The 2014 March Matching Results

In the set-up of this 2014 March Matching I predicted which beverage would pair well with the Casa Magna Cigar.  Here were the pre-game odds and what I said about the match up.

(2-1 odds) The cigar should pair exceptionally well with the Wee Heavy Barrel Aged Ale.

(3-1 odds) I imagine the flavors of the Malbec wine should be a perfect fit for this cigar.

(5-1 odds) The Boucanier Golden Ale should be a nice pairing but, the cigar might be a bit too strong and mask some of the ales delicate flavors.

(9-1 odds) I envision the cigar overpowering the medium-light body of the Kostritzer Schwarzbier.

(20-1 odds) I expect the cigar will collide with the IPA bitterness of the Double Bastard.

The only for sure bet I see is the IPA being paired up with a bold robust cigar is a sure loser but, the horse track won’t let me or you bet on who will lose – I wish they would – I would bet on that three legged horse every time! 

If this was the set-up at the horse track I would watch the show pool money (third place bets) and I would bet some big bucks on Biere du Boucanier Golden Ale to come in third place.  If there is some light wagering (little money) on it – go for it – it should give you the best return on your money. 

Here are the results:

Last place (5^th): I was right Double Bastard – an IPA and a peppery cigar never works

4^th place: Cigar Box Malbec Wine – the experience was just flat – no gitty up here

3^rd place: Boucanier Golden Ale – nice performance – pleasing experience – but the big boys came out to play today.

OH NO a photo finish:

I thought the Wulver nosed out the Kostritzer beer but the photo shows a clear tie at the wire.  Two different experiences – both super in their pairing – what will it be.

Damn, I’ll have to have a taste off between these two.  Damn I hate this.  I’ll have to drink two more beers and smoke two more cigars to see which one is the best.  If you have money on the Kostritzer beer stay tuned she is a 9-1 money maker for you if she wins. 

I poured the beverages and lit the cigar up.  I paired the Kostritzer first.  After the first couple inches of the cigar all I can say is this is one nice smooth and tasty pairing.  What I wrote before about this pairing is still the same.

Next, I start sipping the Wulver.  This is a much fuller bodied pairing.  All the flavors I wrote about on this pairing are in play here.  This is bold and tasty. 

The winner: 

Kostritzer Schwarzbier by a whisker. 

Find your favorite cigar and pair it up with a variety of beverages and let your taste buds explore the possibilities.

Casa Magna Dominican Gran Toro and Kostritzer Schwarzbier: Pairing

The Beer

Kostritzer Schwarzbier

Kostritzer Schwarzbierbrauerei

Germany

4.8% abv

11.2oz bottle

Best before: 8.22.2014 clearly marked on the bottle

March Matching

Read the March Matching Set-up Posting

Another beer that I cannot believe that I have not reviewed before.  I pick up a six pack or two during the winter months to enjoy this simple Black Lager while sitting by the campfire up north.  To me this is a classic Black Lager. 

Appearance: almost black body with big cola highlights; a thin half finger tan head with a strong pour; a spot here and there of lacing – another way to say nothing much;

Aroma: very light toasted grains; otherwise very lager like

Flavors: lightly sweet malts with a touch of tart hops keeping the balance; light toasted grains that remind me of a soft-fresh loaf of pumpernickel bread; semi-sweet coffee

Mouthfeel: light-moderate carbonation; smooth; fresh; tasty for a Black Lager; light-moderate body; with the 4.8% abv it is easy to sit by the campfire and down a few

To the Point: nothing special to review but, damn this is one fine Black Lager; I don’t know how any – I mean ANY beer drinker cannot like this beer; I recommend this for any beer drinker of course

The Cigar

Casa Magna Dominican Gran Toro

Wrapper: Corojo

Fillers: Cuban-seed Dominican

Size: 6 x 60

Profile: medium-full body; dark roasted coffee; dark chocolate like bitterness; toasted caramel; fire pit smoky note; green peppercorn; earthy and peppery aftertaste

(Click here for the full cigar review)

The Pairing

I was wrong with what I envisioned for this pairing.  I thought the cigar would overpower this fairly simple Black Lager.  Not only do I enjoy the flavors of each product but, I think the dark bready notes of the beer bring out the toasted forest floor notes of the cigar.  The light-moderate green peppercorn notes of the cigar helps to perk up a little spiciness in the beer – reminding me of rye – like a Black Russian Pumpernickel Bread; I'll place this pairing right with the Wee Heavy pairing

Casa Magna Dominican Gran Toro and Cigar Box Reserve Malbec 2012: Pairing

The Wine

Cigar Box Reserve Malbec 2012

Cigarboxwine.com

$16.99 saw it at some grocery store and had to buy it

See the March Matching set-up post

Appearance: black-purple body with deep purple highlights; slow dripping leggs

Aroma: black fruit, reminding me of black currant and black plum; touch of floral and mineral; on the bottle it says violet, I got a bottle of violet vinegar out of the pantry and yep violet it is;

Flavors: fresh black berry, plum, black currant; light tart cranberry in the mix; a 70% dark chocolate like note swirls around the berries; mild cedar spice; moderate mineral earthiness;

Mouthfeel: dry; tannins are moderate and under control; nice black fruit bitterness on the back and aftertaste; a pleasing thickness to the body on the first glass – starts to get a little jammy on the second glass; I’ll give it a 6 on my strength scale – just inside the medium-full range;

To the Point: a pleasing Malbec;

The Cigar

Casa Magna Dominican Gran Toro

Wrapper: Corojo

Fillers: Cuban-seed Dominican

Size: 6 x 60

Profile: medium-full body; dark roasted coffee; dark chocolate like bitterness; toasted caramel; fire pit smoky note; green peppercorn; earthy and peppery aftertaste

Click here to read the full cigar review

The Pairing

The wine seems to control the cigar – after a sip of the wine and then a puff of the cigar the cigar seems to lose all the flavor notes I mentioned above and the cigar only comes across with some deep toasted grains - a slightly boring exchange in my opinion.
Now, when I puff the cigar and then take a sip of the wine I get the flavors of the cigar of course and then they mix with the flavors of the wine for a decent experience because nothing flavor wise stands out.  The wine does come across a little fuller in body during this experience. 

I think both the cigar and the wine are in the medium-full range which should help to make a good match but, I think the robust flavors of the cigar are a little too much for this wine to maximize my experience. It was a decent pairing but, nothing special.

I gave this pairing 3-1 odds to win this March Matching but, it will be bring up the rear next to the Double Bastard Ale.

Casa Magna Dominican Gran Toro and Biere du Boucanier Golden Ale: Pairing

The Ale

Biere du Boucanier Golden Ale

Van Steenberge

Belgium

Globalbeer.com

March Matching
Read the March Matching Set-up

11% abv

11.2 oz stubby bottle

$21.99 a six pack (sampler pack)

Refermented in the bottle

Style: Triple Ale or Belgian Strong Pale Ale

Appearance: cloudy golden orange body with a one and a half finger white head that settles to a thin layer in about a minute or so; some lacing on the glass; get that yeast off the bottom of the bottle by swirling the bottle with the last inch of beer and then pouring it into the chalice; solid sheets of lacing hang on my second glass of this ale during the first half of the glass then, spotty lacing

Aroma: to me this has that classic Belgium Beer aroma: Belgian yeast, sweet tropical fruits like tangerine and a hint of banana (a creamy red banana) with a touch of stone fruit; nice spice; aromatic hop;

Flavors: sweet malts and nice aromatic hops show some good balance (still on the sweet side); stone fruits and gentle citrus zest swirl around some sweet grains and honey; plenty of earthy yeast, lightly tart cranberry biscuit, spice on the back that reminds me of pink peppercorn, a soft pink peppercorn; 

Mouthfeel: creamy feel; fine fizzy feel from the carbonation; sweet candied fruit up front with spice on the mid and it all comes together for a pleasing aftertaste; a mild-moderate citrus zest on the mid and finish; a pleasing bitterness underneath; medium-full body; the alcohol did not play a big role to me except for adding the light pink peppercorn spice note

To the Point: very pleasing aroma that makes the drinking experience a pleasure; the sweetness is under control and not in your face; the mild hops give it some balance and character; I do not pick up a boozy feel or a big alcohol note coming from the 11%er; I think the alcohol is giving the ale that pink peppercorn note; I am giving this ale a solid 89% for a B+ … no how about 90% for an A- … boy is grading a beer tough work; must buy – go out of your way to find this ale

The Cigar

Casa Magna Dominican Gran Toro

Wrapper: Corojo

Fillers: Cuban-seed Dominican

Size: 6 x 60

Profile: medium-full body; dark roasted coffee; dark chocolate like bitterness; toasted caramel; fire pit smoky note; green peppercorn; earthy and peppery aftertaste

(Click here for the full cigar review)

The Pairing

I gave this pairing 5-1 odds in the 2014 March Matching because I thought there just might be an issue with the robust flavors of the cigar masking some of the nice delicate flavors of this very tasty ale.  Let’s see what happens.  If I was a betting man - I would bet this pairing to show - to come in third - 'show' is horse betting language for third place.

After a few sips of the ale I am ready to light this cigar up and get on with this review.  The ale is tasting true to my notes and after a few puffs of the cigar the cigar is smoking true to my notes. 

I take a couple puffs on the cigar and then sip the ale; nice soft candied fruits on the deliver (upfront); late on the palate and on the aftertaste (on the ale) I am noticing a bit of a spike in the bitterness and a little stronger taste on the pink peppercorn; I am not picking up that lightly tart cranberry biscuit note – just drop the words ‘lightly and biscuit’ – I am getting a tart cranberry note which would coincide with the spike in the bitterness.  So, the bitterness of the cigar and the peppery notes of the cigar have an effect on the ale. 

Let’s take the other approach sip the ale first and then puff the cigar and see what I experience.  After a few sips of the ale to get my taste buds back in balance I finally puff the cigar.  I am not noticing an impact on the cigar during this exchange.  The cigar flavors are coming through – I get the dark roasted coffee, toasted caramel, the smoky and peppery notes; the mouthfeel remains the same.  Interesting, I was expecting the citrus zip of the ale, even though it is a delicate citrus, to bring out the bitterness in the cigar.  So, the sweetness of the ale isn’t even strong enough to impact the cigar.  This can be a good thing – and I have to say I like when you can experience the flavors of each product during the exchange. 

There are time when this has happened but, sometimes I like one exchange over the other.  Here I like both of these.  I like that the cigar brought out some of the hops in the ale.  This is a sweet ale after all.  I also liked it when I sipped the ale and the cigar notes were not disturbed – both products minded their own business so to say.  

Casa Magna Dominican Gran Toro and Double Bastard: Pairing

The Ale

Double Bastard

The Stone Brewing Co.

Escondido, San Diego County, California

Arrogantbastard.com/doublebastard

11.2% abv

1pt 6oz bottle

$7.99

2013 Release

Style: American Strong Ale

Read the March Matching Set-up Posting

On the bottle: “Double Bastard Ale is not to be wasted on the tentative or weak.” 

Yes, that means you regular Bud and Miller and whatever light type beer drinkers.

Appearance: deep amber body with a one finger tan head that stays around for a while; plenty of sticky lacing on the glass

Aroma: hoppy; sweet grapefruit with a toasted caramel malt just behind the pine bark

Flavors: oh damn, that’s tasty.  White, pink and ruby red grapefruit salad; pine needles hit the tongue; toasted caramel malts and grains; then a wave floral hops; then some vanilla/toffee oak that reminds me of a fine Single Malt Scotch; boozy

Mouthfeel: sweet and bitter grapefruit notes; bitter pine; floral; bitter yet aromatic; boozy; super fine fizzy feel to the carbonation; full bodied;

To the Point: deeper notes compared to Arrogant Bastard with stronger pine and alcohol; I’ll have to review Arrogant Bastard again this week to get a better comparison; this Dbl Bastard is top shelf stuff here;

The Cigar

Casa Magna Dominican Gran Toro

Wrapper: Corojo

Fillers: Cuban-seed Dominican

Size: 6 x 60

It has been a while since I have had this cigar and I saw it on Cigars International website under the ‘Make Me an Offer.’  I purchased a box of ten and liked them so much I ordered two more boxes.  I checked my blog and I have never reviewed this cigar.  Well it is time that I do. 

Profile: medium-full body; dark roasted coffee; dark chocolate like bitterness; toasted caramel; fire pit smoky note; green peppercorn; earthy and peppery aftertaste

Click here to read the full cigar review

The Pairing

I am not expecting great things here that is why I made the odds at winning this March Matching 20-1 odds.

Wow, does this ale have an effect on this cigar or what; the bitter style of the ale brings out the bitter notes of the cigar;(a little too bitter for my liking) the peppery notes of the cigar are brought to the front during this pairing probably because of the grapefruit notes in the ale; the ale seems to take away the nice flavors of the cigar; the cigar comes across as full bodied during this pairing; if you are man enough to try this ale pair it with this cigar for a big time experience.  Personally, I would not recommend this pairing for maximum pleasure.  It’s bitter and in your face.

Casa Magna Dominican Gran Toro and Wulver Wee Heavy Ale: Pairing

The Cigar

Casa Magna Dominican Gran Toro

Wrapper: Corojo

Fillers: Cuban-seed Dominican

Size: 6 x 60

March Matching
Click here to read the 2014 March Matching Set-up

I am expecting this cigar to be a great match with this Ale.

Off the Light: earthy dark roasted coffee followed by smoky fall leafs;

First third: smooth almost creamy feel; the earthy dark roasted coffee continues with an 80% dark chocolate like bitterness; toasted caramel; a toasty forest floor note of twigs, fall leafs, and soft moss;

Mid-point: the slight creamy feel is gone but it is still smooth yet robust; the fall leafs and twigs are slightly burnt giving it a smoky fire pit note; the coffee note moves to the fairly burnt side – time to drink that coffee or take it off the burner type coffee note; a nice peppery note picks up on the finish and aftertaste;  

Down the Stretch: the caramel note returns with a somewhat burnt style; toasted grains; smoky fire pit continues; lightly burnt coffee; green peppercorn notes on the mid, back, and aftertaste; lightly charred earth and peppery aftertaste;

To the Point: this cigar has a pleasing robust style; medium-full body; dark roasted coffee; dark chocolate like bitterness; toasted caramel; fire pit smoky note; green peppercorn; earthy and peppery aftertaste; I recommend this cigar for those who like a full-medium bodied smoke; I like this cigar enough that I just bought two more boxes

The Ale

Thirsty Dog Wulver Wee Heavy Ale

Aged in Bourbon Barrels

Thirsty Dog Brewing Company

Akron, Ohio, USA

Thirstydog.com

Aged 11 months

12% abv

22 IBUs

12oz bottle

$25.00 a four pack

Appearance: dark brown body with some deep mahogany edges; one finger tan head that did not stay around long; a light sheet of lacing with each sip that slowly drips to nothing

Aroma: rich toasted caramel hits the nose followed by roasted vanilla bean from the oak barrel aging; a smoky note develops as the ale warms along with a slight boozy bourbon note

Flavors: the rich caramel and vanilla really stand out giving it a toffee note; this reminds me of a toffee pecan coffee blend that I’ll drink once in a great while; the oak profile seems to develop with each sip and a lightly seared dark honey comes into play; the nutty note reminds me of salty cashews and fresh pecans; the flavors seem to intermingle well;

Mouthfeel: creamy feel; light syrupy feel; low carbonation; toasty and roasty; rich without being cloying; very easy to drink for a 12 percenter; lightly charred oak and roasted grains on the aftertaste; to me this ale is full-medium in body

To the Point: this is one fine Wee Heavy Ale that has been aged in Bourbon Barrels; it received a 97 world-class rating with 453 reviews on Beer Advocate – pretty impressive; are they overrating it to justify the twenty five dollar price tag – maybe; at 25 bones, a four pack, I would expect that it is out of the price range for the casual drinker; if you really like Bourbon Barrel Aged Ales this is a must try and then you can decide

The Pairing

The coffee and dark chocolate like bitterness of the cigar blends so wonderfully with the ales bourbon barrel notes.  The toasted caramel, roasted vanilla, and lightly seared honey notes of the ale merges with the flavors of the cigar like they were meant for each other.  In other words the flavors of each standout and mingle perfectly.  These two complement each other for an exceptional experience.  I highly recommend this pairing.  

March Matching 2014 - The Set Up

I thought I was ready to quit my cigar reviews but I really want to do my March Matching.  I did a cigar review the other week to see if I was ready and I think I am ready for the game. 

In the past years I would review a variety of cigars with one ale to see which cigar paired well with the ale.  This year I am going with one cigar and I am going to pair it with a variety of ales and throw in a red wine. 

Here are the past March Matchings

March Matching 2010

March Matching 2011

March Matching 2013

Yes, I did not do a 2012

Here is the 2014 lineup 

The Cigar

Casa Magna Dominican Gran Toro

Wrapper: Corojo

Fillers: Cuban-seed Dominican

Size: 6 x 60

The Ales

Thirsty Dog Wulver Wee Heavy Ale Aged in Bourbon Barrels

Stone’s Double Bastard

Biere du Boucanier Golden Ale

Kostritzer Schwarzbier

I am going to throw in a Red Wine

Cigar Box Malbec Reserve 2012

I’ll make the links when they are posted

Here is my expectation for each beverage with the cigar along with the odds of being the best pairing.

The cigar should pair exceptionally well with the Wee HeavyBarrel Aged Ale. (2-1 odds)

I expect the cigar will collide with the IPA bitterness of the Double Bastard.  (20-1 odds)

The Boucanier Golden Ale should be a nice pairing but, the cigar might be a bit too strong and mask some of the ales delicate flavors. (5-1 odds)

I envision the cigar overpowering the medium-light body of the Kostritzer Schwarzbier - this should be boring.  (9-1 odds)

I imagine the flavors of the Malbec wine should be a perfect fit for this cigar. (3-1 odds)