Today’s review is the Ortega Serie D #8, one of Eddie Ortega’s debut blends. I have to say, he’s really outdone himself on this new blend, for the reasons listed below. Initially, I didn’t have a drink to pair with this cigar, but with the strength and complexity of its flavors, it quickly became necessary to enjoy the cigar to the fullest.
Blend Specifics
Wrapper: San Andreas Maduro Binder: Nicaraguan Filler: Nicaraguan Size: Robusto #8 (5 ½ x 50)
Appearance & Construction
The Ortega Serie D #8 has a gorgeous dark charcoal brown look, telling me this cigar means business. The stick is triple capped, with minimum veins, lots of tooth, and a solid pack inside the box pressed design. Clipping the cap reveals a nice loose draw. The only thing I’m not a huge fan of is the band on this cigar – it just isn’t very flattering.
Flavor & Smoke Characteristics
Wow, does this cigar kick off strong. Upon lighting my mouth is confronted with what some would call a flavor bomb. In no particular order: earth, dark chocolate, charcoal, and some kitchen spices. The retrohale is full of spice and convinces me to go grab a glass of Evan Williams 1783 Small Batch bourbon to balance my palate.
As this cigar progresses into the second third, the body draws down a bit to a much smoother texture. The dark chocolate note becomes more prominent, as does the charcoal taste. The two together are a really great combination that separates the Ortega D from other cigars with a San Andreas Maduro wrapper. The burn is slightly wavy, and the cigar repeatedly holds its salt and pepper ash for about an inch and a half.
The final third remains similar to the second, with the sole difference being that a black pepper note enters the mix.
Conclusion
The Ortega Serie D is a stand out cigar. Though many new cigars enter the market, and the San Andreas Maduro wrapper is very popular these days, the Ortega’s cigar introduces an original flavor profile that doesn’t disappoint. These cigars aren’t exactly easy to find, so ask your local tobacconist to pick up a box or two.
Up for review today is the Evan Williams 1783 Small Batch bourbon. My liquor travels so far have taken me far and wide in the bourbon world, and this gem is so reasonably priced and enjoyable that I’ve found myself buying bottle after bottle. This bourbon is aged 10 years, and is named after the year that Mr. Evan Williams began distilling for the first time. It’s a whiskey that is viewed by some bourbon enthusiasts (including me) to be one of the best value whiskies out there. Others absolutely hate it, which honestly for the life of me I can’t understand, particularly because I’m no fan of the company’s standard Black Label and Bottled in Bond whiskies.
Product Info
Whiskey Reviewed: Evan Williams 1783 Small Batch Bourbon
Spirit Type: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Producer: Heaven Hill Distilleries, Inc.
Origin: Kentucky United States
Age: 10
Price (USD): $15
Proof: 86
Reviewed: Neat
Evan Williams 1783 Review
Appearance: Evan Williams 1783 comes presented in a rather humble bottle. Standard shape and a plastic label. So, not many points scored here and the branding could use a bit of an update. But honestly, I’m not expecting too much from any bottle of whiskey sold for $15. In the glass, the whiskey is pale gold.
Nose: Strong smell immediately on opening the bottle. After pouring a bit into the glass, scents include rye, vanilla, lots of oak, and muted alcohol.
Taste: Light caramel, rye, some citrus note, and oak. Here’s where I think EW 1783 really shines. It has virtually none of the drawbacks that many other cheap whiskies have. It doesn’t taste flat out watered down like Jim Beam White Label. It isn’t harsh on the palate. And it doesn’t have that not-so-wonderful circus peanut/floor cleaner mix on the finish that a lesser-aged, rushed whiskey has. If I had to make a criticism of EW 1783 with respect to the palate, I’d say it could be a touch over-oaked. But on this whiskey I find the additional age produces a strong oak note that really rounds out this whiskey and gives it a maturity that isn’t reflective of its price.
Finish: A long but light finish with caramel, vanilla, and citrus (some reviewers specify orange).
Conclusion: For just $15 per bottle, the Evan Williams 1783 is (to me) a mind blowing value. I wouldn’t recommend this as a mixer. Drink this bourbon neat or on the rocks, adding a few drops of water as you see fit to release additional flavors.
The Oliva V Melanio has been on my review list for a while, so I was very happy to pick up a few of these at Hoboken Cigars. As you’ll read, this really is an exceptional cigar that will become a go-to for me when I want to taste a classic profile.
From the Oliva website:
Melanio Oliva first grew tobacco in Pinar Del Rio, Cuba in 1886. His growing operations were suspended while he fought in Cuba’s War of Independence. After returning from war Melanio resumed his operations. In the early 1920’s Melanio’s son Hipolito Oliva took over the growing operations. Hipolito cultivated the Oliva family fields for several decades. As Cuba became over-run by communist the tobacco landscape changed. Hipolito’s son Gilberto Oliva shifted from growing to brokering tobacco. In the early 60’s the pressure became too great and Gilberto traveled from country to country in search of the distinct Cuban taste. His travels took him to Honduras, Panama, Mexico and even the Philippines. Gilberto finally found fertile ground in Nicaragua. Today Gilberto along with his family are Nicaraguas second largest grower of Cuban-seed tobacco.
Blend Specifics
Wrapper: Ecaudorian Sumatra
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Size: Robusto (5×52)
Appearance & Construction
The box-pressed Oliva V Melanio features a gold, brown, and red double-banded scheme with a golden-brown Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper. Gorgeously presented. Cutting and drawing reveals a nice evenly restrictive draw. The burn on this cigar is consistently straight, and the cigar delivers ample smoke.
Flavor & Smoke Characteristics
Before lighting, I take a whiff of the foot of the cigar and notice a nice mellow blend of coffee, caramel, and some woodsy notes. I strike a match, toast the cigar, and my first puff draws a great amount of smoke with strong notes of coffee, buttered toast, and a bit of wood. After about five minutes, the smoke has dropped a bit in body, but not in strength of flavor. Very, very enjoyable. Next, a subtle black and white pepper mix fades in on the retro-hale, well balanced with the slightly creamy texture.
By two thirds in, this cigar is a solid medium. Still lots of coffee, with wood and hints of leather coming through more and more. Moving in to the final third, the body on this cigar picks up substantially, with the wood and spice taking center stage. And interestingly, it ended much the way it began, body drawing down very nicely.
Conclusion
The Oliva V Melanio is a superb cigar. Great flavor, good complexity and balance, and awesome construction. Do yourself a favor and pick up five of these, or a box if you can swing it.
The Glenlivet, the single malt that started it all, is launching a rare whisky whose unique character can be discovered by using your senses to unlock the flavours within.
The Glenlivet Alpha is a mystery, released with no cask information, tasting notes or age statement. Its flavour secrets can be unlocked via a series of online challenges provided by The Glenlivet to help whisky lovers engage their senses.
Presented in a striking black bottle preserving the mystery until the liquid is poured, the limited edition of only 3,350 bottles has been crafted in secret by Master Distiller Alan Winchester at The Glenlivet Distillery in the heart of Speyside. The Glenlivet Alpha is a truly unique and distinct whisky from the distillery’s exceptional cask collection, which is renowned for its superior quality and flawless character.
Each week, the secrets of Alpha can be unlocked by taking part in a series of online challenges dedicated to each sense. Using a suite of interactive digital tools, whisky lovers & novices alike can explore the unique flavours of The Glenlivet range through look, smell, taste and feel.
Master Distiller Alan Winchester comments: “Flavour is a multi-sensory experience: one that combines the subtleties of sight and feel, in addition to taste and smell. By withholding information on the casks used to create The Glenlivet Alpha and encouraging people to use their senses, I hope they will gain a greater appreciation of its particular flavour, and expand their understanding of the great complexity and depth of our unique single malt whisky. I can’t wait to hear people’s reactions.”
Following the launch, insiders from The Glenlivet Distillery including Master Distiller Alan Winchester will be on hand to offer clues to The Glenlivet Alpha’s secrets and directly answer questions within the online community created to host the global discussion about this product.
Challenges may be taken and shared on The Glenlivet website and Facebook page during a six week period. The secrets of The Glenlivet Alpha, including all tasting notes, will be finally revealed by Master Distiller, Alan Winchester at the end of this period.
The Glenlivet has left an inspiring legacy to single malt enthusiasts all over the world. Its exceptional product quality and rich history have flowed through time, remaining popular across generations whilst always staying true to the spirit’s essence. The Glenlivet Alpha is an exciting release for The Glenlivet distillery that will help consumers to unlock their understanding and appreciation of single malt.
ENDS
For further information please contact David Netherton at Bacchus PR:
The Glenlivet Alpha will be available to purchase from selected retailers including the Whisky Shop, The Whisky Exchange, Master of Malt from 8th May 2013 for the price of £95
The sense challenges will go live on Facebook and The Glenlivet website www.TheGlenlivet.com from 7th May 2013
The identity of The Glenlivet Alpha will be announced on The Glenlivet website with a live reveal video in w/c10th May June with a reveal video
About The Glenlivet:
The Glenlivet is currently the No. 2 single malt whisky in the world and the No.1 single malt in the US – the world’s largest malt whisky market. Crafted in the remote Livet Valley since 1824, it is the only whisky with the unchallengeable right to be called The Glenlivet.
George Smith set up a distillery to capture the character of the wild, isolated hills and ferocious climate of Glenlivet valley. His whisky was demanded by King George IV and enjoyed by aristocracy north and south of the border, who had heard of an illicit dram so smooth they had to taste it themselves. George Smith’s whisky became renowned as the smoothest, imitated far and wide and even recognised in the writings of Charles Dickens. Yet it was only after years of legal wrangling that his son, John Gordon Smith, finally prevailed in 1824, to establish The Glenlivet as the first licensed distillery in the Parish of Glenlivet, henceforth known as the single malt that started it all.
www.theglenlivet.com
About Pernod Ricard
Created in 1975 by the link-up of Ricard and Pernod, the Pernod Ricard Group is the world’s no. 1 premium and prestige spirits company and world co-leader in wines and spirits. Pernod Ricard services 75 market companies, and has proudly built a unique and comprehensive portfolio of brands including Chivas Regal, The Glenlivet, Absolut, Beefeater, Havana Club, Martell, Champagnes Perrier-Jouët and G.H.Mumm, and many more.
