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.