Quesada Oktoberfest 2016 Triple Bock Review

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Quesada Oktoberfest 2016 Triple Bock Review Close up

In my personal experience, specially-themed cigars have a tendency to be either amazing or abysmal, with few (if any) in-betweens. The Oktoberfest thus far has consistently made its way into the former category (I distinctly remember enjoying the Über vitola with a hard cider in October of 2015). I know it’s December of 2017, but let’s dive into the Oktoberfest 2016 Triple Bock!

Form and Substance

  • Vitola: Toro Gordo
  • Wrapper: Nicaraguan Habano, Estelí
  • Binder: Estelí region, Nicaragua
  • Filler: Estelí region, Nicaragua
  • Dimensions: 6’ x 56”
  • Country of Origin: Nicaragua

Quesada Oktoberfest 2016 Triple Bock Review

Aesthetics, Construction and Feel

This is quite a fancy looking cigar; the Germanic label design is a particularly great compliment to the body, which is more than a bit gritty, but also well-constructed (no seams on the wrapper, and very few veins). The body is unusually stiff, indicating that the cigar is stuffed to the brim with tobacco, to the point of inflexible stiffness. This fact is also partially evidenced by how the binder filler seem to extend outwards from the wrapper. The ’16 Oktoberfest sports an unusual cold odor; it reminds the senses (not surprisingly) of beer. I’m a bit concerned that there will hardly be a draw at this point, but I’m also keen to taste a cigar that has a quasi-beer cold odor…

Smoke and Flavor

I’m pleased and relieved to find that my initial concerns about the draw were ultimately overstated. The draw has a medium-grade strength toit, allowing me to experience an excellently-textured, strong and meaty flavor complimented by undertones of spice and pepper. The burn is also consistent in its evenness; very rarely do I find myself consciously paying attention to it, which is always a good sign.

Quesada Oktoberfest 2016 Triple Bock Review Close up 2

Around the second third, the pepper in the background finds its way to the retrohale as well, making it more zesty, but not always in the most constructive way, given how harsh pepper can be. Not long after, the foreground’s flavor incrementally becomes more mild, going from spicy and peppery meat to salty bread (essentially a pretzel, fittingly enough). It’s not always preferable to have a cigar’s flavor become mild at this stage, but the transition is seamless and the flavor still works well. It’s also at this transition point that the undertone becomes more chocolatey, which balances the flavor profile with the foreground’s salt remarkably well.

The Point of Convergence is where I realize that the Oktoberfest has a slow burn that can keep it lit and undisturbed for over five minutes at a time. After refilling the water glass and various other chores and distractions, I find myself picking up exactly where I left off without need for maintenance. I find the salty bread of the foreground merging with the chocolate undertones to mature into a handsome and rich dark wood, with the occasional touch of BBQ and a spicy/peppery retrohale reminiscent of the first third’s foreground. This flavor profile continues up unto the nub of the cigar, many minutes later.

The Final Verdict

Given my previously stated suspicion, I was particularly surprised at how well the ’16 Oktoberfest turned out to be. From the meaty beginning to the pretzel-esque middle to the dark wood-infused ending, this season release proved itself quite viable, versatile, and enjoyable in its flavor profile, if somewhat unrefined. The construction is also quite laudable. It’s not every day you find a stogie that can consistently burn evenly, maintain a consistent and medium-strength draw, and stay lit for over 5 minutes, all at the same time. This stogie is definitely a winner overall.

Final Grade: A-

Charlie’s Tips for a Perfect Smoke Experience

  • Smoke it for social events. Even though the Oktoberfest’s flavor profile is excellent, it is still just unrefined enough to make it best enjoyed as a supplement to an experience, as opposed to the center point of it. So break out the bier unt the sauerkraut and light one up in the midst of a group of friends.
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A.D. Laws Four Grain Straight Bourbon Review

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AD Laws Four Grain Broubon

When I have friends over, whiskey (and/or cigars) is usually involved. For the New Years party my wife Catherine and I were hosting at home, I brought out two bottles: Michter’s Single Barrel Rye and High West Midwinter Night’s Dram.  A good friend of mine brought along the bottle of A.D. Laws Four Grain Bourbon, and he was kind enough to leave it behind for me to write a review. I probably have had more now than my fair share, but Kyle you left a bottle of whiskey at my house—what did you think was going to happen?

In any case, I wasn’t familiar with Laws Whiskey House before today, but had heard some good word on the street about it. This whiskey hails from Colorado, which has become—at least in my view—a leading producer of quality boutique American whiskies. If you want to learn more about the Laws Distillery, stop by their website here. Let’s get on with the review.

Product specifics

  • Distiller: Laws Whiskey House
  • ABV: 47.5% (95 proof)
  • Age: “No less than 3 years” (3 years in American white oak)
  • Mashbill: 60% corn, 20% Colorado-grown wheat, 10% Colorado-grown rye, 10% Colorado-grown barley

AD Laws Four Grain Broubon Bottle

Appearance

In the glass, J.D. Laws Four Grain Bourbon is a deep caramel color with a slight reddish hue (much darker in the bottle). The bottle itself is really quite beautiful. I love the four sharp corners of the squarish design. I’m also a fan of the bottle design because it’s beautiful but it also functionally works unlike some other whiskies with really cool bottle designs. Most intriguing to me is the square insignia on the back of the bottle. As best as I can tell, the three main large squares are reflective of the three components of the A.D. Laws mantra: Craft over commodity. Quality over quantity. Whiskey above all.

Great mantra. Now let’s see how the product stacks up.

Nose

The nose is fairly strong, with a decent dose of ethanol burn (hard to get rid of at more than 45% abv, though that’s no excuse). Aromas coming out of the glass include dark cherries, baking spices (cinnamon), some corn, and a bright sort of tinny smell present.

Palate

Wow. Lot’s going on here. Spice is dominant, with additional flavors of rocky candy, burnt cookies, some butter and maybe an apricot note here and there. Overall though very spicy and oaky (think double-cinnamon snicker doodle cookie).

What I love about this dram is that I can clearly, distinctly sense the influence of the different grains involved in this whiskey. The corn influences the flavor in a way typical with many bourbons, lending the whiskey a sweet, syrupy initial quality. Moments later, the syrupy texture passes on to reveal the dry (though still sweet) influence of the rye and wheat.

Finish

The finish is long and predominantly rye-influenced, i.e. it is very spicy. The finish leaves a faint, bready flavor, alongside a slight maltiness, which I take to be the influence of the barley. The finish is probably my only area of complaint: it’s a bit too long for me, and I find myself wanting the it to clear.

Conclusion

At about $60/bottle, this bourbon might seem expensive. Relative to other bourbons on the market, it is. But I’ve noticed (this is as of Jan. 1 2018) that the average price point of American whiskies entering the market is skyrocketing, so I’m not sure $60 is surprising at all.

But, back to the point. The J.D. Laws Four Grain Bourbon is a great whiskey. It delivers big, bold flavors, and matches that boldness with complexity that I only find in a fraction of other bourbons on the market today (Eagle Rare 10 Year comes to mind). I’m looking forward to trying other whiskies from this producer.

For the bourbon or American whiskey enthusiast, my recommendation for the Four Grain is a strong buy.

Final Score: 89

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The Top 10 Cigars of 2017

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For the first time in the seven year history of this site, we are releasing a list of the 10 best cigars we smoked this year. We’ve refrained from doing it in the past largely because there are so many great blogs making these lists already. But this year in particular, there are some smokes that didn’t get the recognition that we think they deserve.

With that said, let’s get on to the Top 10.

Top 10 Cigars of 2017

10. Montecristo Grupo De Maestros Private Batch III

The Montecristo Grupo de Maestros Private Batch III didn’t receive a lot of love on social media or in the blogosphere, but it makes my top ten because, to me, this cigar represents one of the most ambitious (and successful) projects by Montecristo in recent years. The cigar is full bodied with a predominantly dry profile but with a surprisingly creamy finish. Tasting notes include dry cedar, floral, salt, white pepper, and hints of spice. If this sounds like an intense profile—it is. But well worth it (just make sure you have water or another drink on hand).

9. Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust Mi Querida

Steve Saka and Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust quickly captured the attention and adulation of the cigar geek crowd —and for good reason. Not only is he famous on social media for his detailed posts about the minutiae of his cigar making process, every project he touches seems to turn to gold. Mi Querida (spanish for “my mistress”) features the signature Saka Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper and delivers a truly special smoking experience, generating thick plumes of extremely smooth smoke and flavors of earth, chocolate, coffee, oak and subtle pepper.

8. Drew Estate Undercrown Sun Grown

I have been and remain a sucker for cigars featuring Ecuadoran Sumatra wrappers. The Undercrown Sun Grown delivers volumes of spicy flavor, with a really unique, creamy smoke. It is true, the Undercrown Sun Grown doesn’t change and unfold as much as some other cigars deeper down on this list. But what impresses me so much with this blend is the ability Drew Estate has found to offer a brand new, extremely enjoyable flavor profile that is still clearly within the overall smoking experience that the company is known for.

7. La Hoja Signature Series 1962 Petite Corona

For many readers outside of New York City, La Hoja Cigars might be a relatively unknown brand. Those in the tri-state area who have had the opportunity to smoke La Hoja Cigars have experienced the tremendous attention to quality and detail that Willie Flores and Carlos Gomez put in to their work. The Signature Series 1962 Petite Corona is a really complex smoke which packs a lot of flavor and changes substantially throughout the course of the cigar. It’s also what I call a “sipping cigar,” so take your time when you smoke it. Expect notes of earth, fresh roasted espresso beans, and white pepper, with a zesty fruitiness entering at different times throughout the smoke.

6. Aging Room F55 Quattro Maduro

Lovers of the original Aging Room Quattro line can’t miss the F55 Quattro Maduro, which features a similar core of flavors, including cedar, spices, and touches of vanilla. What the Maduro adds, with its San Andreas Maduro wrapper, is bright touches of burnt toast and milk chocolate. Combined with flawless construction and an excellent price tag (~$10), the Aging Room Quattro F55 Maduro is an impressive addition to Aging Room’s offerings.

5. La Instructora Box Pressed

Don’t let the cryptic band or the $20 price tag fool you: this is a serious cigar (and one I approached very skeptically). The cigar opens with spices, espresso, light chocolate and salted peanuts. However, it is the second half of the cigar which shines brightest: a drastic increase in intensity, with finely ground black pepper, baking spices, and leather. It is the complexity of the cigar as it burns which makes this a Top 10 contender.

4. AJ Fernandez New World Puro Especial

2017 was, in some ways, the year of the AJ Fernandez cigar (I know, you could probably say that about 2016 as well). He’s created numerous blends for a number of brands including Montecristo and H Upmann. His New World Puro Especial Puro Especial is, to me, the crème de la crème of his work in 2017 (and the cigar industry at large): extremely smooth and balanced flavors of earth, cedar, cocoa, and cinnamon. The construction throughout the smoke is impeccable, and it sports a beautiful, solid white ash to boot.

3. Plasencia Alma Fuerte Generacion V

The Plasencia Alma Fuerte floored guests at the launch event we hosted with Plasencia at The Carnegie Club. The blending of the tobaccos in this cigar is enough to tell a complex story, but the tapered salamon size adds miles to the experience. The smoke morphs from deep, rich notes of chocolate, spices, and coffee to creamy smoke with hints of white pepper.

2. Drew Estate Pappy Van Winkle Tradition

Few brands in the cigar world can create the kind of instantaneous excitement and anticipation as Drew Estate. When you combine that with a name like Pappy Van Winkle, delivering on the promise is important. Drew Estate delivered. In particular, the Belicoso Fino is full bodied and features a pepper-forward profile, with notes of freshly ground black pepper, cedar, touches of floral and vanilla notes.

1. Davidoff Winston Churchill The Late Hour

The Davidoff Winston Churchill Late Hour is a tremendous addition to Davidoff’s core line, offering a unique take on the beloved Davidoff flavor profile. It is everything and more I was hoping to find in the Davidoff Nicaragua. Aged in former scotch casks, the Late Hour features traditional Davidoff notes (earth, musk, wood) along with subtle pepper, cocoa, and touches of malt from the cask aging. This cigar is an instant classic from Davidoff, as far as I am concerned.

 

So there you have it, our top cigar picks for cigars in 2017. If any of the other lists are any indication, there are a lot of great cigars that didn’t make the list. And that’s what makes selecting the top cigars so difficult: the market is simply full of great brands producing incredible new products.

We’ll be back next year with our 2018 picks. In the meantime, if you love a cigar that didn’t make it on this list, let us know in the comments, and check out our take on the best cigars to smoke in 2018.

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Belle Meade Sour Mash Straight Bourbon Review

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belle meade sour mash straight bourbon review

Every now and again I actually follow the whiskey recommendations I’m given (I have a terrible memory so it’s nothing personal guys!). In this case, Belle Meade whiskey was recommended by a good friend of mine. I haven’t been able to find it in New York City where I live but after traveling down to Virginia for Christmas, I dropped by an ABC store and stumbled across a bottle of Belle Meade Sour Mash Straight Bourbon.

I didn’t know much about Belle Meade Distillery until after picking up this bottle and doing a bit of reading. The company seems to take a lot of pride in putting together unique whiskies, with four other bourbons available, including Sherry Cask, XO Cognac Casks, and Madeira Casks.

The Belle Meade website deserves praise for giving a lot of information on the process. Here’s what it says about this whiskey:

“To ensure that no other Bourbon in the world tastes like Belle Meade Bourbon, we created a proprietary blend using two different high-rye content mash bills and two complementary yeast strains from barrels aged between 6 to 8 years. Each batch of our proprietary blend consists of just 4 barrels and creates the signature flavor profile that makes Belle Meade Bourbon the award-winning Bourbon of choice for the discerning whiskey drinker.”

At $40, it was an easy bottle to pick up. After three glasses, I’m ready to put together my thoughts in a review. So let’s get started.

Whiskey Specifics

  • Producer: Belle Meade Distillery
  • ABV: 45.2% (90.4 proof)
  • Aged in: proprietary Oak barrels

belle meade sour mash straight bourbon label

Appearance

Somehow, the branding for this whiskey has managed to look totally uninspired and also attractively unique. Bottle shape, color palette, and art seem fairly standard. But the product info and the references to Belle Meade Plantation and Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery give this whiskey a unique kind of intrigue. I’m immediately drawn in to wondering what and where Nelson’s Green Brier Distiller is and the history of Belle Meade Plantation—a nice touch.

The whiskey itself is a golden caramel color. Nothing groundbreaking here.

Nose

After pouring a couple of fingers into the glass, the first whiff reveals lots of spice and aromas of burnt sugar, creme brûlée, caramel, and spice.

Palate

Belle Meade Bourbon is smooth, sweet, and medium bodied on entry. As the whiskey spreads across the tongue, it builds in spiciness and intensity, with an overall flavor profile that includes apricot, cinnamon spice, and pepper.

The texture is buttery and overall fairly smooth, though for me the amount of heat in this whiskey is a bit more than what I’m normally looking for.

Finish

The finish is moderately long, with lots of spice and lingering sweetness. The Belle Meade website claims the finish doesn’t have the burn found in other 90 proof whiskies, but I didn’t find that to be the case.

Conclusion

Belle Meade Straight Bourbon is an enjoyable, above average small batch whiskey. Certainly one I could see being a worthy investment for someone excited about anything craft-whiskey. But ultimately I find myself just as frustrated as I am with other small batch bourbons—there isn’t anything unique enough to set it apart from the dozens and dozens of other options. I’d be just as likely to pick up a bottle of Wild Turkey 101, since it has a flavor profile that is in the same ballpark.

Give it a try, and let me know if you disagree!

Final Score: 87

Alec Bradley Prensado Lost Art Review

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alec bradley prensado lost art review

Few cigars are as widely recognized as the Alec Bradley Prensado. The original Alec Bradley Prensado Churchill won Cigar Aficionado’s coveted Cigar of the Year distinction in 2011, catapulting the brand into the national and international spotlight. Since then, the company has released a number of lines, including the Alec Bradley Mundial which is one of my all time favorite cigars (though I’ve noticed that opinion isn’t shared by many). The Alec Bradley Prensado Lost Art has big shoes to fill.

So let’s get on to the review, shall we?

 

Blend Specifics

  • Size: Churchill (7 x 50)
  • Wrapper: Honduran Corojo
  • Binder: Nicaraguan and Honduran
  • Filler: Nicaraguan and Honduran

alec bradley prensado lost art churchill review

Appearance and Construction

The Prensado Lost Art Churchill is semi box pressed, making it very comfortable to hold. There is a light springiness when I squeeze the cigar and I can tell it is packed very consistently. As for branding, it is special simply because it’s great to see an addition to the Prensado line. It may look like there are two bands on this cigar, but there really is just one.

The pre light draw is moderately restrictive, and brings forth aromas of granola and coffee, very typical for Alec Bradley in my experience.

Flavor & Smoke Characteristics

Fans of the Prensado will have no difficulty in recognizing his blend when they first light up. I’m greeted by thick, robust flavors of earth, cedar, and espresso, all augmented with a saltiness that reminds me of salted popcorn. At the same there are hints of vanilla and cinnamon on the nose, making for enjoyable and complex start to this smoke.

By an inch in the balance of the flavors has changed a few times, keeping me on my toes, which I love. The smoke is medium bodied and very smooth.

Moving in to the second third, the earthiness and spice has drawn back, leaving the vanilla,  cinnamon, espresso and popcorn saltiness in focus. Very, very good. There is also a new note, a kind of oatiness that complements the other flavors well.

The burn up to this point has been fairly wavy, requiring some purging to correct. I’ve also noticed that the cigar can’t be set down for long before it goes out. This is significant because smoking a cigar too quickly can distort the flavors of any cigar, so it doesn’t weigh in this cigar’s favor.

Entering the final third, the flavor increases significantly, adding strong, sweet natural tobacco note. To me, this is where Prensado Lost Art really catches its stride, with all flavors kicking in simultaneously in the final 20 minutes of the smoke.

Conclusion

The Alec Bradley Prensado Lost Art is full of charisma and is, dare I say it, a bit of a show off. The flavors come and go, playing off of each other wonderfully, making this a worthy follow up to the original Prensado line. It bears many of the hallmarks of the original Prensado (earthiness and granola) while adding some additional complexity (vanilla, popcorn salt). I think it clocks in at a solid medium, and because it is so smooth, it will appeal to the new cigar smoker and the veteran alike. The only criticism I have is that the burn was never really straight, which could be a fluke or a direct result of the double binder. All of these considerations lead me to a rating of 93/100.

Final Rating: 93

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