The Cigar
Ramon Bueso Odyssey Muy Bueso
Wrapper: Honduran-grown Connecticut
Binder: Jamastran, Honduran
Fillers: Copan, Ometepe, Condega, and the Dominican Republic
Size: 6.5 x 60
I picked up a brand sampler pack from Cigars International:
it had 5 Muy Buesos Odyssey; 5 Torpedo’s Odyssey; 5 Muy Buesos Genesis and 5
Torpedos Genesis.
I reviewed this cigar last summer but, never posted the
review. I was looking for a cigar to
pair with this ale and here it was already to go. So, let me pair it with this ale and see how
they work together.
The first Muy Bueso Odyssey that I smoked burned up in about
50 minutes. A cigar this big should not
burn up that fast. Yes, I was outside
(in my garage) and yes there was a little wind but, nothing should have made it
burn that fast.
The second one I smoked, about a week later, I wanted to see
how it would burn. I am out in my cigar
lounge again (my garage) there is no wind.
I was two hours into the cigar and I had about an inch and a half left
of cigar smoking to go. That is more
like it for a cigar this size and how I smoke.
The cigar never went out; the cigar burned evenly for the most part;
never needed correction. It smoked like
a medium-full bodied cigar with a firm oak profile and a spicy tone that
reminded me of a white pepper and a hint of ginger. The texture was very wool like and had a long
lingering spicy aftertaste.
This cigar is marketed as a medium bodied cigar with notes
of nuts, wood, coffee, sweet cream, cocoa, and tasty tobacco. From the two that I have smoked so far you
can throw that flavor profile out the window.
Let’s see how this third cigar smokes
The Ale
Cuvee des Trolls Cuvee Speciale
Brasserie Dubuisson
Pipaix, Belgium
7.5% abv
1pt 9.4oz bottle
Appearance: hazy golden-yellow body with a one and a half
finger of pure white head that hangs around for the party; not much on the
lacing
Aroma: not much; very delicate; yeast, biscuit, hay, pear; lemon
drop candy – only one piece (very faint);
Let’s see what happens as the ale warms up
Flavors: pale malt; soft pear; tart apple; hint of lemon;
sugar; yeast; dusty hay; dusty spice; a pinch of chardonnay sea salt
Mouthfeel: very spritzy, lively carbonation; somewhat dry;
dusty; tart; medium body; dry hopped on the aftertaste;
To the Point: the flavors seem a little disjointed; I am not
feeling the flow; the sugar is just there it’s not in the mix – example: candied
fruits or pear cotton candy – no it’s pear, apple, lemon and then sugar; like
the sugar was an afterthought;
To me there is nothing special about this speciale; I don’t
remember the price tag but, it was 30 to 35 dollars at Ashley’s of Westland
during their Belgian Fest.
10 bucks I might do it again; thirty bucks I’ll pass
The Pairing
Maybe all this ale needs is something to go with it. This Cuvee Speciale might be good with shell
fish or white fish but, I have this tasty cigar that might do the trick.
The cigars woody profile, which reminds me oak, is adding
some substance to the ale. It is taking
those dusty note that I mentioned and giving it some body. The spice of the ale seems to be working with
the oak of the cigar. Thinking of spice
- the white pepper and hint of ginger of the cigar clearly is helping the spice
feel of the ale. I said the ale had a dusty spice because it was not discernable
but, during this pairing the white pepper of the cigar seemed to transfer to
the ale. The cigar also seemed to bring
out that pinch of sea salt. The tart
apple and lemon of the ale were delicate enough to add some interest to the
cigar during this pairing. I have to
admit that I thought this would be the downfall of this pairing; that the
tartness would elevate to a bitterness that would not be pleasing to the
palate. Nope, everything was fine in
cigar land today.
I think this pairing went well but, not good enough to make
me want to buy another bottle of this ale.
I believe this ale needs some food or a fine cigar to help bring out
some interest in the ale otherwise – by itself – to me this ale seemed a bit
boring and contrived.
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