Virtuoso and Samuel Smith Tadcaster Yorkshire Stingo

The Ale

Samuel Smith Tadcaster Yorkshire Stingo

550ml bottle
In Michigan around $5.00 a bottle
8% abv
Samuel Smith Old Brewery
United Kingdom
This is an aged bottle: Brewed in 2008

This bottle conditioned ale is ‘aged in oak ale casks matured for over a year.’ I have never had this beer from Samuel Smith before and I really like oak aged beers.

This beer pours a murky, ruddy, copper color with a solid tan head. The aroma when I first opened the bottle was of sweet apples. It made me think of a cider mill at first. The nose is mainly malty. I had a little apprehension hoping it was not going to be too sweet.

The first sip brightened my eyes for the taste seemed wonderful. Of course there was the usual caramel sweetness but, it is the Granny Smith apple-tartness that starts to steal the show. There are plenty of dark fruit qualities that one can play the old guessing game of ‘what am I tasting?’ Then there is a good herbal bready profile that mixes well with all of the other wonderful flavors. Oh, don’t forget the nice little spice taste. This is one rich tasting and complex ale. The carbonation level is near perfect for this ale and it is on the back of my palate where I experience that slight oaky taste.

The Cigar

Carlos Torano Virtuoso Toro
Read previous posting
The Pairing

I think the Torano Exodus 1959 could be a quality fit here or the Casa Maduro with its sweetness would make an interesting pairing but, I went for the Torano Virtuoso. The solid coffee and peppery style I thought

would complement this tasty brew.

This is a solid pairing. That earthy coffee and pepper spiciness of the cigar helps to control some of the sweet caramel notes of the ale. And likewise, as the pepper profile of the cigar picks up the sweetness of the ale helps to settle the bite of the cigar. The apple tartness is still pleasing to the palate. All the other wonderful flavors of this ale seem to mingle well with this cigar during this session.

I am going to have to plan to have this pairing again – I am enjoying this during this cool autumn day.

Carlos Torano Virtuoso Toro

Wrapper: Nicaragua Sun Grown Pueblo Nuevo
Binder: Honduras
Filler: Nicaragua, Honduras, Panama
Size: 6 x 50
My Strength Rating: 5.5/6

On the sampler box it describes the tasting notes as, ‘roasted coffee, cocoa and a peppery spice.’ I find this to be a pretty good description of this cigar. The pepper to me is a mix of white and black pepper spiciness. The coffee profile is a medium-full roast likeness and there is a slight dark chocolate dryness that adds some character to the overall smoking experience.

Petrus Aged Pale Ale and Casa Torano Maduro Toro

The Ale


11.2 oz bottle
7.3% abv
Brewed by: Brouwerij Bavik
Belgium
My Strength Rating: 8.5

This delicious golden blonde ale is aged in oak barrels for over 20 months. This ale pours an attractive golden color and carries a nice white head that dissipates quickly.

The first thing I notice is the strong tart green apple taste that boarders the line on sour. This past weekend a friend brought some apples brushed with lemon juice to the party and this reminds a little of this ale. This ale has a bigger lemon juice profile and green apple bite though. I like the oak cask taste and the aroma that I get with each sip.

I have had this ale before and I already know that I like this one. This ale would be excellent after a big hearty meal like the one I had tonight.

Buy: yes – when your taste buds are ready for the acidic tart-sour bite of green apple and lemon.


Pairing this ale with a cigar could be interesting. With this big tart to sour profile along with a good oaky note just any cigar may not do the trick. I think I will have to do some deep research here and do multiple pairings – this will be a tough job but, I think I am ready.

This week I am pairing my beer with the Carlos Torano Cigars that come in a seven stick sampler pack. Out of the four cigars left I believe the 1916 Cameroon cigar would be an excellent choice. This medium bodied cigar has a good earthy and nutty profile that should mingle well with this ale but, I have had that cigar before and written about it as well. So, that is too easy of a pick – let me select the Casa Torano Maduro for its medium bodied strength and its sweet maduro taste. This ale could use a touch of sweetness to the beverage that it is paired with.

The Cigar

Casa Torano Maduro Toro - Read the previous posting


The Pairing

I just hope this does not ruin my flavorful ale. Here I go. Wow, this is not too bad. That tart-sour bite from the ale is really controlling that harsh profile of this cigar. The ale is making this a smokable cigar. The coffee note is not as burnt tasting and the earthiness is a little more pleasing while I pair these two together. I just wish there was a little more sweetness from the maduro cigar. The only thing that I am missing from the ale is that nice oaky flavor while I am smoking this cigar. I believe this ale deserves a better cigar than this Casa Torano Maduro. But, overall not bad. Good thing this ale could control this cigar.

Casa Torano Maduro Toro

The Cigar


Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Dominican, Nicaraguan
Size: 6 x 50
My Strength Rating: 6

I have had this cigar before but, it was so long ago that I do not remember much about it. Here is the description from the sampler box, “…medium bodied… full-flavor… undertones of dark molasses and brown sugar.”

Alright, they have been pretty good with their description of their cigars on this sampler pack but, they broke down on this one. Molasses and brown sugar?!? Really now. To me it is a burnt coffee and a 90% dark chocolate dry bitterness. There is also a scorched earth and burnt woody taste.

Now, I know why I don’t remember this one – I didn’t want to. I think the harshness that I am experiencing I would raise my strength rating up a little due to that fact. I would pass on this cigar and that is probably what I thought a few years ago as well.

Renaissance Cabernet Sauvignon 1999 and Casa Torano Cigar

The Wine

This cabernet comes from the Sierra Foothills in Oregon House, California. This 13.5% abv red wine is still fine eleven years later. There is a nice dark cherry nose. I like the blackberry bite that mixes with the plum, earth, black cherry, spice, and sweet cedar notes. This wine leaves a good thick earthy quality or jammy feel on the palate. This cab has some good body.

With each sip I can taste that moist plum flavor and then the dark fruits kick in to add some body structure to the flavor profile. The spice and woody notes play on the back of the palate for that nice Cabernet Sauvignon finish. I think I’ll give this wine a 7 on my strength scale. (medium-full)

This bottle use to sell for around $27 - $30 a bottle and I just picked up a few bottles at $15.00 each.

See earlier posting from today for cigar profile.
 
The Pairing

I have to admit that I wanted to pair this red wine with a fuller bodied cigar but, this seemed like the good opportunity to take a full-medium bodied wine and have something out of its strength rating (going to the milder side of course). I rated this cigar a 1.5 on my strength scale and I rated this wine a seven. So, I am moving 5.5 points over, this should be a good contrast.

The pairing is going very well. The cigar does not interfere at all with this Cabernet Sauvignon. I get to enjoy all the flavors of the wine as if I was not even smoking a cigar. And, I do not mean that as a bad thing either. I am enjoying the smoking experience without changing any of the qualities of this wine. I think this experience has convinced me to purchase a few more of these cigars – just for that reason.

Carlos Torano - Casa Torano Toro Cigar

Wrapper: Ecuador-Connecticut
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Honduras, Nicaragua, and A family blend of Central and South American tobaccos.
Size: 6 x 50
My Strength Rating: 1.5

On the sampler box it is described as 'light bodied and flavor.' This sure is light bodied. It is very mild. Not only is it very mild it is light in flavor. Almost void of flavor. No woody, nutty or earthy notes for me to describe. With each puff I tried to detect something and I will have to settle with describing it as a very mild classic tobacco taste.

This would be an excellent cigar for the newbie to cigar smoking. It is also an excellent choice to have with a wide range of beverages. There are no particular flavors from the cigar to interfere with the beverage of your choice. I’ll bet this would be an excellent choice with an IPA beer, strong spirits, and even a bold wine. It would also go well with lighter bodied beverages as well.

I remember when this cigar came out and made it to the store shelf. I did try a few but; due to its mild nature I discounted the cigar. I am glad I am trying this cigar again. I think I may keep a few on hand to match up with some quality beverages.

For a very mild cigar this is very good.

Gurkha Empire V and Sierra Nevada Summerfest

The Cigar

Wrapper: Ecudaor Connecticut
Filler:
Size: 5.5 x 52
My Strength Rating: 3.5

This cigar sports an attractive natural wrapper. The feel of the cigar is nice and firm. The smoke has a good cedar and fine white pepper quality. There is a smoothness to the texture that helps to maintain that mild to medium strength. It is a rather simple cigar. The mouthfeel and the overall strength rating does not change much at all during the smoking experience.

I selected this cigar to match with the Summerfest Lager because of its mild nature.

The Beer

5% abv
12 oz bottle
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
Chico, California, USA
My Strength Rating: 2.5

The description on the bottle covers it pretty well: “Summerfest is a Pilsner-style lager brewed for enjoyment on warm summer days – featuring a slight malt sweetness, delicate spice and floral hop flavor, and a crisp, refreshing finish.”

This crisp summer lager has a clear bright yellow appearance. The white head did not stay around long and left no lacing on the glass. The moderate carbonation helps with that crispness to the mouthfeel. Overall a pretty clean tasting lager that is pleasing to drink. This would be a good step above your average lager. It is worthy of a try.

The Pairing

These two were meant for each other. They both have a smooth texture to the mouthfeel that makes a refreshing pairing. That mild-medium cedar flavor with a touch of white pepper from the cigar mixes well with the slight spice and sweet malts of the lager. If you are looking for a mild or mild-medium pairing this would be a good choice.

Pink Peppercorn

Pink pepper is not related to black pepper. It is not even a peppercorn. Pink pepper is native to Brazil. The aroma is aromatic compared to black peppers pungent smell or white peppers musky smell. The taste of this berry is sweet and mild. When I tasted the pink peppercorn I remember being surprised with the sweet taste. This is good to grind over your filet mignon or pork tenderloins, according to gourmetsleuth.com. Now the guy at Spice Merchants told me it is not good to leave the pink peppercorns in a grinder (all pink being used) because they have more moisture in them compared to the black pepper family. So, they do not grind up as nice as real peppercorns. That is way we see them mixed in with the other peppercorns and not by themself.

Green Peppercorn

Green pepper is the one most of us probably know nothing about. We may have seen it in the clear pepper grinders mixed in with the other peppercorns. Green peppercorns are black peppercorns, just picked earlier off the plant. So, we could say they are under-ripe peppercorns. They are mild in their flavor and that is one reason to mix them in the grinder with the other stronger ‘hotter’ peppercorns. Green pepper is good to use on vegetables and sauces. When I tasted the different peppercorn I thought it tasted like the black peppercorn without the big bite. I think I’ll be getting a new pepper grinder to have on hand for the green peppercorns.

Tomorrow Pink Peppercorn Posting

White Peppercorn

White pepper is black pepper without the outer crust of the berry. Whitepepper.com has a brief explanation on white pepper. The flavor is usually cleaner. I don’t think it has that citrus bite like the black pepper. When I tested the white peppercorn, I did not get that citrus bite but what I did get was a hotter taste. When I taste the fine grind white pepper in a jar (wet the end of your finger and tap the white pepper) I defiantly get a softer pepper taste. No citrus. Remember that nice pungent smell of black pepper? Well, forget it when you smell white pepper. Whole white peppercorns smell bad. They are musky or like my wife (the bloodhound) said, ‘this smells like shit.’ White pepper does not have a pleasant aroma but, the taste if very good.

Tomorrow Green Peppercorn Posting

Black Peppercorn

Most of us are familiar with black pepper. We use ground black pepper in our homes and when we are out to eat. We may even have a pepper grinder to grind the peppercorns. I personally use the grinder. With the grinder I can adjust the coarseness of the grind. I like the chunky coarse grind on my salads. Then, I like a fine grind on my eggs, when they are over easy. Scrambled eggs I prefer a medium-fine grind. Black pepper will have a citrusy overtone and a hardwood note. I think the coarse grind helps to deliver that stronger citrus bite. Think of the times you have bitten into a small chunk of a peppercorn and you get that strong black pepper taste. Then, think of the times you use a fine ground black pepper and there is a slight floral note along with the other qualities. That pungent smell of black pepper is just wonderful.

Tomorrow White Peppercorn Posting

Understanding Pepper as a Tasting Note

When reading tasting notes on wine, beer or cigars you will eventually see the description of pepper. It may have a peppery aroma, slight peppery taste or a spicy peppery flavor. When I read the word pepper, I usually think of black pepper. And, there have been times when I taste a peppery note and I have started to think, ‘what kind of pepper is this,’ because it does not taste like black pepper it seemed softer. The peppery like taste can come from several things; the alcohol content, the ingredients used that make a bitter taste, and citrus notes.

So, thinking about pepper as a profile flavor got me to the Spice Merchant Store and I bought four different peppercorns: black peppercorn, white peppercorn, green peppercorn, and pink peppercorn. In this series of postings we will review the four different peppercorns so we can use them in our description of wine, beer, and cigars.

I bought a half an ounce of each peppercorn and I poured each into a small glass so I could spend some time smelling the peppercorns and then I took a bite of each one to experience its particular flavor.

A Cigar and Beer Review: 5 Vegas A and Laguntas Pils

The Cigar

Apotheosis
Wrapper: Costa Rican Maduro
Filler: 3 country blend
Size: 5.5 x 55
My Strength Rating: 6.5

This cigar has a full bodied earthy coffee flavor. There is a nice white pepper and spice that plays well here. The earthiness just coats the palate for a long aftertaste. I am going to have to plan to do this cigar with a coffee for a bold experience. For now I have a beer to tackle.

The Pilsner

Lagunitas Pils Czech Style Pilsner
5.3% Abv
12 oz bottle
Lagunitas Brewing Co.
Petaluma, California, USA

Pours a cloudy orange-golden color. White bubbles for the head. Fairly aggressive pour and got a one finger head. To me the aroma is like sweet grains.

I like the sweet grains and the slight spice that might be from the alcohol that plays on the tongue. The notes here remind me of pink pepper. Pink pepper has that sweetness with a little spice with it. There is a nice fruitiness. Some apple and a little lemon squirt that help to add some character. Overall I’ll call it good. Whether it is a Czech Style Pilsner – I don’t know. I think I have only had one true Czech Republic pilsner and that was too long ago. The more I drink this beer the more I like it. I’ll go to good +. This is not your Miller beer with its sugary sweetness and big watery profile. This beer has some nice flavors for a pilsner.

Buy: Yes, worthy of a six pack. Ditch that Miller bottle and buy this. At least this is a true American Made Beer!

The Pairing

I am surprised how good this pairing is going. This pilsner has the flavors to do business with this cigar. It is not a watery pilsner just washing the earthy flavors of the cigar away. It is mixing it up well with this cigar. The flavors mix it up well and being a pilsner it still has a refreshing quality while I smoke this medium-full bodied cigar.

A Cigar and Wine Review: 5 Vegas Gold Double Nickel and Fess Parker 2008 Chardonnay

The Cigar

Wrapper: Connecticut Shade
Filler: Honduran, Dominican
Size: 5 x 55
My Strength Rating: 2.5

These 5 Vegas Golds are very smooth and tasty mild cigars. I usually get a nice mellow oaky flavor and a mild almond like nutty note. They are not complex cigars. They are pretty straight forward. I like this cigar for pairing with mild dishes, white fish or shell fish. They also pair well with pilsners, lagers, other lighter beers and white wine.

If you are a regular full bodied cigar smoker or medium-full bodied, it is time to start to expand your palate for other cigars. If you ever do start to develop your palate for variety, take your time and try to experience the different tasting notes.

The White Wine

Fess Parker 2008 Chardonnay
Santa Barbara County
Fess Parker Winery

On the bottle, ‘Flavors of ripe apple, butter, lemon and melon are perfectly balanced with light toasty oak on the palate.’

They always have a really good written description on their bottles of wine. As a wine drinker I really appreciate a well written description. First, it can help me in the selection of the wine. Then, if I have not had the wine before, it prepares me for some or all of the flavors I am going to experience.

To me this Chardonnay has a nice green apple taste and a slight lemon taste. The lemon is not bitter like ‘lemon rind,’ or puckering like ‘lemon juice.’ It is a very pleasing lemon taste. I could not place the other notes so, that is when I checked the list on the bottle. Melon and butter was left that I did not get.

First the butter, I don’t get it except for a descriptor of the mouthfeel – ‘buttery smooth’. The mouthfeel is smooth like butter. When I started thinking about the melon note that was the other flavor that I could not place. To me it is like a honey dew melon.

This is a perfect white wine for a hot summer day. Very fresh tasting notes and a fine smooth texture to please your palate.

The Pairing

These two are made for each other. Both are excellent mild bodied products. While both are mild they each have a nice flavor profile. The slight oak, nutty, and pleasantly smooth profile of the cigar intermingles well with the fruits, buttery smooth texture, and slight touch of oak of this wine. I highly recommend this pairing on these hot and steamy summer days.

A Cigar and Beer Review: Padilla Miami and Wells Bombardier

The Cigar

Padilla Miami Robusto
Wrapper: Corojo from Nicaragua
Filler: Criollo and Corojo from Nicaragua
Size: 5 x 50
My Strength Rating: 5

I have only smoked a couple of these lately and I have enjoyed them. I enjoy the rich medium roast coffee notes and toasty tobacco flavors. There seems to be a sweet little woody and earthiness that make for a pleasing tasting profile. The smoke leaves a tingling spice on the palate. Each time I have smoked the Miami Robusto the one word descriptor that stands out to me is rich. It has a rich flavor that I personally enjoy.

The Ale - Wells Bombardier English Ale

After your nose passes the slight peppery and malty aroma your palate is greeted to an English Ale treat. The taste has a nice herbal hoppy bite with a rich malty characteristic. I get a cedar woody taste along with red apple freshness. This is a nice English Ale that is firm and crisp. The mouthfeel has a dry and nice bitter bite like an English ale. It is still refreshing due to the good watery edges and slight carbonation that helps to cleanse the palate. My strength rating is a 4.5 for this ale. This ale is perfect for smoking a cigar with.

The Pairing

These two are meant for each other. Both have a rich flavor profile that maximizes my experience. This is one of those matching that seems perfect. I have to do this pairing again.

I think the cedar notes of the ale mix well with the sweet woody and earthy notes of the cigar. The medium roast coffee notes just bring out the best of the rich malt flavors of the ale.

A must pairing.