Four Roses Single Barrel

So I got this sample from the fine folks that distribute Four Roses bourbon.  They thought it would go great with a stogie, and figured I would be interested in a sample of their product.

Now I love pairing cigars with port, scotch, aged rum, and some beer styles – but I rarely have paired them with bourbon.  No reason in particular, I just haven’t.  Well I tried this tonight with a Davidoff Colorado Claro and woo! what a pair!  The woodiness of both the cigar and bourbon paired perfectly.  Also towards the end of the cigar, the cocoa and anise flavors were really intensified by the bourbon.

Here’s the tasting info provided with my sample:

Four Roses Single Barrel (100 proof)

A premium Single Barrel Bourbon with a taste that begs to be savored again and again. Its taste is complex, full bodied and surprisingly smooth with a delicate long finish that is unbelievably mellow. Contains hints of ripe plum and cherry tastes with fruity, spicy aromas including maple syrup and cocoa. Drink straight up or on the rocks.

Nose: Fruity, spicy, floral, cocoa, maple syrup, moderately woody. Palate: Hints of ripe plum & cherries, robust, full body, mellow. Finish: Smooth & delicately long. Size: 750ml

SRP: $35.99- $39.99

Thanks again for the sample, guys!

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The Results are in! The Zennie goes to…

This was a really hard one this year.  I was torn between several new lines.  The EP Carillo was the triumphic return of Ernesto Perez-Carillo.  The Avo Heritage was a strikingly bold and flavorful offering from the typically more mild Avo Uvezian.  But the new cigar that really sold itself offered several different sizes which all tasted different and featured my favorite wrapper (Ecuadorian Habano)…

 

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2010 Zen Cigar of the Year

Yeah it’s a bit late, but I’ve done a lot of pondering as to who is worthy of  a “Zennie”.  Remember a candidate for Cigar of the Year must have been newly created for 2010; for example, Arturo Fuente Hemingway would not be eligible.  The official list is located here.  So without further ado, here are the nominees in random order:

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Rocky Patel 15th Anniversary Toro

Size: 6 1/2″ x 52

Vitola: Toro

Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano

Origin: RP factory in Nicaragua

Age: Pre-Release – super fresh!

I received an e-mail from the folks at Rocky Patel asking if I would be interested in trying a pre-release of Rocky’s 15th Anniversary cigar.  I said sure, and the cigars were at my doorsteps faster than you can say Ecuadorian Habano-seed wrapper.

I received two, this review is for the first one I smoked.  Taking in to consideration that this is a pre-release you sometimes have to over look any youthful characteristics in the smoke.

The cigar has a very dark wrapper for being an Ecuadorian Habano-seed, and looks like it might have a kick to it.  Considering this nice looking box-pressed cigar has all Nicaraguan filler in it, I thought it may be a welcome departure from the usual RP Honduran flavor profile.

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Fuente Fuente Opus X Forbidden X Toro CRA Edition

Size: 6″ x 48

Vitola: Toro

Wrapper: Dominican Rosado

Origin: the DR

Age: Fresh from my humidor but aged in Calvados barrels at Chateau Fuente

I recieved this cigar from the second round of CRA samplers. The Forbidden X cigars are a little different then your normal Opus. These bad boys are aged in Calvados barrels. So what drink did I decide to pair with this rare cigar?  Why calvados of course!

I removed the cedar wrapping and took a whiff, I swear I could smell that appley goodness.

After the first few puffs I already knew I was in heaven. I got that rich woody and cedary taste with a dash of leather and yes, apple.

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El Picador is here!

Just letting everyone know, the El Picador, Don Pepin’s version of the Cheroot is available at Empire Cigars.

This cigar is smooth and spicy.  If you are a fan of the My Father line of cigars, this is a must try!  Hal & Co. at Empire will ship!

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Updated New Releases for 2010

Here’s the list as it stands.  It’s quite impressive already, and this is before the IPCPR!  Some are still unconfirmed and/or holdovers from last year’s list.

2010

90 Miles – This new line from the folks at Flor de Gonzalez will come in 4 sizes with an Ecuadorian Habano Rosado wrapper.  The name refers to the distance between Cuba and Key West.

Alec Bradley Mudial – no info yet.

Andiamo – a new line with two different wrappers from the folks who brought you La Perla Habana and Black Pearl.

Aurora 107 – this new blend is dedicating the 107th (?) anniversary of the La Aurora line.

Camacho Plus – a more novice-accessible Camacho.  Press.  Haven’t heard much more about this, not sure if it’s still coming out.

Cohiba Behike “BK” – a new three-size line from Habanos but not as limited as the original Cohiba Behike.  Info here.  Take a loan out on the house to pay for these bad boys…

Davidoff Puro d’Oro – the long awaited and delayed Dominican puro from the Master Henke Kelner.

El Triunfador – Once a secret release LE cigar from cigar-star Pete Johnson, this will now be available in six sizes with a Ecuadorian Habano wrapper.  Great flavor w/ a medium body, this my favorite line from Pete to date!

Esteban Carreras 187 – two size value priced line w/ a Nicaraguan Maduro wrapper.

Esteban Carreras 5150 – two size value priced line w/ an Ecuadorian Sumatra-seed wrapper.

Garcia y Leon – a collaboration between La Aurora and My Father Cigars, the blend will be created by Leon but will be made in Pepin’s My Father factory.

Gran Vida by Rocky Patel – a new three size line featuring a Pennsylvanian Broadleaf wrapper.

Gran Vida Habano by Rocky Patel – similar to above but w/ a Habano wrapper.

Graycliff Heritage Royale – once called “Project X” , this will feature a Costa Rican wrapper.

Gurkha Havana Legend – a new value conscious line with a Nicaraguan wrapper.  Here’s the press release.

Gurkha Monogram – a new value conscious line with a Connecticut wrapper, similar to the Elegance.  Here’s the press release.

Gurkha Nautilus – a new value conscious line with a Nicaraguan H2000 wrapper.  Here’s the press release.

Joya de Nicaragua Antano Dark Corojo – stronger than the original Antanos – with 75% ligero!  This is JdN’s best to date!

Joya de Nicaragua Cabinetta – a mellower line that’s half maduro wrapper and half claro.  These are really great flavorful cigars.

Joya de Nicaragua Fuerte Series B - a bundle line from JdN.

La Flor Dominicana Air Bender – features the best wrapper out there – Litto’s Ecuadorian Habano!  This is one very good cigar!

La Gloria Cubana Artesanos de Tabaqueros – a dual wrapper cigar – 1/3 Connie Shade, 2/3 Sumatran.

La Palina – an old Clear Havana line resurrected by the folks at Graycliff.

Legend-Ario Connecticut – a new wrapper for Camacho’s answer to The Edge.

Nestor Miranda Selection Dominicano – a new blend from Miami Cigars blended by Pepin with a Dominican wrapper from La Aurora!  Press Release.

Nosotros – can’t wait for this one.  Here’s the release.  The pre-release I tried has some serious potential!

Quesada Tributo – a new release from MATASA with a (surpirse!) Ecuadorian wrapper, check more out here.

Ramones – and old name once owned by Simon Camacho in the 60’s  makes a return with two wrappers – an Ecuadorian Connecticut and Honduran Habano.  This value-priced blend will be made by Camacho.

Rocky Patel Vintage Signature – no info yet.  This was a hold-over from last year.

Sencillo – a new brand from Prometheus made by (gasp!) Camacho and will be a Honduran Puro.  Sencillo means “simple” in Spanish.

Limited Editions:

  • AVO LE10 – the newest birthday smoke for Mr. Uvezian.  The filler is all ligero! 
  • CAO Escaparate Blend #7 – a new blend available at Butthead’s Tobacco in Connecticut.  This is the original blend for the Vision.
  • Carlos Torano Roots Run Deep Tour Cigar – a special churchill made for the 2010 Tour.
  • Room 101 LTD Conjura (by Camacho) – avaiolable in 4 sizes, stronger than the original 101’s with box artwork by some tattoo guy.
  • Tatuaje La Verite – a special release featuring leaved grown all from one farm.
  • Viaje Double-Edged Sword – a super limited edition perfecto.
  • Viaje Exclusivo Robusto – these LEs came in a cool mason-style jar!
  • Viaje Reserva Oro – a one size line, box pressed w/ aged tobacco.
  • Viaje Reserva Platino – a one size line, box pressed w/ aged tobacco.
  • Viaje Skull & Bones – super secret new blend!
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The Year of the Ecuadorian Wrapper

Q: How do you make a cigar wrapper taste better?

A: Grow it in Ecuador!


OK, call it in – it’s over.  I can guarantee one of the hottest cigars of the year will feature a Ecuadorian wrapper.  Why?  Because it seems that EVERY new cigar has a Ecuadorian wrapper on it!

So what’s so magical about this little country and it’s wrapper leaf?

Map of Ecuador (Source Worldtravels.com)

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La Flor Dominicana Air Bender Matatan

Size: 5″ x 50

Vitola: Robusto

Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano

Origin: The DR

Age: Fresh

Woo-hoo! The newest creation from Litto Gomez was on my must try list.  The name Air Bender has two meanings according to Litto, the first is due to his affinity for Kung Fu movies and the other is that smoke appears to be bending air as it dissipates.  Kinda poetic, no?  My shop, Empire Cigars, just got the whole line in and I couldn’t be more excited.

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The White Band Project Wrap-Up

So how did we fare?  Matt and I met last Thursday for the big reveal.

Did Matt pull the wool over my eyes?  Did I dupe Matt into going against his gut?  Find out now!

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