Crown Royal Maple: Review

Happy New Year

The Crown Royal Distilling Company

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

40% abv; 80 proof

Appearance: deep amber

Aroma: big time maple syrup and I think I smell the pancakes underneath

Flavors: no flavor – maple; oh yes big time maple; if there are any other flavors it is way underneath the MAPLE flavor

Mouthfeel: smooth – what do you expect from Crown; maple on the deliver, mid, and finish; moderate warmth

To the Point: you will want to drink this with your pancakes in the morning, a short pony shot for me, the maple flavor is too much

La Flor Dominicana Factory Press III and New Belgium 1554 Enlightened Black Ale: Pairing

The Cigar

La Flor Dominicana Factory Press III

I usually have the stats on the stick but, I don’t have that information anymore.  You see, I have reviewed this cigar two times now (a year or so ago) and the reason it is not posted … my computer went down both times and I never got the word document back.  Here is the other situation, this was a true ‘limited’ release and I’ll bet I will not find any info on the net (I will look).  While I have reviewed this cigar two times before, one year ago, I have had this last one just sitting there in the humidor.  I have not been itching to review this again because the burn on this cigar just simply sucks.  Here are some of the pictures from one year ago:

Since, I think this cigar sucks … what a better day to do this review than on the last day of the NFL season while I watch my Detroit Lions … who suck just as well.  Let’s see how this cigar burns this time.  From what I remember the flavor was not so bad … but, I hate a cigar that burns this poorly. 

As for the Detroit Lions … the first game of the season I did a cigar review and a season prediction … 9 – 7 … here they are 16 games later and ready to go 4 – 12.  Here is my prediction for this game: if this cigar burns as poorly as it did one year ago … they loss big time to the Chicago Bears - 31 to 7.  If the cigar burns well the Lions win 38 to 27.  If the cigar only has minor issues with burning – the score will be … 17 – 14 with the Bears winning.      

Here is what I found on this stick

“Connecticut broadleaf wrappers that have been aging for several years. The filler is Corojo aged from the very first crop our farm produced in 1997, while the binder is a Sumatra seed (also grown on our farm) put to age for the last eight years.”

Source: Halfwheel.com

Size: 6.25 x 58

Off the Light: medium roast coffee and a nice soil earthy style.  As the smoke continues there is a light peppery spice mixed in with the soil earthy style and the coffee note builds in some strength … let me call it ‘dark roast coffee’ , the cigar has a dry dark chocolate finish.  

So far the cigar is burning just fine.  The ash looks like crap … just like the Lions season. 

An inch and a half into the burn and the cigar is starting to canoe.  Let’s see if it corrects itself. 

At the two and half point the cigar corrected itself.  Things are looking good for the Lions (according to the burn of the cigar). 

Mid-Point: the cigar has a nice earthy coffee main profile, the spice is not noticeable at this point, the dry dark chocolate finish is light but still in the mix.

Down the Stretch: (edited after the game started) the flavors are more robust in taste, burnt earthy tones, coffee notes that have been on the burner too long, and as for the burn ... some burning issues; the cigar keeps tunneling and needs corrections with the lighter.    

The Ale

New Belgium 1554 Enlightened Black Ale

New Belgium Brewing

Fort Collins, Colorado, USA

Newbelgium.com

5.6% abv

$9.99 a six pack

I had a bottle of this the other night and I found it to be … uninteresting … just like this football game I am getting ready to watch between the Bears and the Lions. 

Appearance: deep dark mahogany body with a thin tan head that leaves some sticky lacing on the glass.

Aroma: very light bouquet; light roasted malts

Flavors/mouthfeel: roasted grains, a little chocolate note in the mix, simple in style, light/moderate carbonation, fairly clean feel and finish.

To the Point: to me … not all that interesting, too simple on the nose and taste, should be good to pair with a mild or medium bodied cigar, should work with a full bodied smoke … there are no flavors in the ale that should interfere with a bold smoke. 

The Pairing

Two rather simple products here; the chocolate notes are light and work well together; the earthy tones of the cigar mingle well with the roasted grains of the black ale.  The ale does a nice job refreshing the palate during this pairing.  I have to say that I like this pairing more than what I expected. 

As for my football game prediction (still have to smoke the final third but it's game time) … the cigar only had one small burning issue (at the two inch mark) and it corrected itself … so … the Lions win … 38 – 27 in a come from behind win.  (personally … the Lions lose big time)  

Diamond Crown Maximus Toro #4 and Snow Day Winter Ale: Pairing

The Ale

Snow Day Winter Ale

New Belgium Brewing

Fort Collins, Colorado, USA

Newbelgium.com

6.2% abv

55 IBU

On the bottle, “…dark caramel roasted Midnight Wheat braced with a serious load of Styrian Goldings, Centennial and Casade hops?”

Had this beer on tap at The Oven in Caro Michigan and enjoyed it so much I almost stayed the night in the town just so I could drink another one or two.  Looking forward to having it today while, I watch my Detroit Lions. 

Appearance: very dark brown body; hold it to the light and you’ll see some mahogany highlights; super 2 finger light tan head that has great staying power; just sheets of lacing hanging on the glass like a big old velvet curtain.

Aroma: toasted grains/malts, hint of dark fruit, touch of spice, light pine. 

Flavors: deep roasted caramel malts, profound toasted grains, and grassy bitter hops.  Not all that complex but, it sure is enjoyable. 

Mouthfeel: nice moderate bitterness from start to finish, fine fizzy carbonation, roasted notes and light-moderate bitterness linger on the aftertaste, firm body, medium-full overall,

My Strength Rating: 6.5 – the hops kick it up notch (50 IBUs); deep roasted notes

To the Point: I really enjoyed this on tap and now I wish I bought the twelve pack instead of the six pack.  I am waiting for my ‘Snow Day.’ 

The Cigar

Diamond Crown Maximus Toro #4

Wrapper: Dark Natural Ecuadorian; El Bajo Sun Grown

Fillers: can’t find anything; I’ll guess Dominican

Size: 6 x 50

I forget how much it cost but, it runs around $15.oo a stick here in Michigan with our tax gouging politicians are work for us.  Michigan did lower the cigar tax from 32% to .50 cents per stick in the month of November 2012. 

Bought a box the other month (October) and it is time to review one.  I have always enjoyed the #4 Maxiums.  I never thought of it as complex but, very enjoyable and a special treat now and then. 

Appearance: for a super-premium cigar this stick always seems to have a big vein running through it.  (see pic at bottom)  I have always enjoyed the Maximus Cigar since it came out way back when (you know you are old when you can say that) and from what I can remember it has always had a rugged leather look.  Take the band off and give to someone and they will knock the cigar.   

Flavor and Mouthfeel Profile: sweet grains and slightly nutty taste off the light; the nutty taste reminded me of pecan while it lasted.  As the smoke continued, the sweet grains and nutty note moved to the side and a rich forest floor earthy tone moved in.  Toasty leafy vegetation, wood, and rich soil are the main focus during the first third.  As it entered the second third (maybe a little sooner) I noticed a light dusty white pepper mixing in with the forest floor qualities and a mild roasted coffee.  I have always thought of this stick as a mild-medium smoke. 

On the second half of this cigar the flavors are lightly toasted grains, mild Alder wood, dry soil.  Still mild-medium in body. 

My Strength Rating: 4 – smooth and enjoyable from start to finish.

To the Point: Despite the price I still like this cigar; probably why I bought a box; quality from start to finish. 

The Pairing

This was a great pairing.  Both are on the edge of being complex; both have smoothness with the ale having robust toasted qualities and bitterness while the cigar has mild-medium toasty qualities.  The cigar refreshes the palate from the ale making for a nice contrast.  The forest floor, mild coffee, and mild dusty white pepper of the cigar comingle with the ales deep roasted grains and moderate tasty hops.  The pairing leaves a light peppery aftertaste.  

Carlos Torano Exodus Gold 1959 BFC and Gnarly Head Old Vine Zin 2008: Pairing

The Cigar

Carlos Torano Exodus Gold 1959 BFC

Wrapper: Habana 2000

Fillers: Dominican, Honduran, Mexican, Nicaraguan, and Costa Rican

Size: 6 x 60 box press

Taste Profile: fine black pepper spice and soil earthy tones off the light.  As the smoke continues the soil earthy tones are medium-full; the wood reminds me of toasted oak; the spice continues but not as strong as off the light,

The Wine

Gnarly Head Old Vine Zin 2008

Gnarlyhead.com

Gnarly Head Cellars

Manteca, California, USA

14.5% abv

$7.60 a bottle

I have had this bottle floating around for a while so it is time to do a review. 

Appearance: deep garnet body with a purple edge

Aroma: dark berries, nice spice box … dry green spice with a dash of pepper

Flavors: black current, boysenberry, plum, oak on the mid and late, toasted vanilla, hint of roasted marshmallow, black licorice, nice earthy tone, dash of pepper on the finish

Mouthfeel: earthy feel, the dark berries coat the palate, light bitterness on mid and late, semi-smooth feel, medium-full body,

To the Point: this is proof you can get a good tasting wine for under 10 bucks, I enjoyed this wine, I would buy this again, a good medium-full bodied wine to have at your next party for those who enjoy a red wine with some body. 

The Pairing

These two were very good together.  They really mirror one another in their taste profile and body.  The earthy tones and wood notes just mingled together like good old friends.  This was a good medium-full bodied experience.  The dark berries of the wine just shined with each sip of the wine and each puff of the cigar.  

Julius Caeser Churchill: Review

Wrapper: Havana Seed Ecuadorian

Binder: Central American

Fillers: Central American

Size: 7.25 x 52

Diamond Crown Julius Caeser

Flavor Profile: earthy tones of dry soil, wood, and dry leafs (forest floor); medium roast coffee; dry green spice and fine grind black and white pepper; dry leathery texture

To the Point: these cigars run around $12 to $15 in Michigan; for the price it is just good; I have smoked several of these sticks and some have heavy veins in the wrapper; the flavor is okay to good for a $15 cigar; I would rather smoke a Diamond Crown Maximus before this stick.  

Highland Park Single Malt Scotch Whisky 15 Years Old: Review

Highland Park

Distilled in Kirkwall, Orkney Islands, Scotland

Highlandpark.co.uk

43% abv

750ml bottle

$80.00

Appearance: light golden crystal

Nose: touch of floral, vanilla, candied fruit, wood, hint of peat

Flavors and Mouthfeel: honey, vanilla, touch of salt, trace of floral maybe lavender like, hint of peat, light smoky feel on the finish, smooth, nice viscosity, moderate warmth on the finish, fairly simple in style but tasty.  

This single malt pairs well with a full bodied cigar.  

CAO VR Full Fathom Five and Leinenkugel’s Creamy Dark: Pairing

The Lager

Leinenkugel’s Creamy Dark

Leinie.com

Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Co.

Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, USA

4.9% abv

Appearance: deep dark cola like body with a tan head that does not stay around for the party.

Aroma: light roasted grains, very faint nose

Flavors: moderately roasted malts, tobacco, faint hops to help keep the malts in balance.  Rather simple in taste.

Mouthfeel: spritzy feel from the carbonation, I wish there was a ‘creamy’ feel, mild-medium mouthfeel, crisp and easy to drink dark lager, thin aftertaste

To the Point: typical easy drinking Leinenkugel, not big in flavor, but if you want to drink a few and sit around the campfire during the winter … this should do the trick (that is the only reason I pick it up).  For the cigar smoke this should be easy to pair with any stick. 

My Strength Rating: 4 – simple, thin, crisp, no aftertaste to talk about

The Cigar

CAO VR Full Fathom Five

Wrapper: Brazilian Maduro Arapiraca

Fillers: Nicaragua, Mexico

Size: 5.5 x 55 box-press

Flavor profile: earthy, woodsy, and peppery with a leathery texture.  This is a rather simple cigar that is enjoyable.  Medium in body at best. 

To the Point: Not big in the taste category but should do the trick if you are looking for an easy smoking experience. 

My Strength Rating: 4 – limited aftertaste, simple in taste

The Pairing

These two should get along just fine.  They are real similar to one another; simple in their flavor profile and mild-medium to medium at best in strength.  But, if you get to boring friends together for the first time they either hate each other or they just get along just fine.  Let’s find out. 

Well, anytime a beer has a tobacco or smoke flavor they should go well with a cigar and this one does.  The slightly roasted grains of the lager mix well with the earthy and woody style of this cigar. They are working well together.  Okay, this pairing is not going to wow you but, not every experience needs to be great.  Sit back and enjoy the campfire and you still will say, ‘life is great.’  Campfires have that effect. 

La Sirena King Poseidon and Sanson Estate Baco Noir 2008 Reserve: Pairing

Around the World with King Poseidon

So far I have reviewed this cigar with an English Ale, a Tawny Port from Portugal, and an Ale from the United States.  Tonight let’s visit Canada.   

The Cigar

La Sirena King Poseidon

Size: 6 x 60

Click to read full review

The Main Profile of the Cigar: Dark roasted coffee, hints of wood, earthy tones, peppercorn mill mixture.

The Wine

Sanson Estate Baco Noir 2008 Reserve

SansonEstateWinery.com

Amherstburg, Ontario, Canada

VQA

12.5% abv

$25.00 Canadian

My last review of this wine was April 17, 2011.

Let’s see how it is aging.

Aroma: big bowl of berries

Flavors and Mouthfeel: the berry bowl style continues with red and black currants, black raspberry, boysenberry, black berries, oh hell throw in a little tart cherry to boot, along with a touch of wood.  Nice acidity to add a little character.  I still think it is a mild-medium bodied red wine.  I’ll give it a 4 on my strength scale. 

The Pairing

I thought this cigar was going to be too strong for this wine.  And … it is … just a bit.  The strong earthy tones and coffee notes of the cigar mask some of the tasty berry notes of the wine.  The acidity, of the wine, seems to be a little more pronounced during this pairing but, it is not out of control.  This is not a great pairing but, it is not bad either.  Let me call it okay.  This wine needs a cigar to match its body style; mild-medium.  The Cigar likewise needs a bolder fuller bodied red wine.  Every pairing is an adventure – just that some adventure are better than others.  

Macanudo Gold Label Gold Bar: Review

Wrapper: Connecticut Shade

Binder: Mexican

Fillers: Dominican, Mexican

Size: 5 x 60

This cigar sports a light tan colored wrapper that has that slight golden sheen like the Gold Label line is known for. 

Flavor Profile: very mild and mellow off the light; a dusting of white peppercorn mixes inؓith some sweet grains, mild cedar, and white mushroom earthiness.  The mouthfeel is smooth and mellow just like a Macanudo. 

To the Point: if you like very mild to mild … well, this is the one for you.  This would be an excellent before dinner smoke and should pair well with some good white wines.  I do like a mild cigar now and then … when I am in the mood for one I would smoke this one again. 

My Strength Rating: 2 – it’s a Macanudo … need I say more.  Mild on delivery and a smooth clean finish.