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.  

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.  

March Matching: Man O War Ruination vs Latitude Zero Experimental Robusto

First Round Game 2: March Matching 2015

(click here to view the 2015 Set-up)

We have a strong Number 3 seed going against well, let me just say a struggling Number 6.  LZE could have; should have been the number 8 seed in this tourney.  But, all they have to say is look at how that Morrow Castle just unraveled in its game against the number one seed Camacho Maduro Old Label.  All I have to say is at least the Morro cigar has flavor.   

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 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 6 Latitude Zero Experimental Robusto – wrapper Cameroon, Ecuadorian Sungrown 5 x 50; Nicaraguan Criollo 98 binder and long fillers; Light oak, cedar, sweet spice.

I have enjoyed both of these sticks but, I have to say I do not think the Experimental has a chance in this game.  It is only okay at best and at times you just want to fall asleep during its game. 

The Ruination No. 1 is really good and I think this stick will give the other big dogs in this tourney a run for their money. 

Let’s lightem’ up!  Tip off time.

MOWR wins the tip off and takes control.  I just don’t think this will work in LZEs favor at all.  That cigar wanted to be lit up first to try and make its point with what little flavor it does have.  The bold style of the Man O War Ruination can just shut the door right away.

MOWR off the light has a nice fine grind green peppery spice and builds over the next few puffs to a coarse grind black and green peppercorn.  

Time to open that Porter. Here is a quick profile of 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.

The Porter mixes nicely with the pepper style here in the first inch of the MOWR.  After that first inch the cigar starts to mellow with the pepper style and a sweet forest floor tone develops. A clear touch of oak appears.  The toasted oak intermingles with to hearty roasted notes of the Porter.  This cigar is showing that it can be the best to maximize your experience with the Portage Porter. 

Latitude Zero Experimentals time to show its stuff.  Sure must be Experimental it seems to have a flat side. They must have had the grade schoolers in for rolling day at the factory.  Off the light there is a sweet green spice blend up front.  After that a moist rainy day fall leaf note hits the palate.  A light dry oak wood note come into play.  Rather mild on its opening possession. A sip of the Porter and a puff of the cigar and … miss … rebound … miss … rebound … the Porter is a bit too bold for this stick.  The medium roast coffee and the burnt woody notes of the Porter overpower this mild cigar. 

Man O War takes over.  The robust style of this cigar unites with the robust style of the Porter for one super nice experience.  The toasted oak, roasted grains, portabella mushroom earth flair and roasted walnut meat with a hint of black walnut just look forward to every sip of the Porter and its burnt woody profile.  The coffee and 65% dark chocolate like notes of the Porter just mix right in with the wonderful flavors of this cigar.  This would be a great after dinner treat.   

Let’s puff the cigar first and then sip the Porter.  There is no game here.  The mild body and mild flavors just don’t even have an impact when sipping the ale.  This cigar needs to be paired up with a lager or pilsner maybe a Hefeweizen would be a good pairing for this stick.

These two cigars make my point about maximizing your experience and why I started this blog. 

This game was over just after tip off.  Okay, 15 minutes into this you knew the LZE just did not have the game to be in this show.  So, the Man O War Ruination No. 1 is the clear winner here.  The Man O War will be going against the winner of the 2-7 battle: Camacho Triple Maduro and the Villiger Robusto. 

I am going to sit back and enjoy this Man O War and Porter and watch the real basketball going on and I only have one loss in the March Madness so far and it is Friday at 3:00.  

La Flor Dominicana Factory Press III and New Belgium 1554 Enlightened Black Ale: Pairing

The Cigar

La Flor Dominicana Factory Press III

I usually have the stats on the stick but, I don’t have that information anymore.  You see, I have reviewed this cigar two times now (a year or so ago) and the reason it is not posted … my computer went down both times and I never got the word document back.  Here is the other situation, this was a true ‘limited’ release and I’ll bet I will not find any info on the net (I will look).  While I have reviewed this cigar two times before, one year ago, I have had this last one just sitting there in the humidor.  I have not been itching to review this again because the burn on this cigar just simply sucks.  Here are some of the pictures from one year ago:

Since, I think this cigar sucks … what a better day to do this review than on the last day of the NFL season while I watch my Detroit Lions … who suck just as well.  Let’s see how this cigar burns this time.  From what I remember the flavor was not so bad … but, I hate a cigar that burns this poorly. 

As for the Detroit Lions … the first game of the season I did a cigar review and a season prediction … 9 – 7 … here they are 16 games later and ready to go 4 – 12.  Here is my prediction for this game: if this cigar burns as poorly as it did one year ago … they loss big time to the Chicago Bears - 31 to 7.  If the cigar burns well the Lions win 38 to 27.  If the cigar only has minor issues with burning – the score will be … 17 – 14 with the Bears winning.      

Here is what I found on this stick

“Connecticut broadleaf wrappers that have been aging for several years. The filler is Corojo aged from the very first crop our farm produced in 1997, while the binder is a Sumatra seed (also grown on our farm) put to age for the last eight years.”

Source: Halfwheel.com

Size: 6.25 x 58

Off the Light: medium roast coffee and a nice soil earthy style.  As the smoke continues there is a light peppery spice mixed in with the soil earthy style and the coffee note builds in some strength … let me call it ‘dark roast coffee’ , the cigar has a dry dark chocolate finish.  

So far the cigar is burning just fine.  The ash looks like crap … just like the Lions season. 

An inch and a half into the burn and the cigar is starting to canoe.  Let’s see if it corrects itself. 

At the two and half point the cigar corrected itself.  Things are looking good for the Lions (according to the burn of the cigar). 

Mid-Point: the cigar has a nice earthy coffee main profile, the spice is not noticeable at this point, the dry dark chocolate finish is light but still in the mix.

Down the Stretch: (edited after the game started) the flavors are more robust in taste, burnt earthy tones, coffee notes that have been on the burner too long, and as for the burn ... some burning issues; the cigar keeps tunneling and needs corrections with the lighter.    

The Ale

New Belgium 1554 Enlightened Black Ale

New Belgium Brewing

Fort Collins, Colorado, USA

Newbelgium.com

5.6% abv

$9.99 a six pack

I had a bottle of this the other night and I found it to be … uninteresting … just like this football game I am getting ready to watch between the Bears and the Lions. 

Appearance: deep dark mahogany body with a thin tan head that leaves some sticky lacing on the glass.

Aroma: very light bouquet; light roasted malts

Flavors/mouthfeel: roasted grains, a little chocolate note in the mix, simple in style, light/moderate carbonation, fairly clean feel and finish.

To the Point: to me … not all that interesting, too simple on the nose and taste, should be good to pair with a mild or medium bodied cigar, should work with a full bodied smoke … there are no flavors in the ale that should interfere with a bold smoke. 

The Pairing

Two rather simple products here; the chocolate notes are light and work well together; the earthy tones of the cigar mingle well with the roasted grains of the black ale.  The ale does a nice job refreshing the palate during this pairing.  I have to say that I like this pairing more than what I expected. 

As for my football game prediction (still have to smoke the final third but it's game time) … the cigar only had one small burning issue (at the two inch mark) and it corrected itself … so … the Lions win … 38 – 27 in a come from behind win.  (personally … the Lions lose big time)  

Diamond Crown Maximus Toro #4 and Snow Day Winter Ale: Pairing

The Ale

Snow Day Winter Ale

New Belgium Brewing

Fort Collins, Colorado, USA

Newbelgium.com

6.2% abv

55 IBU

On the bottle, “…dark caramel roasted Midnight Wheat braced with a serious load of Styrian Goldings, Centennial and Casade hops?”

Had this beer on tap at The Oven in Caro Michigan and enjoyed it so much I almost stayed the night in the town just so I could drink another one or two.  Looking forward to having it today while, I watch my Detroit Lions. 

Appearance: very dark brown body; hold it to the light and you’ll see some mahogany highlights; super 2 finger light tan head that has great staying power; just sheets of lacing hanging on the glass like a big old velvet curtain.

Aroma: toasted grains/malts, hint of dark fruit, touch of spice, light pine. 

Flavors: deep roasted caramel malts, profound toasted grains, and grassy bitter hops.  Not all that complex but, it sure is enjoyable. 

Mouthfeel: nice moderate bitterness from start to finish, fine fizzy carbonation, roasted notes and light-moderate bitterness linger on the aftertaste, firm body, medium-full overall,

My Strength Rating: 6.5 – the hops kick it up notch (50 IBUs); deep roasted notes

To the Point: I really enjoyed this on tap and now I wish I bought the twelve pack instead of the six pack.  I am waiting for my ‘Snow Day.’ 

The Cigar

Diamond Crown Maximus Toro #4

Wrapper: Dark Natural Ecuadorian; El Bajo Sun Grown

Fillers: can’t find anything; I’ll guess Dominican

Size: 6 x 50

I forget how much it cost but, it runs around $15.oo a stick here in Michigan with our tax gouging politicians are work for us.  Michigan did lower the cigar tax from 32% to .50 cents per stick in the month of November 2012. 

Bought a box the other month (October) and it is time to review one.  I have always enjoyed the #4 Maxiums.  I never thought of it as complex but, very enjoyable and a special treat now and then. 

Appearance: for a super-premium cigar this stick always seems to have a big vein running through it.  (see pic at bottom)  I have always enjoyed the Maximus Cigar since it came out way back when (you know you are old when you can say that) and from what I can remember it has always had a rugged leather look.  Take the band off and give to someone and they will knock the cigar.   

Flavor and Mouthfeel Profile: sweet grains and slightly nutty taste off the light; the nutty taste reminded me of pecan while it lasted.  As the smoke continued, the sweet grains and nutty note moved to the side and a rich forest floor earthy tone moved in.  Toasty leafy vegetation, wood, and rich soil are the main focus during the first third.  As it entered the second third (maybe a little sooner) I noticed a light dusty white pepper mixing in with the forest floor qualities and a mild roasted coffee.  I have always thought of this stick as a mild-medium smoke. 

On the second half of this cigar the flavors are lightly toasted grains, mild Alder wood, dry soil.  Still mild-medium in body. 

My Strength Rating: 4 – smooth and enjoyable from start to finish.

To the Point: Despite the price I still like this cigar; probably why I bought a box; quality from start to finish. 

The Pairing

This was a great pairing.  Both are on the edge of being complex; both have smoothness with the ale having robust toasted qualities and bitterness while the cigar has mild-medium toasty qualities.  The cigar refreshes the palate from the ale making for a nice contrast.  The forest floor, mild coffee, and mild dusty white pepper of the cigar comingle with the ales deep roasted grains and moderate tasty hops.  The pairing leaves a light peppery aftertaste.  

Pinar del Rio Clasico Exclusivo Torpedo and Red Hoptober Ale: Pairing

The Ale

Red Hoptober Ale

Fall Seasonal

New Belgium Brewing

Fort Collins, Colorado, USA

6% abv

22 oz bottle

$3.99

Appearance: plain and simple to me … it looks like root beer soda – a dark caramelized body in color with a tan two finger head.  Holding it up to the light the mahogany shines through. 

Aroma: light citrusy hoppy nose with some toasted grains in the mix

Flavors: white grapefruit meat (it’s under control), toasted light rye, lightly roasted caramel, herbal? Or sea grass? From the hops on the back, 

Mouthfeel: decent carbonation; light hoppy notes tantalize the tongue; toasted grains and a light roasted caramel help to balance things out; a moderate aftertaste;

To the Point: I have only had one bottle so far but, I am willing to buy more.  It is tasty.  Exceptional … I am not ready to go there yet … “very good” sure.  Not harsh or heavy on the palate.  Worthy of a try.  Understand that it is a red amber ale with some Cetennial, Cascade and Eldorado hops.  The light-moderate bitterness with a touch of sweetness should satisfy most specialty beer drinkers.  

The Cigar

Pinar del Rio Clasico Exclusivo Torpedo

 

Wrapper: Connecticut Shade from Ecuador

Fillers: Nicaraguan and Dominican

Size:6.5 x 52

Taste Profile: this cigar sports a nice oaky profile with a mild coffee note, lightly toasted grains and dry summer soil. 

To the Point: I like stick.  The price point is right (inexpensive) and it has a taste profile that hits my palate.  I have not smoked one in quite a while and this reminds me that I should smoke the Pinar del Rio Classico a little more frequently. 

The Pairing

After a few sips of the Ale I said to myself, let’s do a mild-medium smoke with a little oaky profile to the taste and this looked like a winner. 

This ended up being a good pairing.  The oaky profile and mild-medium body of the cigar mixed well with the Ales light hoppy-ness.  I think a cigar with a peppery profile might bring out the bitterness in the Ale.