March Matching Final Four 3 vs 7

Second Round Game 2: March Matching 2015

Man O War Ruination No. 1 vs Villiger Talanga Robusto

(click here to view the 2015 Set-up)

Number 3 seed Man O War Ruination Robusto No. 1; Size: 5.5 x 54; Ecuador ligero wrapper; Cuban-seed Nicaraguan and Honduran long-leaf ligeros fillers; Flavor Profile: Toasted oak; portabella mushroom, forest floor earthy tones; roasted grains and nuts.

Number 7 Villiger Robusto; Size:5 x 50; Honduran Connecticut wrapper; Jalapa Habano binder; three filler blend of Esteli Corojo, Ometepe Habano, and Candega Habano; I have never smoked this one so I do not have any flavor notes to go by. 

I had to buy a five pack of the Villiger from Cigars International because I only had that one that I paired up against the Camacho Triple Maduro.  The cigars just showed up today on the door step and we have a game to play now. 

Here is a quick profile of the New Belgium Portage Porter: (click here to see my full review) This almost black bodied Porter has a nice cola edge.  It has a nice hearty, roasted profile that reminds me of a medium bodied coffee, 65% dark chocolate and some nice burnt woody notes.

It is tip off time and Man O War takes control. A nice dash of peppery spice hits the palate along with a moist rich soil tone.   A sip of the Portage Porter and we have a good combination here.  Turn right and the earthy tone of the cigar mingles with the coffee and dark chocolate like notes of the Porter for a two point conversion.  Turn left and that nice burnt woody style of the Porter blends with the oak wood note of the cigar for another two pointer.  I just don’t want to put this down.  Look at that nice ash. 

The Villiger Talanga Robusto says give me the ball and let’s play.  I am not picking up any sharp cedar note this time.  Right off the light I get a sweet cedar and a toasted almond note.  A sip of the Porter and this is a very pleasing pairing.  That sweet cedar, toasted almond, and buttery wheat bread notes of the cigar seems to mellow out the flavor profile of the Portage Porter.  Very interesting that this mild-medium bodied cigar has that kind of impact on this robust style ale.  I thought this Porter would overpower this cigar.  But, the cigars sweet tones are on their game here and plays with the malty characteristics of this Porter. 

The Ruination No. 1 comes back with a solid punch.  At the mid-point of this cigar it mellows a bit and the portabella mushroom like earthy style takes over and intermingles with the flavors of the Porter for a super pairing.  The toasted oak, roasted grains and hint of walnut all score three pointers with this ales woody tone and coffee notes.  For me this is bliss.  And this Man O War Ruination No. 1 is starting to run away with the game here. 

Both cigars have a perfect burn and neither one has a penalty to this point.  Let me take the bands off these cigars and prepare to smoke them down with this tasty Porter from New Belgium Brewing. 

The Villiger does not want to lose this game here.  It is trying to make a comeback with some solid exchanges with this Porter.  The Man O War steals the ball and converts.  Look at that solid ash.  The coffee and chocolate notes of the Porter seem to transfer to the Man O War at this point and making it a big stand out here in the final minutes of this game. 

The Man O War Ruination No. 1 is a clear winner here and is ready to take on the Latitude Zero Cigar in the final round of this eight cigar field in this March Matching 2015 tournament.  The Villiger Talanga has nothing to hang its head about – it played a great game.   

Click here to read the final game between Man O War Ruination No. 1 and Latitude Zero Robusto.  (when posted)

March Matching Final Four 1 vs 4

Second Round Game 1: March Matching 2015

Camacho Maduro Robusto (old label) vs Latitude Zero Robusto

(click here to view the 2015 Set-up)

Read about the Number 1 seed Camacho Maduro Robusto taking on the long shot Number 7 seed Villiger Talanga Robusto.  Click here When Posted

Number 4 seed Latitude Zero Robusto: Size 5 x 52; 2011 Habano Ecuador Wrapper; 2010 Nicaraguan fillers; flavor profile: toasted grains, oak up front, single twist of the black pepper mill, good touch of earth.  Medium-full body

Number 1 seed Camacho Maduro (old label) Diploma Robusto: Size 5 x 52; Tobaccos from Honduras’ Jamastan Valley. Taste profile: a solid earthy style with rich dark soil leading the way; sweet grains follow with a nice touch of black tea in the mix.  It has a good medium body that should satisfy any cigar smoker.

Here is a quick profile of the New Belgium Portage Porter: (click here to see my full review) This almost black bodied Porter has a nice cola edge.  It has a nice hearty, roasted profile that reminds me of a medium bodied coffee, 65% dark chocolate and some nice burnt woody notes.

It is tip off time and Latitude Zero takes control. Off the light the cigar is showing its spicy side and the toasted grains seem to be just an undertone.   The Porter soothes that spiciness of the cigar.  Nice score though. After that first quarter inch of spiciness the cigar mellows out to the toasted grains as the main profile.  Once again a sip of the ale and boy is this a nice matching.  The oak wood comes off the bench to dance with this Porter.  The burnt woody notes of the Porter enjoy playing with this oaky tone.  This cigar seems to settle those burnt woody notes of the Porter. 

Time to cut the Camacho and lighter her up.  Oh no, foul on the play.  A crack in the wrapper while cutting.  Oh that happens once in a great while. To the humidor to get another and I’ll have to glue this one up. 

Cut – fine – light – good – we are back on track. Oh yes, sweet grains, a hint of black tea and mellow earthy style.  Three point conversion.  Those grains and black tea make this a smooth pairing with the Portage Porter from New Belgium Brewing.  This is one solid pairing – I would enjoy these two any time. 

Back to the Latitude Zero Cigar.  The coffee and chocolate notes of the porter intermingle so well with flavor profile of the cigar.  A little black pepper appear from the cigar to add a little interest and brings out a little spice in the Porter.  These two know how to play with one another.  One thing about this cigar is that big ass label.  I don’t like big labels.  The single twist of the pepper mill black pepper is back on the bench.  But, the other players are here to play.  This is also one super nice matching. 

This is one great game.  Both cigars are great with this Porter.  I’ll have to smoke these two down to the nub to call this game. 

The Camacho Diploma sure has game here but, I am going with the Latitude Zero because of the bench players.  That hint of black pepper comes and goes with the smoke but adds some good interest.  The oak also mixes so well with the woody tones of the Porter.  The coffee and chocolate notes of the Porter along with the slightly burnt woody notes love the style of this Latitude Zero. 

This was a buzzer.  Close game the whole way.  I didn’t like see one of these losing here.  Both had game.  The Latitude Zero just edges out the number 1 seed Camacho Diploma Maduro. 

Number 4 seed Latitude Zero moves on to the final dance to strut its stuff against the winner of the Villiger Talanga and Man O War No. 1 game.  

March Matching 2015 Villiger Talanga Robusto vs Camacho Maduro Robusto

First Round Game 4: March Matching 2015

(click here to view the 2015 Set-up)

                     

Information is a little incomplete here for this match up. 

Number 2 seed Camacho Triple Maduro (old label) robusto; Size: 4.5 x 50; while one of my favorite cigars I have never done a full review on the Triple Maduro and I never put any info down on its construction.  I like this cigar because of its spicy style and rich compost soil tone.  It is a heavy weight for the smoke coats the palate for a full-medium bodied smoke. 

Number 7 Villiger Robusto; Size:5 x 50; Honduran Connecticut wrapper; Jalapa Habano binder; three filler blend of Esteli Corojo, Ometepe Habano, and Candega Habano; I have never smoked this one so I do not have any flavor notes to go by. 

I picking the Number 2 Triple Maduro to kick butt here.  No competition. 

Here is a quick profile of the New Belgium Portage Porter: (click here to see my full review) This almost black bodied Porter has a nice cola edge.  It has a nice hearty, roasted profile that reminds me of a medium bodied coffee, 65% dark chocolate and some nice burnt woody notes.

Game on.  It’s tip off time.  There’s the tip; a little scramble and the Villiger Talanga comes out for the light. 

The Talanga has a sharp cedar style right off the light.  After a couple of puffs a sweet cedar comes to mind, then slowly a toasted wheat bread blends in.  Bring on the ale.  A nice exchange there.  About a half inch in the sharp cedary note just disappeared in a puff of the cigar.  Oh, the cigar mellows big time to a nice sweet cedar and buttered toasted wheat bread.  Now, let’s take a sip and see what happens.  A few good puffs of the cigar and a sip of the Porter and yes that is nice.  This different from the other ones that I liked.  The obvious is it’s a mild-medium cigar but it has a sweet style to it.  Bringing out a little sweetness in the malts of the Porter – impressive since this Porter has a hearty style.  When I sip the Porter then puff the cigar a little coffee style transfers to the cigar from the Porter.  I’m liking this.  Don’t judge a book by its cover. 

Time to light up the Camacho Triple Maduro and I have to say I don’t want to let the Villiger go.  The Triple is ready for its time with this tasty Portage Porter from New Belgium Brewing.  Off the light the rich compost soil is up front.  About an eighth of an inch in a mild spicy note appears.  A sip of the ale and there is a solid two point conversion is scored.  This cigar brings out the robust style of the Porter. The burnt woody notes of the Porter come out to play and a nice medium roast coffee note is in the mix here.  The body of the cigar is building to its full-medium style and this is working with the strengths of the Porter. 

This is going to be one tough call to make here.  We have contrasting cigars here and both are working well with the Porter. 

The Talanga takes possession.  Oh, that’s nice.  The sweet style is still there and a lightly roasted grain and mild coffee note come off the bench to play some ball.  A sip of the Porter – and we have a ball game here folks.  The sweet cedar and buttery bread mixed with the bench players and this cigar is showing it has some depth to mix with the robust notes of the porter.  The cigar still seems to mellow this Porters hearty woody notes.  The cigar plays up the 65% like dark chocolate note and the medium coffee of the Porter.  This is one very nice match up. 

The Camacho Triple says sit down little boy I’m here to play too.  The full bodied notes are hitting here in the mid part of the cigar.  Meaty compost soil a little pink peppercorn in the mix a toasted oak kicks in and we have a game.  The meaty notes of the cigar intermingle with the Porters hearty flair.  You want a full bodied experience this is it.  A little sweet Maduro kicks in now and then to add a little character to this tasting. 

Six seconds to go and a one point difference – Camacho is on the lead.  Villiger in bounds the ball.  Takes it to net and scores a two point layup to win the game.  What an upset!  Damn I don’t have another Villiger cigar – I’ll have to go and buy some now.  Stay tuned. 

The Villiger Talanga moves on to take on the Man O War Ruination No. 1 in the final four. 

The other game will be Camacho Maduro vs Latitude Zero.  

March Matching Latitude Zero Robusto vs Signature Collection Toro

First Round Game 3: March Matching 2015

(click here to view the 2015 Set-up)

Let’s take a look at the stats for these two contenders that will be paired up with New Belgium’s Portage Porter.  (click here to see my full review on thisPorter)

Number 4 seed Latitude Zero Robusto: Size 5 x 52; 2011 Habano Ecuador Wrapper; 2010 Nicaraguan fillers; flavor profile: toasted grains, oak up front, single twist of the black pepper mill, good touch of earth.  Medium-full body

Number 5 Signature Collection Robusto: Size 5.7 x 50; Ecuadorain Sun Grown Wrapper; Nicaraguan long-fillers; flavor profile: nice woody style that reminds me of a spicy cedar, touch of oak and a hint of alder wood; a couple of dashes of white pepper, dry fall leafs and a mild almond nutty note.  Medium body

Here is a quick profile of the New Belgium Portage Porter: (click here to see my full review) This almost black bodied Porter has a nice cola edge.  It has a nice hearty, roasted profile that reminds me of a medium bodied coffee, 65% dark chocolate and some nice burnt woody notes.

This should be a great game here.  There was not much balance in the Latitude Zero Experimental and Man O War game.  Here in this game we have balance; like steak and grilled asparagus.  Both cigars are not on the radar and both have a pretty nice flavor profile.  Not only have I enjoyed these sticks but, I like each one for what they bring to the table. 

Tip of time.  The ball is up and the Signature Collection get the first possession.  Off the light burnt fall leafs hit the palate.  There is a burnt slightly charred note on the first few puffs and then it settles down to a good three point cedar note.  Then it converts with a hint of oak and then the musty white pepper says let’s play ball.

Time to tip that Portage Porter by New Belgium Brewing.  Those toasty roasty notes of the Porter come to play as well but … there is a little miss direction here.  The two are not intermingling.  There are the flavors of the cigar and then sip the ale and there are the flavors of the Porter but, they are not playing together.  This is not always a bad thing here but, I was not expecting this.  Let me explain; you can have an ale overpower a cigar, or vice versa, and 90% of the time it’s not a good thing.  But, here one is not overpowering the other nor is it intermingling but, each retains its own flavor profile with each exchange.  Looking a little confused on the court here.

Light up the Zero.  Nice toasted grains off the light. And I am ready for a sip of that Porter.  Big time dunky dew.  The toasted grains mix right in with the Porters robust style.  A few puffs in and a nice oaky presence appears.  Think of starting a campfire with some small twigs and that note comes to play with a dose of dry mineral soil – I smell it and I swear I can taste it.  Another sip of ale and oh baby, baby, this is it.  This Porter seems to bring out some other flavors in this baby.  Oh baby.  One more ‘Oh baby’ and it might sound like sex is going on here. 

The Signature regains possession.  Nice tasting cigar.  Nice tasting ale.  They are not clicking.  It is like being on a bad date when everybody said, ‘you two will be perfect for each other.’  It’s just not happening.  This is just a sad scene with ‘Oh baby baby; baby baby’ happening in the back seat of the car while you are sitting in the front with the ice princes. 

The Latitude Zero is just draining three pointer here in this game.  Zero has a 30 point lead with 15 minutes to go in the game and looking to make it 50 by the end of this game. 

Latitude Zero moves on to the final four to be paired with the Camacho Maduro Old Label.  

March Matching: Man O War Ruination vs Latitude Zero Experimental Robusto

First Round Game 2: March Matching 2015

(click here to view the 2015 Set-up)

We have a strong Number 3 seed going against well, let me just say a struggling Number 6.  LZE could have; should have been the number 8 seed in this tourney.  But, all they have to say is look at how that Morrow Castle just unraveled in its game against the number one seed Camacho Maduro Old Label.  All I have to say is at least the Morro cigar has flavor.   

Let’s take a look at the stats for these two contenders that will be paired up with New Belgium’s Portage Porter.  (click here to see my full review on thisPorter)

Number 3 seed Man O War Ruination Robusto No. 1; Size: 5.5 x 54; Ecuador ligero wrapper; Cuban-seed Nicaraguan and Honduran long-leaf ligeros fillers; Flavor Profile: Toasted oak; portabella mushroom, forest floor earthy tones; roasted grains and nuts.

Number 6 Latitude Zero Experimental Robusto – wrapper Cameroon, Ecuadorian Sungrown 5 x 50; Nicaraguan Criollo 98 binder and long fillers; Light oak, cedar, sweet spice.

I have enjoyed both of these sticks but, I have to say I do not think the Experimental has a chance in this game.  It is only okay at best and at times you just want to fall asleep during its game. 

The Ruination No. 1 is really good and I think this stick will give the other big dogs in this tourney a run for their money. 

Let’s lightem’ up!  Tip off time.

MOWR wins the tip off and takes control.  I just don’t think this will work in LZEs favor at all.  That cigar wanted to be lit up first to try and make its point with what little flavor it does have.  The bold style of the Man O War Ruination can just shut the door right away.

MOWR off the light has a nice fine grind green peppery spice and builds over the next few puffs to a coarse grind black and green peppercorn.  

Time to open that Porter. Here is a quick profile of New Belgium Portage Porter: (click here to see my full review) This almost black bodied Porter has a nice cola edge.  It has a nice hearty, roasted profile that reminds me of a medium bodied coffee, 65% dark chocolate and some nice burnt woody notes.

The Porter mixes nicely with the pepper style here in the first inch of the MOWR.  After that first inch the cigar starts to mellow with the pepper style and a sweet forest floor tone develops. A clear touch of oak appears.  The toasted oak intermingles with to hearty roasted notes of the Porter.  This cigar is showing that it can be the best to maximize your experience with the Portage Porter. 

Latitude Zero Experimentals time to show its stuff.  Sure must be Experimental it seems to have a flat side. They must have had the grade schoolers in for rolling day at the factory.  Off the light there is a sweet green spice blend up front.  After that a moist rainy day fall leaf note hits the palate.  A light dry oak wood note come into play.  Rather mild on its opening possession. A sip of the Porter and a puff of the cigar and … miss … rebound … miss … rebound … the Porter is a bit too bold for this stick.  The medium roast coffee and the burnt woody notes of the Porter overpower this mild cigar. 

Man O War takes over.  The robust style of this cigar unites with the robust style of the Porter for one super nice experience.  The toasted oak, roasted grains, portabella mushroom earth flair and roasted walnut meat with a hint of black walnut just look forward to every sip of the Porter and its burnt woody profile.  The coffee and 65% dark chocolate like notes of the Porter just mix right in with the wonderful flavors of this cigar.  This would be a great after dinner treat.   

Let’s puff the cigar first and then sip the Porter.  There is no game here.  The mild body and mild flavors just don’t even have an impact when sipping the ale.  This cigar needs to be paired up with a lager or pilsner maybe a Hefeweizen would be a good pairing for this stick.

These two cigars make my point about maximizing your experience and why I started this blog. 

This game was over just after tip off.  Okay, 15 minutes into this you knew the LZE just did not have the game to be in this show.  So, the Man O War Ruination No. 1 is the clear winner here.  The Man O War will be going against the winner of the 2-7 battle: Camacho Triple Maduro and the Villiger Robusto. 

I am going to sit back and enjoy this Man O War and Porter and watch the real basketball going on and I only have one loss in the March Madness so far and it is Friday at 3:00.  

March Matching Morro Castle vs Camacho Maduro

First Round Game 1: March Matching 2015

Here we are ready to start the tournament to find out which cigar from this field of eight is going to be the best match up with this New Belgium Portage Porter.  (click here to view the 2015 Set-up)

Here is a quick profile of Portage Porter: (click here to see my full review) This almost black bodied Porter has a nice cola edge.  It has a nice hearty, roasted profile that reminds me of a medium bodied coffee, 65% dark chocolate and some nice burnt woody notes. 

It’s tip off time.  Morro Castle takes control.  The Morro Castle Robusto has an Ecuador Sumatra wrapper and Nicaraguan and Honduran fillers.  Sizes up at 4.7 x 52.  Taste profile: medium-mild body with a moderate touch of oak followed by an earthy forest soil and white mushroom style and then a light medium coffee note comes into the mix.  Morro Castle scores on its first possession with a nice robust start off the light and it mixes well with the Portage Porter. Even as the cigar mellows off the start it is matching up well with this Porter.  I think this Porter brings out a bolder coffee note in the cigar – Nice!

Time to light up the Camacho Maduro (old label).  This Maduro comes in at 5 x 52 (my measurement). It’s a beefy 52 ring gauge – might be 54.  Taste profile: a solid earthy style with rich dark soil leading the way; sweet grains follow with a nice touch of black tea in the mix.  It has a good medium body that should satisfy any cigar smoker.  Oh this is really nice with the Portage Porter.  Big time hoopty te dew here.  A puff of the cigar and a sip of the ale – Score!  A sip of the ale and a puff of the cigar – slam dunk.  The cigar kind of mellows out that burnt style of the Porter when I puff on the cigar after sipping the Porter.  I really like this combination. 

The inch or inch and a half ash falls off the Morro Castle Cigar and it is ready to do battle in the matching.  This cigar is making its case that it should have been a number 6 seed in this tournament.  It is smooth and tasty with this Porter.  Oh NO, a big time foal on Morro.  A crack in the butt of the cigar develops.  Are we allowed to say, ‘crack in the butt?’  Well, I just did.  Back to the Camacho Cigar.  And, yes it convert on the turn over.  Oh the black tea note and rich soil tones, of the Camacho Cigar, score big time when matched up with the tasty roasted notes of this Porter.

Morro Castle has no quit in its game.  Its medium-mild body seems to be nice and smooth with when combined with the Portage Porter.  Morro is making this a closing game against the number one seed Camacho Maduro. 

The Camacho Cigar comes back fighting mad.  Oh this is one nice pairing.  The medium body of the cigar matches up nicely with the robust and hearty notes of the Porter. 

More cracks in the game of the Morro Castles.  It is trying to hold with its smooth style but the fouls are starting to mount. 

Yes, the Camacho Maduro Cigar is the winner of this first game of the tournament.  Morro Castle was really nice with this Porter.  If you can still buy this cigar it is worth the try.  The amount of fouls cost Morro this contest.  

New Belgium Portage Porter

The March Matching Beverage for 2015

Portage Porter

New Belgium Brewing

Fort Collins, Colorado, USA

Newbelgium.com

6% abv

$9.99 a six pack

Appearance: black body with a nice one finger tan head leaving some spotty lacing on the glass

Aroma: medium-light roasted coffee; light charred wood;

Flavors: medium roast coffee; toasted cocoa bean; I’ll stay with that charred wood; 65% like dark chocolate bitterness on the back; toasted and slightly burnt notes linger on the palate

Mouthfeel: medium-full body; very light fizzy feel from the carbonation; burnt and roasted notes on the palate; medium / medium-full bitterness mix with those roasted notes;

To the Point: this is a very good Porter; I really like the roasted and slightly burnt notes – they make for a nice hearty beverage; perfect for those cool nights of spring or cold winter nights that are finally gone – thank God!  I have enjoyed a couple of six packs of this Porter over the last few months.  I think this Porter will make a great beverage to use in my March Matching Tournament.  This is where I pair up a variety of different cigars with a beverage to see which one is the best match.  

See the March Matching Set up for 2015

March Matching 2015 - The Set-up

I have the Elite Eight Cigars ready to be matched up with New Belgium Portage Porter.  The brackets are all set and each bracket will be smoked with this Portage Porter.  Yes, I’ll be smoking two cigars at a time while enjoying this tasty Porter. 

click here to see my review

Let me introduce the cigars:

Number 1 seed Camacho Maduro (old label) Robusto

Number 8 Morro Castle Robusto

Number 2 seed Camacho Triple Maduro (old label) Robusto

Number 7 Villiger Robusto

Number 3 seed Man O War Ruination

Number 6 Latitude Zero Experimental Robusto

Number 4 seed Latitude Zero Robusto

Number 5 Signature Collection Robusto

Right away there is controversy over the seeding.  Morro Castle is complaining how they got the eighth seed while the real dog of the field Latitude Zero Experimental got the number 6 spot.  Hey, it is just how I picked them – get over it!

Also, look into past March Matchings here on Cigar Postings.

2014 March Matching – is a classic just because Dicky V called the whole tournament like it was a horse race.  Is it time for that guy to retire or what.

2014 March Matching – Various Cigars paired up with various beverages

2013 March Matching – Witch’s Hat Sir Edward’s Double Brown paired up with various cigars

2011 March Matching -  Cup a Joe (Shorts) paired up with various Maduro cigars

2010 March Matching – Petrus Triple Ale paired up with Gurkha Empire Cigars