La Estrella Cubana Oscuro

Wrapper: Costa Rica Maduro
Filler: Dominican and Nicaraguan
Size: 5 x 50
My Strength Rating: 5.5

Off the light: deep earthy profile, slight bitter bite on the tongue

1 – 2 inch mark: the earthy profile mellows, a smooth dark roast coffee note starts develop, the ash is a fine tightly formed gray color, the holds on for the first inch and a half,

Mid-point: the earthy soil profile continues to dominate, the dark roast coffee is pleasing, the burn of the cigar is good, the ash is always firm and no flaking, the aftertaste is a slight burnt coffee taste,

Final two inches: still a smooth dark coffee and solid earthy profile, the roasted tobacco flavor maintains a good medium bodied smoke, the cigar did not develop any bitter notes on the final smoke.

Here are the tasting notes from CI: “Buttery smooth, creamy, silky smooth, dark chocolate, toast, espresso bean, chewy, hint of sweetness, mild-medium.”

To me I don’t get the ‘buttery smooth, creamy’ texture. I would call the texture chewy because of the burnt coffee note and the feel of soil left on the tongue. I cannot figure how they can call it silky and chewy at the same time. I am also missing that hint of sweetness.

Overall a good earthy, smooth dark coffee profile that comes across as a medium strength cigar.

Pairings: this cigar would be good to drink coffee with or enjoy a good stout or porter beer. A Meritage or Shiraz wine would be nice.

Torano Exodus 1959 and Oktoberfest Beer

Read the previous posting for tasting notes on the 1959 cigar.

This cigar paired up well with these Oktoberfest beers.

Spaten Oktoberfest

12 oz. bottle
5.9 abv
Spaten-brau
Munich, Germany
My Strength Rating: 4

Beck’s Oktoberfest

12 oz. bottle
5% abv
Brauerei Beck & Co.
Bremen, Germany
My Strength Rating: 4

These two look alike when poured into the glass and I am talking about the color. Both are of a bright bronze color and you could not tell the difference when riding by on a galloping horse. When held to the light there is a slight difference. So one is copper and the other is bronze – who cares. The head on the Spaten was poured on the thin side and the color was off-white. The head on the Beck beer was thick and foamy with a tan looking color and it stayed around for the party.

I thought this was going to be easy on this faceoff. I have had these before and I buy both of them every year at this time. But, I have always liked the Spaten over the Beck’s. Doing a quick sip of each to compare them it is hard to tell the difference. Both have that sweet malty grainy style with a touch of caramel and some herbal hoppy spice. Now, let me take my time to break each one down.

Spaten: A nice rich and sweet malty presence. It is light and lively on the mouthfeel. There is a slight herbal spice Oktoberfest style taste. This beer is not to complex or super special but, it is a good classic Oktoberfest beer.

Beck’s: A good caramel malty profile with a light and lively mouthfeel as well. The spice is similar to the Spaten but, I think it is slightly different. Another good classic Oktoberfest style beer.

Okay, I like both of these. That is probably why I buy both every year. I don’t think I can no longer say that I like one better than the other.

Both are very drinkable and do not leave a metallic or astringent taste.

Torano Excodus 1959 Toro

Wrapper: Nicaragua
Binder: Honduras
Filler: Dom. Rep, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Costa Rica
Size: 6 x 50

My Strength Rating: 6

This cigar is peppery up front on the first half. A good black pepper presence with a chewy earthy style and a rich dark roast coffee profile. This cigar fills the palate with lots of rich and flavorful smoke. There were times I thought the strength rating reached 6.5 or a 7. The middle part of the cigar mellowed out a bit. The black pepper was a little quiet and the earthiness picked up. The cigar got a little strong on the final couple inches.

Carlos Torano 1916 Cameroon Toro and Ketel One Vodka

The Cigar

Wrapper: Cameroon
Filler: Honduran, Nicaraguan
My Strength Rating: 6

This Toro size cigar from the Torano Sampler Pack is a pretty consistent smoke all the way through. Off the light it as a little mellow and then the green pepper spice kicked in and there were nice earthy and nutty notes along the way. The nutty note came across as walnut like.
The Drink

Cranberry and Vodka

I had the end of a bottle of Ketel One Vodka that needed to be finished off. And this is the night to do it. I am trying to empty out my summer place of all the food and beverages that I can so I do not have to haul this stuff home. The good thing here is that I had enough Vodka and cranberry juice to make one 20 oz glass of this tasty summer drink.

Now, I am not even going to attempt to do a Vodka review. During the summer a friend visited one weekend and he left this bottle behind. I do enjoy a cranberry and vodka drink for a change of pace.

The Pairing

The pairing is not bad overall. The drink is quit refreshing. But, I think the drink interferes a bit with the tasting notes of the cigar. There is a spicy note that dances across the tongue from the cigar after drinking this beverage. The nutty flavor seems lost and the earthy style seems muted. If I wait a few moments after drinking and then puff on the cigar I get a little better flavor from the smoke.

So, puff on the stogie then take a drink and then pause a moment before repeating this process!!! Actually, this does work. Like I said, the cigar flavor is better and I think the drink taste better in this order as well.

Rocky Patel Vintage 1990

Over the years I have heard people say that they like the 1992 Vintage better than the 1990. I have to agree. While the 1990 Vintage is very smooth in texture it seems to lack the tasty hardwood and earthy qualities of the 92. To me the flavor profile (vintage 90) comes across as coffee based. This is a good medium roast coffee with an earthy style. This would go very good with a malty type beer, a sweet white wine or red and of course coffee!

Bornem Double Abbey Ale and Hoyo de Monterrey Sultan Double Maduro Cigar

After a summer of wheat beers, pilsners and others of course, it is time to prepare the palate for some fuller strength beers and the Bornem Double Abbey Ale is just that beer to sweeten the palate and prepare for the fall and winter months ahead.

The Bornem Double greets the nose with its dark fruit, caramel and malty aromas. The taste also has that caramel note along with other malty sweetness. The carbonation from this double ale dances across the tongue. Right off the bat I am thinking of a 5.5 strength rating because of the variety of flavors and the mild tartness on the mouthfeel.

I was thinking what goes good with caramel and sweet malty notes but, coffee and some earthy notes. I go to the humidor and grab my old time favorite the Hoyo de Monterrey Sultan Double Maduro Cigar. This 7.2 x 54 big boy should do the trick. The Hoyo line-up is known as the “espresso of cigars.”

I rate this Sultan a 6.5 on my strength scale and the point system works while only moving one point to the stronger side of the ale. During the pairing the Hoyo with its earthy coffee and slight mocha notes tames the sweetness of the ale while I still enjoy the sweet caramel and slight bitterness. The effervescence still plays on while I finish the 750 ml bottle of Bornem Double Abbey Ale.

The sun sets as I finish my last few sips of this ale and my last few puffs of the Sultan. So, I have to say, softly, as I leave you good ol’ summer of 2010, ‘this bottle of Bornem Double Abbey Ale has me ready for the rest of 2010.’

Rocky Patel Vintage 1992 and Manchester Star Ale

The Cigar
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Sumatra
Filler: N/A
Size: 5.5 x 50 Box Pressed
My Strength Rating: 5

This robusto sports a good hardwood and tasty earthy profile. Overall not a very complex stick but, it seems to be an elegant smoke overall. The taste never gets strong or bitter. The burn always seems to be perfect. This cigar should match up to most quality beverages for there are no strong notes to compete with. There is not any lingering aftertaste and while there is ample smoke that the cigar produces it does not have a strong mouthfeel. This is always a quality choice for your smoking experience.

The Beer

Manchester Star Ale
1 pint .9fl oz.
7.3% abv
J.W. Lees and Co. Greengate Brewery
Middleton, Manchester, England

Appearance: A dark almost black body with a tan head.
Aroma: Malty all the way – roasty
Taste: A very pleasing English Porter style. Roasted malts, a smoky tobacco like quality, roasted pecan notes, solid medium coffee notes.
Mouthfeel: A good thick creamy style that leaves a roasty, smoky, and lingering coffee aftertaste.
My Strength Rating: 6 – Because of its chewy-thick mouthfeel.

I have enjoyed a couple of these this year. This is a good choice for a beautiful fall day. It is a hearty porter that is full of flavor. Sit back and enjoy this one.

The Pairing

The hardwood and earthy notes of the cigar is a perfect pairing for this hearty porter. The thick almost syrup like mouthfeel of the ale needs a quality cigar and the Rocky Vintage 92 does the trick. Those roasted notes and the coffee like qualities mix it up with the nice flavors from the cigar for a super experience. I just wish I had one more of each of these so I could sit back and truly enjoy this again.

Carlos Torano Signature Collection and Villa Rubini 2008 Cabernet Franc

The Cigar
(see posting for details)
There is a very nice green pepper and pink pepper quality. There is also a forest floor earthiness mingled in with a mild to medium coffee note. I am not disappointed with this stick. I would smoke this cigar again.

The Wine

Villa Rubini 2008 Cabernet Franc
Colli Orientali del Friuli

This 13% abv Cabernet Franc is a true pepper experience. The fine grind pepper profile is the main dish here. There is a solid earthy quality with dark cherry and black current notes to back up the pepper. This wine is pretty simple in its taste. Being a Cabernet Franc lover I like to try as many different Francs as I can. While this is not complex I still like this wine because of the peppery experience.

For those of you who are not familiar with the Cabernet Franc grape – well you should be. It is known as the parent grape to Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc.

The Pairing

This is going to be an interesting pairing. These two really mirror one another in their tasting profiles. Both, have a solid fine grind like pepper quality. In the pepper category it seems like a green pepper not the bold citrus bite of a coarse black pepper. The cigar also has a sweet pink pepper note that adds some variety to the pepper profile. Both, have a nice earthy quality but, not the type that coats the mouth with a jammy feel. It is more of a forest floor or mushroom like earthiness. I feel like I can taste the soil that they were both grown in. Finally, they both have a matching strength rating to me – 5.5.

This is a very good pairing overall. I like pepper taste here. I thought maybe it would be pushed overboard because they both have this trait and the taste would be too much or would cancel each other out.

The black current note is still tasty and I think the cherry seems a little sweeter in this wine while I am smoking this cigar.

I think if one of these had a stronger black pepper style that it would then override the taste of the other and have an effect on the other. But, that is not the case here – So, light one up and enjoy the Torano Signature Collection Cigar with a bottle of this Cabernet Franc Wine.

Carlos Torano Signature Collection Toro: Review

The Cigar

Wrapper: Sun Grown Brazilian Maduro
Binder: Broadleaf
Filler: Dominican Cubano Ligero, Nicaraguan Habano Ligero
Size: 6 x 50
My Strength Rating: 5.5

This is a good looking Maduro wrapped cigar. I have not had this cigar before and I am looking forward to the experience.

There is a very nice green pepper and pink pepper quality. There is also a forest floor earthiness mingled in with a mild to medium coffee note. I am not disappointed with this stick. I would smoke this cigar again.

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.