Curivari Seleccion Privada Diplomaticos and Swordfish Double Cascadian Dark Ale

The Cigar

Curivari Seleccion Privada Diplomaticos

Curivari.com

Nicaragua Puro

Criollo and Corojo Tobaccos

Size: 6.25 x 54

Personally, some guy must have measured this one … I would bet it is no bigger than 52 on the ring gauge. 

Off the Light: the palate is greeted with roasted grains and a medium roast coffee style.  As the smoke continues there seems to be an Alder wood quality in the mix. Smooth delivery and medium in body.

Mid-Point: The woody quality continues with a mild-medium coffee and roasted grains.  The Curivari web site says it has a sweet finish.  I’ll call it a semi-sweet finish.  Also on the web site it says it has flavors of vanilla and wood.  I am having a hard time picking up the vanilla note.  The smooth texture makes for a pleasing smoking experience. 

Down the Stretch: a pretty consistent smoke throughout.  Medium body, nice toasted notes and a smooth delivery. 

To the Point: I like this stick.  If you like a medium bodied smoke with some good roasted notes this is it. 

The Ale

Swordfish Double Cascadian Dark Ale

Reel Ales

Fish Brewing Company

Olympia, Washington, USA

Reelales.com

7.5% abv

64 IBUs

1pt 6oz bottle

The store I go to gave me this bottle.

Appearance: black body with a two finger tan and creamy looking head that leave some massive lacing on the glass. 

Aroma: nice hoppy presence that reminds me of soft pine; roasted grains in the mix, a touch of semi-sweet chocolate

Flavors: the hoppy notes come through with a tasty mix of pine and citrus rind; the toasted malts are present with roasted grains, bitter chocolate bite, toasted … slightly burnt caramel, I think you can even throw in coffee … medium roast coffee

Mouthfeel: low carbonation, nice bitter style (it does have a 65 IBU), the malts are doing their job for some balance, lingering roasted notes on the aftertaste, a touch of 99% dark chocolate bitterness, not heavy like a stout – closer to a porter in mouthfeel 

To the Point: to me it is a tasty dark ale and perfect on this cold fall day here in Michigan. 

The Pairing

This is one fine pairing.  The roasted grains, medium coffee and nice woody style of the cigar comingles well with the Ales hoppy tones and roasted malts.  The medium body of the cigar keeps the bitterness of the Ale in check.  A stronger or spicier cigar would bring out the bitterness of the Ale and may be too much.