Christmas Evening with a Padrón 1964 and Woodford Reserve

We don’t often have a white Christmas in this part of Virginia, and that “tradition” held firm this year. In fact, the temperature soared to over 60 degrees by midday. After a late-afternoon dinner — highlighted by a standing rib roast cooked to perfection — I headed out to the screened porch to digest the feast, with a sip and a smoke, of course.

I had picked up a few Padrón 1964 Anniversary Torpedo Maduro cigars a few weeks earlier on a whim and decided one would be my Christmas Day celebratory smoke. Turning my attention to the bourbon shelf, I settled on Woodford Reserve Double Oaked as a fitting pairing for such a bold cigar.

The sharply box-pressed torpedo is composed entirely of Nicaraguan tobaccos. Dark and slightly oily, the cigar tapers to a very sharp point, much of which is clipped off before lighting. Bitter-sweet cocoa and espresso lead off the experience. As the smoke progresses, the profile shifts to include molasses-like sweetness and hints of dark fruit, while a peppery spice steadily builds through the finish. The 1964 Anniversary Maduro is a full-bodied smoke, delivering a flavor experience entirely in keeping with its dark appearance.

The Woodford Reserve Double Oak met the challenge of the bold cigar with aplomb. Sweet caramel, dark chocolate, dark fruit notes all assist in standing up to the cigar's depth. A long wood and spice finish coats the palate in a fitting match to the cigar's lingering pepper and roasted finish. 

Despite the unseasonable — though not entirely unusual — warmth, the setting sun eventually brought a chill, so I fired up one of the porch heaters on low, just enough to take the edge off without reaching for a jacket. Christmas-themed blues drifted from the speaker, adding a relaxed, festive tone to the evening. In time, with the cigar burned down to a nub and the whiskey glass emptied, it was time to head back inside and rejoin the family — just in time for a sweet tiramisù dessert and the quiet close of a thoroughly satisfying Christmas Day.

Cheers!