The Cigar
La Aroma de Cuba Edicion Especial Churchill
Wrapper: Cuban-seed Ecuadorian Sumatra
Fillers: Cuban-seed Nicaraguan
Size: 7 x 49
Billed as: medium-full body
Off the Light: rich mineral soil quality; a medium roasted
coffee; nice touch of sweet cedar; good medium body feel; smooth
Mid-Point: the soil, coffee and cedar are still present with
a touch of dusty white pepper in the mix; still hanging in around the medium
body strength but, seems to be building strength; smooth leathery texture
Down the Stretch: the cedar note has picked up its head as
it entered the final third and then mellowed; the soil and mild-medium roast
coffee are still present; just a hint of peppery spice; smooth leathery feel
and dry; medium body; smoked it to the nub;
To the Point: smooth, solid medium body smoke, decent
complexity; this was a very good Churchill; I would buy this again;
The Ale
Chimay Ale Premiere
Brewed at Scourmont Abbey
Bottled by S.A. Bieres de Chimay
Baileux, Belgium
Chimay.com
7% abv
1pt 9.4oz/75cl bottle
$12.99 a bottle at The Super Fine Wine & Liquor in
Canton, Michigan
Appearance: misty copper to dirty copper body with a big two
finger head that leaves very little lacing on the glass
Aroma: wheat bread, yeast, light dry dark fruit,
Flavors: caramel; raisin; toasted bready malts; earthy yeast
Mouthfeel: plenty of fine fizzy carbonation; smooth; not
sweet, not bitter – so it is well balanced; easy to drink; too simple;
To the Point: rather boring overall, I reviewed this Ale
three years ago and thought the same thing; Beer Advocate reviews still have it
as an A-; I’ll give it a low B; 83% at
best;
The Pairing
Not much to say (surprising for a Professor); this Ale did
nothing for this cigar; the ‘flavors’ were just too simple and mild to add
anything during this experience; this cigar deserves better
