San Lotano Requiem and Old Elk Cognac Finish: A Reset After One of Those Weeks

I was thinking about the Jimmy Vivino song “Gonna Be 2 of Those Days” this week. The week started with our oven breaking. Then, the same morning the repairman was arriving for that issue, the refrigerator gave up the ghost.

The next day after shopping for a new fridge, we stopped at Starbucks for a treat. Pulling away from the drive-thru, I realized I’d forgotten to redeem my free birthday coffee. That felt like the icing on the cake.

Needless to say, I was more than ready for a relaxing smoke and a pour or two of bourbon that evening. The exceptional spring-like weather inspired me to select a long smoke from the humidor. I settled on the San Lotano Requiem Maduro Gran Toro. The 6 x 60 stick from A.J. Fernandez features a Mexican San Andrés wrapper, smooth and chocolatey in appearance. A Nicaraguan binder encases fillers from Nicaragua and Honduras. The cigar had been resting in my humidor for nearly four months.

The San Lotano Requiem Maduro is a full-bodied smoke, yet remains approachable. Its smooth, complex profile delivers notes of espresso, cocoa, and pepper, balanced by a subtle sweetness on the palate. The 135-minute burn gave me ample time to unwind from a hectic few days, while enjoying a couple pours of Old Elk Cognac Cask Finish Bourbon.

As I’ve noted before, I enjoy cask-finished bourbons — especially alongside a cigar. The range of finishes distillers can draw from — cognac, rum, Armagnac, sherry, port, and more — creates some truly interesting expressions. The Old Elk Cognac Cask Finish is no exception.

Aged for at least five years, then finished in cognac casks for 10 months, it offers notes of sweet raisin and apple, along with caramel and oak. At 105 proof, it delivers a mild, spicy warmth on the finish.

Until I pulled the bottle from the shelf, I hadn’t realized just how much I’d enjoyed the Cognac-finished bourbon — there were only a few ounces left. I nursed the remainder through the duration of the long smoke. The pairing made for a well-matched — and very welcome — repast.

It actually got a bit warm on the porch, prompting me to open more windows and let the spring breeze flow through. While we’ve had hints of spring in recent weeks, the 80° high that day made it feel official. Of course, the next few days will bring a noticeable drop, as spring continues its slow attempt to take hold in Virginia.

As this post goes up, the oven is repaired, the new refrigerator is in place, and I realized I had one more day to claim my free coffee. All things considered, the week’s challenges were minor — though I did miss having ice in the house for a few days.

Cheers!