Davidoff Year of the Rooster Review

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Davidoff Year of the Rooster Review

Up for review today is the Davidoff Year of the Rooster. Anyone who knows me knows that I hold Davidoff in high regard. Yes, their cigars are at the upper end of the price spectrum (at least for non-Cubans). But the quality, consistency, complexity, and harmony of most Davidoff cigars give the company a well deserved status as a legendary cigar company.

The Davidoff Year of the Rooster is a limited edition cigar that was released in late 2016. The cigar is rolled in a classic size (a 6 3/4 x 50 diademas finas). Production for this cigar was limited to 8,000 boxes of 10 (80,000 total) at a price of $40 per cigar.

Let’s get to the review and find out if this cigar justifies the higher price point.

Blend Specifics

  • Cigar reviewed: Davidoff Year of the Rooster
  • Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano
  • Binder: Dominican Republic (San Vicente Mejorado)
  • Filler: Dominican Republic (Criollo seco, Piloto seco, Piloto viso and San Vicente viso)
  • Size: 6 3/4 x 50

Davidoff Year of the Rooster Review Closeup

Appearance & Construction

The Year of the Rooster is an attractive cigar, with a double band (one white and gold, the secondary band red and gold). The Ecuadorian Habano wrapper is chocolate brown, mostly smooth with some visible seams. The cigar is moderately firm when squeezed, but by no means hard. As I test the firmness across the length of the cigar, it is mostly consistent, with a one soft spot near halfway.

After cutting using a straight cut, I test the draw which turns out to be about a 7/10 in terms of restrictiveness. My guess is this will change as I smoke the cigar and the foot widens over the course of the smoke.

The pre light draw reveals some wood notes, touches of spice, and a surprising and enjoyable plum note.

Time to light up.

Flavor & Smoke Characteristics

The Davidoff Year of the Rooster opens with mild but robust smoke. The the smoke is cool and slightly creamy, with flavors of coffee, salted almonds, and a touch of caramel. The finish is clean. The draw doesn’t restrict the smoke production, which is at or above average.

At about an inch and a half in, the burn is razor sharp. A subtle pepper note has developed alongside a dry cedar note. There are touches of sweetness here and there, but by and large the saltiness is carrying the flavor profile.

By halfway, the body has increased to medium. The pepper has morphed into a spiciness, and an additional oak and floral note has entered the mix. Construction is still perfect, and as expected at this point, the draw has improved to about an average amount of restrictiveness.

In the final third, the body picks up to medium full, with notes of dry oak, almonds, roast espresso, grass, and white pepper on the palate and the retrohale. Dominant still however, is the saltiness, which I wish would take a backseat to the faint cinnamon flavor that’s been trying to edge into the profile throughout the smoke. This third doesn’t express the amount or kind of complexity I was hoping for in the home stretch.

At two inches to close, the smoke heats up considerably and I put the cigar down.

Conclusion

I can’t help but feel a bit disappointed by this offering from Davidoff. While the cigar initially offered an interesting, albeit mild, bouquet of flavors, the second half was dominated by saltiness and dry wood that effectively elbowed the more enjoyable elements out of the experience. For this Davidoff cigar, and at its $40 price point, I’d have to recommend a hard pass.

Final Score: 79

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The Best (and Worst) Websites to Buy Whiskey from Online

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The Best Websites to Buy Whiskey

Before the internet, whiskey fans had to settle for whatever meager offerings their local liquor store had on hand. However, with the advent and proliferation of online shopping, a whole world of fantastic liquor is now on our metaphorical (and physical) doorsteps. But what are the best online whiskey retailers?

The tough part is, there are a lot out there. I will say straight up that one of the most important considerations you’ll face buying whiskey online is the cost of shipping. Not only are bottles heavy, which bumps your bottle purchase price up, but many of my favorite whiskey websites are based in the UK.  So, much of “the best” has to do with what you’re buying and where you live.  If you live in the USA but want more selection (9,000+ whiskies), buy from The Whiskey Exchange. I’ve noted which states each company can ship to.

So with that little summary out of the way, let’s dive in to the list.

Winner: The Whisky Exchange

The Whisky Exchange sits at the top of our list for the UK, with a five star meta-rating on British consumer advice website TrustPilot. You can find many top shelf whiskies on The Whiskey Exchange at prices that are 10%, 20%, or even 30% lower than what you find on US based websites, though you have to deal with sky-high shipping costs.

The Whisky Exchange stocks a fine range of both popular and esoteric whiskeys in almost any variety, and, unlike Wine Searcher, is a lot more straightforward to navigate. With separate tabs for Scotch and World Whisky, browsing or discovering new spirits you’d never heard of before is simple. The World Whisky tab has sections for American whiskies, as well as for several European and Asian countries, and other far-flung locations such as New Zealand and South Africa.

Of course, while The Whisky Exchange offers global shipping, you are going to need to pay a premium to get your chosen drink delivered to the US. The key here is to make bulk purchases. If you buy three or four bottles, you’ll save enough to offset shipping costs, and if you buy even more you can start buying really expensive scotches for way less than you’d pay in the USA. Your goods will be packaged with great care and should reach these shores in top condition.

Ships to: Alaska, California, Connecticut, Delaware, DC, Florida, Idaho, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, Wyoming

Runner Up: The Whisky Barrel (UK)

As we hear your wallets creaking under the strain of further shipping and import costs, an apology may be in order, because taking the second spot on our best list is another store from across the Atlantic – The Whisky Barrel.

The Whisky Barrel offers a similarly wide range of spirits, with several exclusive to the website. The site’s navigation and sorting tabs are just as detailed as those found on The Whisky Exchange, with separate menus for scotch, independent, and world whiskeys.

The Whisky Barrel, however, allows you to browse by distillery with an easily-accessible A-Z tab (which comes in handy).

On the price side, The Whisky Barrel seems to be slightly lower than The Whisky Exchange on some products. For example, 70cl of Glenfiddich XX comes in at $72.92 on The Whisky Exchange, compared to $59.22 at The Whisky Barrel [correct at time of writing] – so do some price comparing before buying.

Ships to: all states

Honorable Mentions

Hard to Find Whisky (UK)

While certainly not for the average whiskey drinker (or the faint of wallet), Hard to Find Whisky is a must-visit destination for those connoisseurs with a bit (read: lot) more money to put down on the best drinks in the world. These guys built a business answering the question “where to find rare whiskey online.” It was a smart strategy, and they’ve done a good job delivering.

With prices ranging from $42.12 for a 150th Anniversary Edition of Jack Daniels, to an eye-watering $49,227.43 for a (presumably) sublime 37-year-old Macallan 1940, Hard to Find Whiskeys has a wide selection of the very finest and rarest whiskey available. The site also offers a “Whisky Masterclass” gift voucher. You’ll need to make a trip to the company’s headquarters in Birmingham, UK, but the voucher entitles you to a tasting selection of five fine whiskeys, as well as a special tasting tutelage using a bespoke Hard to Find Whisky method.

Even if you have no intention of splashing out a few grand on a bottle, the website is well worth a visit just to peruse some of the fantastic and rare whiskeys on offer.

Ships to: all states

Love Scotch (USA)

Love Scotch may not be the best online whiskey retailer in the world, but it gets our nod as a solid online retailer in the United States.

Aside from a wide range of great whiskeys from around the globe, Love Scotch has a fascinating gallery of photos showing tours the staff have taken of various whiskey distilleries. That’s right, the folks at Love Scotch have heart. Most importantly: being an American-based company, you can expect to spend a lot less in shipping and customs fees on your favorite drinks than you would from one of our top two choices.

Ships to: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming

The Worst

Whisky Shop USA (USA)

Whisky Shop USA is an interesting one. Customer testimonials for the San Francisco based brick and mortar location are very positive. Why then did the company decide to create a website that is so difficult to navigate or even at times read? The UI  is pretty uninteresting, and there are several whiskey entries which don’t have an image attached.

There are few things I find more unappealing in an e-store than the “image coming soon” placeholder.

But let’s be honest, these aren’t the most devastating critiques of an online store. It’s a fact of God’s goodness that, unlike the online cigar retail world, we whiskey drinkers don’t have whiskey websites flat out ripping people off.

Final Thoughts

When it comes to enjoying the pleasure of a smooth and soothing glass of whiskey, there have never been more options available. Whether your budget is in the tens or thousands of dollars, there’s a wide range of liquor out there ready to be shipped to keep your cabinet well stocked.

Do you have a favorite online whiskey retailer that should be on this list but isn’t? Let us know in the comments.

Disclaimer: affiliate links may be included in this post at no cost to you. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own!

Undercrown Sun Grown Flying Pig Review

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Undercrown Sun Grown Flying Pig Review

I remember when the original Liga’s where released they were all the rage. When that Flying Pig got into the hands of enthusiasts it instantly became a “Must Have” cigar with its long, fat, round shape and pigtail cap. The attraction, creativity and craftsmanship was there along with a lot of flavor. I recall when I was at the first Trade Show where these debuted Jonathan Drew was so generous he grabbed a handful of them for me to try. If you haven’t met the man not only is he an innovator within the industry but an all-around good guy.  Fast forward to present with the release of the Liga Undercrown Flying Pig Sungrown. Being a fan of Sungrown wrapper and a sucker for this vitola I was excited to try these novel smokes.

Blend Specifics

  • Wrapper: Ecuadorian Sumatra Sungrown
  • Binder: Stalk cut Connecticut Valley
  • Filler: Nicaraguan
  • Size: 3 15/16 x 60

Undercrown Sun Grown Flying Pig Review Closeup

Appearance & Construction

This fat cigar has a pig-like appearance for sure and I’d also say something of a mini submarine. The Flying Pig sports a red and golden Liga Lion band which immediately attracts the eye and covers a good part of the cigar. Around the foot is a secondary band with the words “Sungrown” also in red and gold and is wrapped around the smoke. The wrapper appears to have a reddish hue along with a tight flat pigtail cap. An attractive well-made cigar.

Flavor & Smoke Characteristics

The first few puffs gave a blast of pepper that quickly changed into a bit of leather and earth. The retrohale gave secondary flavors of hay and cedar. The draw was effortless and produced a nice amount of smoke. Some nuttiness on the cigar rounded out the initial flavors.

Midway the Flying Pig brought notes of cocoa along with leather and peppercorn.  Some milk chocolate was detected giving a bit of sweetness to this smoke albeit for just a moment. The pepper picked up and as the cigar developed it delivered a spicy finish.  The ash on The Flying Pig was light gray and quite solid attesting to its excellent production. The final third the leather dominated with hay and spice on the finish. The interplay of these flavors created a balance to the cigar from beginning to end.

Conclusion

I enjoyed the Flying Pig a lot for its balanced if not overly complex tastes. The principal flavors of leather, pepper and spice are all in harmony with this cigar and the blend truly delivers.  The Liga Undercown’s have always been well-made cigars and the Sungrown incarnation is no exception.  If this profile sounds right to you then grab a box as you should be happy every time you light one up.

Highclere Castle Robusto Review

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Highclere Castle Cigar

The cigar industry is full of stories. Some of them true, plenty made up, and all embellished in one way or another (“the [insert family name here] family has been in the business for 200 years, and the farm was personally blessed by Fidel Castro, Pope JP II, and Michael Jordan“). In fact, the cigar world seems so full of stories like these that it’s a bit of a surprise when a cigar company decides to create a cigar based on popular culture. The Highclere Castle by Foundation Cigar Co. is one of those cigars, hitching a ride of the coattails of the popular television series Downton Abbey.

Here’s the backstory, as related on the Foundation website:

Highclere’s rich cigar history goes back to 1862, when cigars were first introduced to England. The tradition at Highclere Castle has always been to retire to the library after dinner for a cigar and whiskey. In 1922, the current Earl’s great-grandfather undoubtedly celebrated his and Howard Carter’s discovery of King Tut’s Tomb with a cigar in hand. Recently, Highclere Castle’s archivist discovered letters and personal account records of the Carnarvon’s cigar purchases in the early 1900s from dealers in London as well as the Ritz Hotel.

Melillo subsequently crafted a cigar that reflects that historic flavor profile and smoking style. The Highclere Castle Cigar is hand rolled in Estelí, Nicaragua, using a Connecticut Shade wrapper, and both Criollo and Corojo from the volcanic soils of Jalapa and the island of Ometepe. The binder is made from Mata Fina, a dark tobacco from Brazil. The blend is finalized with an exclusive hybrid seed the company has named Nicadán. 

And luckily for Highclere Castle, Nick Melillo paid real attention to quality, uniqueness, and presentation in the making of this cigar.

With that, let’s get on to the review.

Blend Specifics

  • Cigar Reviewed: Highclere Castle Robusto
  • Wrapper: Connecticut Shade Grown
  • Binder: Brazilian Mata Fina
  • Filler: Nicaragua (Jalapa & Ometepe)
  • Size: Robusto (5 x 50)

Highclere Castle Review Closeup

Appearance & Construction

The Highclair Castle is a beautifully branded, impeccably constructed cigar. I love the white, red, and raised gold on the band. It complements the light Connecticut wrapper very well. After a straight cut, I test the draw, which is moderately restrictive, which I hope doesn’t create issues with smoke production. The pre-light draw is very light and clean, with some grassiness and sweet tobacco evident, along with a very light spice.

Flavor & Smoke Characteristics

Highclair Castle opens with extremely flavorful, medium body/full strength smoke. Opening notes include sweet hay, almonds, toasted bread, cedar, and a floral finish. The texture is very smooth, with a finely ground white pepper on the retrohale. This cigar is a sipping cigar—not to be smoked too quickly as the strength can quickly overwhelm my palate.

At an inch in, the flavors become more condensed and the strength of flavors is now in the full range. The almond note becomes stronger, and I sense some black pepper entering into the profile as well. The tightness of the draw does seem to have affected smoke production, but Highclere Castle is still in an above average range in terms of the amount of smoke produced.

The second third sees the pepper notes ramp up on the retrohale, and the cedar becomes drier. Most prominent are the nuts (which at this point are closer to peanuts than almonds) and the floral/vanilla notes. The burn has been entirely straight throughout the cigar.

In the final third, the bread note morphs into a burnt toast (overly burnt, that is), the smoke temperature picks up, and some harshness creeps in. That’s really quite heartbreaking as I was enjoying the cigar immensely. The floral notes pull way back, and the pepper increases. At around an inch and a half left, the smoke has become so overpowering that I set the cigar down.

Conclusion

The Highclere Castle Robusto by Foundation Cigar Co dishes out big, complex flavor. It also delivers great smoke production and good construction.  Besides the final third (which was not a winning way to end the experience), I thought at times the flavors fell out of balance in significant ways. The moments of balance though? Pure bliss. If you can shell out $16 for it, give this cigar a try. If you’re on a tighter budget, I recommend the Oliva Connecticut Reserve, which I think offers a similar experience.

Final Score: 88

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Kopper Kettle Virginia Whiskey Review

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Belmont Farms Kopper Kettle Whiskey Review

I’m from Portland, Oregon, currently living in New York City with my wife, Catherine. Catherine’s family lives in Fairfax, Virginia, and we make a few trips down there a year to see family. I had complained a few times at how I hadn’t been able to try many of Virginia’s many whiskey distilleries. One of my brothers in law heard and bought me this bottle of Kopper Kettle Whiskey for Christmas, a gift which I was grateful for on Christmas day and have become more grateful for after coming to the conclusion that the folks at Belmont Farm really know what they’re doing with their whiskey.

Still, Kopper Kettle remains a largely unknown whiskey around the country, so I figured I’d put together a review of my experience of this bottle.

Here’s what the Belmont Farm website has to say about Kopper Kettle Whiskey:

The first in our Kopper Kettle line, our Virginia Whiskey is a unique product with many fans.  Its starts off as a 3 grain whiskey and then soaks for 2 months with charred Virginia white oak and Virginia apple wood.  Then we age it 4 years in oak barrels. Many of our customers enjoy it neat or with a splash of water for a beautiful, relaxing, sipping whiskey. However you choose to drink it, join the thousands that prefer it to all other aged whiskies. 

For any distillery, that last part is a bit of a gutsy claim. So let’s get to the review and find out what this whiskey is made of (literally and figuratively).

Kopper Kettle Virginia Whiskey Review

Kopper Kettle Whiskey Review

Product Specs

  • Distiller: Belmont Farm
  • Mash Bill: “Three Grain”
  • Aged in: Virginia White Oak / Virginia Apple Wood
  • Age: 4+ years
  • ABV: 43% (86 proof)
  • Price: ~$30

Kopper Kettle Whiskey Review 2

Appearance

Kopper Kettle Whiskey is presented in an understated bottle. It compares very favorably to the dark, loud bottle the whiskey was packaged in a few years ago. For myself, I’m in love with it. I really appreciate the raised copper insignia on the bottle and how its color matches the whiskey almost perfectly.

As far as what’s in the bottle, I’m afraid my camera didn’t quite capture the color as faithfully as I’d like. It’s a few shades lighter in reality (a bit more yellow than orange).

Nose

A moderate amount of ethanol burn, along with aromas of bread, oak strips, vanilla, and orange zest.

Palate

Extremely smooth on entry. Light, sweet, and very round, with bananas, honeyed bread, oak, and vanilla.

Finish

Moderate in length, with a bit of spice and ethanol. Overall, very clean.  My only critique here is the lingering sweetness, which is a bit too strong for my tastes.

Conclusion

Kopper Kettle Whiskey isn’t a showstopper, flavor bomb whiskey. It is, however, an an extremely easygoing, enjoyable whiskey that I find myself returning to night after night. It has a great balance of flavors, and is just sweet enough to be enjoyable any time of the day. Ultimately, unlike so many other boutique American whiskies, Kopper Kettle Virginia Whiskey seems to have focus. It knows what it’s about. It tells a delightful story, over and over again.

I’ll be pursuing other expressions created by Belmont Farms. They know what they’re doing.

Final Score: 89

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