Curivari Reserva Limitada 4000 and Justin Isosceles 2006: Review

The Wine

Justin Isosceles 2006

Justin Vineyards and Winery

15% abv

86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Merlot – (unfiltered).

Justinwine.com

6 months barrel aged before blending and then an additional 16 – 18 months oak barrel aging.

I last reviewed this wine on December 12, 2010.  Click Here to see review.  This is not going to be a full review.  I am planning to just sit back and enjoy this wine with a Curivari Reserva Limitada 4000.  Click Here to see the cigar review.

This wine still needs to be decanted. 

The Isosceles has a very deep purple body that is near black when the glass is full.  The aroma has a smoky earth style with blackberries at its core.  The blackberry and dark currant notes are full, earthy and on the tart side.  There is a toasted caramel note with a hint of roasted vanilla from the oak.  Damn, I like this wine.  This baby is six years old and still kicking.  Actually, this wine can age up to 2025.  I only have two bottles left and I am hoping to do the next one in 2016.  I’ll bet they (the two bottles) don’t make it through 2013.  I’ll try for 2016.

The Cigar and Pairing

Curivari Reserva Limitada 4000

Size: 6.25 x 54 Torpedo

Nicaragua Puro that sports a Colorado wrapper

Criollo and Corojo tobaccos

Curivari.com

Back in March of this year I said in the review, “This cigar has a nice medium roast coffee, green and white peppercorn spice, toasted grains and a semi-dry mouthfeel.”

This cigar is pairing well with the Isosceles Wine.  The earthy dark berries of the wine are blending well with the medium roast coffee likeness of the cigar and its toasty grains.  Tonight, I am only picking up a dusty white peppercorn resemblance, on the cigar, during this pairing.  I was a little concerned about the mouthfeel for this pairing for the cigar has a semi-dryness and the wine is dry for sure.  But, there are no issues with the mouthfeel for me.  This is a very good medium-full bodied pairing. 

Okay, I am not going to think any more about this pairing and I am going to my leather chair here my cigar lounge and enjoy the next glass of wine with this tasty cigar.  

Drew Estate Undercrown Corona Doble and Aspall Perronelle’s Blush Cider: Review

The Cider

Aspall Perronelle’s Blush Cider

English Draft Cider

Blended with a dash of blackberry juice

Aspall

Suffolk, England

5.7% abv

500ml bottle

$5.99 on sale

Appearance: reddish copper body

Aroma: sweet apple; the berry reminds me more of pomegranate than blackberry on the nose.    

Flavors: sweet red apple, I can buy the blackberry note here,

Mouthfeel: a little acidity from the blackberry, silky smooth feel, lingering dark berry note on the palate that is pleasing, low carbonation

My Strength Rating: 2.5

To the Point: If you like hard ciders this is a must try.  I’ll be going back to the store to buy up the rest of these. 

The Cigar

Drew Estate Undercrown Corona Doble

Wrapper: San Andreas Otapan Negro Último Corte

Binder: T52 Connecticut River Valley Stalk Cut & Cured Habano

Fillers: Brazilian Mata Fina and Nicaraguan

Size: 7 x 54

$10.99 at Smoky’s of Northville

Drewestate.com

I reviewed the Gran Toro and enjoyed it – let’s see how the Corona Doble smokes. 

Off the Light: semi-sweet soil earthy tone.  As the smoke continues the earthy tone is tasty and a mild-medium roast coffee note appears.  In the first couple of inches the mouthfeel is silky-smooth. 

I am about two inches into the smoking experience and some toasted grains and a hint of sweet tobacco start to mix in with the tasty medium roast coffee and soil like qualities.   

The Pairing During the First Half: The Undercrown Cigar pairs very well the Hard Cider.  The earthy coffee note of the cigar mingles with the fruity notes of this Blush Cider.  The sweet apple style transfers some of the sweetness to the cigar when I take a drink and then puff on the cigar.  Both of these products have a silky style mouthfeel and this is making for a near perfect pairing so far. 

Second Half of the Cigar: the earthy coffee and toasted grain profile builds some body; the sweet tobacco is still present as the cigar enters the second half.  Well into the second half the smoke is medium to medium-full in body.  At times the notes are a little burnt and slightly bitter during the final few inches. 

The Pairing During the Second Half: The linger mouthfeel of apple-berry from the Cider makes a tasty experience with each puff of the cigar.  As the cigar notes become a bit more roasty and toasty the Blush Cider helps to refresh the palate.    

EP Carrillo New Wave Connecticut Divinos and Einbecker Ur-Bock Dunkel: Pairing

The Beer

Einbecker Ur-Bock Dunkel

Einbecker Brauhaus AG

Einbeck, Germany

6.5% abv

11.2 oz stubby green bottle

Appearance: deep copper, used penny colored body with a slightly dirty white head that was thin and leaves no lacing on the glass.  With an aggressive pour on the second one the head was closer to a two finger. 

Aroma: oh, the malts are coming through here.  Toasted caramel with a touch of molasses, light rye bread,

Flavors: pretty much like the nose.  Slightly burnt caramel with a hint of molasses, light rye bread and roasted grains. 

Mouthfeel: mild carbonation, lightly burnt malts, just a hint of bitterness on the aftertaste, 

To the Point: I am no Dunkel expert but, I do like one once in a while.  This dunkel is pretty tasty and seems true to its style.  I would buy this again. 

My Strength Rating: 6 – on the light side of medium-full.  Good body and a pleasing aftertaste.  For some reason I want to have a Rubin sandwich with this dunkel. 

The Cigar

EP Carrillo New Wave Connecticut Divinos

Wrapper: Ecuador Connecticut Shade

Binder: Nicaraguan

Fillers: Nicaraguan and Dominican

Size: 6 x 52

Epcarrillo.com

$7.49 Smoky’s of Northville Michigan

Here are the different sizes:

Stellas: 5 1/8 x 42

Brillantes: 5 x 50

Divinos: 6 x 52

El Decano: 6 x 60

Gran Via: 7 x 49

Flavor Profile: overall, this is a boring smoke.  The flavor is one dimensional – toasted white bread.  It is almost almond milk creamy and smooth.  This is mild smoke.  I do like mild smokes but, I need something to hang my hat on and this comes up empty to me. 

To the Point: for those of you who like mild with very little flavor, well this is it.  Next time at the store I’ll have to by Mark a stick and see what he thinks.  I think it is right up his alley. 

My Strength Rating: 2.5

Pairings: I think this stick would go very well with a lot of white wines and I am going to plan to do just that.  Just thinking of that – I like this cigar a little more now that I am thinking about it.  This stick should pair well with a lot of different beers. 

Thinking of different beers – how about a Dunkel.  I smoked this cigar the other day and I think it might go with this beer. 

The Pairing

The rich toasted malts of the Ur-Bock mix well with this mild bodied smoke.  Now that I am experiencing this I think a bolder cigar may take away from this tasty dunkel.  I get to taste all the flavors this beer has to offer and the beer also makes this cigar a little tastier.  This is a good example of how a beverage can impact the cigar you are smoking.  Okay, the word ‘impact’ might be too strong in this situation.  How about the word - influence. 

I have to admit that I think differently about this cigar from this pairing.  When I review this cigar I thought it was too boring by itself and now I see that it does serve a purpose.  I think I’ll buy a couple more to pair it with some white wines.    


Add on: I just finished this stick with a Short's Brew Pontius Road Pilsner and the pairing was as boring as it could get.  But, those that don't like flavor - this could work for you.  

San Lotano Oval Pyramid and Rodenbach Ale Anno 1821: Pairing

The Ale

Rodenbach Ale Anno 1821

Sour Ale

Flemish Red Brown

Brewery Rodenbach

Roeselare, Belgium

75% ‘young” Ale, 25% Ale matured for two years

1 pt 9.4 oz bottle

$9.99 a bottle

5.2% abv

Appearance: cordovan body with a tan head

Aroma: light bouquet with a touch of apple mash

Flavors: over-ripened apples, cola, muted tart tone,

Mouthfeel:  moderate carbonation, muted notes, low sour, light-moderate tart,

To the Point: I liked the Grand Cru, I would skip this one, and it is okay

Read the Rodenbach Grand Cru Review

The Cigar

San Lotano Oval Pyramid

Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano 2000

Binder: Nicaragua

Fillers: Nicaragua, Honduras & a secret

Size: 6.5 x 54

$12.99 at Smoky’s of Northville Michigan

I have smoked a couple of the other sizes and have enjoyed them.  They are not the most interesting cigar out there but, they have a good overall impression.  They are a good medium to medium-full smoke.  Knock about three bucks off the price and they would be worth smoking now and then.  Good ol’ Michigan 32% cigar tobacco tax. 

Flavor Profile: the main focus is soil earthy tones, hardwood, and a hint of dusty white pepper.  Along the way a cedary note appears and dry coffee grounds.  The mouthfeel is dry and a little flannel like in texture. 

These San Lotano Ovals should pair well with most beverages. 

The Pairing

Not the most interesting pairing I have had.  There does not seem to be too much interplay between the two.  The best exchange seems to be having a few puffs of the cigar and then a good sip of the Ale.  That cola like style seems to refresh the palate and makes me want another puff of the stogie.  The other way; drinking the Ale first and then a few puffs of the cigar seems to dampen the flavors of the cigar – in other words … ‘boring’.

This cigar needs a more interesting beverage.  

San Lotano Oval Gordo: Review

By: A.J. Fernandez

Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano 2000

Binder: Nicaragua

Fillers: Nicaragua, Honduras & a secret

Size: 6.5 x 60

$13.99 @ Smoky’s of Northville

The three sizes in the picture: Robusto 5.5x54; Gordo 6.5x60; Pyramid 6.5x54

Off the Light: a solid dose of soil earthy tones with a nice splash of spice.  As the smoke continues the spice reminds me of dusty white pepper.  A hardwood note develops to mingle with the heavy soil.  I’ll give it a 6 on my strength scale. 

Mid-Point: finally getting to the mid-point; rich soil still on the main profile, with some hardwood, some cedar, just a hint of that white pepper, and a nice dry medium-dark coffee note.  

Down the Stretch: the solid forest floor quality continues on the final third, a light dusty white pepper spice continues, the mouthfeel is dry and dusty like

My Strength Rating: 6 – right on the boarder of medium medium-full. 

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

Drew Estate Undercrown Gran Toro: Review

I’ll admit it right here and now; I am not a Drew Estate fan.  I still have night mares about when their cigars first hit the market.  Jan (the owner then) of Trader Tom’s handed me a cigar with glitter and some stinky incense type smell to the cigar. All I could say to her was, “Really, you want me to smoke a cigar with glitter on it.”  I smoked about half of it from what I remember.  That cigar was from their Acid line of cigars.  Needless to say I am not a fan of the Acid line.

Now, let’s look at this real cigar.  I have heard good things about it and Joe from Smoky’s of Northville says, ‘I think this is great!’  Just don’t ask him to spell great. 

Drewestate.com

Wrapper: San Andreas Otapan Negro Último Corte

Binder: T52 Connecticut River Valley Stalk Cut & Cured Habano

Fillers: Brazilian Mata Fina and Nicaraguan

Size: 6 x 52

$9.99 at Smoky’s of Northville (Michigan TAX)

Take away the Michigan tax and it would be around 8 bucks.

Off the Light and First Half: a mild-medium earthy flavor with a touch of sweet grains.  As the smoke continues there is a nice toasted wheat and rye style to me; a mild-medium coffee note that is tasty; that touch of sweet grains is still swirling around the medium earthy tone; there is a hint of green peppercorn spice.  The mouthfeel has a smooth leathery texture … maybe a little more like suede.  I’ll give it a 4 on my strength scale.

Second Half: damn this stick puts out the smoke.  Tons of smoke while smoking it and all it does is keep emitting smoke while sitting on the ashtray.  The earthy style starts to show a deeper soil like note; the coffee builds in strength to a medium roast; I don’t notice the sweet grains or much spice at this point; the grains have a more toasted quality.  The texture is more leathery on the palate during the second half.  I’ll give it 5 on my strength scale. 

This cigar paired well with the Biggby Costa Rica Blend which is a medium roast coffee. 

To the Point: a very good smoke.  Not that complex and that is not a bad thing.  I like the mouthfeel of this smoke.  I’ll be buying more.