Cigar and Beverage Pairings
Pairing Cigars with Beer, Wine, Food, and Good Times
Like It
Saturday, May 16, 2015
Thursday, May 14, 2015
Wednesday, May 13, 2015
Tuesday, May 12, 2015
Product Quality Issue with Cigar Bands
I have been smoking cigars since the late 1980's and I have to say that I have never had so many issues with the glue of the cigar band braking the wrapper of the cigar. I would have to guess that it has been a real bad issue in the last six or eight years. I will also guess that it is about 20 to 30% rate issue. With all the big bands and double bands on cigars now a days seems to be one symptom. Then, just plain old product quality of gluing the bands on must be a big problem.
Here is the Man O War Skull Crusher
Here is two different Latitude Zero cigars with the same issue
Second one
Here is the Man O War Skull Crusher
Here is two different Latitude Zero cigars with the same issue
Second one
Sunday, April 5, 2015
Man O War Ruination No. 1 Robusto vs Latitude Zero Robusto paired with Portage Porter
Final Game – March Matching 2015
(click here to view the 2015 Set-up)
Number 3 seed Man O War Ruination Robusto No. 1; Size: 5.5 x
54; Ecuador ligero wrapper; Cuban-seed Nicaraguan and Honduran long-leaf
ligeros fillers; Flavor Profile: Toasted oak; portabella mushroom, forest floor
earthy tones; roasted grains and nuts.
Number 4 seed Latitude Zero Robusto: Size 5 x 52; 2011
Habano Ecuador Wrapper; 2010 Nicaraguan fillers; flavor profile: toasted
grains, oak up front, single twist of the black pepper mill, good touch of
earth. Medium-full body
These two cigars really mirror one another. I did not notice this until I put them side
by side here for this match up.
Here is a quick profile of the New Belgium Portage Porter:
(click here to see my full review) This almost black bodied Porter has a nice
cola edge. It has a nice hearty, roasted
profile that reminds me of a medium bodied coffee, 65% dark chocolate and some
nice burnt woody notes.
Here is how the brackets started off
In the North Northeast but slightly South of the boarder Bracket
we had:
Number 1 seed Camacho Maduro (old label) Robusto
Number 8 Morro Castle Robusto
Number 4 seed Latitude Zero Robusto
Number 5 Signature Collection Toro
In the West Southwest but almost next to nowhere Bracket
there was:
Number 2 seed Camacho Triple Maduro (old label) Robusto
Number 7 Villiger Robusto
Number 3 seed Man O War Ruination
Number 6 Latitude Zero Experimental Robusto
Now we are left with only two cigars still standing and a
glass or New Belgium Portage Porter waiting to wash over my lips.
It is tip off time and Man O War Ruination No. 1 Robusto
gets the nod. Off the light there is a
solid fresh earth; reminding me of some spring time soil. I am not picking up the usual peppery spice
off the light – interesting? A sip of
the Porter and it looks like dinner time; time to feed the big boys. The fresh soil note of the cigar plays right
into the hands of the dark chocolate and medium body roasted coffee notes of
the Porter. A few more puffs of the cigar
and the oaky woody tones show up to play with the slightly burnt wood character
of the Porter. A hint of pepper, from
the cigar, peaks in to see what is happening.
This is one great pairing and the Number 6 seed Latitude Zero is going
to have to have the game of its life to battle here folks.
Let’s light up the Zero.
A slightly firm draw pre-light.
No big problem during the light.
A nice spicy note mixes in with some toasted grains during the first few
puffs. Just like the Man O War – LZ sends
in the oaky note off the bench to come and play. A very pleasing exchange between the cigar
and the Porter. This is a nice pairing
but there seems to be something missing compared to the Man O War Cigar. Let’s go back the Man O War.
Smooth easy draw. The
Portabella Mushroom and forest floor earthy tones kick in to add some good
depth to this cigar. Sip of the Porter
and boy is this one fine operation here.
The earthiness of the cigar transfers over to the Porter and
intermingles with the notes from the Porter.
Latitude Zero is back to play and the oak, toasted grains,
and the hint of dry soil while tasty just seems to be a bit shy compared to the
Man O War notes. A few sips of the
Porter with the LZ and this cigar shows it does have some game while paired
with this tasty Porter. A hint of black
pepper appears now and then and adds a little character to the pairing. This is one nice pairing: this Porter likes
this Cigar from Latitude Zero.
Man O War reaches in and grabs the ball for a steal. The rich moist soil tones and solid oak of
the cigar just fits perfectly with the Porters robust style. The medium roast coffee and dark chocolate
like notes of the Porter likes to play with the cigars flavor profile and seems
to add a little coffee note over to the cigar as well. From the one quarter point of the cigars burn
to the halfway point the cigar mellows for a pleasing experience but at the halfway
point the cigar builds for a robust profile.
This is no run away game here but, the depth off the bench
for the Man O War shows that it is for my liking here with this Portage Porter
from New Belgium Brewery.
The toasted grains and oak profile of the Latitude Zero sure
had some game here with this Porter but the single earthy style of dry soil and
a hint of pepper now and then was not enough when up against the complex forest
floor earthy style of the Man O War Cigar.
The toasted grains, hint of walnut, and solid oak of the Man O War just
kept pace with the overall notes of the LZ but, those bench players of the Man
O War would come in and take control.
Saturday, March 28, 2015
March Matching Final Four 3 vs 7
Second Round Game 2: March Matching 2015
Man O War Ruination No. 1 vs Villiger Talanga Robusto
(click here to view the 2015 Set-up)
Number 3 seed Man O War Ruination Robusto No. 1; Size: 5.5 x
54; Ecuador ligero wrapper; Cuban-seed Nicaraguan and Honduran long-leaf
ligeros fillers; Flavor Profile: Toasted oak; portabella mushroom, forest floor
earthy tones; roasted grains and nuts.
Number 7 Villiger Robusto; Size:5 x 50; Honduran Connecticut
wrapper; Jalapa Habano binder; three filler blend of Esteli Corojo, Ometepe
Habano, and Candega Habano; I have never smoked this one so I do not have any
flavor notes to go by.
I had to buy a five pack of the Villiger from Cigars
International because I only had that one that I paired up against the Camacho
Triple Maduro. The cigars just showed up
today on the door step and we have a game to play now.
Here is a quick profile of the New Belgium Portage Porter:
(click here to see my full review) This almost black bodied Porter has a nice
cola edge. It has a nice hearty, roasted
profile that reminds me of a medium bodied coffee, 65% dark chocolate and some
nice burnt woody notes.
It is tip off time and Man O War takes control. A nice dash
of peppery spice hits the palate along with a moist rich soil tone. A sip of the Portage Porter and we have a
good combination here. Turn right and
the earthy tone of the cigar mingles with the coffee and dark chocolate like
notes of the Porter for a two point conversion.
Turn left and that nice burnt woody style of the Porter blends with the
oak wood note of the cigar for another two pointer. I just don’t want to put this down. Look at that nice ash.
The Villiger Talanga Robusto says give me the ball and let’s
play. I am not picking up any sharp
cedar note this time. Right off the
light I get a sweet cedar and a toasted almond note. A sip of the Porter and this is a very
pleasing pairing. That sweet cedar,
toasted almond, and buttery wheat bread notes of the cigar seems to mellow out
the flavor profile of the Portage Porter.
Very interesting that this mild-medium bodied cigar has that kind of
impact on this robust style ale. I
thought this Porter would overpower this cigar.
But, the cigars sweet tones are on their game here and plays with the
malty characteristics of this Porter.
The Ruination No. 1 comes back with a solid punch. At the mid-point of this cigar it mellows a
bit and the portabella mushroom like earthy style takes over and intermingles
with the flavors of the Porter for a super pairing. The toasted oak, roasted grains and hint of
walnut all score three pointers with this ales woody tone and coffee
notes. For me this is bliss. And this Man O War Ruination No. 1 is
starting to run away with the game here.
Both cigars have a perfect burn and neither one has a
penalty to this point. Let me take the
bands off these cigars and prepare to smoke them down with this tasty Porter
from New Belgium Brewing.
The Villiger does not want to lose this game here. It is trying to make a comeback with some
solid exchanges with this Porter. The
Man O War steals the ball and converts. Look
at that solid ash. The coffee and
chocolate notes of the Porter seem to transfer to the Man O War at this point
and making it a big stand out here in the final minutes of this game.
The Man O War Ruination No. 1 is a clear winner here and is
ready to take on the Latitude Zero Cigar in the final round of this eight cigar
field in this March Matching 2015 tournament.
The Villiger Talanga has nothing to hang its head about – it played a
great game.
Click here to read the final game between Man O War
Ruination No. 1 and Latitude Zero Robusto.
(when posted)
Friday, March 27, 2015
March Matching Final Four 1 vs 4
Second Round Game 1: March Matching 2015
Camacho Maduro Robusto (old label) vs Latitude Zero Robusto
(click here to view the 2015 Set-up)
Read about the Number 1 seed Camacho Maduro Robusto taking
on the long shot Number 7 seed Villiger Talanga Robusto. Click here When Posted
Number 4 seed Latitude Zero Robusto: Size 5 x 52; 2011
Habano Ecuador Wrapper; 2010 Nicaraguan fillers; flavor profile: toasted
grains, oak up front, single twist of the black pepper mill, good touch of
earth. Medium-full body
Number 1 seed Camacho Maduro (old label) Diploma Robusto:
Size 5 x 52; Tobaccos from Honduras’ Jamastan Valley. Taste profile: a solid
earthy style with rich dark soil leading the way; sweet grains follow with a
nice touch of black tea in the mix. It
has a good medium body that should satisfy any cigar smoker.
Here is a quick profile of the New Belgium Portage Porter:
(click here to see my full review) This almost black bodied Porter has a nice
cola edge. It has a nice hearty, roasted
profile that reminds me of a medium bodied coffee, 65% dark chocolate and some
nice burnt woody notes.
It is tip off time and Latitude Zero takes control. Off the
light the cigar is showing its spicy side and the toasted grains seem to be
just an undertone. The Porter soothes that spiciness of the
cigar. Nice score though. After that
first quarter inch of spiciness the cigar mellows out to the toasted grains as
the main profile. Once again a sip of
the ale and boy is this a nice matching.
The oak wood comes off the bench to dance with this Porter. The burnt woody notes of the Porter enjoy
playing with this oaky tone. This cigar
seems to settle those burnt woody notes of the Porter.
Time to cut the Camacho and lighter her up. Oh no, foul on the play. A crack in the wrapper while cutting. Oh that happens once in a great while. To the
humidor to get another and I’ll have to glue this one up.
Cut – fine – light – good – we are back on track. Oh yes,
sweet grains, a hint of black tea and mellow earthy style. Three point conversion. Those grains and black tea make this a smooth
pairing with the Portage Porter from New Belgium Brewing. This is one solid pairing – I would enjoy
these two any time.
Back to the Latitude Zero Cigar. The coffee and chocolate notes of the porter
intermingle so well with flavor profile of the cigar. A little black pepper appear from the cigar
to add a little interest and brings out a little spice in the Porter. These two know how to play with one
another. One thing about this cigar is
that big ass label. I don’t like big
labels. The single twist of the pepper
mill black pepper is back on the bench.
But, the other players are here to play.
This is also one super nice matching.
This is one great game.
Both cigars are great with this Porter.
I’ll have to smoke these two down to the nub to call this game.
The Camacho Diploma sure has game here but, I am going with
the Latitude Zero because of the bench players.
That hint of black pepper comes and goes with the smoke but adds some
good interest. The oak also mixes so
well with the woody tones of the Porter.
The coffee and chocolate notes of the Porter along with the slightly
burnt woody notes love the style of this Latitude Zero.
This was a buzzer.
Close game the whole way. I
didn’t like see one of these losing here.
Both had game. The Latitude Zero
just edges out the number 1 seed Camacho Diploma Maduro.
Number 4 seed Latitude Zero moves on to the final dance to
strut its stuff against the winner of the Villiger Talanga and Man O War No. 1
game.
Sunday, March 22, 2015
March Matching 2015 Villiger Talanga Robusto vs Camacho Maduro Robusto
First Round Game 4: March Matching 2015
(click here to view the 2015 Set-up)
Information is a little incomplete here for this match up.
Number 2 seed Camacho Triple Maduro (old label) robusto;
Size: 4.5 x 50; while one of my favorite cigars I have never done a full review
on the Triple Maduro and I never put any info down on its construction. I like this cigar because of its spicy style
and rich compost soil tone. It is a
heavy weight for the smoke coats the palate for a full-medium bodied
smoke.
Number 7 Villiger Robusto; Size:5 x 50; Honduran Connecticut
wrapper; Jalapa Habano binder; three filler blend of Esteli Corojo, Ometepe
Habano, and Candega Habano; I have never smoked this one so I do not have any
flavor notes to go by.
I picking the Number 2 Triple Maduro to kick butt here. No competition.
Here is a quick profile of the New Belgium Portage Porter: (click
here to see my full review) This almost black bodied Porter has a nice cola
edge. It has a nice hearty, roasted
profile that reminds me of a medium bodied coffee, 65% dark chocolate and some
nice burnt woody notes.
Game on. It’s tip off
time. There’s the tip; a little scramble
and the Villiger Talanga comes out for the light.
The Talanga has a sharp cedar style right off the
light. After a couple of puffs a sweet
cedar comes to mind, then slowly a toasted wheat bread blends in. Bring on the ale. A nice exchange there. About a half inch in the sharp cedary note
just disappeared in a puff of the cigar.
Oh, the cigar mellows big time to a nice sweet cedar and buttered
toasted wheat bread. Now, let’s take a
sip and see what happens. A few good
puffs of the cigar and a sip of the Porter and yes that is nice. This different from the other ones that I
liked. The obvious is it’s a mild-medium
cigar but it has a sweet style to it.
Bringing out a little sweetness in the malts of the Porter – impressive since
this Porter has a hearty style. When I
sip the Porter then puff the cigar a little coffee style transfers to the cigar
from the Porter. I’m liking this. Don’t judge a book by its cover.
Time to light up the Camacho Triple Maduro and I have to say
I don’t want to let the Villiger go. The
Triple is ready for its time with this tasty Portage Porter from New Belgium
Brewing. Off the light the rich compost
soil is up front. About an eighth of an
inch in a mild spicy note appears. A sip
of the ale and there is a solid two point conversion is scored. This cigar brings out the robust style of the
Porter. The burnt woody notes of the Porter come out to play and a nice medium
roast coffee note is in the mix here.
The body of the cigar is building to its full-medium style and this is
working with the strengths of the Porter.
This is going to be one tough call to make here. We have contrasting cigars here and both are
working well with the Porter.
The Talanga takes possession. Oh, that’s nice. The sweet style is still there and a lightly
roasted grain and mild coffee note come off the bench to play some ball. A sip of the Porter – and we have a ball game
here folks. The sweet cedar and buttery
bread mixed with the bench players and this cigar is showing it has some depth
to mix with the robust notes of the porter.
The cigar still seems to mellow this Porters hearty woody notes. The cigar plays up the 65% like dark
chocolate note and the medium coffee of the Porter. This is one very nice match up.
The Camacho Triple says sit down little boy I’m here to play
too. The full bodied notes are hitting
here in the mid part of the cigar. Meaty
compost soil a little pink peppercorn in the mix a toasted oak kicks in and we
have a game. The meaty notes of the
cigar intermingle with the Porters hearty flair. You want a full bodied experience this is
it. A little sweet Maduro kicks in now
and then to add a little character to this tasting.
Six seconds to go and a one point difference – Camacho is on
the lead. Villiger in bounds the
ball. Takes it to net and scores a two
point layup to win the game. What an
upset! Damn I don’t have another Villiger
cigar – I’ll have to go and buy some now.
Stay tuned.
The Villiger Talanga moves on to take on the Man O War
Ruination No. 1 in the final four.
The other game will be Camacho Maduro vs Latitude Zero.
March Matching Latitude Zero Robusto vs Signature Collection Toro
First Round Game 3: March Matching 2015
(click here to view the 2015 Set-up)
Let’s take a look at the stats for these two contenders that
will be paired up with New Belgium’s Portage Porter. (click here to see my full review on thisPorter)
Number 4 seed Latitude Zero Robusto: Size 5 x 52; 2011
Habano Ecuador Wrapper; 2010 Nicaraguan fillers; flavor profile: toasted
grains, oak up front, single twist of the black pepper mill, good touch of
earth. Medium-full body
Number 5 Signature Collection Robusto: Size 5.7 x 50;
Ecuadorain Sun Grown Wrapper; Nicaraguan long-fillers; flavor profile: nice
woody style that reminds me of a spicy cedar, touch of oak and a hint of alder
wood; a couple of dashes of white pepper, dry fall leafs and a mild almond
nutty note. Medium body
Here is a quick profile of the New Belgium Portage Porter:
(click here to see my full review) This almost black bodied Porter has a nice
cola edge. It has a nice hearty, roasted
profile that reminds me of a medium bodied coffee, 65% dark chocolate and some
nice burnt woody notes.
This should be a great game here. There was not much balance in the Latitude
Zero Experimental and Man O War game.
Here in this game we have balance; like steak and grilled asparagus. Both cigars are not on the radar and both have
a pretty nice flavor profile. Not only
have I enjoyed these sticks but, I like each one for what they bring to the
table.
Tip of time. The ball
is up and the Signature Collection get the first possession. Off the light burnt fall leafs hit the
palate. There is a burnt slightly
charred note on the first few puffs and then it settles down to a good three point
cedar note. Then it converts with a hint
of oak and then the musty white pepper says let’s play ball.
Time to tip that Portage Porter by New Belgium Brewing. Those toasty roasty notes of the Porter come
to play as well but … there is a little miss direction here. The two are not intermingling. There are the flavors of the cigar and then
sip the ale and there are the flavors of the Porter but, they are not playing
together. This is not always a bad thing
here but, I was not expecting this. Let
me explain; you can have an ale overpower a cigar, or vice versa, and 90% of
the time it’s not a good thing. But,
here one is not overpowering the other nor is it intermingling but, each
retains its own flavor profile with each exchange. Looking a little confused on the court here.
Light up the Zero. Nice
toasted grains off the light. And I am ready for a sip of that Porter. Big time dunky dew. The toasted grains mix right in with the
Porters robust style. A few puffs in and
a nice oaky presence appears. Think of
starting a campfire with some small twigs and that note comes to play with a
dose of dry mineral soil – I smell it and I swear I can taste it. Another sip of ale and oh baby, baby, this is
it. This Porter seems to bring out some
other flavors in this baby. Oh
baby. One more ‘Oh baby’ and it might
sound like sex is going on here.
The Signature regains possession. Nice tasting cigar. Nice tasting ale. They are not clicking. It is like being on a bad date when everybody
said, ‘you two will be perfect for each other.’
It’s just not happening. This is
just a sad scene with ‘Oh baby baby; baby baby’ happening in the back seat of
the car while you are sitting in the front with the ice princes.
The Latitude Zero is just draining three pointer here in
this game. Zero has a 30 point lead with
15 minutes to go in the game and looking to make it 50 by the end of this
game.
Latitude Zero moves on to the final four to be paired with
the Camacho Maduro Old Label.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)