Duvel Belgian Golden Ale and Vega Talanga Cigar

The Ale
Duvel Golden Ale
8.5% abv
1 pint 9.4 oz bottle
Brouwerij Duvel Moortgat
Belgium

On the bottle it says, “The pilsner malts, Bohemian hops, and unique yeast strain combine to create Duvel’s intensity, aroma and oomph.”

This ale pours a pale golden color with plenty of white foam for the head. The lacing on the glass just clings on for dear life.

The aroma is that of a fresh cut Fuji apple and spice – slightly peppery.

The texture is fresh and crisp from start to finish. The mixture of hops and malts make me think of pink peppercorn, slightly sweet with a delicate peppery note. With a hint of fruit, a touch of citrus, and some tasty yeast and malts, it all combines for a delicious golden ale. If you want to experience a well-balanced brew give Duvel Golden Ale a try.

I recommend this as a must buy.




The Cigar
Vega Talanga - blue label
This is one of those cigars you cannot find any longer. This was a very good value cigar. My only disappointment with this cigar is that I did not buy more when they were being closed out. Solid flavor for the bucks you spend. This cigar to me always had a toasted white bread quality along with pecan nut taste and a touch of sweet cedar flavor.

If you read the previous posting I had a difficult time pairing this ale up with a cigar. The ale has a very tasty pink peppercorn like quality with a touch of citrus but, when the cigar was oaky that brought out the bitterness in the ale. Then the cigar with the coffee profile just didn’t do this ale justice.

So, I was thinking that a cigar with an earthy profile that is not complex or a smooth and simple tasting cigar might just do the trick. I noticed the Vega Talanga cigar in my humidor and thought this would do the job – simple but tasty in profile. I could not think of any tasting notes in this cigar that would bring out the bitterness in this ale.

The Pairing

Home Run! This is a very fine pairing. The toasted white bread and pecan notes of the cigar mingle well with the malts and the slight taste of sweet cedar does a fine balancing act with the pink peppercorn and that touch of citrus from the ale.

I get to enjoy all the fine flavors of this delicious ale and the taste of the cigar stays true to what it is.

Vega Talanga Reserva En Tercio Corojo Series and Double T 2006 Red Wine

The Wine

Double T 2006
Trefethen Family Vineyards
Napa, California, USA
TREFETHEN.com

Here is what they have on the bottle: “…Cabernet Sauvignon gives depth and structure: Merlot adds a lively spiciness, Cabernet Franc floral fruit, Petit Verdot intense color, and Malbec a silky softness.”

This is my last bottle of this wine. I bought a six pack a couple of years ago and I have to say I have always enjoyed this wine. This wine should be paired with game, steak, filet mignon, lamb, and other hearty fare. This wine is also deserving of a bold cigar as an after dinner treat.

Appearance: Deep purple body with deep ruby edges.

Aroma: Big berry, light spice; it is just terrific with each sip.

Flavors: Big bold dark berry profile; the blackberry and black currant notes are thick; good spice and earthy notes to fill the palate; the earthy notes to me seem to include a portabella mushroom and forest floor like quality. The dry soil just adds to the texture of this bold red wine. An undertone of floral comes into play; it is just a hint of violet. The dryness of the mouthfeel along with all these wonderful flavors mingle together and make me think of a rich 87% dark chocolate.

Mouthfeel: The feel is full bodied. The berry profile makes it a little jammy; the earthy qualities coats the tongue. There is a long aftertaste of these two on palate.

Tonight I am going to give this wine an 8 on My Strength Rating Scale. Big bold flavors, jammy mouthfeel, dry texture, earthy notes coat the palate for a long aftertaste.

Tonight I was rummaging through my humidor and I came across some cigars that I have not had in a long time. I don’t even know if these cigars are still on the market. I always liked these cigars. And, not only was it a good value cigar, it was just plain and simple a good cigar. I wish I had purchased more of them.

The Cigar

The cigar is Vega Talanga Reserva En Tercio Corojo Series. This cigar band has the brown label. This toro is a 6 x 60 big boy. The earthy, nutty, dry spice, and light pepper notes are always pleasing. The nutty note reminds me of walnut. The earthy notes to me come across like mushroom and hardwood. The light pepper has a musty white pepper like quality.

This cigar always burns perfectly, holds a solid gray ash, and I cannot remember ever having a bad one. I also think this cigar has gotten better with age.

This cigar should pair up well with this wine.

By the way don’t go out of your way looking for this cigar – I don’t think they make it anymore.

The Pairing

This is one terrific pairing. I love bold wines and bold cigars and this is it! Just look at the word profile of each of these and you will see why this is such a good pairing.