March Matching 2013 The Final Game

We have The Edge Maduro Toro going against the Padilla Limitado 2006.  The beer that I have selected for the March Matching 2013 is the Witch’s Hat Sir Edward’s Double Brown Ale.  This is going to be a great game.  Both these cigars show characteristics that will match up with the Ales taste profile.  From what I experienced in Game 1 and Game 2 from these two cigars and the Sir Edward’s Ale I am going to love this experience. 

My only concern is with The Edge.  The Edge and the Ale became a little too rich in taste in the final third of the cigar.  The first two thirds of the smoking experience were just wonderful and hard to beat. 

The Padilla Limitado 06 was just smooth and delightful from start to finish. 

To read about (click on link below)

The Set-up – March Matching 2013

Play in Game Pinar del Rio’s Oscuro vs Habano

Game 1 Padilla Limitado 2002 vs Kinkycristo by KinkyFriedman

Game 2 The Edge by Rocky Patel vs Pinar del Rio Habano

March Matching 2010

March Matching 2011

No 2012

Today’s Match-up

Padilla Limitado Edicion Especial 2006 Stats:

Size: 6 x 54

smooth rich soil, medium roast coffee, and baker’s chocolate

I am going to give this match up a 1:9 odds on favorite

The Edge Maduro Toro by Rocky Patel Stats:

Size: 6 x 52

Dark roasted French Roast coffee notes mingles with some dried brown spice and toasted pumpernickel.  The mouthfeel is very pleasing and smooth for a medium-full bodied smoke.

I am going to make the betting odds 2:1 with The Edge and Sir Edward’s match up

The Ale

Sir Edward’s Double Brown by Witch’s Hat Stats:

South Lyon, Michigan, USA

Witchshatbrewing.com

The taste profile follows the nose with toasted grains, rich coffee with a light shot of cream, dry sea grass swirls around the mid palate, and 85% dark chocolate like bitterness on the finish and more so on the aftertaste.  The mouthfeel has a moderate-syrupy feel with roasted notes lingering on the palate and a dry finish.

The Padilla won the coin flip to meet the lighter and be paired up with this tasty Double Brown Ale. 

No problems off the light and boy this cigar just hitting the spot.  This stick has been sitting in my humidor for about four years and the sad part is I will only have one more left after doing this March Matching.  The dark rich soil note of the cigar adds some nice depth and structure to the Double Brown Ale.  The medium-full coffee style of the cigar is playing well with the medium roast coffee tone of Sir Edward’s Double Brown Ale.  The dry baker’s chocolate like style of the cigar mingles nicely with the ales dark chocolate like note.  This pairing is smooth, rich, and delicious. 

Time to light up The Edge: a perfect light of the cigar and a nice 1-1/2 finger pour of the Sir Edward’s Double Brown Ale.  The Edge shows a tasty display of dark roasted coffee notes right off the get go.  Some dried fall leafs; light dry green and/or brown spice; and the pumpernickel bread like quality starts to all mingle together on the cigars flavor profile.  A few sips of the ale and we have a game going on here.  The cigar really brings out that coffee with a shot of cream in the ale.  There is a sheet of lacing clinging to the glass and long syrupy legs gently glide down the side of the glass.  The rich flavors and mouthfeel – of both the cigar and the ale are just heightened in this pairing. 

Half Time Report:

What a battle.  The Padilla Limitado comes out hitting on all cylinders.  The experience was rich and delicious.  It looked like no other cigar could come close in maximizing ones experience then, The Edge hit the hardwood floor with its rich and bold pairing with the Sir Edward’s Double Brown Ale.  We have a tie here at the half in the March Matching Final Game. 

Second Half

The Edge takes the first possession.  The mild coffee note of the cigar shows up to play with the ales rich coffee and shot of cream.  The toasted fall leafs and light spice of the cigar brings out the roasted grains of the ale.  The experience is rich and full of flavors.  This is a must pairing. 

The Padilla Limitado Edicion Especial 2006 Cigar comes out swinging.  The cigar is still maintaining its smooth style and during the pairing the cigar has a creamy feel to it.  This is a smooth, rich, and elegant pairing.  This cigar always the Sir Edward’s Ale to display all its tasty notes; the dark chocolate, dry sea grass, roasted grains and that wonderful coffee like flavor. 

This is one special March Matching – The Ale – The Cigars – The Experience – this is the place to be.  Let’s take a commercial break.  The Padilla leads by two points with 5 minutes to go.  In basketball terms that will be a half hour. 

For those of you who live in Michigan - Witch’s Hat Brewing is located in the town of South Lyon on 22235 Pontiac Trail.  They are in a strip mall located near Busch’s grocery store and Taco Bell.  The have a mug club and the mugs are hand blown glass made by the Dearborn Glass Academy and each mug is unique.  If I lived near the place I would be a member for sure. 

Back to the Game

What a classic game for the ages.  These two fine cigars found their perfect beverage pairing with this Sir Edward’s Double Brown Ale. 

This Ale is named after the owner’s dog Edward.  Right now if you buy the Sir Edward’s they are donating 10% of their sales to the Huron Valley Humane Society.

Each time I smoke one of these cigars with the ale I think it’s the winner.  This is nip and tuck right up to the end.  The one thing that I do find interesting is that the 8.9% abv is not really a factor except that I am starting to feel it myself with only 10 or so ounces left in the 32 oz growler. 

The Padilla pairing is still so smooth and rich with each sip of the ale.  The Edge by Rocky Patel pairing is rich and bold and is not becoming too powerful like it did in Game 1. 

At the end of regulation we have a tie and we are going into overtime.  This is a first for the March Matching Games.  Hoop tee dew baby this is one great March Matching. 

With only two inches to smoke in each cigar let’s see which one comes out the winner.    

The Padilla comes out with a three point lead with its smooth and elegant style still hanging on.

The Edge’s bold style is now getting in the way.  The cigar picks up a slight bitter note that brings out the dry sea grass bite in the ale. 

In overtime we have the Padilla Limitado Edicion Especial 2006 Cigar coming out on top with its smooth and elegant pairing with the Sir Edward’s Double Brown Ale.

It was one of those games you don’t won’t to see a loser for there really is not one – expect for if you don’t ever experience either one of these with this tasty ale.  

March Matching 2013 Game 2

Pinar del Rio Habano and Rocky Patel The Edge Maduro go head to head while

I enjoy a 32 oz growler of Sir Edward’s Double Brown Ale from Witch’s Hat Brewery.

sorry the best pic I could get

To read about (click on link below)

The Set-up

Play in Game

Game 1

Let’s introduce the Ale and the Cigars:

The Ale

Sir Edward’s Double Brown Ale

Witch’s Hat

South Lyon, Michigan, USA

8.9% abv

Witchshatbrewing.com

The Double Brown Ale has a rich malty nose with touch of coffee and lightly roasted grains.  The taste profile follows the nose with toasted grains, rich coffee with a light shot of cream, dry sea grass swirls around the mid palate, and 85% dark chocolate like bitterness on the finish and more so on the aftertaste.  The mouthfeel has a syrupy feel with roasted notes lingering on the palate and a dry finish.

The pictures have been taken, the pre-game stats have been written, and a few sips of the Double Brown Ale have my palate ready to light these cigars up.

The Cigars:

The Habano

Pinar del Rio Toro Habano

Habano Sun Grown

Liga Cubana No. 5

Wrapper: Dominican Republic Habano Sun Grown

Binder: Criollo ’98 from Dom.

Fillers: Nicaraguan and Dom. Rep.

Size: 6 x 50

This cigar starts off with a nice Habano spicy flavor.  The spice reminds me of green peppercorn.  There is a good earthy tone with a touch of woody notes that help to give it some body.  I’ll give it a 6/6.5 on my strength scale. 

By the mid-point the peppery spice has settled.  The dusty earthy tone remains with a mild-medium coffee note and a sweet woody character – I am thing Alder wood.  I think I’ll give it a 5/5.5 on my strength scale here at the mid-point.

The cigar is pretty much like the mid-point as it smokes through the final third.  It is a little more robust in body. 

This cigar won the play in game beating its brother the Pinar del Rio Oscuro cigar.  It was the contrast in flavors that made this an interesting pairing.  The Edge is going to be similar to the Pinar Oscuro in that the cigar will complement the ales flavors.  Let’s see how they rumble here today on the hardwood.  

The Edge

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

Here is what I had to say about ‘The Edge’ back on May of 2011.

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 Habano cigar has won the coin flip

The Battle

The Habano cigar opens up with some spicy notes and woody tones.  A few sips of the ale and that nice contrasting experience is still pleasing.  The cigar brings out the dry sea grass and moderate dark chocolate bitterness in the ale.

The Maduro cigar starts off with some dark bread and mild earthy coffee like qualities.  After getting the burn established I take a few sips of the Ale; ooooh, this is nice.  The dark roasted coffee like flavor of the Cigar starts to kick in and mingles oooh so well with the coffee with a light shot of cream like flavor of the Ale.  The moderate syrupy texture of the Ale seems to be more noticeable during this pairing compared to the Habano and Ale pairing. 

The Habano cigar comes back with some of that nice Alder wood like flavor and a touch of earthy mild-medium coffee like notes.  The things that I am not picking up during this exchange are the toasted grains and the moderate syrupy like mouthfeel of the Ale.  Otherwise, I really like this pairing.  I do like how the peppery notes of the cigar bring out the hoppy notes of the Ale. 

The Maduro cigar plays oh so nice with the Ale.  The coffee flavors mingle well; the gentle brown spice and pumpernickel like bready notes comingle with the Ales hops.  The bitter notes are more of an undertone during this pairing.  The Ales toasted grains, coffee, and dark chocolate like qualities are very pleasing with The Edge Cigar.  The moderate syrupy feel that the Ale should have is in play during this pairing.  I really like this mouthfeel during the exchange of these two. 

This has been a classic battle on the old hardwood floor.  The Pinar del Rio Habano played a great game with its contrasting style to the Sir Edward’s Double Brown Ales flavors.  But, the winner is Rocky Patel’s ‘The Edge’.  The Edge just plays so well with the Ales flavors and mouthfeel.  The toasted grains and dark chocolate like flavors of Sir Edward are spot on; the mouthfeel of the Ale is spot on.  I would smoke either one of these cigars with this ale and be satisfied.  But, The Edge by Rocky Patel just maximizes my experience.  It was the French Roast like coffee note of The Edge, the toasted grains, the mouthfeel, and the rich comingling notes of both that just hit the spot.  On this day The Edge wins by just five points.  

This should be a classic match-up with The Edge going against the Padilla Limitado.  Click hereto see the match-up 

March Matching 2013 Game 1

Final Four – Game One

We have the Padilla Limitado 2006 going against the Kinkycristo by Kinky Friedman.  This is the Belicoso match up. 

Cigar #1Stats

Padilla Limitado Edicion Especial 2006

Wrapper: Nicaraguan

Binder: Honduran

Fillers: Nicaraguan and Honduran

Size: 6 x 54

Cigar #2 Stats

Kinky Friedman Kinkycristo

Wrapper: Honduras Habano

Binder: Costa Rican

Fillers: Honduran and Nicaraguan

Size: 6.2 x 54

Interestingly enough I have never reviewed the Padilla Limitado.  These cigars have been rolling around my humidor for years.  I think I even bought these before I started blogging three years ago.  I just can’t believe I have never written a review.  The next thing about this cigar I don’t think you can find it on the market anymore.  The 2006 Limitado is truly limited. 

These two cigars should be a tough battle because they should be so similar in their taste profile.  I am expecting an earthy profile with notes of coffee, wood, hints of chocolate, and a slight peppery spice.  

Odds: Padilla 1:1; Kinkycristo 2:1 with this Ale.

Beer Stats

sorry, the best pic I could get

Sir Edward’s Double Brown by Witch’s Hat

South Lyon, Michigan, USA

Witchshatbrewing.com

The Double Brown Ale has a rich malty nose with touch of coffee and lightly roasted grains.  The taste profile follows the nose with toasted grains, rich coffee with a light shot of cream, dry sea grass swirls around the mid palate, and 85% dark chocolate like bitterness on the finish and more so on the aftertaste.  The mouthfeel has a syrupy feel with roasted notes lingering on the palate and a dry finish.

The Padilla won the coin flip and will meet the lighter and Ale first.

Off the Light: rich dark soil, coffee and a touch of baker's chocolate.  I introduce the Ale after a few puffs and this is one nice exchange.  The dark soil of the cigar plays well with the toasted grains and grassy hops of the ale.  The coffee styles of these two mingle well.  The coffee note of the cigar seems to be a little fuller than the ales medium roast coffee style with a touch of cream.  The ‘nice exchange’ has a smooth creamy feel between these two.

The Kinkycristo is up:

Off the Light: forest floor notes swirl around the palate with notes of crisp fall leafs, composting soil, and light wood.  After a few puff I have a sip of the Sir Edward Ale and the forest floor notes of the cigar make a good interchange with the ales coffee, toasted grains and sea grass like flavors.  The ‘good interchange’ feel seems to be semi-smooth … maybe a little 0000 steel wool like.  The cigar seems to have a slight bitter note during the exchange. 

After the first quarter – I am liking the Padilla match up over the Kinkycristo.  It’s that smooth texture and the interplay of the coffee notes.

2^nd quarter:

The Kinkycristo shows signs of soil, light wood and a sweet spicy note starts to swirl around on the palate.  The sweet spice reminds me of pink peppercorn which has a sweet peppery note.  I think it is this sweet spicy note that is giving this exchange that semi-smooth texture.  I think I am not picking up that nice coffee note from the ale during this pairing. 

The Padilla still has that smooth rich soil, medium roast coffee, and the baker's chocolate still in the mix.  It might be the age of this cigar (around four years in my humidor).  This cigar brings out that coffee with a shot of cream in the ale.  The syrupy texture of the ale is play extremely well with the smooth style of the cigar.  The roasted notes of the ale are mixing well with the cigars toasted notes.  I thought this stick had a peppery style but, I did not experience it during this pairing. 

I have to make a call right now … the Padilla Limitado is the winner.  This is a slam dunk.  I thought they would be much closer in this battle.  It was not so much the flavors but the mouthfeel that won this encounter.  The flavors were a little better with the Padilla versus the Kinkycristo.  It was the mouthfeel that maximized the experience. 

So, it is the Padilla Limitado Edicion Especial 2006 that will be going against the winner of the next round – the Pinar del Rio Habano versus The Edge by Rocky Patel. 

Click here to read:

March Matching the Set-up

March Matching the Play in Game

March Matching Game 2

March Matching Final Game

Liga Privada #9 Belicoso and Witch’s Hat The Tuscan Coffee Stout: Pairing

The Stout

Witch’s Hat The Tuscan Coffee Stout

Witch’s Hat Brewing

South Lyon, Michigan, USA

4.5% abv

64 oz Growler

$14.00

Witchshatbrewing.com

Brewed with coffee from the Tuscan Coffee House in downtown South Lyon Michigan using their Witch’s Hut Stout.

Appearance: black body and a super thin dark tan head pours from the growler.

Aroma: rich coffee and bakers chocolate; it reminds me of an 80% dark chocolate with coffee beans. 

Flavors: follow the nose; coffee bean with dark roasted grains, 55% dark chocolate like note (doesn’t have the bitter bite of a higher percentage dark chocolate)

Mouthfeel: very low carbonation, semi-creamy feel, medium-body stout, medium on the flavors, dry finish, light roasted notes linger on the palate

To the Point: reminds me of an Irish Dry Stout from start to finish – medium in body and flavors; if you like coffee, like me, you need to try this Stout by Witch’s Hat.  Very easy drink and a low alcohol percentage to boot make this a good session stout. 

The Cigar

Liga Privada #9 Belicoso

Wrapper: Nicaraguan Maduro

Binder: Nicaraguan

Fillers: Nicaraguan

Size: 6 x 52

$19.99 a stick

I have smoked a few of these #9’s and have enjoyed them.  This is a ‘great’ cigar.  I can’t believe that I have not reviewed one yet. 

Smoking Profile: dusty white pepper spice, toasted grains, baker’s chocolate, cedar wood, semi-smooth mouthfeel, lingering roasted notes on the palate.

The Pairing

This is a great pairing.  The toasted grains and baker’s like chocolate notes of the cigar mingle with the Stouts roasted grains, dark chocolate and tasty coffee flavors.  The white pepper and cedar woody notes circulate with the Stouts flavors and add some interest to the experience.  The medium style of this Stout works well with the bold style of the Cigar.  I think a stronger stout might be too much with this cigar.  

Alec Bradley Prensado Double T and Witch’s Hat Edward’s Brown Ale: Pairing

The Cigar

Alec Bradley Prensado Double T

Wrapper: Trojes, Honduras
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Trojes, Honduras, Nicaragua

Size: 6 x 62 Box Press Oval Shape

Flavor Profile: off the light I get a full dark soil tone, espresso like expression, and a little smoked hardwood on the finish.  This cigar has a full bodied start.  As the smoke continues there is a strong musty white pepper and a fine grind black pepper with a citrus bite.  The bold coffee note, dark soil, and hardwood tones continue.  My Strength Rating: 7.5 – medium-full overall; the just shire volume of smoke from this big ring gauge kicks it up a notch. 

The stick I smoked last month I don’t remember having any major burning issues but, here during the first third the cigar wants to canoe on the burn. 

The Ale

Witch’s Hat Edward’s Brown Ale

Witchshatbrewing.com

22235 Pontiac Trail

South Lyon, Michigan, USA

5% abv

5% of the sales on this beer goes to the Huron Valley Humane Society

Edward’s Brown ale is named after the owners English Springer Spaniel, Edward.

Appearance: dark brown body with some cola like edges; one finger tan head on the pour that dissipates to nothing; no lacing

Aroma: roasted coffee beans, lightly toasted grains

Flavors: medium roast coffee, nice toasted grains, hint of grassy hops

Mouthfeel: low carbonation, mild roasted notes, light body, watery edge, light roasted notes linger for a short aftertaste

My Strength Rating: 3.5 (mild-medium) – lacking aftertaste and mild notes keeps it short of medium

To the Point: nothing special but, it sure makes a very good session beer.  This will be good to pair up with a fine cigar. 

The Pairing

Not a bad pairing.  The ale does help to refresh the palate … some.  This cigar is just too full bodied for the mild-medium brown ale.  The bold earthy tones, spicy notes and strong coffee of the cigar are just dominating the milder notes of the brown ale.