5 Vegas A Maduro Box-press and Bell’s Kalamazoo Stout: Pairing

The Cigar

5 Vegas A Maduro Box-press

I not a fan of the 5 Vegas line-up and I bought these maduros about three years ago and it looks like this is my last one. 

The 5 Vegas A Maduro (click to see old posting) is not a complex cigar.  It is pretty simple really.  The taste profile is earthy coffee with a hint of white peppercorn spice.  The smoking experience does not change much thought the burn.  I think this cigar is a sure fit for a tasty stout and I just got done reviewing one.  Let me pair it up with the Bell’s Kalamazoo Stout. 

The Stout

Bell’s Kalamazoo Stout

Bell’s Brewery

Comstock Park, Michigan, USA

bellsbeer.com

6% abv

$10.99 a six pack

Brewed with Brewers Licorice

Appearance: black body with a rich dark tan creamy head … it had a one finger head which is not bad for a stout.  Has some lacing on the glass.

Aroma: roasted grains, rich toasted malts, a little alcohol spice

Flavors: solid roasted notes, medium-full roast coffee, a touch of burnt molasses, I’m not picking the licorice up on the front or mid but on the finish and aftertaste I get that anise like taste. 

Mouthfeel: smooth and semi-creamy, oily, bitter like coffee on the finish with the anise note,

My Strength Rating: 6.5 – medium-full

To the Point: Nice roasted notes make this a tasty stout

The Pairing

These two work well together.  The roasted notes of the ale really accent the roasted earthy coffee note of the cigar.  The cigar seems to have some good toasted grains and malt during this pairing.  This is exactly how a good beverage and the right cigar can impact each other in a positive way.  I really like this pairing. 

One More Pairing

Halfway through the cigar and I might as well try this cigar with Arbor Brewings Michael Faricy’s Stout.

Click here to read the full Michael Faricy Stoutreview. 

This stout has a nice flavor profile of smoky grains, coffee grounds, rye bread likeness, and dark chocolate bitterness on the finish. 

The Pairing: The coffee notes complement one another; the spiciness of the stout adds some interest to this pairing – it seems to help bring out the dusty white peppercorn in the cigar.  The mouthfeel seems a little dryer on this pairing compared to the Kalamazoo Stout.  This is another good matching.