Romeo y Julieta Casino II and Fizz Sparkling Wine: Pairing

The Bubbly

Fizz Sparkling Wine by M. Lawrence

Demi-sec

Batch #31

#2081 of 2640 bottles

Pinot Noir and Chardonnay

Cuve Close Method

M. Lawrence SPW

Suttons Bay, Michigan, USA

Mlawrence.us

Lmawby.com

11% abv

$14.49 Wine Barrel in Livonia, Michigan

Read full review

Flavors: lively note of fresh sweet red apple on the front, slightly tart green apple on mid and finish, crisp clean pear, do they have a pear flavored cotton candy at the local fair? … if not this will do.   

Mouthfeel: it is a Demi-sec so it is on the sweet side without being overly sweet. Super fine fizzy bubbles help to tingle the tongue for a crisp feel. Slightly tart finish that lingers on the palate along with the dominate cotton candy sweetness.   

The Cigar

Romeo y Julieta Casino II

Reserva Real

Wrapper: Connecticut Shade Ecuadoran

Binder: Nicaraguan

Fillers: Dominican and Nicaraguan

Size: 6 x 50

$11.25 a stick

Flavor Profile: this is a nice and mellow stick.  Mild white mushroom and light dry soil earthy tones; warm fresh buttered bread; very mild body weight and clean aftertaste.  This is as simple as it gets while still being tasty. 

My Strength Rating: 1.5 – very mild

The Pairing

This is a nice pairing like I thought it would be.  Both are mild to very mild in body.  The mellow flavor of the cigar co-mingles with the crisp yet sweet fruity flavors of the bubbly.  The cigar also helps to manage the sweetness on the wine.

This cigar also paired well with Cave Springs Icewine.  The smooth buttery style of the cigar allowed the Icewine to display the honey dipped white summer fruit.  

Two Cigars and Witch's Hat Big Doedish

The Ale

Witch's Hat Big Doedish – DIPA

Witch’s Hat Brewing

South Lyon, Michigan, USA

Hops: Pacific Jade, Zythoes, and Citra

9.2% abv

DIPA = Double India Pale Ale

64 oz Growler

$20.00 refill

Witchshatbrewing.com

I have stated this before on the blog, ‘I hate growlers,’ and then $20 for a refill … it better be damn good for that is like 20 bucks for 5 – 13oz bottles.  This is a quality Belgian beer price to me.  Well, just stop on by and try a glass at the brew pub before you buy … that makes since but, you know what? … I bought it without trying it.  Why?  Because I have tried six or seven of their beers and I enjoyed each one so, I’ll gamble that this should be good. 

Appearance: amber body with light amber highlights around the edges; a one finger (if that) head, large bubbles on the head, but I am pouring it from a growler; have I mentioned that I hate growlers; a splattering of lacing on the glass.

Aroma: aromatic with a touch of bitterness; floral hits me first with a nice touch of sweet pineapple and then a hint of fresh citrus that reminds me of pink grapefruit, white pine tree sap is coming to mind right now, a touch of fruit bread,

Flavors: on the delivery I pick-up some fresh pink grapefruit and sweet pineapple; those two flavors seem to swirl around a touch of caramel and sweet bread during the mid; on the back a touch of pine and a little sweet bread going down the hatch. 

Don’t sell this ale short.  Don’t just gulp it down.  Sip it, swirl it, damn gargle with it.  Pay close attention to the flavorful hops selected.  If you gulp it you will think it seems thin or watery at first and then think it seems bitter at the end of the glass.  I think we can play … what I call … guess what I am tasting with this ale?  I can see – tangerine, pine, grapefruit, pink grapefruit, pink peppercorn, pineapple, floral,  caramel, bread, sweet bread, fruit bread,

Mouthfeel: soft hoppy flavors, don’t let the word ‘soft’ fool you, soft bitterness, bold hoppy flavors (if you pay attention), a light creamy feel, low carbonation, oily, a tad bit on the sweet citrus side but has a nice long lingering oily bitter citrus feel.  Watch out for the 9.2% abv for it does not come across boozy.   

To the Point: Not close to being a bitter hop bomb; a flavorful hop bomb okay – I’ll buy that; nice mixture of soft and slightly bitter hops; be ready for the sweet side of citrus.  Damn, I really like this.  This is top shelf to me.   

This ale is worth the price.

The Cigar(s)

Romeo y Julieta Casino II

Reserva Real

Wrapper: Connecticut Shade Ecuadoran

Binder: Nicaraguan

Fillers: Dominican and Nicaraguan

Size: 6 x 50; in a crystal tube

$11.25 a stick

Flavor Profile: this is a nice and mellow stick.  Mild white mushroom and light dry soil earthy tones; the texture is silky smooth and very mild in body.  This is as simple as it gets while still being tasty. 

My Strength Rating: 1.5 – very mild

The Pairing

The nice thing about a very mild cigar is that they can be paired with a mild white wine or beer … or … a stronger one for the contrast.  Here is the contrast.  The flavors of this cigar do not interfere with the great taste of this DIPA (Double India Pale Ale).  The bad thing is that it does not add to the experience and that is not always a bad thing.  Spoken like a true professor. 

Second Pairing

The nice thing about a 64 ounce growler is that you can review two cigars. 

The Witch's Broom in the Background

Hoyo De Monterrey Excalibur Legend Challenger

 Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf

Binder: Nicaraguan

Fillers: Nicaraguan, Dominican Ligero

Size: 5-1/4 x 50

Strength Rating: 7 – medium-full

I have always liked the Excalibur Legend but, I have never smoked this size. 

Flavor Profile: nice spice that reminds me of smoked black pepper; a solid oaky wood character and a walnut … maybe a black walnut like note. 

The Pairing with the Excalibur

This is an interesting pairing.  I have to admit that I thought it would be too much for this ale. 

But what happened was the spicy style and woody notes of the cigar brought out the pink peppercorn like note and complemented the sweet citrus of the ale.  The sweetness of the ale’s citus is controlled a bit while smoking this cigar.  I really like this pairing. 

The Difference from one Cigar to Another

The Romeo y Julieta Casino II allowed all the flavors of the ale to shine.  The Excalibur had some good intermingling of flavors.       

To me the Excalibur maximized the tasting experience by soothing the sweet tropical notes and bringing out some of the light peppery tones of the ale.  

Romeo y Julieta Casino I and poperings hommel ale: Pairing

The Cigar

Romeo y Julieta Casino I

Reserva Real

Wrapper: Connecticut Shade Ecuadoran

Binder: Nicaraguan

Fillers: Dominican and Nicaraguan

Size: 7 x 50

$11.75 a stick here in Michigan

Flavor Profile: this is a nice and mellow stick.  Mild white mushroom and light dry soil earthy tones; the texture is silky smooth and very mild in body.  This is as simple as it gets while still being tasty. 

This cigar is perfect for some white wines and mild beers.  I have one that should be perfect – I am off to the beer fridge. 

Comes in a crystal tube

The Ale

poperings hommel ale

Brewed & Bottled by:

NV Van Eecke

Watou, Belgium

7.5% abv

11.2oz bottle

$16.99 a four pack

I came across this beer about three years ago and thanks to Global Beer the American importer of this ale and many others.  This is a Belgian IPA and sorry American Hopheads it is not a bitter bomb.  But, it is liquid art. 

Appearance: a hazy blend of gold and amber with a two finger egg-shell white head with plenty of lacing on the glass.  Make sure to get that sediment off the bottom of the bottle. 

Aroma: light floral hops, a twist of lemon rind, hint of fresh apple and pear, hint of sweet malts and Belgium yeast.  Nice aromatic hops – sorry hopheads not bitter hops. 

Flavors: let this ale warm a little after taking it out of the fridge for the flavor pop once it hits the 50 degree mark; floral, a rosy-floral note, hint of lemon meat – just a hint, a little fruity – white fruit like, a pinch of coriander, a dash (one dash) of pink peppercorn, low sodium saltine cracker, sweet malts – sweet dough like

Mouthfeel: good Belgian carbonation, there is an oily feel from the hops, the nice fizzy and oily feel gives it a semi-creamy feel, lingering floral and that twist of lemon rind on the aftertaste

To the Point: this ale is soooo easy to drink and at 7.5% watch out for it will catch up to you.  This is one of my favorite Belgians – right up there with Piraat – I am not saying that it is like Piraat – I am saying it is one of my favorites like Piraat. 

The Pairing

This cigar is perfect for this wonderful ale.  The mild white mushroom and soft dusty soil earthy tones just blend in so nicely with the great flavors of this delicate Belgian IPA.      

Look for my other cigar pairings with this tasty ale.  

Crown Royal Cask No 16: Review

Finished in Cognac Oak Cask

Blended Canadian Whisky

Crownroyal.com

40% abv/80 proof

Appearance: looks clear … oh, my glass is empty already.  Rich crystal amber

Aroma: delicate yet rich with brown sugar, fruit, nice sweet oak spice coming from the cognac cask aging,

Flavors: similar to the nose; mild and rich sweet cognac, stone fruit, nice sweet oak coming from the cognac cask aging,

Mouthfeel: smooth with light warmth

To the Point: a nice whisky, I like it better that the regular Crown.  The regular Crown is boring to me.  The Cask No. 16 has an interesting flavor profile for Crown Royal. 

I paired this with a Romeo y Julieta Casino II Reserva Real Cigar.  The cigar has a mellow buttery mouthfeel with fresh white bread and white mushroom like notes.  The pairing was nice and mellow. 

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.   

The Worst of The Worst V: Gurkha Black Dragon Fury

Gurkha Black Dragon Fury

When I bought a 10 pack of these Black Dragons I was really looking forward to smoking them.  Boy, was I disappointed.  I have smoked two or three of them and all three tasted like plastic and burnt plastic at that. 

I reviewed this stick back on October 16, 2011.  I have saved these nasty tasting cigars just for this – The Worst of The Worst Series.  Maybe time has helped this cigar; maybe it is just as crappy as ever.  I also have to say, “this is the worst of the worst.” 

Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro

Binder: 2 – Nicaraguan Habano and Cameroon

Fillers: Nicaraguan and Peruvian

I am not looking forward to reviewing this cigar because from what I remember is that my taste buds were shot for the rest of the day – just from a few puffs of that nasty factory floor plastic burn. 

Well, it is time to light it up.  Nice wood, soil, and toasted leafs make for a solid earthy style.  Before I know it the burn is around that ¼ point where that plastic smell and taste starts to develop.  I have gotten to the ½ inch point and no plastic but, the damn wrapper just popped.  I just can’t win with this cigar.

As the burn approaches the mid-point the earthy style is just alright.  The plastic note never showed up on this stick but, it does have a strange flavor swirling around that I just can’t put my finger on.  The best that I can come up with, for that strange note, is that it tastes like a cheap cherry pipe tobacco. 

To the Point: this is just boring and just plain ol’ not tasty.  There are not many cigars that I’ll pitch out halfway through but, I think I am ready to pitch this one.   

The Worst of the Worst IV: Nica Libre Exclusivo

Nica Libre Exclusivo

Size: 5.5 x 50

Wrapper: San Andres Maduro

Binder: Habano

Filler: Nicaraguan

I must have purchased a sampler pack at the end of 2010 for I started doing some reviews in February of 2011.  I reviewed four of the different sizes but never this stick – interesting.  Click here to read these reviews: Principe 4.5x46 (didn’t like); Torpedo 6x52 (didn’t like); Diplomatico 7x50 (not bad); Imperial 6x54 (liked). 

I believe I was thinking, ‘why do another boring stick’, none the less, I placed this last Exclusivo in the ‘bad cigar box.’  Now, it can live to its true potential in the ‘Worst of the Worst Series.’

I am pairing this stick with a cup of Biggby Costa Rica Coffee.  Hopefully the coffee complements this stick.

Off the Light and First Half: dry dusty soil.  As the smoke continues a cheap diner coffee note develops.  This cheap diner coffee is the kind where they don’t put enough coffee to water ratio.  It’s cheap coffee to start with and the cheap ass diner owner is trying to save a nickel by cutting back on the amount of coffee grounds that makes a pot.  The mouthfeel is very dry.  My strength rating … I’m going to give it a 4 – mild-medium. 

The Pairing: a very good cup of coffee with this cigar will really help the cheap coffee like quality of this stogie. 

Second Half: more of the same; boring dry mouthfeel and taste with its dry dusty soil that a dandelion couldn’t even grow in and then that cheap watered down diner coffee.  This is a true classic cheap Nicaraguan cigar. 

The Worst of the Worst Series III: Vega Talanga Blue Label Corojo

Vega Talanga Blue Label Corojo and Hitachino Nest Beer XH: Pairing

The Worst of the Worst Series III

Vega Talanga Blue Label Corojo Series

This is one of the worst cigars I have had in my humidor over the years and I still have one hanging around.  I started to collect some of the impressive stogies so I could do this Worst of the Worst posting.

Toro 5.5 x 54; I’m guessing on the ring gauge

I don’t have the vitals on this stick but, that is okay because it really does not matter.  For you see, it is no longer on the market.  I don’t think it has been on the market for a couple of years.  The Vega Talanga Gordo size 6x60 was a fine inexpensive cigar.  Nice oaky and earthy flavors; rather simple but, enjoyable.

Well, the Gordo’s brother the Toro in this lineup did not live up to his brother’s standards.  I never liked the flavor profile of the Toro.  It was dry and boring.  Let’s see how it smokes now after spending five or six years rolling around in my humidor.  I am going to pair this cigar with Hitachino Nest Beer a beer that was aged in oak sake casks.

The Cigar

Vega Talanga Blue Label Toro

Off the Light: an easy going earthy style on the first half inch.  As the smoke continues the earthy style is still light.  I’ll describe the earthy style as dry leafs, soil, and a hint of wood.  Getting close to the mid-point I start to notice a hint of sweet cedar.  This really is not all that bad; it is really not all that good either.  It is just too simple and the earthy tones just don’t come together to make it interesting.

Second Half: right when I was starting to enjoy this one dimensional earthy cigar – wham – a strange little note appears.  A sharp dry slightly bitter note starts to stand out.  This dry sharp note is dominating the taste profile here in the second half.  I’ll take the boring first half before this.  No I see way I had this in my worst of the worst pile.  I don’t even want to finish this cigar.  It has a very unpleasant taste on the second half. 

The Beer

Hitachino Nest Beer XH

XH = Extra High

Kiuchi Brewery

Kodawari.cc

Product of Japan

Aged in Sake Casks

Strong Belgian Brown Style Ale

“Matured in Oak Casks which was used for maturation of Shocyu.”  - on the bottle

7% abv marked on the bottle

I don’t know a damn thing about Sake.  It has to be 25 years ago since I had Sake. 

Appearance: deep rich amber body with a fine little tan head the disappeared before my eyes.

Aroma: faint but there is a rich malty note and stone fruit.  Nice earthy tone. I do not pick up any boozy tone on the nose but, when I drink it I do.  

Flavors: light sweet grainy malt, rich stone fruit and wood, with each sip I pick up a little boozy note from the aroma and taste, oak spice on the finish

Mouthfeel: tangy on the tongue, no to low carbonation, slight bitterness on the mid and late palate, sharp cheddar like bit on the finish.   

To the Point: an interesting beer, I am not going out to look for it but I would buy one if I saw it and wanted something different. 

 

The Pairing

Not so bad.  This interesting beer from Japan is working with this rather boring cigar.  As I have written before, I like to see how the exchange goes from beer to cigar or from cigar to beer.  For this pairing it really doesn’t matter.  If I take a few puffs of the cigar the Hitachino Next Beer is there to wash away the rather dull notes of the cigar.  If I drank the beer first the flavors seemed to dominate the earthy tone of the cigar. 

Too bad the cigar went south on the second half.

The Worst of the Worst Series II: Felipe Gregorio Icon Groucho

Felipe Gregorio Icon Groucho and Heavy Seas Black Cannon: Pairing

The Cigar

Felipe Gregorio Icon Groucho

Size: 5 x 55; Robusto

Wrapper: triple fermented Costa Rican

Fillers: Condega, Nicaragua and Dominican-grown Piloto Cubano 2002

The Worst of the Worst Series is about the bad cigars that I have left in my humidor.

I have two or three of these cigars still floating around in my humidor.  I have to have purchased these four or five years ago.  I really wanted to like this cigar because of the theme – Icon.  Groucho is one of my favorites.  I bought a five pack and smoked two and thought it was a bad cigar from the get go so, I stuck it in the humidor with a few other losers.  I never reviewed this stick because I was never brave enough to try it again.  I am off work today, the sun is shining, I feel good and not even a crappy cigar could ruin this day … so, let’s get reviewing. 

Off the Light and First Half: a dry metallic twang greets the palate off the light.  This would go well with a Czech beer.  Dry soil and … and … nothing else; wait the dry metallic taste is not as strong.  From what I am recalling on this cigar is that it was dry and boring to the core. 

The cigar holds a rouged salt and pepper ash that is about an inch or so right now.  As the burn approaches the halfway point the metallic taste is not noticeable, the dry soil is still present with a cheap coffee note, the kind of coffee that comes in a can – something like Maxwell House.  Dry grainy dive-diner kind of coffee. 

Second Half: the dryness reminds me of rough leather.  Dry soil and cheap grainy coffee is the main profile.  Cigar International had a good description of this cigar; “complex core of rich, mocha-like flavors with notes of coffee and leather, finished by a touch of pepper. Dee-lish.” 

The Ale

Heavy Seas Black Cannon

Black IPA

Clipper City Brewing Company

Baltimore, Maryland, USA

7.25% abv

45 IBU

Available January thru March

Heavyseasbeer.com

I like this Black IPA and I think this ale might help this poor cigar and if it doesn't I'll through the cigar out and drink this tasty black beauty. 

Appearance: black body with a one finger tan head that leaves some lacing on the glass.

Aroma: not big, but I am picking up a hint of pine, a touch of floral, a touch roasted grains, a little coffee note

Flavors: toasted flavors, roasted grains, pine in the mix, a little semi-sweet chocolate,

Mouthfeel: a little wool like on the texture, roasted notes linger,

To the Point: a nice Black IPA; worthy to try

The Pairing

First Half of the Cigar with the Ale

A few sips of the ale and then a puff of the cigar is the way to go with this pairing.  The toasty/roasty flavors of the ale really help this cigar out; it seems to bring out a toasty fall leaf note in the cigar. 

When I take a few puffs of the cigar and then a sip of the ale I get a different effect.  The dry worn out leather mouthfeel of the cigar with that slight metallic twang brings out the bitterness in the ale. 

Second Half of the Cigar with the Ale

When I take a few puffs of the cigar and then sip the ale I notice the pine needle like taste and texture to the ale, the roasted notes of the ale are also pleasing.  The metallic twang of the cigar is no longer a factor and not interfering with the experience like it did during the first half.  The mouthfeel is of course very dry during this pairing.  Water is needed.

I still enjoy the matching when I drink the ale first and then the cigar.  The tasty flavor of the ale mingles well with the cigar and makes the cigar seem a little better than what it really is. 

The ale is gone and it is not worthy to smoke the last inch and a half.  

The Worst of the Worst I: Gurkha Micro Batch Liga VH-7

Felipe Gregorio Icon Groucho, Nica Libra Exclusivo, Gurkha Fury, Vega Talanga Blue Label Toro, Gurkha Micro Batch Liga VH-7: going left to right in pic

These five cigars just did not hit my palate so; I’ll have to call this ‘the worst of the worst.’  These cigars have been sitting around in the humidor for a couple of years just for this experience.  Maybe they have improved with time or they are still just crap. 

The good thing – some of these are no longer on the market or they are ready to disappear.  The Nica Libra and Gurkha Fury are still on the market. 

The Gurka Micro Batch Liga VH-7 is first up.

The Worst of the Worst Series I

This cigar must have been so uninteresting that I never did a review on the stick.  I just remember that I just did not like it and I gave a couple away and I left one behind to do this worst of the worst.  I believe this cigar is no longer on the market.      

Smoking Profile: off the light some nice earthy tones with a little toasted caramel.  After the first few puffs I am thinking … why did I not like this stick?  I think it was too young and it had ammonia like notes because it was not aged long enough before it hit the market. 

As the smoking experience continues there are some toasted grains, lightly sweet earthy soil like tones, a touch of pecan like nuttiness, and a hint of mild-medium coffee.  I have to admit that I am liking this cigar this time around – at least on the first couple of inches.  I sure wish I did a review back when I bought this cigar to have a comparison. 

The cigar seems to have a medium body mouthfeel.  The texture was rather smooth in its delivery.  The flavors remand rather consistent through the rest of the smoke.  I did smoke it to the end.