Starting off the week last week with a new to me cigar from United Cigar Group and friend of the show The Dalmore 12yr old.
I read a quick blurb about the United cigar and felt that given the construction of its filler tobaccos were Brazilian Mata Fina, Dominican Habano Corojo and Dominican Habano Criollo 98 that a good scotch with a light smoke and sweeter notes would be a good match #noragretts
On the hot or not scale I am giving it:
I read a quick blurb about the United cigar and felt that given the construction of its filler tobaccos were Brazilian Mata Fina, Dominican Habano Corojo and Dominican Habano Criollo 98 that a good scotch with a light smoke and sweeter notes would be a good match #noragretts
On the hot or not scale I am giving it:
Pairing Hots: Dalmore sweetness lifted the flavors of the cigar, the smoke from the United enveloped the tongue and imparted notes of chocolate and spice throughout, draw was perfect. No relights!
Pairing Nots: Tough to correct the burn line, and needed to do so a couple of times throughout.
Pairing Nots: Tough to correct the burn line, and needed to do so a couple of times throughout.
Next up Redemption Rye Whiskey from Redemption and a Pilon cigar from CAO. I have seen the Pilon on various folks IG pages for a while and dont have the hate other seem to have for CAO brands so I thought I would pick one up and give it a try.
It is very rare when our liquor store brings in any thing new so when I saw the Redemption Rye on the shelf, I snatched one up.
One a quick glance at both the CAO and Redemption pages I thought these two might be a great fit together.
On the Hot or Not scale, I am giving it:
It is very rare when our liquor store brings in any thing new so when I saw the Redemption Rye on the shelf, I snatched one up.
One a quick glance at both the CAO and Redemption pages I thought these two might be a great fit together.
On the Hot or Not scale, I am giving it:
Pairing Hots: TBH the only reasons this scored mid range is the Pilon cigar. I actually enjoyed it, amazing burn time, no relights, fantastic draw and some deep flavors of leather, coffee and pepper. I think i am going to have to find another partner for this one to dance with again.
Pairing Nots: Redemption Rye. Talk about a disappointment. Sorry for any fans of this brand, but its just not for me. I expected a lot from the marketing write up, but found the flavor profile lacking and at time non-existent. It didnt compliment the cigar at all, and I stopped drinking it after a point because it was hurting the flavor of the cigar after the first third. I would have really put the score in the basement if not for the Pilon tasting so great.
Pairing Nots: Redemption Rye. Talk about a disappointment. Sorry for any fans of this brand, but its just not for me. I expected a lot from the marketing write up, but found the flavor profile lacking and at time non-existent. It didnt compliment the cigar at all, and I stopped drinking it after a point because it was hurting the flavor of the cigar after the first third. I would have really put the score in the basement if not for the Pilon tasting so great.
Third paring this week was a Gran Reserva from My Fathers Cigars and a Pecadillo Oat Pillsner from 2 Crows brewing. I have been looking to try more and more of the local brews from our province in Nova Scotia, so when I saw this offering from 2 Crows I wanted to give it a try. The label read clean, grainy, spicy, crisp. Sounds good to me! I paired it with one of my all time favorite cigars - cause well, it was Friday and you have to have a Fuente on Fuente Friday. Plus the weather was excellent so a nice Churchill vitola was what the doctor ordered after a long week.
On the hot or not scale, I am giving this pairing:
On the hot or not scale, I am giving this pairing:
Pairing Hots: the GR was awesome. Exactly what you expect from the brand and cigar. I have yet to ever have a bad experience from these sticks. Some pepper, some coca, some earthiness. Loved it! No construction issues, nice draw. Had to relight once, but that was more me talking too much and not paying attention haha.
Pairing Nots: I didnt hate the beer, but it didnt really live up to the label description in my opinion so it looses marks for that. I found the beer quite heavy to be honest. You did get the oat and spice notes as promised but even though it had a bright honey color I found it very heavy so a big lack of crisp and clean. I dont know if I would rush out to pair this beer again but if I did it would have to be with a connecticut wrapped cigar.
Pairing Nots: I didnt hate the beer, but it didnt really live up to the label description in my opinion so it looses marks for that. I found the beer quite heavy to be honest. You did get the oat and spice notes as promised but even though it had a bright honey color I found it very heavy so a big lack of crisp and clean. I dont know if I would rush out to pair this beer again but if I did it would have to be with a connecticut wrapped cigar.
Ending the week with a bang!!
There has been a ton of hype about the All Out Kings cigar from Caldwell and Drew Estate since it was launched a few weeks/month ago so I have been holding on to a couple for a while. I enjoyed smoking that big Gran Reserva the previous day so I thought it was time to break this big boy out. Having read the notes on it, I and having a few lack lustre pairing partners I broke out the King for its dancing partner Lagavulin 16 year old scotch. Oh its on.
There has been a ton of hype about the All Out Kings cigar from Caldwell and Drew Estate since it was launched a few weeks/month ago so I have been holding on to a couple for a while. I enjoyed smoking that big Gran Reserva the previous day so I thought it was time to break this big boy out. Having read the notes on it, I and having a few lack lustre pairing partners I broke out the King for its dancing partner Lagavulin 16 year old scotch. Oh its on.
Pairing Hots: Lagavulin, there that is all i need to say about the scotch. In regards to the cigar, it was awesome. Had all the great smoke and flavor i like. Notes of cocoa, dark chocolate, little spice and coffee action. Luscious smoke, amazing burn time, excellent draw. Together with the scotch it really brought it to the next level. The bite and smokiness from the scotch, not only gave some palate relief but allowed for flavors from both to linger so the next hit off of either always added to the overall enjoyment of both.
Pairing Nots: There is very little on the Nots side. My only drawback was that I needed to relight a couple of times. I thought I was going to need to correct the burn line at one point, but it sorted itself out nicely.
So there it is. My first week of Hot or Not! Hope you enjoyed this new style, and more importantly I hope you get out and try your own pairings and let me know what worked, what didnt and what i should try!
Sean "BigBoyRunning" Ryan
Pairing Nots: There is very little on the Nots side. My only drawback was that I needed to relight a couple of times. I thought I was going to need to correct the burn line at one point, but it sorted itself out nicely.
So there it is. My first week of Hot or Not! Hope you enjoyed this new style, and more importantly I hope you get out and try your own pairings and let me know what worked, what didnt and what i should try!
Sean "BigBoyRunning" Ryan
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