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.  

Ramon Bueso Genesis Torpedo and Spiny Norman IPA: Pairing

The Cigar

Ramon Bueso Genesis the Project Torpedo

Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro (Triple Fermented)

Binder: Jamastran

Fillers: Nicaraguan and Honduran; ligeros, visos, and secos

Size: 6 x 52

Flavor Profile: strong dark roasted coffee, roasted grains, firm earthy tone, fuller in body than the big Muy Bueso stick, I’ll give it a 6.5 on my strength scale – medium-full; robust yet smooth;

The Ale

Spiny Norman IPA

Fear the Hedgehog

Right Brain Brewery

Traverse City, Michigan, USA

Rightbrainbrewery.com

6.2% abv

$7.99 a bottle

1pt 6oz bottle

Simcoe hops

Appearance: light amber with golden highlights; one and a half finger bone white head; the second half of the bottle I got the sediment off the bottom of the bottle and the color is not as shiny – it is a deeper amber color with no golden highlights; the head seems to be a little sticker leaving some lacing on the glass

Aroma: you can smell the floral hops when you open this bottle and it is just as nice in the glass

Flavors: floral on the delivery; prickly pine on the mid and finish; white grapefruit like bitterness swirls all around; grainy slightly earthy malts underneath; saltine cracker with a dash of fine grind black pepper

Mouthfeel: sharp prickly pine; scratchy wool texture; light moderate carbonation; moderate bitterness; lingering pine and grapefruit like bitterness on the palate

To the Point: a pleasing IPA; nice aroma and flavors; easy drinking IPA

The Pairing

This is a very good pairing.  The flavor profile of the cigar is just perfect for an IPA.  There are no bold spicy notes in the cigar which would bring up the level of bitterness while drinking an already bitter IPA.

The coffee, grains, and earthy tones of the cigar mingles gracefully with the floral, pine, and white grapefruit note of the ale.  

Ramon Bueso Odyssey Muy Bueso and Cuvee des Trolls Cuvee Speciale: Review

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. 

To the Point: a tasty cigar; fairly simple and pleasing smoke; at the right price a must buy; the cigar that I smoked today burned perfectly and never needed any corrections; 

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

br-dubuisson.com

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. 

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 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.  

Signature Collection Cigar and Bordeaux Barrel Aged Scotch Silly Ale

The Ale

Bordeaux Barrel Aged Scotch Silly Ale

Brasserie De Silly

Silly, Belgium

Globalbeer.com

Scotch Silly Ale aged in Bordeaux Barrel.

9% abv

750ml bottle

$13.00 from Ashley’s of Westland, Michigan

I could not find any information on the Global Beer website.

I was pretty excited about the Port Barrel Ale and I have to admit that I was a little disappointed.  I don’t know what to expect now with this one.  If you ever visit my wine blog you know I love my wines so, once again my expectation is high but, I am ready for the letdown.  So, I am skeptical going into this now.   

Appearance: murky brown body with a one finger tan head that leaves no lacing on the glass; the barrel aging added some darkness to the body

Aroma: some black fruit like black currant, mulberry, black raspberry; firm malty note; not as sweet as the Port Aged Scotch Silly.

Flavors: one sip, two sip; not bad; third sip – I am liking this one; oh yes, the Bordeaux Barrel aging is coming thru; the black fruit of the Bordeaux is blending well with the Ale; the nose and the flavor are working together like a fine wine should; black currant and black plum mingle so well with the ales toasted caramel malts; hint of toffee; light coffee; slight hint of oak

Mouthfeel: dry feel like a fine Bordeaux; low carbonation; medium-full body; very nice ale notes mix so well with the wine barrel notes; moderate bitterness really controls the sweetness of the Scotch Silly Ale. 

To the Point: I really like how the Bordeaux Barrel Aging stood out and added a lot of character to this ale.  The nose was very pleasing and match the flavors.  If you like good red wines and you like a good ale this should do the trick.  I will plan to buy more of this ale.

The Cigar

Signature Collection Vintage 2004 Sun Grown

Wrapper: 8 year old Ecuadorian Sun Grown

Fillers: Nicaraguan  

Robusto 5.7 x 50

Yes, it looks like a Toro

Flavor Profile of the Cigar: this cigar has a very nice woody style; firm cedar spice, oak and alder wood come to mind; a nice dose of musty white pepper mixes in with some dry fall leafs and a mild nutty note that can remind you of almonds;

The Pairing: these two pair well with one another; the woody profile of the cigar mingles with the ales barrel aging; the black currant and black plum, of the ale, seem to standout during this pairing; the toasted caramel malts from the ale fit in just perfectly with the toasted fall leafs of the cigar; the oak barrel note of the ale was just a hint and I really had to be thinking about it when I had the ale by itself but, here with the cigar the oak note of the ale is getting a little more attention – so the cigar helps to bring out the oak wood in the ale;

With cigar and beer pairings sometimes if you drink the ale first and then puff the cigar has a different effect than when you puff the cigar and then the ale.  Sometimes there is a big difference and other times it just does not matter.  Well, here there is a slight difference if you take the time to notice.  When I drink the ale first and then puff the cigar - the black fruit note seems to have a black cherry note during this experience.  When I puff the cigar first and then sip the ale the focus is on the woody profile. 

The longer I sit here and enjoy this experience the more I LOVE it.  It brings three of my favorites together: Cigars, Wine and Ale.  

Camacho 10th Anniversary Gordo: Review

100% Corojo tobaccos from the Jamastran Valley in Honduras

You can find this cigar on Cigars International for around $75 a box on their Make Me an Offer.  This is the now ‘old band’ and they might not be making this cigar any longer.

I have always liked this cigar but, here in Michigan it always cost around 13 to 15 bucks a stick.  With Cigars International doing a clearance on this cigar – I bought two boxes of this cigar and a couple of the other sizes. 

Profile: To me this cigar has a very nice mineral earthy tone with toasted grains and walnut flavors.  It seems to be smooth overall for a big 6 x 60 size stick. 

To the Point: if you have had this cigar before and like it – get on Cigars International and buy a box or two while you can.  I am going to buy another box. 

I enjoyed this cigar with a glass of Cappuccino Stout from Lagunitas.  See the Stout review on my beer blog.  This cigar seemed to cut the sweetness of the stout a bit.  The Stout is tasty but, a little too sweet to me.  

La Perla Habana Classic Robusto: Review

Wrapper: Indonesian

Binder: Ecuador

Fillers: Honduran, Nicaragua, and Dominican

Size: 5 x 52

Flavor/Mouthfeel Profile: light soil earthy tone, mineral stone, light salt, alder wood, very smooth, very pleasing, 3.5 on my strength scale: mild-medium overall. 

To the Point: I would not call it complex, semi-complex maybe, pleasing to smoke, I like this stick, I would buy it again because it is inexpensive 

Read the other La Perla Habana reviews: (links will be available when posted)

La Perla Cobre

Black Pearl Rojo

Black Pearl Original

Black Pearl Morado

La Aurora Puro Vintage 2003 and Meantime India Pale Ale: Pairing

The Ale

Meantime India Pale Ale

Meantime Brewing Co.

Greenwich, London, England

7.5 abv

1pt 9.4oz bottle

$9.99

Meantimebrewing.com

Fuggles and Goldings hops

Appearance: deep amber with a thin off-white head that fades quickly and leaves very little lacing

Aroma: light nose overall, touch of citrus, mostly grassy hops

Flavors: a bit of grassy hops, mild citrus meat, mineral water, light rye bread, pale malt

Mouthfeel:  mild-medium body, light grassy aftertaste, almost creamy texture, low carbonation, light dryness on the palate

My Strength Rating: 4.5/4

To the Point: a very good interpretation of a nineteenth century IPA.  I have to admit that I do like to enjoy an English IPA now and then. 

The Cigar 

La Aurora Puro Vintage 2003

Wrapper: Ecuador

Binder: Dominican

Fillers: Dominican

Size: 7.2 x 52 Salamone

I picked it up for 10 bucks a stick

The cigar wrapper looks like it should cloak a fine leather sofa.  Damn it is pretty. 

Off the Light: dry soil earthy tone and lightly toasted grains. As the smoke continues a dry cedary note develops and then a musty white pepper spice note appears. 

Mid-Point: Similar to the first third; dry soil, toasted grains, dry cedar, and a dash of white pepper spice.  The texture is dry and leather like. 

Down the Stretch: this smoke does not change a whole lot during this experience.  The flavors where pretty much the same thing.

My Strength Rating: 4/4.5 – mild-medium in style overall

To the Point: the flavors come together for a fine smoking experience.  I picked these up for 10 bucks a stick and I think I might buy some more.  This might be a good stick to pair with a fine Scotch.  I have a couple left so look for that pairing. 

The Pairing

This was the correct IPA to pair with this cigar.  I think if I paired an American style IPA with this stick it would be a bitter experience due to the mouthfeel of this cigar.   

La Aurora 107 Toro: Review



How will this stick measure up



Serie 107 Aniverario

This medium-full bodied cigar was crafted in honor of their 107 Anniversary.

Wrapper: Ecuadorian Sun-grown

Fillers: Nicaragua and Dominican Republic

Size: 5.5 x 54

Here on this College Football morning I am going to smoke this La Aurora cigar with a good cup of coffee from Higher Grounds Trading Company in Traverse City Michigan.

Off the Light: nice sweet tobacco and light dusty earth.  As the smoke continues it settles to a good earthy tone of moss, mushroom, and light soil.  There is a slight sweet tobacco finish that hits the back of the palate. The body weight is medium at best here at the start. 

To me there is nothing like a great cup of coffee and a fine cigar.  The profiles of these two (in general) products really match up well. 

Mid-Point: the earthy tones seem to be the main profile.  As the burn enters the mid-point a light cedary quality starts to swirl around the palate.  The cedar adds a little ping or twang to the mouthfeel.  Overall, the texture comes across as smooth and medium body. A pleasing medium body smoke for this morning. 

People ask me, ‘What do like best with your cigar, a glass of wine or a beer?’  I have to say, a cup of coffee then, a bottle (Glass?) of wine and then the beer.  A cup of coffee and a cigar does not take a lot of planning to match up.  Think of the tasting notes for each: earthy tones, coffee, maybe some chocolate notes, sometimes nutty or spice might be on the scene.  Don’t forget about the acidic nature.  Also, the mouthfeel and texture seem to be comparable as well. 

Down the Stretch: the feel of the cigar and the cup of coffee seem to be leaving a dusty earthy coating on the tongue.  The flavor of the cigar still carries that earthy style with a touch of woodiness and a medium roast coffee tone at this point in the ball game.  Thinking of ball game – football starts in a half an hour. 

My Strength Rating: 5 – a solid medium bodied smoke overall.  This cigar is billed as medium-full but, I don’t find that to be true to my palate. 

To the Point: a worthy smoke, nothing special, nothing that complex, just a nice cigar to have in the morning or before a meal.  I think I am going to pair this cigar with a Nut Brown Ale or a Gamay or Baco Noir Wine. 

AVO Heritage Robusto: Review

AVO Heritage Series

Wrapper: Ecuadorian Sun-grown

Filler: Dominican

Size: 4.9 x 50

$8.50 a stick here in Michigan

Purchased at Trader Tom’s now Smoky’s of Northville

I am enjoying this cigar with a chalice of Piraat Ale.

Pre-light: light barnyard and the wrapper is a bit peppery on the

Off the Light: firm soil earthy tone mixed with pinch of spice. That spice is clearly reminds me of black pepper (coarse grind) as the smoke continues past the initial light. I think this cigar should go well with a great steak because of that black pepper and there is a little salt here in the mix as well.   

The Piraat ale defiantly helps to balance this full bodied smoke.

Around that .9 point of the cigar the black pepper and salt start to settle down.  I don’t notice the salt at all.  The dark rich soil starts to build and mixes with a fine grind black pepper like character.  The texture during this first third is wool like. Let me call it an 8/8.5 on my strength scale because of the peppery style.  

Mid-Point: the dark rich soil continues with a good dash of fine grind black pepper, a bit of wood, toasted marble bread (rye and pumpernickel) and the texture starts to smooth out from the opening wool like quality.  Let me call it leathery on the mouthfeel.  I am going with a 7/7.5 for the mid-section.

Down the Stretch: roasted forest floor notes of rich soil, wood, and leafs; musty white pepper takes over from the dash of black pepper.  While the delivery is semi-smooth the body is full.  Lingering earthy tones cover the palate.   This was one fine smoking experience right down to the nub. 

Pinar del Rio Clasico Gordo: Review

Clasico Exclusivo

Wrapper: Connecticut Shade from Ecuador

Fillers: Nicaraguan and Dominican

Size: 4.5 x 60

I bought this sampler pack of this small Gordo size when CI had them on special (15 for 30 bucks).  I have never had this lineup before so it sounded like a good deal.  A week after getting them I sampled each type of wrapper; the Connecticut Shade, Habano Sun Grown, and the Oscuro.  I have to admit that I liked each one that I tried.  Now, it is review time. 

This size is not in the regular offerings, I’ll have to measure, but I think it is a 4.5 x 60 stick. 

Off the light: good oak quality and dry leafs.  As the burn continues there is a dry roasted coffee note that is mild-medium.  There is ample smoke with each puff that seems smooth in its delivery.  The oak profile is front and center during this first half.  You could make the argument for a toasted almond and walnut blended note.  To me there seems to be a light rye bread quality. 

This cigar reminds me of one of my favorite oaky type cigars the Hoyo Excalibur #1. 

Second Half: The oak profile remains front and center.  The earthy note reminds me of dry leafs and grains. The mild-medium coffee is still swirling around.  The delivery is still smooth yet dry in texture.  I smoked this one down to the nub and the notes never became bitter or burnt. 

My Strength Rating: 5 – a firm medium bodied smoke.  The oaky quality really comes through. 

To the Point: if you like medium bodied smokes this is a must try.  The cigar is not complex but, is an enjoyable smoke.   

I would like to pair this with an oaked Chardonnay, try it with an IPA or a bold red wine.  I don’t think I have paired an IPA with an oaky style cigar before.  I recommend a cigar that is earthy in profile and if you can get a hint of floral in the mix even better.  I just wonder how the oak would mingle with a citrusy IPA.         

Look for the reviews on the other two

Graycliff Profesionale Series Robusto: Review

Blue Label

Wrapper: Indonesian

Binder: Indonesian

Fillers: Brazil, Nicaragua, and Honduras

Size: 5.2 x 50

$ around 16: I got it as a freebie with my purchase awhile back

Beverage: Bigbby Costa Rica Blend

Off the Light: Lightly buttered wheat bread toast, mild start.  As the smoke continued there was slight almond and peanut like quality. I’ll give it a 4 on my strength scale

Mid-Point: as the smoking experience entered into the mid-point the body started to build a little.  Toasted grains, light soil earthiness, and mild coffee.  Right when I was thinking about ‘no spice,’ then the next few puffs … spice.  Seemed like fennel.  Now, I can add cedar.  The cedar didn’t hit me till the middle of the cigar.  It started off with a sweet cedar and changed to a firm cedar.  The cigar is medium at best in the mid-section. I’ll give it a 5 on my strength scale.

The texture has been smooth through this point.  The aftertaste is like a dusting of a fine grind black pepper. 

Down the Stretch: the toasted grains and soil like earthy notes build slightly as the cigar enters the final third.  The firm cedar note is still present. 

As the final third continues the mouthfeel becomes more dry and leathery in texture.  The cedar note takes front seat on the finish.

My Strength Rating: 5 – mild start and builds to a 5.5 on the finish.

Punch Gran Puro Sesenta and Bear Republic XP Pale Ale: Pairing

The Cigar

Punch Gran Puro Sesenta

Honduran Puro

Wrapper from San Agustin Valley

With sungrown binder and filler tobaccos

Size: 6.2 x 60

$8.25 in Michigan

Off the Light: Nice dose of peppery spice and hardwood.  As the smoke continued the peppery spice settled and earth notes dominated. 

Mid-Point: nice soil earthy tones, classic tobacco quality smoking experience.  Damn, I just like a quality ‘old school’ style smoke once and a while.  I guess that is why I like this big boy. 

Down the Stretch: the earthy tones are still the main profile.  There seems to be a bit of spice coming onto the scene at the top of the stretch.  Like a dusty brown spice with a touch of musty white pepper.

As the cigar nears the finish line the earthy tones are hearty, there is a slight bitterness and there is a dusting of white pepper. 

My Strength Rating: 6

The Ale

Bear Republic XP Pale Ale

5.5% abv

1pt 6oz bottle

$5.50 a bottle

Bear Republic Brewing Co.

Healdsburg, California, USA

Bearrepublic.com

Appearance: a shiny golden copper tone with nice clarity and an off white foamy head that leaves plenty of lacing on the glass. 

Aroma: faint nose, yeasty yes, otherwise it is uneventful. 

Flavors: flavors seem light and hard to distinguish.  Notes of grains, grassy hops, slight bitterness, good earthy quality and the malts must be doing their job for the ale seems balanced.  A strange one to review.  Let me just enjoy. 

Okay, on that ‘just enjoy’ level, it’s a pleasing pale ale.  Nothing strong, nothing outstanding, to me nothing interesting from this ale.  I was expecting more since I really liked their Racer 5 IPA.  This one does not light my fire.  Well, in a matter of fact it does not even light the match to light the fire. 

Mouthfeel: low carbonation, strange lingering slightly bitter note that reminds me of a citrus rind. 

My Strength Rating: 6 – a pool of non-descript and muted flavors. 

To the Point: I could care less for this ale.  But, on Beer Advocate, 360 reviewers averaged out for a B+ on this ale.  What do you think? 

The Pairing

On the first third of the cigar I was so busy trying to figure this beer out it I did not really think about how they were matching up. 

The earthy quality of each matches well.  And then, the other rather non-descript flavors of the ale, thank god, did not really interfere with the cigar. 

This ale was not a good pairing with this cigar.  And, I can blame it on the ale for I know I like this cigar.  I’ll be doing another pairing with the Punch Sesenta.