James Bollen

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Review: Avery Old Jubilation Ale

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Avery Brewery’s limited release winter ale is a limited bottle number release from this well-known brewery in Colorado. A winter ale falls within the beer style of winter warmers. Beers that are winter warmers tend to be heavy on malts and spices in this particular beer style. The label of the “Old Jubilation” 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. Cellerable for 3+ years.”

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Nose: Clove, kitchen spices, vanilla, nuts, and malt.

Body: Avery’s Old Jubilation Ale is a full body beer with an 8.3% alcohol by volume. That is the higher end of alcohol content for beers.

Palate: Avery’s Old Jubilation Ale begins with subtle maple syrup followed by prominent flavors of nuts, cloves, vanilla, mocha, and spices.

Finish: The beer ends with a smooth finish that leaves hints of spices and mocha.

Cigar Pairing: This winter ale would pair nicely with a full-bodied Nicaraguan maduro or criollo cigar. A few that would pair well are: CAO Brazil, CAO Criollo, Tatuaje IV, and Rocky Patel Decade.

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Conclusion: I would recommend Avery’s Old Jubilation Ale to anyone that is a fan of full-bodied beers. This is a smooth beer emerging with complexity from malts and spices.

Grade: A

 

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+

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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

 

 

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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,

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