Four Roses Single Barrel

So I got this sample from the fine folks that distribute Four Roses bourbon.  They thought it would go great with a stogie, and figured I would be interested in a sample of their product.

Now I love pairing cigars with port, scotch, aged rum, and some beer styles – but I rarely have paired them with bourbon.  No reason in particular, I just haven’t.  Well I tried this tonight with a Davidoff Colorado Claro and woo! what a pair!  The woodiness of both the cigar and bourbon paired perfectly.  Also towards the end of the cigar, the cocoa and anise flavors were really intensified by the bourbon.

Here’s the tasting info provided with my sample:

Four Roses Single Barrel (100 proof)

A premium Single Barrel Bourbon with a taste that begs to be savored again and again. Its taste is complex, full bodied and surprisingly smooth with a delicate long finish that is unbelievably mellow. Contains hints of ripe plum and cherry tastes with fruity, spicy aromas including maple syrup and cocoa. Drink straight up or on the rocks.

Nose: Fruity, spicy, floral, cocoa, maple syrup, moderately woody. Palate: Hints of ripe plum & cherries, robust, full body, mellow. Finish: Smooth & delicately long. Size: 750ml

SRP: $35.99- $39.99

Thanks again for the sample, guys!

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Pardon the delay…

… but for my birthday I received an iPhone and it’s been sapping all of my time recently.  Here’s some cigar-related pictures I’ve been messing with some cool new photo apps.

Original

70's Style!

Oooooo…!

PS – yes, that’s a pre-release of the new LGC Artesanos de Tabaqueros.  It has a split wrapper – Connecticut Shade for the first third (foot end) and an Ecuadorian Sumatra for the last 2/3rds.  It was surprisingly good!

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The Year of the Ecuadorian Wrapper

Q: How do you make a cigar wrapper taste better?

A: Grow it in Ecuador!

OK, call it in – it’s over.  I can guarantee one of the hottest cigars of the year will feature a Ecuadorian wrapper.  Why?  Because it seems that EVERY new cigar has a Ecuadorian wrapper on it!

So what’s so magical about this little country and it’s wrapper leaf?

Map of Ecuador (Source Worldtravels.com)

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I Want This.

It’s only $47,000.

S. T. Dupont Vandom Pink Gold Lighter

And if you were wondering, yes those are diamonds, 192 of them.  Learn more.

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Manufacturer Spotlight – La Flor Dominicana

La Flor Dominicana is a brand that has really gained in popularity over the last few years.  It is the child of Litto Gomez and Ines Lorenzo-Gomez who have poured the hearts into creating one of the most diverse brands out there.  I love the brand as there is a cigar for every mood.  From the mild to the very full-bodied the Gomez’ have put together quite an amazing portfolio.

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Passage of the SCHIP Bill – What will yo do?

We are looking at ~$0.40 a cigar tax on all premium cigars, which means an average of an extra $8-10 a box.  Will this change your cigar smoking habits?

Feel free to add you thoughts and comments in the comment section!

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Cuban Cigar Size Chart

The sizes listed below were pulled from the Habanos, SA website.  Since they make the cigars, these ARE the correct sizes and names (we hope).  Traditionally there have been fewer vitolas listed, but Habanos is now putting out a lot of different sizes.  In fact, they have a vitola for every possible size, even if the differences are in just a millimeter or even the presence or absence of a pigtail cap.

I have separated the vitolas into two sections, parejos and figurados (shaped cigars).  Habanos had all of the sizes arranged by ring gauge, but I am rearranging them by length.

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Domestic Cigar Size Chart

The Domestic market uses Standard measurements: inches for length and ring gauge for width.  Ring gauge is measured in 1/64 of an inch.  Therefore if a cigar has a ring gauge of 49, it is 49/64 of an inch in diameter.

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What’s in a Shape?

Cigar Shapes and Sizes

At first I thought this would be an easy enough task.  Just list the range in cigar shapes and sizes.  But the more I thought of this, the more work it became.  But that’s okay.  I want to bring you the reader (all three of you) a comprehensive list of shapes and sizes from both the Domestic and International markets.

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Cigar Accessories – Toys for the Aficionado

Whether it be a cutter or a lighter, it’s important to get the best item for your money. Below are essentials necessary (OK, some are superfluous) to truly enjoy your cigars.

Cigar Cutters – unless you are smoking Phillies Blunts, you need to cut your cigar.

• Teeth – just because you have them, does not mean you should use them for biting off the tip of a cigar. Please, we’re civilized here.

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