Oliva Serie V Melanio Torpedo and Founders Dirty Bastard: Pairing

The Cigar

Oliva Serie V Melanio Torpedo

Wrapper: Cuadorian-grown Sumatra

Fillers: Ligero from Nicaragua, Condega and Esteli, Jalapa

Size: 6.5 x 52

$13.50 a stick in Michigan

Smoke Profile: Nice dose of black pepper, tasty grains, mellow and somewhat creamy coffee (coffee with milk undertone).  The cigar does start off strong and mellows a bite as it moves to the mid-section and finishes with a robust style (some burnt notes). 

To the Point: I like this full-medium style cigar.  This Torpedo is not as full as the Robusto size. 

The Ale

Founders Dirty Bastard

Scotch Style Ale

Founders Brewing

Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA

Foundersbrewing.com

8.5% abv

50 IBUs

I got these two bottles from my neighbor up-north.  I think it costs around 12 or 14 bucks a six pack – but, don’t trust me here – just a guess. 

Appearance: murky brown body with a nice tan two finger head that leaves some lacing on the glass.

Aroma: lightly toasted caramel, earthy grains, a little toffee coffee tone

Flavors: the seven varieties of imported malts give you layers of rich tasty notes, some sweet grains, toasted caramel, hint of oak, a swirl of that toffee coffee note, light spice (mild green peppercorn like) probably coming from the alcohol and hops,

Mouthfeel: rich, very light fizzy carbonation feel, earthy, light bitterness (I expected more), the alcohol does not stand out that much to me but has a little alcohol warmth on the finish,

The Pairing

This is a great pairing.  The black pepper note from the cigar brings the light peppery spice of the ale up a bit and I like that; the light creamy coffee undertone of the cigar mingles with the hint of toffee coffee note of the ale; the ale has a rich style to the taste and the cigar helps to manage that;