I have never had this beer before but with a 102 IBU I
should not be pairing it with this Air Bender.
I did give the cigar a 6 rating on my strength scale but, I think I may
need something on the 3 or 4 point range with some smooth earthy tones. This Imperial IPA may be a good one to go
with the contrasting cigar. Should I be
doing this to a 14 dollar cigar? In the
name of science, exploration, research, exploration – I am doing it! I just lost $1,000 at the casino – so let’s
not worry about 14 bucks. But, let’s be
adventurous – for it is my last day off and tomorrow back to work. PS: don’t go to the casino during
vacation.
The Ale
Avery The Maharaja Imperial IPA
Dictator Series
Avery Brewing Company
Batch no. 13
March 2011
1pt 6oz bottle
$8.99
102 IBU’s
10.54% abv
I drank the Ale first, before lighting the cigar, to
establish the taste profile. With a
little more than half the bottle I am ready to light the cigar.
Appearance: deep copper-ish caramel body? Amber burnt
orange? Damn what is it … it is mesmerizing … it almost glows in the light. If I made up names for a paint company I would
call it copper glow. Just sheets of lacing hanging on the glass.
Aroma: the glass has to be a foot and a half away from my
nose and I can smell from here. Let’s
get up close and personal; I was expecting a hop blast to the nose but, I pick
up fruit first; mango, peach, orange, a touch of pineapple; then a whiff of
rich caramel malt; then some ruby red grapefruit meat
Flavors: the malts are sure in the picture here for a 102
IBU (international bittering units) ale.
What is going on here for it is almost hypnotic. Sweet on delivery, rich caramel and earthy grains (the barley) hit the mid, then some hoppy bitterness mix in the mid and hold on thru
the finish – the fruit reminds me of pink and red grapefruit mixed in with some
mangos, and then there is a dusty bitterness on the long lingering aftertaste
Mouthfeel: somewhat thick, almost creamy, sticky oily hops,
low-moderate carbonation – on the low side, earthy yeast on the front,
grapefruit like bitterness on mid and finish, the alcohol was not a factor in
this 10% abv – no boozy feel to me.
My Strength Rating: 8 –full
To the Point: a super DIPA, I can think of two others that I
like better. This is the first beer out
of 540 reviews on my blog that I have used the words ‘mesmerizing’ and ‘hypnotic’
during the review. If you are a hophead
what do you think? If you have not tried
it get to the store. Leave a comment by
clicking on the comment button below.
Batch 13 March 2011 on the bottle; it is aging just fine
I think this ale may be just fine with this cigar because of
the malts displayed.
The Cigar
La Flor Dominicana Air Bender Maduro
Wrapper: Brazilian Habano
Binder: Dominican
Fillers: Dominican
Size: 6.5 x 54
Off the Light: grassy/grainy yet mellow with a dusting of
earth. As the smoke continues the earthy
tones are tasty and a hint of black and white pepper mill grind starts to hit
the palate.
The Pairing: the mellow black and white peppercorn of the
cigar mingles well with the citrus grapefruit zest of the ale. I thought it might bring out the bitterness
to a level where it just becomes unpleasant to pair. Remember that black pepper has a citrus bite,
so I think the mellow style and the white pepper really helps here. Also, the surprising malt profile really
helps with this pairing as well.
I was expecting to say, ‘see don’t pair a medium-full cigar
with an IPA’
Look at the cigar hut box this cigar came in. A replica of a real tobacco curing hut.
Mid-Point: in the past with this cigar I picked up a coffee
note but, pairing it with this cigar I am not noticing the coffee. The focus seems to be on the earthy tones of
grains and grass along with the mellow mix peppercorns. Damn I am really enjoying this pairing.
 |
| Tobacco leafs hanging on the side (plastic) |
The Pairing: I mentioned how the mellow peppery style of
this cigar worked when matching it with this ale but, a big factor is the
earthy style of this cigar. This cigar
has grassy and grainy earthy tones, I like a cigar paired with an IPA that has
soil and wood earthy tones to mix with the ales citrus, pine, and grassy
hops. It was this grassy/grainy style of
the cigar with its peppery style that I thought it would not work – but – it does. The earthy grains of this cigar just play so
nicely with the hops while bringing out the earthy yeast and tasty fruits of the
Maharaja.
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| I keep my air hockey pucks in the box next to the air hockey table |
Down the Stretch: similar to the mid-point profile. Might be a little toaster but, the Imperial
IPA is keeping it in check surprisingly.
To the Point (cigar): this was a truly limited production
back in 2010 or 11 – it is no longer on the market. Might come out in different packing? A regular cigar box – not this fancy cigar
hut. Is it worth 14 bucks – personally,
no. Michigan did have a 32% tax at the
time I bought these cigars. A nice smoke
non-the-less.
To the Point (pairing): just wonderful
