Supremo EXL Belicoso and St. Bernardus Extra 4 Pairing

The Ale

St. Bernardus Extra 4

Brouwerij St. Bernard

Watou, Belgium

Specialtybeer.com

4.8% abv

11.2 oz bottle

$18.99 a four pack

Seasonal: Spring

I have not seen this one before and I found out why?  The brewery has not produced this ale since the 1970’s. 

Appearance: glowing golden wheat field body with a one finger white head on an easy pour; not much on the lacing

Aroma: delicate; hint of fresh lemon meat and yeast

Flavors: light lemon zest; acidic; yeast; wheat; grassy on the back and finish as the ale warms up

Mouthfeel: zippy citrus; moderate-low super fine carbonation; medium-light body – the acidic citrus zip elevates this body feel to me; grassy/grainy aftertaste with a light moderate citrus

To the Point: a pleasing summer beverage; pair it with white fish, shellfish, or veal chops; this ale has a nice wit style to me; the ale does not thrill me overall; I’ll give it a B-

The Cigar

Supremo EXL Belicoso

I received this cigar from my friend Monte

Smelling this stick before lighting it; it has a wonderful barnyard aroma.  I have never had this cigar before but, I am going to expect a bit of a taste collision with this cigar and this ale.  I think this cigar may be a tad bold for the ale and overwhelm the flavors. 

Profile: this beef size stick displays some heavy earth; it’s like you can taste the soil the tobacco was grown

Church Bells that I have in my Cigar Lounge
I ring them when the Detroit Lions win a game.
Hardly ever used.

in; rich black soil from the farmland mixed with mineral soil by the river bank; nice black coffee taste; medium-full body – I’ll give it a 6.5 on my strength scale; the heavy smoke coats the palate with each puff; easy to smoke; little burning issue; fairly simple in the taste profile

Pairing

This is a nice pairing; not great; just nice; but, on the hot humid day it is just right; I don’t know if they used 

wheat in this beer but, with this cigar it sure seems like it.  This cigar seems to highlight the yeast, grains and the ‘wheat’ like flavors.  The light lemon zest of the ale seems to play nicely with the earthy style of the cigar.  The cigar seems to manage the acidic note of the ale.  I have to say this has been a pleasing pairing.  I’ll have to buy this cigar and pair it with a nice Porter or Stout.  

Latitude Zero Toro Gordo Review

Latitude Zero

Oliva Tobacco Company

Wrapper: 2011 Habano Ecuador

Fillers: 2010 Nicaraguan

Size: 6 x 60

Strength: medium-full

Price: $124.95 + Five Pack Freebie + Lighter Freebie

Nice Chunky Box

20 Cigars

I don’t do this very often but, I have to light up one of these babies the day of delivery.  I like to place the cigars into my humidor to let them settle when they have been shipped.  It is summertime they don’t take the abuse of winter time shipping.

Off the Light: earthy; toasted sweet grains; meaty medium-full mouthfeel right from the start; as the smoke continues the earthy toasted grains coat the palate; some oak comes into play with a nice cedar spice; table black pepper spice on the aftertaste;

After I removed the one inch ash, that was ready to fall off, the cigar started to canoe.  A quick lighter touchup helped to correct the burn.

Free Five Pack

Mid-point: oak comes to the front; roasted grains (missing the sweet); earthy notes still coat the palate; a nice dash of fine grind black pepper; smooth medium-full mouthfeel; I touched up the burn right after removing the second ash to keep it burning correctly;

Free Lighter

Down the Stretch: the medium-full mouthfeel continues; earthy notes linger; more of a toasted oak note develops (charring); roasted grains; the pepper spice starts to cling to the palate with each puff; dry; water is needed to refresh the palate

To the Point: I usually don’t buy a whole box of cigars without trying one but, coming from Oliva it is worth the purchase and I was right.  This is one tasty cigar. From the first puff to the last this is quality.  The flavors have a very meaty feel and this cigar would be a perfect after dinner cigar with a glass of 20 year old Tawny Port.  

Read the comment below. For as I just found out - that Oliva is not Oliva. I did not know there was a Oliva Cigar Co. and Oliva Tobacco Co. - two different companies.