The Bigfoot Ale was a good as I remembered it to be. While savoring the flavor, I realized that it had been several years since I had enjoyed this annual Winter release from Sierra Nevada. The mouthfeel was full, and mildly carbonated. It sports a sweet malt backbone that finishes with the rich bitterness of hops. Even after nearly seven years of "cellaring," the full hop bitterness is still strong on the palate. The 9.6% ABV was barely detectable, the alcohol well masked by the strong bittersweet flavors.
The Oliva Serie V Maduro Especial is one of my favorite smokes. It sports a beautiful Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper over Nicaraguan binder and fillers, creating a full bodied smoke. Rich flavors of cocoa, coffee, roasted nuts, and cedar made for a fitting companion to the rich bitterness of the beer. The cigar gave a nearly two-hour smoke with a perfect burn from beginning to end.
All too soon the cigar neared its end, though outlasting the ale in my glass. I held on to the hot nub for as long as I could, the flavor never wavering. This was a thoroughly enjoyable combination, and one worth repeating. While my stock of 2013 Bigfoot is limited, I just happen to have bottles from other years stashed away. The Oliva stick was the last of my stock, but that shortfall is easily remedied by a trip to my local tobacconist.
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