San Lotano Oval Robusto and Angry Orchard Hard Cider Crisp Apple: Review

The Cider

Angry Orchard Hard Cider Crisp Apple

Angry Orchard Cider Company

Cincinnati, Ohio, USA

Naturally Gluten Free

12 oz bottle

5% abv

$8.69 a six pack

This year I said to myself, ‘Self, why don’t we do some ciders on the beer and cigar blog?’  Well, when I saw this on the shelf at a local grocery store I grabbed it up.

Now, I have not had many ‘hard ciders,’ I may have had one here and there.  Woodchuck is the lineup I have had a few from. 

Appearance: light golden amber that is just crystal clear as can be.

Aroma: fresh apple cider

Flavors: just like the aroma – fresh apple cider, the alcohol does not even play a role in this. 

Mouthfeel: crisp, clean, low to no carbonation, almost creamy feel, sweet apples linger on the palate

To the Point: I really needed this tonight – you see I didn’t want a beer nor did I want a wine and this really hit the spot for something different.  This would be tasty on a warm summer day.  I would buy a six pack again. 

The Cigar

San Lotano Oval Robusto

By: A.J. Fernandez

Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano 2000

Binder: Nicaragua

Fillers: Nicaragua, Honduras & a secret

Size: 5.5 x 54

The three sizes in the picture: Robusto 5.5x54; Gordo 6.5x60; Pyramid 6.5x54

Taste Profile: the Robusto size has a rich soil tone, some hardwood, white pepper like spice, light-medium coffee, and a dry texture on the finish. 

My Strength Rating: 6 – on the light side of medium-full

To the Point: a quality earthy smoke that will need a beverage to keep the palate refreshed.    

The Pairing

The Angry Orchard Crisp Apple was sure refreshing to have with this San Lotano Oval Cigar.  The dry mouthfeel of the cigar just begs for a refreshing beverage and the Hard Cider is doing the trick. 

There is nothing special between the exchanges of these two.  The notes don’t really mix together; the apple flavor does not transfer over to the cigar for example.  But, like I said the Hard Cider is truly refreshing to have with a cigar.  

San Lotano Oval Robusto and The Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old: Review

The Single Malt Scotch

Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Region: Scotland Highlands

The Balvenie Distillery

Banffshire Scotland

43% alc/vol

Thebalvenie.com

First aged in whisky oak casks and then a few months in sherry oak casks

Here is their description from the web site:

Nose: Sweet fruit and Oloroso sherry notes, layered with honey and vanilla.

Taste: Smooth and mellow with beautifully combined flavours – nutty sweetness, cinnamon spiciness and a delicately proportioned layer of sherry.

Finish: long and warming.

My review:

Appearance: honey amber

Nose: sweet malt, honey, vanilla

Flavors: the sherry plays a nice role mingled with honey, vanilla, touch of oak, brown spice (I can see the cinnamon), when I leave it on the palate and swirl it around I do get the cinnamon – it reminds me of a cinnamon toothpick,

Mouthfeel: oh yes, smooth and mellow all the way, creamy texture, cinnamon warmth of the finish that lingers for a while on the palate.

My Strength Rating: 4.5 – a nice medium mouthfeel.  I could see a mild-medium call on this DoubleWood. 

To the Point: a very tasty Single Malt Scotch.  

The Cigar

San Lotano Oval Robusto

By: A.J. Fernandez

Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano 2000

Binder: Nicaragua

Fillers: Nicaragua, Honduras & a secret

Size: 5.5 x 54

Taste Profile: the Robusto size has a rich soil tone, some hardwood, a dash of white pepper like spice, light-medium coffee, and a dry texture on the finish. 

My Strength Rating: 6 – on the light side of medium-full

To the Point: a quality earthy smoke that will need a beverage to keep the palate refreshed.    

The Pairing

I was wondering if the dash of white pepper spice from the cigar would collide with the cinnamon stick from the Scotch – well, it didn’t.  They did work together. 

The rich soil tone and light-medium coffee note of the San Lotano cigar complemented the honey, vanilla, and touch of oak of the Doublewood Balvenie. 

The Scotch was tasty enough to also refresh the palate while smoking this cigar.