Man O’ War Ruination #2
Wrapper: Habano Ecuador ligero leaf
Filler: Nicaraguan and Honduran ligero
Size: 6 x 60 Robusto #2
My Strength Rating: 6.5
This big boy is one nice smoke. This cigar has a solid roasted grain profile with a good portabella mushroom earthy style. The oaky notes are present but settle. The Ruination seems to have a toasted oak note. There is also a roasted nut like flavor. To me it does not have the peppery spice like the regular Man O’ War line-up.
If you like a rich roasted and toasty tasting cigar this is it.
The Ale
Indian Brown Ale
Dogfish Head Craft Brewery
Milton, Delaware, USA
Dogfish.com
This 7.2% abv ale pours a dark drown body with a one finger tan head. The aroma is pleasing with a nice toasted malt nose. It reads on the bottle, “A clean, well-hopped brown ale with aromatic barley, caramelized brown sugar and whole-leaf liberty & Goldings hops.”
It must be the aromatic barley giving me the dark fruit taste. It tastes like fresh dried dark raisins and fig. I also like the mild coffee note and cola like character.
The caramelized brown sugar is tasty but, the sweetness is tempered by the hops. The hops supply a nice bitter quality to the taste profile.
The mouthfeel is smooth and the carbonation level is moderate. There is a good roasted malt taste on the palate but, the aftertaste and lingering notes are relatively calm.
This pleasing brown ale is easy to drink. I have never had this one before but, I am sure glad I bought a six pack.
The Pairing
The cigar seems to bring out the hoppy notes in the ale. There is a little prickly feel from the salty and peppery notes, from the beer, during this pairing. The caramelized brown sugar takes a back seat and the dark fruit and mild coffee holds on for a tasty experience. This is a fuller bodied pairing.
Overall, the pairing is not bad. I think this cigar would be really good with an oaky tasting beer or a fuller bodied Meritage Red Wine.
