Cigar & Bourbon Harmony: Tasting the 2024 Weller by Cohiba

I’ve had a couple of the 2024 Weller by Cohiba cigars resting in my humidor since November. I wasn’t about to light up such a pricey cigar in the dead of winter, so they waited patiently. After a recent pour of Weller Full Proof, I was reminded of the cigars and finally pulled one out to enjoy.

This 2024 release marks the third annual collaboration between General Cigar and Weller/Buffalo Trace. For this edition, the binder leaves were aged in Weller Full Proof bourbon barrels — shipped from the Buffalo Trace Distillery to General Cigar’s factory in Santiago, Dominican Republic. The cigars come in sleek aluminum tubes (which I removed before storing) and are presented in a classic 6 x 50 Toro format. 

The wrapper is a smooth, glossy Ecuadoran Sumatra. Underneath, the barrel-aged binder is U.S. Broadleaf, and the filler blend features Dominican, Honduran, and Nicaraguan tobaccos.

The draw was on the snug side, though it still produced ample smoke. Unfortunately, the first inch and a half developed a significant run, leaving much of the wrapper unburned. A touch-up fixed the issue, but not without some regret for the wasted leaf. Thankfully, the remainder of the cigar burned evenly and without incident. 

The Weller by Cohiba 2024 settles nicely into a full-bodied profile. Dominant notes include oak, leather, and black pepper, supported by underlying sweetness — fruit, cream, and occasional hints of sweet bourbon. Compared to the 2023 version, this year’s release has a bit more body and complexity. Overall, it was a very enjoyable smoking experience.

Naturally, Weller Full Proof was the pairing of choice. The bourbon’s rich profile — caramel, brown sugar, cinnamon, and candied fruit — drew out the sweeter tones in the cigar, creating a balanced and decadent pairing.

Yes, this is a pricey cigar and a hard-to-find bourbon, but the combination made for a rewarding treat on a (relatively) cool evening. I’ve still got one more from the 2024 release, along with a few from 2023, in the humidor. While I may not always pair them with a pour of Weller, both versions are exceptional cigars for bourbon lovers.

Cheers!

First Impressions: Hermanos de Armas Cataclysm Toro

I’d been looking forward to trying this Hermanos de Armas cigar for some time—well, at least for the past four weeks since picking up a selection of HDA cigars during a stop at Hogshead Cigar Lounge.

Hermanos de Armas Cigars is the creation of two U.S. military veterans with a deep passion for cigars. The name, which translates to “Brothers in Arms,” reflects both their bond and background. The cigars are produced at the Oveja Negra factory in Nicaragua — the same factory behind Black Label Trading Company and Black Works Studio, both of which I enjoy regularly.

The Hermanos de Armas Cataclysm is a 6 x 54 Toro featuring an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper. A Nicaraguan binder encases a blend of Ometepe and Condega Nicaraguan leaf. The reddish-brown wrapper is oily and beautifully finished, with an impressively smooth construction.

The first draws filled the palate with an earthy, dry smoke. There’s a woody base in the initial profile, accompanied by a mild tinge of pepper. After a few puffs, I was reminded of boiled peanuts — an unexpected touch. Soon, the dry wood and earth were joined by sweet notes of molasses and brown sugar, bringing a welcome balance. Toward the end, the flavor profile deepened with hints of bitter black coffee.

While the opening minutes of the Cataclysm were somewhat unusual, as the cigar warmed and the interplay of sweet and bitter developed, I found myself thoroughly enjoying it. The burn was steady, and the ash held firm, forming a solid “stack of dimes” without flaking. I appreciated the full-bodied character of the smoke right down to the finger-warming nub.

For the pairing, I poured Weller Full Proof — a 114-proof wheated bourbon with notes of brown sugar, cinnamon, honey, and toasted oak, finishing with a candied fruit sweetness. While flavorful, the bourbon’s strong finish tended to mute the cigar’s more nuanced flavors. I ended up holding off on sipping most of the Weller until I was near the end of the cigar.

I still have multiple samples of other Hermanos de Armas cigars on hand, and after the pleasure of the Cataclysm, I’m looking forward to exploring the rest of the lineup very soon.

Cheers!

A Weller Evening

I've been waiting for warmer weather to enjoy another of the Weller by Cohiba smokes I picked up last August. I've smoked one not long after the purchase. It was enjoyable but needed a bit more humidor time. The cigar had some minor burn issues and tasted a little harsh at times. After waiting eight months, I was itching to have another. Alas, the weather this weekend turned to the chilly side. But, I still have propane for the heaters, so I went for it any way. Patience only goes so far. 

On top of the desire to enjoy this cigar, I've been wanting to go back to my bottle of Weller Antique 107. The hard-to-find bottle is down to its last third, so I've been drinking it sparingly. I decided to go for the "matched pair."

The 2023 Weller by Cohiba is a 6 x 50 Toro that comes in individual aluminum tubes. I removed the cigars from the tubes for humidor storage. The deep brown Nicaraguan Jalapa wrapper encases a USA Broadleaf binder. Brazilian Mata Fina, Nicaraguan Esteli, and Nicaraguan Jalapa tobaccos make up the fillers. In a partnership with Weller Bourbon the binder leaves were aged in Weller Bourbon barrels from the Buffalo Trace distillery, producers of Weller Bourbon. I saw one reference specifically stating Weller 12 Year as the bourbon, but the Cohiba and other websites are non-specific. Nonetheless, I paired the cigar with Weller Antique 107, because that's the one I have.

The cigar is densely packed and firm to the touch. The area around the band had no give whatsoever. After clipping the cap, I used my PerfecDraw to open it up a bit. The draw remained firm until the last third. Regular double puffs were required for good smoke production, but the cigar never went out. Only one early correction to the burn was required.

The flavor profile of the Weller by Cohiba is rich dark chocolate with caramel and toasted oak notes. There's a small bit of black pepper at the beginning, which seems to disappear later on. Despite the dark appearance of the cigar, it's medium bodied, with a smooth and creamy texture.

I picked up the Weller Antique 107 a couple years ago, back when the Virginia Alcohol Beverage Cartel  actually put hard to find bottles on the shelves when they came in. One could find interesting bourbons at random times. It was worthwhile checking out the stores at random times to find fun stuff.  The bottle cost under $50 at that time too.

Using wheat instead of the more usual rye, gives the 107 proof drink a "softness" in both the aroma and the palate. Dark fruit, caramel, and a floral note waft from the glasss. Upon sipping, I get a mild cinnamon, along with raisons, vanilla, and dark caramel. The finish is oily but short lived. The poof adds some body but is a negligible note. I really could sip this all day.

The pairing of the two Wellers was enjoyable. The mild sweetness of the bourbon played nicely with the caramel and chocolate sweetness from the cigar. I do think a more robust cigar may have overshadowed the soft bourbon. The Weller by Cohiba is a limited release and not an inexpensive smoke. I like the flavor profile, though the cost is high buck for the bang. On the bright side, the well-packed cigar gave a two hour plus smoking time. That was plenty of time to enjoy a few pours of the Weller Antique. 

Cheers!

Padrón 1964 Anniversary and Weller 107

This was a pairing I enjoyed very much. Neither the Padrón 1964 Anniversary nor the Weller Antique 107 are new experiences, though I am not sure if I've had them together. They are however, both top of the line in my book.

Sometimes I will pull a whiskey off the shelf, then select a cigar. Other times the order is reversed. The prep time for a smoking session is often extended as I go back and forth with the decision. In this instance I made my cigar choice for the evening first then grabbed the bourbon. Why? No specific reason, just an inspiration.

The Padrón 1964 Anniversary comes in two "flavors," with either sun-grown natural or maduro wrappers. This was the sun grown version. The 6" x 52 box pressed stick features an extremely elongated and pointed cap. The box press has well defined edges. Upon cutting, the draw is right on and remained so throughout the smoking time. This is product created by skilled hands. The medium bodied all Nicaraguan stick has delightful hazelnut and cedar notes. There's an added sweet chocolate and honey aspect that completes the finish.

Weller Antique 107 is an allocated bourbon in Virginia and as such is difficult to obtain outside the overpriced secondary market. This bottle I have been nursing since January 2022 and harks back to a time that VA ABC would randomly add allocated stock to store shelves without announcements. If you heard about something in time, you could get it. This was before they started the announced "drops" that merely created a stampede to selected stores.

The aroma of the wheated bourbon is noticeable as I'm pouring. I sense dark fruit, topped with caramel and vanilla, and then sprinkled with cinnamon. I get hungry for dessert as I inhale. The flavor profile is spicy, but not hot. The cinnamon continues when sipping, as does the sweetness of vanilla and oak. The moderate 107 proof not all that noticeable on the palate or the finish. I find myself taking sips closely followed by a puff on the cigar. Or am I following the cigar with the bourbon?

I think I said this recently, even though I don't smoke Padrón cigars frequently, it's always a pleasure when I do. At least they are readily available. In contrast, I think I'll need to continue to nurse this bottle of Weller for as long as I can.

Cheers!