Rocky Patel Disciple and Smoke Wagon Bourbon

After an early dinner this week I escaped to the screened porch for a relaxing smoke and bourbon. I've been looking forward to enjoying the Rocky Patel Disciple from the five pack I grabbed a couple months ago. I remember from smoking the cigar a couple years ago that it was a strongly flavored, robust smoke. Therefore I selected the Smoke Wagon Uncut Unfiltered Bourbon as the accompamiment. 

This bottling of Smoke Wagon Uncut Unfiltered comes in at a hefty115.9 proof. The proof provides a smack of heat that should go well with a potent cigar, and provide a nice foil to the cool evening air. The bourbon is rich in oak and maple notes. A heat dose of cinnamon also joins a candy sweetness for a bold drink.

The 6 x 50 Toro Disciple has a dark maduro San Andrés wrapper and binder and fillers tobaccos from Nicaragua. I got notes mainly of espresso, black pepper, and cocoa. Throughout the 90 minute smoke the cigar wasn't coming across as strongly flavored as I recall. All the expected flavors were there, but in a muted ensemble. Was it the cigar, or simply the strongly flavored bourbon? I wasn't sure. Admittedly, I did acquire the cigars from an online discounter, something I rarely do. Could they be old? Or poorly stored? The cigar was still enjoyable, but I am very interested in smoking the next one on it's own.

Cheers!

Rocky Patel Conviction Sweepstakes Winner!

This past summer I entered the Rocky Patel Conviction Sweepstakes. I submitted my and promptly forgot about it. Then in August I received a direct message on my Instagram account that I had won the Grand Prize. My first reaction was "What sort of scam is this asking for my mailing address?" I bit of research later, and a memory refresh, I realized it was for real.

It took nearly two months for the package arrive. Inside was a large leather bound travel case, complete with an Envoy lighter, a promotional cutter, two logo rocks glasses, and cigar travel trays. The case also has space for bottle of whiskey. I quickly realized the heavy glass Luminoso ashtray was missing. Frankly, that was the piece of the prize I was most excited about. I messaged the company and they let me know the oversight would soon be corrected. 

And it was, in spades! When the ashtray arrived, the package included a few other goodies. By way of apology they also included a leather cigar case, a Poseidon triple cutter, an Artisan lighter, and another Envoy lighter.

The sweepstakes was part of the promotion of the new Rocky Patel Conviction cigar. That is a cigar I'd love to try. Though, even as a fan of Rocky Patel, at $100 a pop it's highly unlikely. Maybe they'll have another contest!

Cheers!

Chilly Night Sip and Smoke

It always takes me a while to adjust to winter, especially when I'm hoping to enjoy a cigar. In the early weeks of the cold season, more often than not I'll simply forgo that after-dinner pleasure. Hence, the reduced posting this time of year. The thing is, once I do venture out, it's generally not as unpleasant as I feared. Such was the case on a recent evening. 

I turned on both the portable propane heater and the infrared table lamp heater, grabbed a thick leather jacket, and headed out. I selected a smaller, more budget cigar in the Crowned Heads Juárez, just in case I decided to quit early. I went more robust with Maker's Mark 46 Cask Strength. I needed the "warmth."

Crowned Heads Juárez OBS is a 4 3/4 x 52 Robusto with a chocolate Mexican San Andrés wrapper, Ecuadorian Sumatra binder, and filler from Dominican Republic and Nicaragua. The stick has an MSRP of around $6.00. It's a mild to medium profiled smoke with notes of chocolate and leather. There's a hint of raison that comes in the finish. As I began the smoke, I thought to myself that I may have "overstepped" with the bourbon selection. The burn remained even though at times I had to double puff to keep the smoke production up. 

Maker's Mark 46 Cask Strength is one of my favorite members of the "regular" Maker's Mark lineup, though it is at times hard to find. The ramped up version of the standard 46 "French Oak" expression is bottled at 110.1 proof, at least in this bottle. I've seen various proofs, all around the 110 mark. Aromas of caramel and wood char predominate. The flavor notes feature caramel, brown sugar, and sweet bread. Cinnamon and a light alcohol warmth round out the sip. The finish is clean and relatively short.

Although the cigar was on the milder side of medium, I was still able to enjoy the flavor, without it being overwhelmed by the bourbon. As I slowly sipped my drink and enjoyed the cigar, I became mostly unaware of the cool night air. However, near the end, the fluttering flame on the heater reminded me that a run for more propane is on the agenda.

Cheers!

Five O'Clock Friday: Always Be Optimistic

Though sometimes it doesn't matter.

Here's to the weekend

Cheers!

Sunday Afternoon Cigar and Coffee

In the midst of a hectic weak with no chance for a cigar, so as a tonic I'm reflecting on a restful Sunday afternoon. Last Sunday after Mass and a delicious brunch, I tackled a purge of the "junk drawer" in my dresser. (You know the one.) After helping with some outdoor Christmas decorating I felt the day slipping away so I declared an end to chores. Offering to make Colleen a cappuccino helped to sway her as well.

I had already decided on the cigar for the day, the Black Label Trading Company Bishops Blend Novemdiales. 

The Novemdiales is the 2023 version of the annual Bishops Blend release. The Pennsylvania Broadleaf wrapper is change from the Ecuadorian Maduro wrapper of previous releases. An attractive Ecuadorian Habano binder, and a mixed filler of Nicaraguan, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania broadleaf tobaccos complete the blend. The Bishops Blend has always ranked high on my list, and the "boosted" Novemdiales for 2023 is exceptional. 

The full bodied smoke has a flavor profile rich with dark fruit, bitter espresso, along with strong cedar and pepper spices. One smoked previously seemed to be overly packed and took some extra work to smoke, but this example was near perfect. 

While I was smoking and sipping, the clouds even gave way for a bit, the warm sun on the cool day adding to the pleasure. The creamy cappuccino provided a nice foil to the bold cigar. The large coffee treat didn't last as long as the cigar, and I was uninspired to go inside to prep another, so finished by sipping plain water. Not as delightful for sure, but the rest before the new week was most welcome.

Cheers!

Happy Repeal Day

On December 5, 1933 the nightmare of Prohibition finally came to an end. Utah became the 36th state to formally ratified the 21st Amendment to the United States Constitution. The 18th Amendment which had unsuccessfully attempted to ban alcohol in the United State was officially repealed.

Unfortunately, the Prohibitionists are still out there. Freedoms once lost, are rarely restored. So responsibly enjoy an alcoholic beverage today and celebrate the gift of personal choice.

Cheers!

A Warm Evening Respite

We spent the Thanksgiving holiday in Orlando to take in the ESPN Events Invitational college basketball tournament. It was a different sort of vacation for us, but thoroughly enjoyable. Thanksgiving dinner consisted of court side hotdogs and bottom shelf Scotch. I didn't get in a lot of whiskey shopping, but did pick up a few bottles that are unavailable or hard to find in Virginia. It's been a busy week since our return, with inhospitable outdoor weather, but the weekend brought a bit of a respite, and the chance to open a new bottle.

After an early dinner, with the temps hovering a low 60°, I grabbed the St. Augustine Port Finished Bourbon, along with a CAO America cigar.

The bourbon was one I picked up on a whim. I was intrigued by the port finish, and wanted a "souvenir" from the local area. (It was that or a gator head.) I also like the old school bottle style. I've found these finished bourbons generally pair quite well with cigars. St. Augustine Distillery sources port wine barrels from the local San Sebastian Winery to finish their straight bourbon. The barrels then go back to the winery to finish more port wine. Yeah, technically it's a "port-style fortified wine" but no need to be pedantic.

Bottled at 102 proof, the bourbon is an attractive ruby color. The aroma brings notes of dark fruit, caramel. In the appearance, aroma, and flavor profiles, the port influence is unmistakable. The flavor is bold and rich. Dark cherries, fig, and raisons come to mind. There's also a creamy caramel sweetness underlying the fruit. The finish is long, as black pepper comes to the foreground and lingers. I found it a rather enjoyable drink.

The CAO America is a cigar I've not smoked before, and only recently picked up a few to try. This Potomac vitola is a 5 x 56 Robusto. The red, white, and blue label color scheme sits on a barber pole wrapper of Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro with a thin strip of Connecticut Shade tobacco creating the barber pole effect. The wrapper covers a Brazilian binder, which in turn hides fillers from Dominican Republic, Italy, Nicaragua, and the USA.

The cigar is medium bodied with notes of leather, nuts, milk chocolate, and cedar. The flavors are consistent throughout the smoke. The smoke production was rich with an even burn. I enjoy cigars that put out copious smoke without requiring touchups. The plentiful smoke brings lots of flavor to the palate. The ash was solid and the cigar finished with just three, long ash sections left in the ashtray, and no flakes on my lap.

The cigar and finished bourbon paired well together.  I enjoyed about a 45 minute smoke before reaching the warm nub. Retiring inside, the St. Augustine Port Finished Bourbon merited another pour for both Colleen and I to enjoy as a late night libation.

Cheers!

Five O'Clock Friday: Diet Advice

I won't argue with science.

Cheers!