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James Bollen

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Old Jubilation Ale Review: A Winter Warmer Delight by Avery Brewery

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Old Jubilation Ale Review

Avery Brewery’s limited release winter ale is a standout in the world of craft beers. This winter warmer is part of a limited bottle number release from the well-known brewery located in Colorado. Winter ales are a beloved category, and Old Jubilation stands out for its rich flavors and complexity.

Winter Warmer Wonders

Old Jubilation falls under the category of winter warmers, known for their heavy malt and spice profiles. This particular brew boasts a gorgeous mahogany hue, and the label proudly states, “Our winter ale has a gorgeous mahogany hue, hints of hazelnuts, and a finish reminiscent of mocha and toffee. No spices, just a perfect blend of five malts. Cellarable for 3+ years.”

The Sensory Journey

  • Nose: The first step in enjoying this ale is the aroma. It greets you with notes of clove, kitchen spices, vanilla, nuts, and malt, setting the stage for the sensory adventure that follows.
  • Body: Avery’s Old Jubilation Ale is a full-bodied beer with a robust 8.3% alcohol by volume. This places it on the higher end of the alcohol content spectrum for beers, making it a warm and comforting choice for those cold winter nights.
  • Palate: The taste journey begins with subtle notes of maple syrup, followed by a delightful explosion of flavors. Nuts, cloves, vanilla, mocha, and spices intermingle harmoniously on your palate, creating a symphony of taste that’s nothing short of extraordinary.
  • Finish: The beer concludes with a smooth, satisfying finish that leaves behind gentle hints of spices and mocha, encouraging you to savor every last drop.

The Perfect Pairing

A winter ale like Old Jubilation deserves a perfect pairing, and it’s no surprise that it complements cigars beautifully. If you enjoy a fine cigar, consider pairing it with a full-bodied Nicaraguan maduro or criollo cigar. A few excellent options for this pairing are CAO Brazil, CAO Criollo, Tatuaje IV, and Rocky Patel Decade.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, Avery’s Old Jubilation Ale is a true gem for lovers of full-bodied beers. This winter warmer is a testament to the artistry of brewing, delivering a smooth, complex experience that combines the richness of malts and the warmth of spices. If you’re looking for a beer to savor during the winter months, Old Jubilation should be at the top of your list.

Grade: A

Enjoy the winter season with a glass of Old Jubilation Ale and experience the joy of a well-crafted, full-bodied brew.

Beer Review: J.E. Lees Harvest Ale (Lagavulin Whisky Cask)

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I recently moved to Denver, Colorado or, one of the beer capitals of America. For my first craft beer review, I have a limited edition beer that is aged in Lagavulin’s single malt whisky barrels. Lagavulin 16 year is one of my favorite single malt’s so, out of curiosity, I could not resist picking up the final bottle at my local liquor store.

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Brand: J.E. Lees Harvest Ale (Lagavulin Whisky Cask)
Origin: United Kingdom
Style: English Barley Wine
Abv:11.5% (22 Proof)
Price: $10.99
Size: 9.6 ml bottle
Glass Type: Tulip

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Appearance: An excellent off white head of foam begins at two fingers before it dwindles down but foam remains still on the surface. This English barley wine has a nice bronze color that contrasts the foam making the barley wine have a pleasing appearance in the glass.

Aroma: The first whiff is smoke, dare I say peat, followed by dried fruit, vanilla, and wood from being aged in a whisky barrel.

Flavor: The flavor profile follows the aroma. This barley wine begins with peat, lots of smoke and seaweed, before moving into sweet flavors of caramel and vanilla balanced by a bitter coffee note from the hops. J.E. Lees Harvest Ale ends with wood and a very light floral note. I am very impressed with this beer to say the least.

Mouth Feel: The texture is very smooth and creamy on the palate with very little carbonation.

Cigar Pairing: I recommend a medium to full-bodied cigar that can stand up to the peat in this fine beer. Here are a few options that I think would pair nicely: CAO Criollo, Tatuaje Original Brown Label, Don Pepin Blue Label, My Father, and Casa Magna Colorado.

Conclusion: I wanted my first beer review to share a facet that is normally associated with cigars: spirits. If you are a beer fan and you enjoy a good single malt, particularly an Islay scotch like Lagavulin, please do yourself a favor and run to your phone right now to track down this excellent craft beer before all the bottles are completely gone.

Grade: A+

Rum Review: Vizcaya VXOP Cuban Rum Formula

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I came across Vizcaya VXOP Cuban Rum Formula Cask No. 2a1 about a year ago. After finding a bottle in New York and trying a dram, I wanted more details about the rum. Vizcaya provides an excellent description on their website:

Made in the Dominican Republic, Vizcaya VXOP starts with sugar cane harvested at the peak of freshness, then quickly pressed to collect its fragrant juice. The juice is fermented and distilled in small batches, before being aged in selected oak barrels that formerly held bourbon. This process, known as methode agricole is the unique distilling method that infuses Vizcaya VXOP rum with its exquisite bouquet, smoothness, and delicately refined taste.”

The rum sounds appetizing from the description. Now time to see if this rum’s can stand up to its high reputation.

Product Specifications

Name:  Vizacaya VXOP Cuban Rum Formula Cask No. 21

Producer: Ron Vizcaya

Type: Age Rum (Aged in bourbon oak barrels)

Website: http://www.vizcayarum.com

Country: Dominican Republic

Proof: 80 proof (40% abv)

Bottle: (750 ml)

Price: Around $40

Appearance

Bronze. When swirled around the glass the rum develops legs before slowly rescinding back down.

Nose

There is vanilla and caramel concluding with a faint hint of spice.

Palette

The palette follows the nose closely. Upon making contact with the palette, the rum opens with vanilla, caramel, and butterscotch before proceeding to an intricate floral note. There are hints of bourbon and woodiness from aging the rum in bourbon barrels adding complexity. The rum finishes with a light spice that complements the prior delicate flavors.

Finish

Smooth and velvety. There is no burn.

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Cigar Pairings

I would recommend the Chateau Fuente, Guillermo Leon, and Zino Platinum for pairing with Vizcaya VXOP.

Conclusion

The award given to Vazcaya VXOP, best in show and double gold, display the craftsmanship that went into creating this exquisite rum. If you enjoy rum then I suggest you track down this rum.

Grade: A

 

 

Rum Review: The Kraken Black Spiced Rum

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Kraken Spiced Rum

After the forecasting of Hurricane Sandy to hit the east coast, I stocked up on necessary supplies as well as dark spiced rum to wear out the storm. I picked up a bottle of Kraken Black Spiced Rum.  The Kraken is a black molasses based rum infused with various spices. This rum is able is priced around $20.

Product Specifics

Producer: Kraken

Country: Trinidad

Type: Spice Rum

Website: www.krakenrum.com

ABV: 94 Proof (47%)

Bottle: 750 mL

Appearance

The bottle is interesting with a white background with a black squid reaching its tentacles up to bring down a ship on the ocean. The rum is a dark mahogany that is almost black. Very little light makes it through the rum.

Nose

The initial whiff is alcohol but clove, cinnamon, nutmeg, maple, and molasses begin to open up.

Palette

Medium body with kitchen spices from the nose in addition to dried fruit.

Finish

The ending is smooth with molasses.

Cigar Pairing

This rum would pair nicely with a medium to full-bodied cigar with a maduro or habano wrapper that is Nicaraguan. I would recommend a Camacho Triple Maduro, Rocky Patel Decade and 15th Anniversary, and Illusione f9.

Conclusion

Kraken Spiced Rum is a welcome addition to the spiced rum market. This rum is a great value that is versatile. I found this rum worked well neat, on the rocks, but was particularly a great mixer. I found it worked well in coke and made an excellent Dark N Stormy.

Grade:

B+

Zino Platinum 10th Anniversary

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Zino Platinum, owned by Davidoff of Geneva, is celebrating its 10th anniversary. Zino is releasing a limited collectors edition of the Platinum. The artwork on the boxes designed by “urban artist UR New York.”  The cigars are 5 ½ inch by 60 ring gauge and are sold in an urban inspired box of ten. These cigars feature Dominican and Peruvian filler, Dominican binder, and a Nicaraguan wrapper. Look for these at your local Davidoff of Geneva tobacconist. You can read the complete details by Gregory Mottola in Cigar Aficionado,

Bourbon Review: Four Roses Single Barrel

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Four Roses Bourbon

Four Roses Single Barrel bourbon comes in an elegant glass bottle with an engraved four roses. The bottle has a simple yellow label with four red roses. Each bottle has a warehouse and barrel number. My bottle’s warehouse number is NS and barrel number is 12-5N. The dram of Four Roses Single Barrel is tawny in my Glencairm glass. When swirling the tawny liquid in my glass the bourbon lightly coats the glass.

Product Specifics

Maker: Four Roses,
Bottled By: Four Roses Distillery LLC, Lawrenceburg, KY
Type: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Website: http://www.fourrosesbourbon.com/
Proof: 100 (50% ABV)
Bottle: (750 ml)

Notes

Nose: I pick up spice, dried fruit, vanilla, floral, maple, and wood.

Palate: Four Roses Single Barrel has a thick velvety texture and is full-bodied. There are kitchen spices: pepper, nutmeg, and clove. Dried fruit, specifically pear is evident as well as sweeter notes of vanilla and toffee. Additionally, there are subtle floral notes that soften the initial spice.

Finish: The Single Barrel finishes clean and smooth.

Cigar pairing:

I would recommend a medium-full to full body cigar to complement the spicier notes in the Four Roses Single Barrel. Here are a few recommendations: Murcielago Hispaniola Cristobal Colon 1492, or Joya De Nicaragua Antonio 1970.
Where to Try: On The Rocks and Brandy Library.

Awards:
2008 Gold Medal, 2009 Silver Award, 2009 Number 1 Bourbon, 2010 & 2009 Double Gold Medal, 2010 Strongly Recommended, 2010 Wine Enthusiasts Best Buy, 2012 Gold Medal, 2012 Ultimate Recommendation.

Conclusion

Four Roses Single Barrel bourbon is excellent. The bottle can be found between $40-$45 in the New York area. I recommend finding this delectable bourbon at a liquor store or sip it at a bar.

Grade: A

Where to Buy
Manhattan (Chambers Street Wines, California Wine Merchant, Winfield Flynn Wine & Spirits, Sherry-Lehmann); Brooklyn (Heights Chateau).

Cigar Review: Tatuaje Havana VI

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Tatuaje Havana VI Robusto

I visited a recently opened cigar room, Papa Juan Cigar Room, in Harlem, New York. I have the Tatuaje Havana VI, which has Jose Pepin Garcia behind the blend. Currently relaxing on a leather couch, glass of water and cigar in hand, looking forward to reviewing this stick.

Blend Specifics
Size: Robusto 5×50
Wrapper: Nicaraguan (Corojo ’99)
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan

Appearance & Construction

Off of the foot, I can smell spice and chocolate. The cigar utilizes the traditional Cuban-style with a well-constructed triple cap. After I straight cut the head of the cigar, there is a cold firm draw with spice, bittersweet chocolate, and cedar.

Construction is firm with no soft spots. The wrapper is dark and oily with a vein running down the side. A simple band with “Tatuaje” in white with two lines complement the wrapper.

Flavor & Smoke Characteristics

1/3: The cigar opens with spice, wood, and bittersweet chocolate. Black coffee emerges blending with the other flavors. Berry becomes prominent as spice and wood move to the background. Chocolate and spice are on the retrohale. The salt and pepper ash falls at a quarter-inch.
2/3: The burn starts becoming uneven. Vanilla is behind the berry flavor. Nutmeg and black pepper are now the focus.
3/3: Now at the last third; flavors depart leaving only a triad of flavors: coffee, vanilla, and spice. There continues to be an abundant amount of smoke with each puff.

Conclusion

The Tatuaje Havana VI has a variation in flavors with primary flavors of spice, wood, and chocolate. This is a very nice cigar despite the burn issue I experienced with this cigar. I highly recommend this cigar, especially if you are Tatuaje fan.

Grade: B+

Event Recap: Cut & Light/Sip & Smoke @ Refugio Cigar House

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David Alicea hosts “Cut & Light”

On Friday, June 22 2012, Fine Tobacco NYC sponsored “Cut and Light & Sip and Smoke” at the lounge where it began – Refugio Cigar House. At the Cut & Light event, a good gathering of about 30 brothers and sisters of the leaf enjoyed premium cigars at Refugio Cigar House paired with scotch. The evening filled with conversation about life, spirits, and cigars.

At the event, FTNYC event coordinator and cigar broker David Alicea gave a brief talk about cigars. Alicea discussed the cigar process, the anatomy of a cigar, and the importance of Spanish cedar in aging cigars. David Bailey, spirits connoisseur and member of New York G&S, spoke in depth about scotch and how to pair it with cigars.

Attendees began the tasting with the Macallan 10 Year Fine Oak and ended with Ledaig 10 Year.

To receive exclusive invitations to all of our events, submit your name and email to our event mailing list and come enjoy exclusive cigars and meet like minded cigar smokers from all over New York City.

You can view photos from the event on our Facebook page.

Cigar Review: Man O’ War

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This Man O’ War cigar was given to me as a gift a few months ago. A.J Ferdenez is the blender behind the Man O’ War. I am relaxing on my favorite couch with a cup of coffee while I inspect the cigar.

Blend Specifics

Size: Toro 6.5” x 52”
Wrapper: Habano Ecuador
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan

Appearance and Construction

The Man O’ War is well constructed with a toothy wrapper. The cigar is firm to the touch with no soft spots signaling that the Man O’ War should burn well. A modern label complements the thick oily habano wrapper with a gold Spartan helmet, black background with red and white, and “Man O’ War” in bold white below the helmet. Sweet spice and wood were dominant on the cigar’s foot. I used a straight cut and the cold draw was firm with flavors of pepper, earth, and wood. After lighting the foot, the aroma produced nuts and spice.

Taste and Smoking Characteristics

Upon lighting the cigar, the opening flavors were peanuts and spice followed by large plumes of smoke. Vanilla, anise, and cinnamon appear in the flavor profile balancing the cigar’s focus on spice.

The Man O’ War begins to calm down some as the spice retreats to the background. Flavors of bread and honey complement the other kitchen spices that are taking the forefront. On the retrohale spice dominates. There is a white ash that hold to 2” with an even burn.
The cigar is creamy marinating with distinctive spices. Cardamom and nutmeg emerge among the other baking spices with maple concluding a smooth finish on the palate. These additional flavors compliment and further the complexity of the Man O’ War.

Conclusion

I was very impressed with the Man O’ War’s complexity. The bouquet of cooking spices balance the sweet flavors in this medium-full bodied cigar. The Man O’ War reminds me of perusing my spice cabinet with the array of spices in this gustatory cigar. Overall, I highly recommend finding your inner Spartan warrior with a Man O’ War.

Final Grade: A-

Cigar Review: Oliva Serie G Maduro Presidente

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Oliva Serie G Maduro Presidente

It was the end of a long semester and relaxation was in order. I decided on the Oliva Series G
Maduro Presidente allowing for a long relaxing break. I paired water with the Oliva Series G
during this review.

Specifics

Size: Presidente 8×52

Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro

Binder: Nicaraguan Habano

Filler: Nicaraguan Habano

Appearance & Construction

The cigar was solid to the touch with no soft spots or imperfections on the cigar. The oval white
and gold band contrasted nicely with the maduro wrapper. As I inspected the cigar, the foot
smelled of coffee and tobacco. I made a v-cut, I tested the cold draw that had spice added to the
earlier flavors as well as a nice draw.

Taste & Smoking Characteristics

The Oliva Series G initial puffs were black coffee and tobacco. The opening flavors remained
consistent throughout the smoke with dark chocolate. These flavors remained through the
duration of the cigar. Half way through the Series G Maduro, a berry flavor appeared in the
background that went with the darker flavors. Towards the end of the cigar, vanilla and maple
added to the overall flavor profile. The smoke of the Oliva Series G Maduro is creamy.

During my 2 hours smoking the Series G Maduro I had to ash the cigar a few times. The salt
and pepper ash held to half an inch. The burn remained straight with no trouble during the Oliva
Series G.

Summary

Overall, the Oliva Series G Maduro Presidente is a well-constructed long smoke with an even
burn and flavor. The Series G Maduro would pair well with a nice cup of coffee.

Final Grade: B-

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