Oliva Serie V Special V Figurado and Bell’s Expedition Stout: Pairing

The Stout

Bell’s Expedition Stout

Bottle Dated: 10/22/12

BellsBeer.com

Comstock, Michigan, USA

10.5% abv

$17.99 a six pack

The 2010 vintage was super powerful, yes super powerful not just powerful.  I just finished the last bottle of the 2010 here in March 2013 and it was just as fine as can be.  Let’s see how the 2012 vintage is doing. 

Appearance: a wonderful black body with a dark 2 finger tan head that leaves plenty of lacing on the glass.

Aroma: dark roasted notes of grains and coffee with some nice burnt sugar

Flavors: dark roasted grains, coffee, and dark chocolate like notes; toasted molasses, oily bitter hops,

Mouthfeel: fairly smooth for a Russian Imperial Stout, syrupy, a good alcohol feel on the finish with a 90% dark chocolate dry bitterness,

To the Point: the 2010 had a medicinal alcohol bite and I don’t taste that here with the 2012 vintage.  The alcohol does play a role in the taste and feel.

The Cigar

Oliva Serie V Special V Figurado

6 x 60 Perfecto

Nicaraguan Puro

This cigar has been aging for a year or so in my humidor and has mellowed a bit.  This cigar is similar to the Expedition in that it needs a little time to age to mellow. 

Flavor Profile: smooth toasty grains with a nice touch of earthy coffee with a slight nutty and hardwood note; the spice is settle and pleasing to the palate.

Mouthfeel: smooth, tasty, and sophisticated.

To the Point: damn I only have a couple left so; I need to buy a box.   

The Pairing

This is a terrific pairing.  I thought I was going to have a collision of the titans here with this pairing but, the cigar has mellowed to work well with this strong Stout.  The slight nutty and hardwood notes of the cigar add some nice character to the Stouts rich and dark toasted notes.  The mouthfeel is very dry so have water on the side.  

Rocky Patel The Edge Torpedo Maduro and Samuel Adams Boston Ale

Rocky Patel The Edge Torpedo Maduro

’for professional smokers only.’

Blend is a secrete

Probably Nicaraguan tobaccos

Size: 6 x 52

Samuel Adams Boston Ale

Brewmaster’s Collection

4.94% abv really .94 not .93 or .95

$8.99 a six pack

Boston Beer Company

Boston, Massachusetts, USA

Samueladams.com

See BeerPostings for full review

I just can’t believe I have not reviewed this cigar yet.  I have a dozen or more of these torpedos in the humidor along with the toro and missile sizes.  With over 800 sticks in that box I guess something’s can get overlooked.

The Cigar and Ale Pairing

Off the Light: Rich soil and coffee with a smooth creamy feel.  As the cigar continues the smoke leaves the mouth while gliding over the tongue with a sweet creamy feel.  The mouthfeel is medium.  I’ll rate it a 5 here. 

The delicate hoppy spice of the ale is a good contrast to the cigars smooth soil and coffee profile here at the start.

Moving into the late part of the first third of the cigar the spice profile picks up a bit.  It is a nice peppercorn mix.  The dark roast coffee profile seems to have picked up as well.  It reminds me of a thick and heavy French Roast blend.  I’ll rate the cigar a 5.5 on my strength scale at this point. 

The Boston Ale with its toasted malts and sweet caramel is a good complement to this medium-full bodied cigar.  The cigars smoke has a thick and weighty feel on the palate and this ale refreshes the palate. 

Mid-Point of the Cigar: This is why I really enjoy this stick: the coffee flavor is full bodied; the rich soil earthy tones are pleasing; the spice level is medium at best; and there is that sweet maduro note as an undertone.  The cigar is a good medium-full at the mid-point.  I’ll rate it a 6 on my strength scale.

The Boston Ale is mingling well with this cigar.  The delicate hoppy spice, toasted malts and sweet caramel notes of the ale is a nice treat with the coffee and earthy profile of this cigar. 

Down the Stretch for the Cigar: the spice level is picking up.  A coarse black peppercorn like feel, the coffee like note is full, and the earthy tones are thick. They bill this cigar as ‘full tilt’ and ‘for professionals only’ – this is the section of the cigar they are referring to.  When smoking this cigar by itself it can become pretty strong.  Good thing I have a good malted beverage.  I’ll have to rate it an 8 or 8.5 on my strength scale. 

The Ale is needed at this point.  The smoke is thick on the tongue and the dark roast coffee aftertaste lingers with a touch of spice dancing on the palate.  The sweet malts and caramel notes, of the ale, are a nice necessity at this point in the game.  The ale refreshes the palate for another puff of this bold down the stretch run.  The delicate spice of the ale is hard to notice at this point with the bold spice of the cigar overpowering it. 

Padron 4000 Maduro and Ass Kisser Double IPA: Pairing

The Ale

Ass Kisser Double IPA

9% abv stated on the bottle

9.2% stated on the web site

1pt 6oz bottle

$10.99 a bottle

Rahr and Sons Brewery

Fort Worth, Texas, USA

Asskisserales.com

Made with Warrior Hops

Appearance: dirty orange with orange highlights, ½ finger head with an aggressive pour, some lacing on the glass.  Once I get the sediment into the glass it becomes very cloudy.

Aroma: sweet malts, some light citrus notes

Flavors: white grapefruit bitterness, undertone of sweet caramel malts, slight peppery finish.  As the ale warms there seems to be a pineapple note swirling around a golden raisin like note (not dominate) and an earthiness that mixes with a touch of spice and pine. 

Mouthfeel: low carbonation, citrus and pine tingle on the tongue, oily feel, wool like texture. 

My Strength Rating: 7.5 – good citrus with a touch of pine and a good lingering aftertaste.  Let’s give it a B+. 

To the Point: a pretty good Double, not super strong on the bitterness which I was expecting. 

I recommend a cigar with the main profile of earthy notes to be paired with an IPA and if you can get a cigar with an earthy profile with a floral note that is even better.  Now, the Padron has a good coffee profile so, let’s see how this pairs up with this Ass Kisser.

The Cigar and Pairing

Padron 4000 Maduro

Nicaraguan Puro

Size: 6.5 x 54

Off the Light: medium roast coffee notes right off the bat.  After a half an inch some spice comes into play with some dry earthy tones. 

The pairing is pretty good so far.  I was afraid that the coffee notes of the cigar may increase the bitter interplay between the two.  During this first third of the cigar the ales flavors are very tasty.  The caramel note, on the ale, is good on the nose and is still present on the taste.  The citrus notes are tasty and are under control during this pairing.

Mid-Point: the medium dark roast earthy coffee profile is going well.  I am not picking up any sweet maduro notes.  At times the spice is present and then on the next few puffs nothing. 

I am enjoying this pairing.  It has a full mouthfeel on the palate.  The cigar is pleasing to smoke with this IPA and the Ale is tasty at the same time. 

Down the Stretch: This cigar is consistent.  Earthy medium roast coffee continues to be the main profile.  The cigar burns perfectly and never becomes bitter.  It is not very complex but, that is a good thing some times. 

My Strength Rating: 6 during this pairing.  I think this ale kicks up the rating a whole point. 

The pairing is going well down the stretch.  The citrusy, piney, earthy hops, of the ale, with its touch of caramel and spice seems to work well with this coffee and earthy cigar.  I recommend this pairing. 

Blend Lab CI XJ–4554 and Urthel Hop It: Pairing

The Ale

Urthel Hop It

Superior Hoppy Blond Ale

Dutch with a Flemish Touch

9.5% abv

1pt 9.4oz bottle

Bottled conditioned

Hildegard van Ostaden

Ruiselede, Flanders, Belgium

Brewed for Leyerth

Produced in the Netherlands

Okay, I am confused Belgium or Netherlands?

Brewed in the Netherlands for that place there in Belgium.  Got it!  Why? 

Urthel.com

I rolled the bottle before opening to mix up the sediment.  Get that flavor up into that beer.

Appearance: flat golden-yellow with plenty of plankton floating around (remember I rolled the bottle).  Little white foamy head that leaves no lacing on the glass.

Aroma: very faint, maybe a whiff or hops.  Finally, half way through the first glass a whiff of cotton candy.  Maybe as the ale warms the aroma will get better.  

Flavors: kind of strange when it first hits my palate, the flavors are all kind of muddled in some kind of 5^th dimension and then my brain tries to categories the flavors. Time for a nap!  Yes, sitting back and enjoying a beverage is completely different that review the beverage.  The brain is on overload when I do a review.  Actually, reviewing takes a lot of energy and mental preparation.  Yet, I digress; (move on with the flavors) some sweet tasty malts with a lightly toasted almond note along with the typical Belgian yeast.  Let’s see how it is when it warms up and pairs with a cigar.

Down to the bottom third of the bottle and the sediment in the glass is heavy.  It sure does look like a heavy dose of plankton here.  Put a fish in this glass and they could feed all day.  While the malts are non-descript they are sweet and the yeast is full.  The hops seem to be fresh mowed grass, with a touch of lemon grass or is it orange meat? There is a nice mild earthy quality and almond nut likeness that is very pleasing to my palate. While I have to say it seems weird for reviewing; it has an overall taste experience that I like.  This ale is better when it is warmer compared to when I first opened it and it was chilled from the fridge.  Good beer is always better when it gets warm. 

The last glass poured from this big bottle is very cloudy and has a dirty orange color to the body.  The plankton (yeast sediment) is very dense. 

Mouthfeel: smooth and semi-creamy, yes, a hoppy ale semi-creamy, this is not an American IPA,  the bitterness level seems low for a Hoppy ale, but it is from Belgium no the Netherlands.  Whatever.  While Belgian ales usually produce a good head the carbonation level on the mouthfeel seems low as it does on this ale. 

The Cigar

Blend Lab CI XJ–4554

Wrapper:  Costa Rican Habano

Binder: Habano Nicaraguan

Fillers: Honduran ligero, Nica Seco and Viso, Costa Rician ligero

$5.00 a stick

cigarsinternational.com

Off the Light: wow, have you ever had one puff and it being the first off the light and you say to yourself, “self, this is one good cigar,” actually it was a terrific puff.  All the flavors on the first, okay two, puffs; sweet creamy soda and touch of oak.  I sure hope it is not all downhill from here.   

As the smoke continues there a coffee with cream note, a medium roast coffee,  there seems to a little sweet note floating around here, as I think about it I’ll call it a sweet pecan note,  interesting here now for a moment I get the idea of cedar and then a few puffs later oak.  I think I am getting cedar on the delivery and oak on the aftertaste.   

the wrap job is like a work of art

Mid-Point: right now I am thinking about a specific wine to drink with this cigar called the Predator and this would also go with milk-stout beers. 

As the cigar enters the second third, there is a wonderful earthy quality that reminds me of sweet mineral soil, there is a touch of dry herbal tea, and now I am enjoying that oaky note. 

The mouthfeel is semi-creamy and smooth in texture.  

Damn, I was enjoying this so much I forgot the final third. 

Blend Lab CI XL-6560 and Founders KBS: Pairing

The Stout

Founders KBS – Kentucky Breakfast Stout

The Amazing Kosmicki’s Highly Acclaimed KBS

A Stout Ale Aged in Oak Bourbon Barrels

11.2% abv

12oz founders stubby bottle

70 IBU’s

$? No price on the bottle

On this rainy afternoon I thought I would take some time to do something different, how about a stout and a cigar review.  After all I have been doing a lot of ales, lagers and pilsners. 

Appearance: black lovely body with a firm one finger tan head that takes its time going down and then with each sip from her tulip shaped lips she leaves some nice lacing behind enough lacing to get a grown man in trouble with his wife. 

Aroma:  nice toasted malt sent and freshly ground coffee nose.  Every now and then while drinking I pick up an oaky note.

Flavors: oh, the flavors.  This is beer heaven.  All the notes are rich so, let’s get that out of the way.  Wonderful and bold dark roasted coffee, 90 to 95% dark chocolate goodness (and I love dark chocolate), vanilla bean and toasted grains with a nice touch of oak.  When I am sipping this ale I do not directly taste bourbon but, I get the feel of it – warmth (see mouthfeel).  I personally don’t like the direct bourbon interpretations. 

Mouthfeel: thick, a touch syrupy, creamy, silky smooth in texture, warm on the palate and I think my body temperature went up a degree or two, low (none) carbonation which adds to the very good creamy style. 

My Strength Rating: 9 – anything that brings your body temperature up a few degrees is on the full side.  Solid complexities, long lingering aftertaste. 

The Cigar

Blend Lab CI XL-6560

Wrapper: Connecticut  Ecuador

Binder: Habano Honduras Viso

Fillers: Ligero Esteli, Viso Jalapa, Seco Jamastran

Size: 6.5 x 60 The cigar itself weighs in at one poundJ

I love this size for a cigar. 

$8.00 a stick

This cigar is too good looking to smoke.

Off the Light: heavy smoke with each puff, dry dusty soil, and anticipation.  As the smoke continues I can notice the cedar starting to build, the dry dusty soil is still in the mix, by the time I am well into the first third the cedar profile has taken over and it is a firm cedar like quality.  The spice is not black pepper but, it kind of reminds me of ginger. 

Mid-Point: solid light gray ash, no flaking, even burn.  The dominate note is firm cedar, the dry dusty soil seems to have evolved into a bright mild-medium roast coffee note.  There is a long linger cedar spice like tingling on the tongue.  The more I think about the aftertaste I could go for a ginger and white pepper spice quality.  But, the cedar sure is present.  The texture is smooth overall. 

As the cigar passes the mid-point the white pepper seems to be more noticeable in the flavor. 

Down the Stretch: there is a slight bittering of the aftertaste probably from the heavy dose of cedar.  Cedar still seems to be the main profile.  The spice is white pepper on the taste and aftertaste.  The earthy tones seem to be a good mix of forest floor. 

The best way to describe ‘forest floor’ is: think of being in the woods and you grab a hand full of earth, what do you have … some rich soil, twigs (woody notes), leaves (tobacco), stone (mineral quality).  So yes, forest floor can be slightly different from product to product.  It could be more focused on woody and leaves and less on soil and mineral – or the other way around – or even some other combination.   

My Strength Rating: 4.5 – the firm cedar brings it up in value. 

The Pairing

The exchange between these two is interesting.  If I have a few sips of this tasty ale and then puff the cigar – the first puff or two seems to be void of flavor.

When I puff the cigar and then go to the ale it is a different tune.   The ales bitter notes are brought to the forefront for a moment and the vanilla bean for some reason is recognizable. 

The ales rich coffee and dark chocolate style is pure delight and is a very good complement to the cigars cedar, mild coffee, and white pepper profile. 

The way to maximize your enjoyment with these two is to pause for a moment between the exchanges.  The flavors get a moment settle within the mouth and then they seem to mingle better when the other is introduced.  For example: when I take a few puffs of the cigar, then pause and take a sip of the ale the cedar quality mingles better with the ale.  And I really like it the other way. When I take a sip or two of the ale and that rich coffee and chocolate melds into the palate and then I take a puff of the cigar – it brings out a bit of the coffee note in the cigar smoke. 

These two do work well together.  The ale is a sipping ale so you need lots of time (11% alcohol remember) and this is a big stogie so, you do have lots of time (2 hours +) if you are going to smoke it and enjoy the experience. 

Reposado Habano ‘96 and Mikkeller Beer Geek Breakfast Stout: Pairing

The Cigar

Reposado Habano ‘96

Wrapper: Habano

Fillers: Nicaragua

Size: 7.1 x 58 figurado

I bought this stick a month or so ago and just getting a chance to try it.  I thought I bought the maduro figurado so, I selected an oatmeal stout to pair with it.  After lighting the cigar and a few puffs later I had a strange tasting maduro.  So, I looked at my order and I bought the Habano wrapped cigar.  I don’t know how this will go with my stout – but, I’ll find out in a few minutes.

Off the Light: Easy to light and it is a fine looking stick.  Medium-full pepper strength and a dusty earth profile.  After the first couple of inches the peppery notes start to subside and a nice Habano spiciness is in firm control. 

Mid-Point: a good dry earthy tone dominates, leathery in texture, and that firm spiciness continues to tingles the tongue. 

Down the Stretch: the Habano spiciness has left me, earthy tones of soil and woody notes are the main stay. 

My Strength Rating: 7 – That peppery start plays a big role. 

The Stout

Mikkeller Beer Geek Breakfast

Oatmeal Stout Brewed with Coffee

7.5% abv

1pt 9oz bottle

$10.00 a bottle

Mikkeller

Nogne O Grimstad, Norway

Appearance: black with a tan head that leaves plenty of lacing on the glass.

Aroma: rich roasted malts and coffee

Flavors: nice roasted coffee flavor but then the other flavors are muted or muddled together.  Roasted malts and toasted grains is the best I can come up with.  There is a bitter finish like black walnuts and a dash of saltiness. 

Mouthfeel: heavy in weight, low in carbonation like a stout, bitter on the finish and a thick lingering nasty sour-bitter taste is left on the palate. 

My Strength Rating: 8.5 – it’s that linger aftertaste that raises my strength rating. 

To the Point: skip this one.  Unless you like a very bitter tasting stout. 

The Pairing

This is God Damn awful.  That bitter note and that strange lingering aftertaste just collide with the cigars spice profile.  The beer cost 10 bucks and the cigar 3 bucks and I am pitching the beer.  Not saying much for that beer.

Reposado Connecticut ‘96 and St. Feuillien Triple Abbey Ale: Pairing

The Cigar

Reposado Connecticut  ‘96

Wrapper: Connecticut

Fillers: Nicaragua

Size: 7.1 x 58 figurado

If you are looking for a mild cigar to smoke this is it.  It sports flavors of toasted white bread, lightly roasted almond, and a white mushroom earthy tone.  On the final third of the cigar there is a moderate oaky note that is introduced with a little firmer earthiness, and toasted grains. 

This is a good cigar to pair with Belgium ales, IPA’s, or even light to medium bodied red wines that are fruit forward.

The Ale

St. Feuillien Triple Abbey Ale

8.5% abv

1pt 9.4oz

$10.00 a bottle

St. Feuillien Brewery

Le Roeulx, Belgium

St-feuillien.com

Appearance: hazy golden color body and a two finger foamy white head. 

Aroma: Tropical fruit meets sweet passion fruit.  The bouquet is very nice as the ale warms up.

Flavors: sweet candy coated fruits, a touch of mango with a smidge of apricot. Then, throw in a tad of pear and okay a squeeze of green grape and a little golden raisin.  There seems to be a dash of hula skirt grass from the hops! 

Mouthfeel: yeasty up front with a bit of bittness (light) on the finish.  Creamy in delivery and a semi-dry fruity aftertaste. 

My Strength Rating: 6 – the complexities of flavors and lingering aftertaste. 

To the Point:  tasty candied fruits and creamy texture with a semi-dry finish to make a pretty good Triple Abbey. 

 

The Pairing

Tonight I am pairing this with St. Feuillien Triple Abbey Ale.  This cigar does not interfere at all with the wonderful passion fruits of this tasty Triple Abbey Ale. 

I am enjoying this pairing and it is reminding me that I need more milder bodied cigars in my humidor so I can pair them with some of the tasty beverage that I mentioned. 

Rocky Patel ‘The Edge’ Toro Maduro and Atwater VooDooVator: Cigar and Beer Pairing

The Cigar

Rocky Patel ‘The Edge’ Toro Maduro

Wrapper: Maduro

Binder: Nicaraguan

Fillers: ? Secrete

According to Rockypatel.com -

Size: 6 x 52

My Strength Rating: 6.5

I can’t believe I have never reviewed this stick.  A few years back every time I went in to the cigar store I would pick up 4 sticks just to store away in my humidor.  Well, I have a good collection of these babies.  So, it is time for a review. 

I have always liked this cigar for its size, price, and flavor.  The flavor is fairly consistent all the way thru the smoking experience.  Dark roasted French Roast coffee notes mingled with some dried brown spice and toasted pumpernickel.  The mouthfeel is very pleasing and smooth for a medium-full bodied smoke. 

This cigar should pair well with most stouts, porters and dopplebocks.

The Beer

Atwater VooDooVator

9.5% abv

12 oz bottle

$11.00 a four pack

30 IBU

Atwater Block Brewery

Detroit, Michigan, USA

Atwaterbeer.com

A solid black body with plenty of foam. 

Solid hop bitterness, nice caramel taste, a touch of plain milk chocolate, roasted malts, and a medium peppery spice.

The Pairing

This is a very good pairing.  The medium peppery spice and hops of the dopplebock mix well with the spices of the cigar.  The roasted malts, caramel, and the milk chocolate play well with the coffee profile of the cigar. 

I really enjoyed this pairing

Oliva Serie G Maduro and La Granja Espresso Stout: Review

The Stout

La Granja Espresso Stout

Stout Brewed with Coffee

7.5% abv

1pt 4.3oz bottle

$15.00 a bottle

Sale price $10.00

My Strength Rating: 6

Bottled by: Norrebro Bryghus

Copenhagen, Denmark

Near black body with a fine tan head on top of this stout.  Coffee for sure with a touch of dark chocolate on the nose.  The flavors follow the nose with a bit of roasted grains and a touch of malty sweetness to give some good balance.  Overall, simple and tasty.  This is a good after dinner stout to be paired with a nice slice of cheese cake or other dessert. 

The Cigar

Oliva Serie G Maduro

Wrapper: Maduro

Binder:

Filler: Habano seed Nicaraguan

Size: 7 x 50

My Strength Rating: 4

We can get right to the point with this cigar – it has a wheat bread toastiness with a mild-medium roast coffee profile.  The mouthfeel is semi-dry with a light aftertaste of dry coffee.  This maduro to me is a bit boring.  It is too one dimensional throughout the whole smoking experience. 

The Pairing

This should be a good pairing or extremely boring.  COFFEE is the key word here of course.  I am going with good because I love coffee.  This is not a complex pairing because both products are very simple.  This would make a great morning pairing with the only problem being ... I don’t drink beer in the morning.

Liberty Street Red Glare Amber Ale and CAO America Potomac Cigar: Review

The Cigar

CAO America Potomac

Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro and Connecticut Shade Leaf

The wrapper is pin striped with the maduro wrapper layered over the shade leaf.

Binder: Brazil

Fillers: 100% legero; Dominican, Nicaraguan, Italian, and American

Size: 5 x 56

My Strength Rating: 5

$8.00 in Michigan

Off the light: medium earthy notes of portabella mushroom and hardwood.  

During the first half I liked the walnut like nut taste and the mushroom earthiness.  Beyond that there is not much to offer.  The overall mouthfeel is smooth yet dry.  I always feel uninspired by this line-up. 

Half-way: an oaky hardwood note started to build to add some character.  The flavors are becoming a little more robust with roasted grains and that oak coming through.   A little inspiration here. 

On the finish: The robust style, while still present, did not continue to build.  The earthy notes returned to sooth the oaky taste that built in the mid-section. 

Of course I could not smoke one of these Americas without a wrapper problem.  Upon removing the band the glue took a chunk of the wrapper off.  Then as the burn got closer to this point the binder popped. 

But, I do know that the CAO America’s are good with a nice IPA.  But, today I’m pairing it with an amber ale from a local brewery. 

The Ale

Liberty Street Red Glare Amber Ale

5.2% abv

Growler – take home

IBU: under 25

libertystreetbeer.com

My Strength Rating: 4

The ale pours a dark burnt amber color with a thin beige head. The nose is grainy with a bit of caramel malt.

This ale is similar to the cigar in that it is pretty straight forward and simple. (I like this ale better than the cigar) I like the sweet touch of caramel followed by slightly toasted grains and a hint of grassy hoppiness.  The overall mouthfeel maybe a bit thin but, it is tasty and very easy to drink.   It leaves a soft and pleasing aftertaste on the palate.  This ale should have a good range for food and cigar. 

The Pairing

This is a decent pairing.  As the robust style started to build in the cigar the ale with its fine carbonation helped to keep the palate clean.  The sweet caramel mixed well with the oak and the toasted notes of the cigar.  The earthy notes of the cigar also mingled well with the slight grassy hoppy character of the ale.   The refreshing style of this ale made this an enjoyable pairing.