Peruvian Tobacco, Scottish Ale, and a Gathering Storm

On Thursday evening I attended a cigar event at The Port Oysteria and Brewery in downtown Fredericksburg. I had not yet visited the combination brewery, seafood restaurant, and raw bar, so I was interested in finally checking it out in addition to enjoying a cigar. The event was held, appropriately enough, in the restaurant’s outdoor beer garden. The cigars were provided by Uptown Smokes, a mobile cigar lounge.

I stopped first at the cigar table to pick out a smoke for the evening. Alongside a selection of familiar offerings, Uptown Smokes carries several Peruvian and Panamanian cigars. Intrigued, I selected a cigar called Rebirth of Crunk from Boogie Down Cigars.

The Rebirth of Crunk is a 7 x 60 Torpedo. The dark maduro wrapper was very rustic and rough in appearance. Details on the blend are somewhat vague, and I found very little information online. Writing on the box states “100% Peruvian,” though some references specify only a 100% Peruvian Maduro wrapper without mentioning the binder or filler. Boogie Down Cigars appears to be a boutique brand founded by cigar enthusiasts with roots in New York’s hip-hop culture. The company has only a modest online presence, and its cigars are not widely distributed.

The cigar felt light in the hand, and the draw was quite open. There were a few loose bits of wrapper at the cap and near the mid-section, but they were easily removed without issue. While the cigar is described as full-bodied, I found it much closer to medium in strength. The initial flavor profile offered a light sweetness accompanied by cedar notes. As the smoke progressed, coffee, dried fruit, and raisin-like flavors emerged, along with a mild spice that added balance and interest.

The very dark wrapper, presumably a heavily fermented Peruvian leaf, occasionally burned more slowly than the filler, resulting in an uneven burn that required several touch-ups with the lighter. The cigar never tunneled or went out, however, and smoke production remained plentiful throughout. Despite the burn issues, it provided well over two hours of smoking enjoyment.

I paired the cigar with Port Oysteria Scottish Ale. The dark amber beer displayed an enjoyable balance of caramel sweetness and light roasted malt notes that complemented the cigar’s sweet and coffee-like flavors. The event also coincided with happy hour, so in addition to discounted drinks, the $1 oysters on the half shell caught my attention. A dozen of the briny delicacies proved to be a tasty and welcome addition to the evening.

The Rebirth of Crunk provided an interesting smoking experience. Peruvian tobaccos remain uncommon in a market crowded with Nicaraguan- and Dominican-focused blends. While the burn required periodic attention and never achieved perfect symmetry, the balanced, satisfying flavors compensated for the cosmetic imperfections.

Toward the end of the evening, the skies darkened dramatically and the wind began to pick up. Seeing black clouds advancing in the distance, I decided to leave the final inch or so of the cigar unfinished. The drive home took me through an intense downpour, validating my decision to make an early exit.

Cheers!