseshoes.  I have not smoked one in a 12 or 18 months.  Since I have a bottle of Red Snapper Ale left it just seems a perfect pairing.

This cigar truly is nothing special.  It has a mild-medium body that exhibits flavors of soft soil and lightly toasted tobacco.  The cigar burns well and holds a firm salt and pepper colored ash.  This is a pretty simple cigar.  Actually this cigar should pair very well with some IPAs and Pale Ales. 

The Ale

Red Snapper

Arbor Brewing Co.

Corner Brewery

Ypsilanti, Michigan, USA

Arborbrewing.com

12 oz bottle

5.2% abv

41 IBU

Appearance: murky amber with a fine two finger light tan head that has plenty of lacing on the side of the glass.

Aroma: notes of pine from the hops when I first opened the bottle and changed to an earthy-dusty hop, nice malty backbone,

Flavors: roasted grains, earthy dry hop bitterness,

Mouthfeel: wool like feel, dry finish, bitter note on mid and back palate, lingering pale ale like bitterness on aftertaste (little pine like and/or citrus rind).  

La Flor Dominicana Double Ligero 700 and Bombing Range Red 2006: Pairing

The Cigar

Time to revisit some old friends; I reviewed this cigar back in September of last year and the wine I reviewed two years ago.  I really like both of these and it is time to have these two friends meet.  I sure hope they get along. 

La Flor Dominicana Double Ligero 700 

Wrapper: Dark Ecuadorian Sun Grown

Binder: Dominican

Filler: Dominican

Size: 6.5 x 60

$10.00 Smoky’s in Northville, Michigan

Laflordominicana.com

The flavor profile of the cigar reminds me of dark roast coffee, hardwood, green peppercorn, rich mineral soil.  The aftertaste has a black peppercorn citrus bite and the texture is leather like.  My overall strength rating is an 8/8.5. 

The Wine

Bombing Range Red 2006 – Horse Heaven Hills

Prosser, Washington, USA
78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc, 8% Syrah, 4% Mourvedre

From their web site, mckinleysprings.com, the description says – Raspberry and blueberry jam aromas with violet and cinnamon. The taste is rich blackberry, mocha and currant.

If you are looking for a great value under $20.00 this is it. 

Appearance: almost black body with a ruby edge.

Aroma: big black berries with a touch of spice on the nose along with a deep smoky tobacco note,

Flavors: Those berries are just wonderful. The blackberry and blueberry profile is upfront along with the black currant. It is like you could spread this across your toast in the morning. Honestly, with every sip I think, ‘life is good,’ I love the berry taste.  There are also notes of mocha and smoke.  Two years ago I did not pick up the cinnamon but this time I notice a powdery cinnamon note – it is more on the finish to me so, the Mourvedre grape is showing up.  

Mouthfeel: to me this wine has a great jammy feel to the palate.  The berries linger on the aftertaste.  The complexity is decent. 

The Pairing

Last September, I thought this cigar made the wine that I paired it with seem like a little baby and it was a full bodied wine.  Let’s see how this wine holds up.

Oh, this wine is doing the trick with this full bodied cigar.  After a few puffs of the cigar the wines berry notes come through strong and the tasty mocha and dusty cinnamon is still in play.  The body of the Bombing Range Red did not weaken with this cigar like the wine I paired it with last year. 

This is a full bodied pairing so have water ready. 

La Gloria Cubana Serie R No. 5 Maduro and Zen of Zin 2008: Pairing

The Wine

Zen of Zin 2008

Old Vine Zinfandel

Ravenswood

Sonoma, California, USA

13.5% abv

Blend of: petite sirah, syrah, and carignane added

Appearance: deep purple body with purple highlights

Aroma: mulberry, slightly inky, black licorice,

Flavors: dark berries, mild toffee flavored coffee with cream, thick earthy tone, little milk chocolate like, oak,

Mouthfeel: fairly smooth, blackberry like bite on the back of the palate, lingering berry and earth notes. 

As the wine opens up I think the aroma becomes a little sweeter and the taste a little juicier. 

My Strength Rating: 5.5 – the berries and the earthy tones help to give it a good medium body

To the Point: a pretty decent Zinfandel and worthy to purchase a bottle to give it a try.  For under 15 bucks you can’t go wrong. 

The Cigar

La Gloria Cubana Serie R No. 5 Maduro
Wrapper: Ecuadoran Grown Maduro
Filler: Dominican and Nicaraguan
(as it states on the tin)
Size: 5 ½ x 54
My Strength Rating: 6

This is one smooth and rich tasting cigar. I have always enjoyed the Serie R line-up from La Gloria. The key to a tasty cigar with this maduro is to get a jet black stick and not the ruddy blackish-brown stick. Back when I use to buy these by the box I would have the tobacconist open the box up before I would purchase the box to make sure I was buying the jet black ones.

Now, this is not a complex cigar. This cigar has a very rich and tasty earthy-coffee style. The earthiness is like the rich soil that the plants are grown in. The coffee is a rich espresso style. On the second half of the smoke there is a green peppery spice that builds to add some character. The earthy style becomes thicker as you near the end of the cigar.

One thing about the Serie R 5 is that it does burn a little warmer then the 6 and 7.  While the taste profile is similar to the 6 I personally don't think they are as crisp. 

The Pairing

This cigar is good for this wine.  The cigar has a fuller coffee style than the wine and since I like coffee I find that this cigar adds some body to the wine. 

The cigar also has a good earthy style and this Zen has a nice earthy style as well.  I think the earthy notes are pretty similar to one another. 

The cigar does cover up the toffee and milk chocolate notes of the wine.  Once again, that is okay to me for I am not a fan of milk chocolate. 

This pairing is all about the earthy – coffee notes.  A good after dinner pairing.