I have always appreciated the buy local movement that is sweeping towns and cities across Canada. I enjoy the thrill of the hunt at the local farmers market, and generally prefer giving my dollars to friends and neighbours for services and products then a corporation. Jesus that sounded really hippyish. But supporting the community you live in, to me, is way more important then paying a lower price for convenience.
But in the last two weeks, I have been turned onto locally made whisky. Last week with the Caldera from River John NS, and this week Glynnevan from Guysbourgh NS. The Glynnevan honestly came on my radar through Instagram. I kept seeing post after post from them at different NSLC locations across Nova Scotia and at various festivals, and felt strongly that Glynnevan would be my next new to me whisky for #cigarSunday.
So with all the workouts needed in the books last week, I picked up a bottle of Glynnevan and one of my Cigar of the Month cigars, a Romeo and Julieta Vintage 7.5.
For any regular readers I am quite a fan of Romeo and Julieta cigars and this Vintage 7.5 looked like a beauty. The blurb on this cigar from COTMC is as follows:
Introduced in 1993, the Vintage series from Romeo y Julieta is a small-batch luxury cigar, mild with a very round flavor. It's made with a wrapper that is hand-picked for its natural, oily sheen and light silky appearance. The binder is aged Mexican leaf and the filler is exquisitely blended Cuban-seed, long-leaf Dominican tobaccos aged two to three years prior to production. With its classic red Romeo y Julieta band and flawless construction, this is truly a cigar to show off. The head is nice and long and there are no unraveling issues. We found the stogie smokes as good as it looks. Once toasted it draws well and burns perfectly the whole way through. As one panelist said, “I immediately knew this cigar would be a ‘finger-burner,’” meaning he wouldn't put it down even when it became too hot to handle. The flavor is creamy and cappuccino-like with wonderful hints of cocoa that are just delicious. Mild cigars tend to burn a little hot, but with its cool, easy draw this one's an exception. With its flawless, even burn and steady ash this cigar is a joy to smoke. Enjoy it with a white rum.
So with that in mind I felt pairing the Glynnevan with this mild creamy cigar would be a fantastic match. I am really happy I put these two together!
The cigar lived up to its notes. It lit well, the pull was very easy and it was indeed a "finger-burner". I did not want to put this cigar down. The mild creamy flavor was a perfect match for the Glynnevan.
Glynnevan notes from their website are:
GLYNNEVAN® opens with layers of aroma starting with sweet rye spices and honey, followed by toasted oak, vanilla, cinnamon and a hint of tropical fruit. The well-balanced taste is sweet and creamy offering vanilla, spice, hazelnut, butter, toffee and caramel sensations. A mahogany-coloured whisky, at 43% alc./vol., it has a powerful, yet smooth mouth feel, with a finish that is long and warm. We invite you to enjoy GLYNNEVAN® neat, on the rocks, or mixed in your favourite whisky-based cocktail.
I can honestly say the spice and sweet with this whisky are very well balanced, you get that initial hit of spice and then a fantastic vanilla and toffee finish. It was such a great pairing, throw in some NS spring sunshine on the deck and it was probably one of the best #cigarSundays in the last month or so.
Now I know people can get really picky around scotch and whiskey's around age, price, brand etc. but let me tell you for the price point you really owe it to yourself to try some of the small batch local options in your neck of the woods. I know for myself, it has been a great couple of weeks sampling some of the products my area has to offer and I will be looking for more over the next while!
Sean"BigBoyRunning" Ryan
But in the last two weeks, I have been turned onto locally made whisky. Last week with the Caldera from River John NS, and this week Glynnevan from Guysbourgh NS. The Glynnevan honestly came on my radar through Instagram. I kept seeing post after post from them at different NSLC locations across Nova Scotia and at various festivals, and felt strongly that Glynnevan would be my next new to me whisky for #cigarSunday.
So with all the workouts needed in the books last week, I picked up a bottle of Glynnevan and one of my Cigar of the Month cigars, a Romeo and Julieta Vintage 7.5.
For any regular readers I am quite a fan of Romeo and Julieta cigars and this Vintage 7.5 looked like a beauty. The blurb on this cigar from COTMC is as follows:
Introduced in 1993, the Vintage series from Romeo y Julieta is a small-batch luxury cigar, mild with a very round flavor. It's made with a wrapper that is hand-picked for its natural, oily sheen and light silky appearance. The binder is aged Mexican leaf and the filler is exquisitely blended Cuban-seed, long-leaf Dominican tobaccos aged two to three years prior to production. With its classic red Romeo y Julieta band and flawless construction, this is truly a cigar to show off. The head is nice and long and there are no unraveling issues. We found the stogie smokes as good as it looks. Once toasted it draws well and burns perfectly the whole way through. As one panelist said, “I immediately knew this cigar would be a ‘finger-burner,’” meaning he wouldn't put it down even when it became too hot to handle. The flavor is creamy and cappuccino-like with wonderful hints of cocoa that are just delicious. Mild cigars tend to burn a little hot, but with its cool, easy draw this one's an exception. With its flawless, even burn and steady ash this cigar is a joy to smoke. Enjoy it with a white rum.
So with that in mind I felt pairing the Glynnevan with this mild creamy cigar would be a fantastic match. I am really happy I put these two together!
The cigar lived up to its notes. It lit well, the pull was very easy and it was indeed a "finger-burner". I did not want to put this cigar down. The mild creamy flavor was a perfect match for the Glynnevan.
Glynnevan notes from their website are:
GLYNNEVAN® opens with layers of aroma starting with sweet rye spices and honey, followed by toasted oak, vanilla, cinnamon and a hint of tropical fruit. The well-balanced taste is sweet and creamy offering vanilla, spice, hazelnut, butter, toffee and caramel sensations. A mahogany-coloured whisky, at 43% alc./vol., it has a powerful, yet smooth mouth feel, with a finish that is long and warm. We invite you to enjoy GLYNNEVAN® neat, on the rocks, or mixed in your favourite whisky-based cocktail.
I can honestly say the spice and sweet with this whisky are very well balanced, you get that initial hit of spice and then a fantastic vanilla and toffee finish. It was such a great pairing, throw in some NS spring sunshine on the deck and it was probably one of the best #cigarSundays in the last month or so.
Now I know people can get really picky around scotch and whiskey's around age, price, brand etc. but let me tell you for the price point you really owe it to yourself to try some of the small batch local options in your neck of the woods. I know for myself, it has been a great couple of weeks sampling some of the products my area has to offer and I will be looking for more over the next while!
Sean"BigBoyRunning" Ryan