The 2014 March Matching Results

In the set-up of this 2014 March Matching I predicted which beverage would pair well with the Casa Magna Cigar.  Here were the pre-game odds and what I said about the match up.

(2-1 odds) The cigar should pair exceptionally well with the Wee Heavy Barrel Aged Ale.

(3-1 odds) I imagine the flavors of the Malbec wine should be a perfect fit for this cigar.

(5-1 odds) The Boucanier Golden Ale should be a nice pairing but, the cigar might be a bit too strong and mask some of the ales delicate flavors.

(9-1 odds) I envision the cigar overpowering the medium-light body of the Kostritzer Schwarzbier.

(20-1 odds) I expect the cigar will collide with the IPA bitterness of the Double Bastard.

The only for sure bet I see is the IPA being paired up with a bold robust cigar is a sure loser but, the horse track won’t let me or you bet on who will lose – I wish they would – I would bet on that three legged horse every time! 

If this was the set-up at the horse track I would watch the show pool money (third place bets) and I would bet some big bucks on Biere du Boucanier Golden Ale to come in third place.  If there is some light wagering (little money) on it – go for it – it should give you the best return on your money. 

Here are the results:

Last place (5^th): I was right Double Bastard – an IPA and a peppery cigar never works

4^th place: Cigar Box Malbec Wine – the experience was just flat – no gitty up here

3^rd place: Boucanier Golden Ale – nice performance – pleasing experience – but the big boys came out to play today.

OH NO a photo finish:

I thought the Wulver nosed out the Kostritzer beer but the photo shows a clear tie at the wire.  Two different experiences – both super in their pairing – what will it be.

Damn, I’ll have to have a taste off between these two.  Damn I hate this.  I’ll have to drink two more beers and smoke two more cigars to see which one is the best.  If you have money on the Kostritzer beer stay tuned she is a 9-1 money maker for you if she wins. 

I poured the beverages and lit the cigar up.  I paired the Kostritzer first.  After the first couple inches of the cigar all I can say is this is one nice smooth and tasty pairing.  What I wrote before about this pairing is still the same.

Next, I start sipping the Wulver.  This is a much fuller bodied pairing.  All the flavors I wrote about on this pairing are in play here.  This is bold and tasty. 

The winner: 

Kostritzer Schwarzbier by a whisker. 

Find your favorite cigar and pair it up with a variety of beverages and let your taste buds explore the possibilities.

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.  

March Matching 2014 - The Set Up

I thought I was ready to quit my cigar reviews but I really want to do my March Matching.  I did a cigar review the other week to see if I was ready and I think I am ready for the game. 

In the past years I would review a variety of cigars with one ale to see which cigar paired well with the ale.  This year I am going with one cigar and I am going to pair it with a variety of ales and throw in a red wine. 

Here are the past March Matchings

March Matching 2010

March Matching 2011

March Matching 2013

Yes, I did not do a 2012

Here is the 2014 lineup 

The Cigar

Casa Magna Dominican Gran Toro

Wrapper: Corojo

Fillers: Cuban-seed Dominican

Size: 6 x 60

The Ales

Thirsty Dog Wulver Wee Heavy Ale Aged in Bourbon Barrels

Stone’s Double Bastard

Biere du Boucanier Golden Ale

Kostritzer Schwarzbier

I am going to throw in a Red Wine

Cigar Box Malbec Reserve 2012

I’ll make the links when they are posted

Here is my expectation for each beverage with the cigar along with the odds of being the best pairing.

The cigar should pair exceptionally well with the Wee HeavyBarrel Aged Ale. (2-1 odds)

I expect the cigar will collide with the IPA bitterness of the Double Bastard.  (20-1 odds)

The Boucanier Golden Ale should be a nice pairing but, the cigar might be a bit too strong and mask some of the ales delicate flavors. (5-1 odds)

I envision the cigar overpowering the medium-light body of the Kostritzer Schwarzbier - this should be boring.  (9-1 odds)

I imagine the flavors of the Malbec wine should be a perfect fit for this cigar. (3-1 odds)