Matthias Clock

About Matthias Clock

Brand evangelist, digital marketer, cigar and spirits expert specializing in consumer tasting and educational events. Matthias made the long trek from his hometown of Portland, Oregon to New York City in 2007, and in nine years has hosted more than 120 events and helped promote and launch dozens of cigar and whiskey brands in the U.S. In 2016, he joined the Cigar Journal Tasting Panel, blind-reviewing pre and new release cigars.

Posts by Matthias Clock:

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Caldwell Hit & Run Almost Robusto Review

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Caldwell Hit and Run Almost Robusto Review

Besides being a downright gorgeously branded cigar, the Caldwell Hit & Run is special because it’s a collaboration between two titans in the cigar industry: Matt Booth and Robert Caldwell. That this is a collaboration project is in fact evident on the branding itself. If you look at the band, you’ll notice the Room 101 logo on the main band, with the Caldwell bike wheel sandwiched between the 1s on the secondary band. I was excited going into this review for two reasons. First, I’ve always been a big fan of Room 101 cigars, most especially the Uncle Lee which is a hard smoke to find these days. Second because Caldwell seems to have followed in Room 101’s footsteps of becoming an insanely popular boutique cigar company.

Product Specifics

  • Cigar Reviewed: Caldwell Hit & Run
  • Company: Caldwell Cigar Co
  • Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano
  • Binder: Indonesian
  • Filler: Dominican
  • Size: Almost Robusto

Appearance & Construction

The Room 101 Hit & Run is one of the most spectacularly well-branded cigars I’ve ever seen. The band features the spire-like Room 101 logo set on top of a gold-trimmed cream colored band. For the band, the company used a nice, heavy and textured paper which adds an additional sense of luxury to the cigar. The outer Ecuadorian Habano wrapper has minimal veins and a standard light brown look.

Off of the foot are light but easily discernible notes of coffee beans, hay, bread, light cedar and some milk chocolate. The cold draw (which clocks in at about a 7/10 in terms of level of restrictiveness) delivers notes of old leather, lingering spice, and some granola.

Caldwell Hit and Run Almost Robusto Review 2

Flavor & Smoke Characteristics

After a bit of difficulty getting this cigar lit because of some pesky wind, I finally light up and what an interesting introduction. The cigar kicks off medium in body and strength, with a nice balance between sweet, salty and bitter core components. There’s a bit of cereal, light leather, woodsy notes, touches of nutmeg, red pepper, salt, and toasted bread. It’s a lot going on and I’m surprised by how such light notes come together to create such a full feeling profile. The retrohale is medium  to full with toasted bread and red pepper. On the construction side, smoke production is excellent, and the burn is mostly straight at the one inch mark.

As the cigar enters the second third, the profile has shifted to become much more spice dominant. It’s not quite as complex as the first third, favoring red pepper and dry cedar, with an occasional vegetal note popping in and out. The nose is great though, featuring toasted bread, cinnamon, cedar and light floral.

By halfway, not much has changed, though the profile overall has shifted to become a bit sweeter. This is an improvement. As much as I enjoy wood and spice notes, they’ve often felt a bit too strong up to this point.

In the final third, the heat of the smoke begins to pick up steadily, and the red pepper remains dominant with the more complex elements of the cigar struggling to shine through. A bit disappointing  given how enjoyable the first third of the cigar was.

Conclusion

The Hit and Run is an enjoyable cigar but not one I’ll be returning to. It showed a lot of promise off the bat, but the complexity of the first third was generally overshadowed in the second and final third by pepper and dry cedar.

A bit of a shame really, if only because this cigar is so much fun to look at.

Final Score : 85

Aberlour 16 Year Double Cask Scotch Review

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Aberlour 16 Year Review 2

When I first got into single malts years ago, sherry-influenced whiskies were mostly off my radar. As my palate developed and I realized I enjoyed them, Aberlour became a quick go-to. It is, after all, a distillery known for its sherry cask matured single malts (and at a great price point too).

Of course, price point isn’t everything, hence our review today. So let’s get to it.

Product Specifics

  • Whisky reviewed: Aberlour 16 Year Double Cask Scotch Whisky
  • Producer: Aberlour Distillery Company Ltd
  • Age: 16 years
  • Aged in: Ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks
  • ABV: 40% (80 proof)

For beginners, one thing to note here is that, since single malts take so much distinctive flavor from the casks they are aged in, a double matured cask should lend additional flavor and complexity to the finished product. The Aberlour website unpacks it this way:

Most Aberlour single malts are double-cask matured in first fill ex-American Oak barrels and ex-Oloroso Sherry butts. Rare, expensive and hard to obtain, these are personally selected by our Master Blender from traditional distilleries in the USA and Sherry makers in the Jerez area of Spain. Every cask is individually nosed to make sure the wood has exactly the right combination of aromatic qualities for Aberlour.

Aberlour 16 Year Review

Appearance

I’ve always found the bottle that Aberlour whiskies are packaged in very unique. Slightly squat, with a very large spout on top. Really lends itself to large pours (I’m not complaining). Inside the glass, the liquid is dark gold (touches of red). Actually looks quite a bit like many rye whiskies.

Nose

Just lovely. Some minor ethanol, and lots of juiciness, more specifically berries and stone fruits. In addition there are light touches of creamy chocolate, confectionery spices, and some oak.

Palate

On entry, Aberlour 16 is just as juicy as the nose. Lots of depth and richness, with a good (but not overdone) dose of sherry, some dark chocolate, and honey. Right before the finish begins, there are some light savory notes. Leather, I think. Overall, the flavor profile leans hard toward the sweeter side (no smoke at all).

Finish

The finish is fairly short, with fading spice, malty sweetness, and honey. Memorable? No. But somehow fitting.

Conclusion

Look, I enjoy sweet whiskies (I like my ryes a bit sweeter than most as well). For that reason, Aberlour 16 is one of those scotches where there more glasses I pour of it, the better I like it.  Its got a magnetic quality to it that makes me want more. The one drawback in my mind is that Aberlour 16 doesn’t have an incredible amount of complexity. Still, the flavors it does deliver are balanced and harmonious, and that’s what counts, especially at $70 a bottle.

Final Score: 89

Moore & Bode Tambaku Review

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Moore and Bode Tambaku review

It’s weird to say it, but this cigar blog has been around for over 10 years (yikes, I feel old). In all of that time, no cigar company has come seemingly out of nowhere and surprised me with incredible craftsmanship the way Moore & Bode Cigars has. I’m sure the consistent readers of this site are getting tired of seeing me say it, but these guys know how to make great cigars. Here’s a brief rundown of the scores of the cigars we’ve rated from Moore & Bode:

Scoring a 90 for any product is hard to do on this website. Having three out of four previous reviews rate above 90 is enough to make a lasting impression.
In any case, let’s get back to Flamboyan. The cigar features an Asian Sun Grown Colorado wrapper, and some interesting filler tobaccos (more below). I asked Rob Bode in an email how he would describe Flamboyan. He described the blend writing, “The ‘Tambaku‘ Blend was formulated to deliver a fuller-bodied smoke, yet smooth and unabrasive as is the general consensus about our work.”

All that out of the way, let’s get on with the review.

Product Specifics

  • Cigar Reviewed: Moore & Bode Tambaku
  • Wrapper: Asian Sun Grown Colorado
  • Binder: South America
  • Filler: Caribbean/Asian
  • Size: 5 x 46

Moore and Bode Tambaku

Appearance & Construction

The Moore & Bode Tambaku comes wrapped in a cedar brown Colorado wrapper. The wrapper is a bit splotchy, and there are a couple of significant veins. When squeezed, the cigar has a light springiness but its otherwise clear that the cigar is packed solidly and consistently the length of the cigar.

After using a straight cut, I test the draw and, like every Moore & Bode cigar I’ve had up to this point, the draw is pretty much perfect, with a restrictiveness level of 7/10. There isn’t much on the cold draw other than some cereal, a bit of fruit, and some wood. Off of the foot of the cigar it’s a similar profile, just a bit brighter and with some added spiciness.

Flavor & Smoke Characteristics

The Moore & Bode Tambaku lights easily and produces ample smoke. The flavor profile is interesting and a bit hard to pin down exactly. Broadly speaking, it tilts toward the tangy/bitter end of the spectrum, with notes of cedar, vegetal, fermented orange juice, and something akin to paper. I wouldn’t call the texture creamy, but it is extremely smooth. Strength and body both clock in at a notch or two above mild. An interesting start to this cigar.

The ash holds for a impressive inch and a half while also keeping a straight burn. By this point, the smoke has become a bit more full bodied, now sitting just below medium. It has also developed a nice creamy texture which plays nicely with the tangy notes. The flavors on the palate have shifted as well. The bitterness from the beginning of the smoke is gone, replaced by a profile nicely balanced between sweetness, tanginess, and spice on the tongue. The tanginess is characterized by vegetal notes akin to what I’ve experienced in some of Arturo Fuentes classic blends (Xtra Viejo comes to mind), while the sweetness comes in the form of something like cereal or maybe graham crackers. The retrohale has also developed nicely, showcasing some light black pepper, wood, and cereal flavors. Very, very good.

The experience remains mostly the same until the halfway mark, where the tanginess, sweetness, and cream subside, while the wood takes center stage alongside spiciness as a supporting character. I’m not totally enthused by this change of pace only because the complexity of the cigar seems reduced and the creamy tones rounded out the whole experience well. Construction reminds consistently good, with a straight burn and the ash falling in increments of an inch or more.

The final third ramps up past medium in both body and strength, with toasty bread, graham cracker, wood, and a long, lingering spice on the tongue. It isn’t so different flavor wise than the earlier parts of the cigar, but the flavor profile is right at home with this level of strength. It remains this way until last last inch and a half when the smoke heats up a bit too much, providing a good moment to set the cigar down.

Conclusion

The Tambaku definitely is a step up in terms of strength from the other Moore & Bode cigars that I’ve smoked. Though I prefer other blends like the Candela, American Fire, and Adelante, the Tambaku still creates a flavorful and complex experience that is commendable. My only complaint about my experience smoking Tambaku is that the increased strength throws of the balance at times. If I had to pair this cigar with anything, it would have to be an espresso with cream. It would round out the more wood/vegetal forward sections nicely.

Final Score: 89

Room 101 Farce Lonsdale Review

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Room 101 Farce 2018 Review Closeup

We continue our 2018 reviews today with the Room 101 Farce Lonsdale. Room 101 is a brand known for producing flavorful, deeply complex cigars. One of my favorites is the Room 101 Uncle Lee, a perfecto-shaped cigar which is sadly out of production.

In any case, the Room 101 Farce is a 2018 release which has gotten solid reviews around the cigar blogosphere. But the Lonsdale vitola has yet to be reviewed, so here we are. TLDR on this cigar: it’s incredible and a likely member of our Top 10 of 2018 list.

Product Specifics

  • Cigar Reviewed: Room 101 Farce Lonsdale
  • Wrapper: Ecuador
  • Binder: Indonesia
  • Filler: Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, Pennsylvania
  • Size: 6 1/2 x 42 Lonsdale

Room 101 Farce 2018 Review

Appearance & Construction

The Room 101 Farce is attractively put together. The outer wrapper looks fairly standard in color, but on closer appearance proves to have a very fine layer of plume and a velvety feel. The single black and white band plays nicely off of the light brown of the wrapper leaf, though I’m a bit vexed by “PRE-RELEASE” designation on the label. I bought this online from a major retailer so… isn’t it… released?

In any case, I use a straight cut to cut the cigar and test the draw. It’s just about ideal, maybe a tiny touch too restrictive. The cold draw is gentle and mostly straightforward, with hints of paprika, dry cedar, and light earthiness. Off the foot, the smell is similar but has an added nuttiness.

Flavor & Smoke Characteristics

The Room 101 Farce Lonsdale kicks off with flavor-loaded smoke, at least partially the result of the small ring guage. The somewhat resistant draw hasn’t affected the smoke production, which is at or above average. The flavor profile is quite enjoyable, presenting a dominant cedar and black pepper that is augmented by bitter leather and salted popcorn. The smoke has an almost chewy character to it similar to a snickers bar, and strength and body are both medium plus. The retrohale is aggressive and dominated by freshly ground black pepper.

An inch in, the layered white ash is holding on to a mostly straight burn. The profile hasn’t veered from its primary breakdown, but every few puffs I pick up some vanilla notes that are a welcome balance to the more bitter notes.

As the cigar burns into the second third, the profile shifts more significantly, with the vanilla note moving from a secondary flavor up to a dominant flavor alongside the dry cedar an black pepper. On the nose, the smoke is fragrant and a great compliment to the intensity on the palate. Thankfully, the retrohale has toned down a lot, allowing it to become a more integral part of the experience. Smoke production improves even more, and the burn stays razor sharp.

All cylinders are firing now.

Also, a side note: when a cigar is this effortless to smoke and enjoy, you know you’re smoking a well crafted, well thought out product. During the second third, there are a few additional supporting flavors, including mild cinnamon and floral. Absolutely delicious.

In the final third, the body mellows while the strength remains medium plus. On top of the core profile a mushroom note gets layered in which in texture is similar to cream. Overall, an easy cigar to pick up. Much harder to put down.

Conclusion

It’s rare to find a cigar that balances complexity, power, and balance like the Room 101 Farce lonsdale. The cigar manages to take a somewhat dry, wood forward palate and keep it interesting with lots of nuances along the way, and the construction never fails. This cigar is an easy contender for our top 10 of 2018 list, and one you have to smoke if you are investigating 2018 releases.

Final Score: 92

Moore & Bode American Fire Review

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Moore-Bode-American-Fire-2

Today, we continue our investigation of cigars from Moore & Bode, a small boutique company out of Florida that has produced some stellar smokes. Adelante, for example, scored a rare 93 rating. Candela scored a 91.

The American Fire is the next in our lineup. It’s a cigar which uses fire cured tobacco, a tobacco process popularized (though not created) by Drew Estate with the Kentucky Fire Cured. In an email with Robert Bode about American Fire, he expanded on its place in the Moore & Bode portfolio saying,

“The rational for the ‘American Fire’ branding is deliberate and twofold.  As part of our ‘FireWorks’ segment it showcases Dark Fired tobaccos, namely the U S. product.  Secondly, for us, it encompasses countless emotions and thoughts.”

The Moore & Bode website expands:

American Fire ® showcases U.S. Shade Grown and Dark Fired leaf tobacco as the focal point of this cigar blend’s unique sensory experience. Moore & Bode American Fire ® reintroduces to the Premium Handmade Cigars category a venture into this specialized segment of leaf production and tradition in Kentucky and Tennessee tobacco farming.

Now that the backstory is out of the way, let’s light up.

Product Specifics

  • Cigar Reviewed: Moore & Bode American Fire
  • Wrapper: USA Connecticut Shade
  • Binder: USA Dark Fired
  • Filler: European / Caribbean
  • Size: 5 x 46

Moore-Bode-American-Fire

Appearance & Construction

The cigar features an outer wrapper that has quite a bit of sandy texture and a few very noticeable markings and imperfections. The band on the foot is a nice touch, but the quality of the paper and the print could be improved. The logo for instance is blurry to the naked eye and there’s really no reason for that.

Off of the foot, there’s some sweet grass, hickory, barn yard, an herbal note and touches of finely ground black pepper. The draw carries touches of lingering spice, plain bread and dry wood. The draw is perfect.

Moore-Bode-American-Fire-closeup

Flavor & Smoke Characteristics

The American Fire opens with plumes of lush, cool, flavorful smoke. In the mouth, the smoke is creamy, light, but very flavorful. There’s a nice balance between sweet cream, bitter hickory, and pepper. The retrohale is dominated by dry cedar and barbecue smoke.

An inch in, the white, layered ash is holding and the burn is remarkably straight. Body of the smoke is mild, and flavor strength clocks in at medium. At times, the bitterness of the hickory gets a bit too aggressive, with a quick purge bringing it back in balance.

Burning into the second third, the flavors shift, favoring fresh cut grass, cream, and a spice on the tip of the tongue which slowly fades after each puff. On the nose is hickory, toasted oak, white pepper and a variety of herbal notes. The burn stays straight and smoke production is ideal.

Damn. It’s really good.

The final third ramps the flavor up a bit past medium, with a nice smoked meat flavor coming to the fore along with some heavy black pepper. Otherwise it’s essentially unchanged until the end, which I’m happy with because the smoking experience is phenomenal.

Conclusion

Moore & Bode proves again that the company is capable of producing cigars at the highest level of quality. It’s actually difficult to emphasize enough just how different this cigar is from anything else I’ve smoked before.

What I like most about this cigar is its balance and harmony of flavors. It brings together a number of different flavors and textures masterfully to create a profile that smokes like a barbecue dinner. Construction and smoke production are effortless.

Easily box worthy.

Pair with Middleton to balance the pepper and hickory with sweet honey notes of Irish whiskey.

Final Score: 92

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