Padron 1926 Series Natural
Today’s Featured Cigar:
Padron 1926 Series Natural
••••••••
The Cigar:
Padon’s famous 1926 Series cigars are handcrafted from all Nicaraguan tobaccos into a box pressed format. The cigar is offered in either Natural or Maduro and is available in ten sizes including the No. 2 vitola pictured here.
The Flavors:
The ‘26 Natural weighs in at a nice medium intensity level. The flavor profile is rich with earth, spice, leather, and coffee flowing through an effortless smoky draw.
The Bottle:
Macallan Sherry Oak 12 Years Old is classic Macallan with pleasant complexity. This Highland single malt is aged in hand-picked sherry seasoned oak casks. The matured golden colored scotch is 43% ABV.
The Pairing:
The rich wood backbone, and dried fruits on the forefront of the Macallan meet the earthy spice of the Padron head on, creating a classy, traditional taste with the sherry notes adding some refreshing excitement. The smoke pulls as easily as the scotch goes down, and you’ll find yourself going back for seconds.
The Story:
The Padron 1926 Series debuted in 2002 to celebrate Jose Padron’s 75th Birthday. The Nicaraguan tobaccos are aged five years prior to blending, resulting in a smooth, complex, and unique smoking experience. To protect against counterfeiting, each cigar is fitted with a double band, and individually numbered.
Montecristo 1935
Today’s Featured Cigar:
Montecristo 1935 Anniversary
••••••••
The Cigar:
The Montecristo 1935 Anniversary is a Nicaraguan puro, showing off a dark, rough yet oily wrapper. This “soft pressed” cigar is rolled at the San Lotano factory in Nicaragua. The 1935 series was released in November 2020 in four sizes including the 6 1/8 x 52 No. 2 vitola pictured here.
The Flavors:
At first light, you are greeted with a strong black pepper spice that gives way to leather and coffee notes. Rounding out the profile is an oak wood tone, while the sweet notes are subtle in the background. The cigar is firm, but draws easily, sitting around a medium intensity.
The Bottle:
TC Craft Anejo Tequila
TC Craft is a Nashville, TN based company that originated with two brothers from Nashville and a master distiller from Mexico. This Anejo Tequila uses 9 year 100% blue Weber Agave, grown in the rich red clay in the Highlands of Jalisco, Mexico.
The Pairing:
Richness and oak wood qualities are on an even playing field between both the cigar and the tequila. TC Craft ages their Anejo in Tennessee whiskey barrels for longer than required resulting in superior smoothness. The spice from the Monte certainly fits with a tequila mood, and it will have you pouring seconds to prolong the enjoyment.
The Story:
This cigar was released in 2020 to celebrate Montecristo’s 85th Anniversary as a brand. Having rolled a number of cigars for Montecristo, AJ Fernandez was commissioned to produced this Nicaraguan puro at the San Lotano factory in Ocotál, Nicaragua.
Diamond Crown Classic
Today’s Featured Cigar:
Diamond Crown Classic
••••••••
The Cigar:
The Diamond Crown Classic from J.C. Newman shows off a silky Connecticut shade wrapper that lays over a Dominican binder, housing five different fillers from the Caribbean and Central America. The cigar is rolled at Tabacalera A. Fuente and is available in eight sizes including the 4 1/2 x 54 No. 5 vitola pictured here.
The Flavors:
The cigar performs in one of my favorite ways, in that it is mild in intensity, yet full of flavor. The dominate tasting notes are cedar and cream with subtle spices and toasted vanilla in the background. The five year aging process has played a large role in marrying the flavors together with a smooth finish.
The Bottle:
Boylan Ginger Ale
The Boylan company started in 1891 in Paterson, NJ. Their take on ginger ale stands apart from others with its use of cane sugar for sweetness, citrus oils adding hints of lemon and lime, and the classic green glass bottling.
The Pairing:
We hear a lot about the warm creamy pairings of Connecticut cigars with coffees, but it’s worth noting that the clean smoke of a premium Connecticut cigar can be a refreshing experience when paired with a beverage such as a ginger ale. The Boylan Ginger Ale is smooth, not overly carbonated, leaving room for the delicate notes of the Diamond Crown cigar. The mutual sweet flavors are enhanced when enjoyed together, and the finish is crisp and clean.
The Story:
The Diamond Crown series was introduced in 1995 to commemorate J.C. Newman’s 100th Anniversary. The cigar itself was one of the first to utilize a large 54 ring gauge in order to accommodate the six to seven individual tobacco leaves used to achieve the complex blend. Only the most skilled cigar makers at Tabacalera A. Fuente have the distinction of crafting Diamond Crown cigars.
Crowned Heads Four Kicks
Today’s Featured Cigar:
Crowned Heads Four Kicks
••••••••
The Cigar:
The Four Kicks from Crowned Heads is produced at EP Carillo’s Tabacalera La Alianza in the Dominican Republic. It is crafted from Nicaragua fillers and binder underneath an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper. This cigar was released in November 2011, and has been available in six regular production sizes including the 5x50 Robusto vitola pictured here.
The Flavors:
One of the most enjoyable qualities a cigar can have is showcasing flavors that are bigger than its strength, and this cigar is an excellent example of that. The sweet and spicy profile seems to lay over a bed of cedar and leather tones culminating with a pepper finish. While the strength is medium, the flavor is full.
Today’s Featured Cigar:
Crowned Heads Four Kicks
••••••••
The Bottle:
Austin Eastciders
Made with apple juice concentrate from Europe, these East Austin made ciders are not sweet, because they aren’t supposed to be. The Texas Brut Light Cider is 4.2% ABV, with notes of dry apple, champagne, and citrus.
The Pairing:
I’ve previously described the Crowned Heads Four Kicks as “the any time of day cigar”. It seems to naturally pair well with a wide range of beverage options and settings. In the case of the dry cider, it can be envisioned as a mid-day, summertime enjoyment. The mutual sharp flavors work well together, while the mutual mild sweet tones and carbonated mouthfeel refresh the palate and satisfy the mind.
Today’s Featured Cigar:
Crowned Heads Four Kicks
••••••••
The Story:
The Four Kicks was the very first cigar released from Crowned Heads. Its name comes from the title of a Kings of Leon song. Owner of Crowned Heads, Jon Huber, wrote “The song, Four Kicks, really spoke to me. It was filled anger, rebellion, confidence, and determination. These were the feelings that inspired us to forge together and create what would later become Crowned Heads LLC.”
Today’s Featured Cigar:
Crowned Heads Four Kicks
••••••••
The Cigar:
The Four Kicks from Crowned Heads is produced at EP Carillo’s Tabacalera La Alianza in the Dominican Republic. It is crafted from Nicaragua fillers and binder underneath an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper. This cigar was released in November 2011, and has been available in six regular production sizes including the 5x50 Robusto vitola pictured here.
The Flavors:
One of the most enjoyable qualities a cigar can have is showcasing flavors that are bigger than its strength, and this cigar is an excellent example of that. The sweet and spicy profile seems to lay over a bed of cedar and leather tones culminating with a pepper finish. While the strength is medium, the flavor is full.
The Bottle:
Austin Eastciders
Made with apple juice concentrate from Europe, these East Austin made ciders are not sweet, because they aren’t supposed to be. The Texas Brut Light Cider is 4.2% ABV, with notes of dry apple, champagne, and citrus.
The Pairing:
I’ve previously described the Crowned Heads Four Kicks as “the any time of day cigar”. It seems to naturally pair well with a wide range of beverage options and settings. In the case of the dry cider, it can be envisioned as a mid-day, summertime enjoyment. The mutual sharp flavors work well together, while the mutual mild sweet tones and carbonated mouthfeel refresh the palate and satisfy the mind.
The Story:
The Four Kicks was the very first cigar released from Crowned Heads. Its name comes from the title of a Kings of Leon song. Owner of Crowned Heads, Jon Huber, wrote “The song, Four Kicks, really spoke to me. It was filled anger, rebellion, confidence, and determination. These were the feelings that inspired us to forge together and create what would later become Crowned Heads LLC.”
Perdomo Champagne
Today’s Featured Cigar:
Perdomo Champagne
••••••••
The Cigar:
PERDOMO Reserve 10th Anniversary Champagne is blended using tobaccos that have been carefully hand-selected and aged for a minimum of six years. The PERDOMO Reserve 10th Anniversary Champagne was where the technique of bourbon barrel-aging wrapper tobaccos started for Pelrdomo. This special aging process was a Perdomo family secret for years and Nicholas Perdomo, Sr. aptly named the beautifully bourbon barrel-aged wrappers, the “Champagne” of wrappers.
The Flavors:
The beautiful, butterscotch colored Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper imparts sweet hints of cream and honey. The Cuban-seed Nicaraguan binder and filler leaves offer a rich spiciness with oaky undertones. The combination of the wrapper, binder, and fillers in this blend offers elegant flavors with rich complex aromas and a silky, smooth finish.
The Bottle:
Amaro Montenegro was Created in 1885 and originally Named Elister Lungavita. They Changed the name to honor the Princess of Montenegro after her wedding. It is created by a three step process of Boiling, Maceration, Distillation of all 40 different herbs and botanicals that fill up the recipe. Secret Ingredient - Premio - Secret blend of Botanicals, Essential for the flavor - 1 Liter for 15,000 bottles. One Drop of this ingredient is in every bottle.
The Pairing:
Amaro back at it again, this pairing is so delicious, I keep coming back. The brightness of the amaro orange peel shines through the softs price of the cigar. This is a pretty mellow pairing that actually makes the amaro the star because of a deep and complex flavor profile. The cigar keeps the experience steady and consistent while you enjoy the craziness of this bottle.
The Story:
The PERDOMO Reserve 10th Anniversary Champagne was where the technique of bourbon barrel-aging wrapper tobaccos started for Perdomo. This special aging process was a Perdomo family secret for years and Nicholas Perdomo, Sr. aptly named the beautifully bourbon barrel-aged wrappers, the “Champagne” of wrappers.
The Man:
Nick Perdomo Jr. Is the founder and CEO of Perdomo Cigars. He relocated with his family to Miami from Washington, D.C. in 1976. Nick’s first career was centered around aviation. After serving in the US Navy, he continued on as an air traffic controller at the Miami International Airport.
Nick had grown up while his father and grandfather were cigar makers in Cuba. He decided to follow in their footsteps and further his passion of cigars by opening his own cigar company. Through hard work and determination, he has turned his home garage business into a 2,000+ employee company, producing millions of premium cigars each year.
Today’s Featured Cigar:
Perdomo Champagne
••••••••
The Cigar:
PERDOMO Reserve 10th Anniversary Champagne is blended using tobaccos that have been carefully hand-selected and aged for a minimum of six years. The PERDOMO Reserve 10th Anniversary Champagne was where the technique of bourbon barrel-aging wrapper tobaccos started for Pelrdomo. This special aging process was a Perdomo family secret for years and Nicholas Perdomo, Sr. aptly named the beautifully bourbon barrel-aged wrappers, the “Champagne” of wrappers.
The Flavors:
The beautiful, butterscotch colored Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper imparts sweet hints of cream and honey. The Cuban-seed Nicaraguan binder and filler leaves offer a rich spiciness with oaky undertones. The combination of the wrapper, binder, and fillers in this blend offers elegant flavors with rich complex aromas and a silky, smooth finish.
The Bottle:
Amaro Montenegro was Created in 1885 and originally Named Elister Lungavita. They Changed the name to honor the Princess of Montenegro after her wedding. It is created by a three step process of Boiling, Maceration, Distillation of all 40 different herbs and botanicals that fill up the recipe. Secret Ingredient - Premio - Secret blend of Botanicals, Essential for the flavor - 1 Liter for 15,000 bottles. One Drop of this ingredient is in every bottle.
The Pairing:
Amaro back at it again, this pairing is so delicious, I keep coming back. The brightness of the amaro orange peel shines through the softs price of the cigar. This is a pretty mellow pairing that actually makes the amaro the star because of a deep and complex flavor profile. The cigar keeps the experience steady and consistent while you enjoy the craziness of this bottle.
The Story:
The PERDOMO Reserve 10th Anniversary Champagne was where the technique of bourbon barrel-aging wrapper tobaccos started for Perdomo. This special aging process was a Perdomo family secret for years and Nicholas Perdomo, Sr. aptly named the beautifully bourbon barrel-aged wrappers, the “Champagne” of wrappers.
The Man:
Nick Perdomo Jr. Is the founder and CEO of Perdomo Cigars. He relocated with his family to Miami from Washington, D.C. in 1976. Nick’s first career was centered around aviation. After serving in the US Navy, he continued on as an air traffic controller at the Miami International Airport.
Nick had grown up while his father and grandfather were cigar makers in Cuba. He decided to follow in their footsteps and further his passion of cigars by opening his own cigar company. Through hard work and determination, he has turned his home garage business into a 2,000+ employee company, producing millions of premium cigars each year.