Casa Magna Diadema and Old Speckled Hen Ale

The Ale

Old Speckled Hen Ale
Morland Brewing

England

5.2% abv

$10.99 a six pack

12oz bottles

English Pale Ale

I have not had this ale in a long long time.  This use to be one of my favorite English Ales and when I saw the six pack sitting there in the store I just had to pick one up.  They also make Hen’s Tooth which I like a lot as well and I have not seen that around in years.  I can’t believe that I have never reviewed this ale. 

Appearance: nice copper body with a 2 finger off-white head.

Aroma: lightly toasted malts, citrus meat, a little sharp

Flavors: rich toasted malts, the citrus meat is still playing along in the taste, pecan shell bitterness, mineral water tea like note,

Mouthfeel: moderate carbonation, light malts on the delivery and a mild bitterness on the mid and finish, when I think about it – it seems a bit thin on the front, a typical amber ale bitterness that leaves a spicy feel on the palate

To the Point: why was it one of my favorites … I just could not tell you.  It really is nothing all that special.  Just a decent pale ale overall but, it is very easy to drink.  The bitter notes are mild-moderate overall and don’t weigh on the palate.   

I just did a search on my posts and I did do a review back in 2010 and I just never made a link to it.  I’ll make the link (see side margin – under England).  I’ll have to  check my old review for differences myself.

The Cigar

Casa Magna Diadema

I’ll have to tell you that I have not been doing too many cigar reviews this summer so, in the coming month or two, I will not have too many postings. 

Yes, a little bit has to do with the hot weather and a big part has to do with that I put my summer place up for sale and I have been looking for a new place. 

My summer place is in Grindstone Michigan and it is an RV community.  You own your own land and all you can place on the lot is an RV or a Park Model.  Quarry Fields is one of the first if not the first of its kind (in Michigan) when they started it back in the early 80’s. 

I know that Brad, one of the followers of this blog, is an RVer and I think he should be thinking about buying this baby.  Well, maybe he should just visit one day!

Enough of that … let’s get to the review!

Nicaraguan Puro

Wrapper: Ligero Cuban seed Colorado

Fillers: Ligero and Visos Cuban seed

Size: 6 ¾ x 54

The Colorado wrapper gives this cigar a nice reddish brown color. 

Off the Light it has solid soil earthy tones right off the bat.  As the smoke continues a woody note starts to develop that reminds of cedar.  There is a good full body coffee note that sure pleases my palate and I sure love coffee.  There is a nice dusting of white peppercorn to add some spicy interest. 

The Pairing

This is a nice pairing.  The spicy notes of the cigar bring out the spiciness of the English Ale.  The ale is still refreshing enough to please the palate during this pairing.  The toasted malts mingle well with the coffee profile of the cigar.  I think I remember why I liked this “Old Speckled Hen” for it pairs well with a cigar. 

I am enjoying this so much that I am going to pitch a fire and sit by it and enjoy the rest of this experience.