Rum and Cigars

[Hank Koestner]

I have not made an entry in awhile, so let me add a few now.

I mentioned this pairing in another thread last night:
Cusano Cuvee Grand Lancero and Neisson XO: This is a delicious full bodied cigar with layers of flavor. Leather, wood and rich tobacco flavor, and about a third of the way the peppery spice kicks in. The cognac like flavor of the aged XO along with the slightly higher proof made this a perfect match.

CAO Cameroon Belicoso and La Favorite Rhum Agricole Blanc in a "Ti Punch":
I have been working on a good pairing for a Ti Punch. This cigar is medium bodied, with subtle but prominent flavors of cedar, toast and a bit of spice, and a slight bitterness from the Camy wrapper. The higher proof agricole with that rich herbal flavor is not over powered by the cigar, and they work well together. It is easy for a cigar to overwhelm a white rum.

Another Ti Punch pairing is Neisson Rhum Agricole blanc and a Partagas Spanish Rosado Sabroso. This is a mild cigar with sweet herbal flavors that allows the rhum to come through with all its flavor. They taste great together.

I enjoy a Ti Punch and a mild to medium cigar in the mid to late afternoon,
after lunch or before dinner. Give them a try, and tell me what you think.
If you are a cigar lover, suggest a pairing I might try.
Good wishes to all!!

[carnellm]

Have you tried the CAO Brazillias? I find they are excellent with a deep rich rum.

Of course my all time favorite to pair with has the be a true Montecristo #2. can't get much better than that!

Michael

[cigar-aficionado]

Bolivar belicoso fino with a glass of Ron Zacapa black makes a fine pairing as well, the sweetness of the rum goes well with the Bolivar flavour profile;)

[Hank Koestner]

I thought it might be better to move our rum and cigar discussions down to the Other Discussions forum. If i could move the whole thread I would. This way, it won't bump the rum related discussions. Look for a new entry there,
and, If I may suggest to the other cigar lovers, let us put our comments on that forum.

[Don Piero]

Just had a CAO Italia with the Eldorado 15. Heard a lot of good reviews about this cigar and was gifted one by a friend. This was a very nice cigar except for the first few minutes which was very harsh. Almost gave up on it, but kept saying to myself its gotta get better. Eventually, it did get better.

[Hank Koestner]

Over time, the Italia has lost some of its complexity, and has gotten "sweeter". When I first tasted the Italia and Brazilia a couple of years ago, I liked the Italia better. Now, I prefer the Brazilia Box Pressed. The Brazilia used to start rough, and then smooth out, like the Italia did for you.

[Lew Barrett]

I've never had a CAO I really liked, but then again, I have only smoked a couple. I have a gifted one (monster sized maduro, don't know the exact model) in my humi, but I can't bring myself to smoke it.
That's the thing with cigars and me. If I have a bad first experience, I'm unlikely to try a brand again, even though I might know logically that I just got a bad one or the vitola might not be representative of the marque's best. It doesn't really matter though; life's to short to smoke a cigar you don't like.

[Hank Koestner]

I understand completely. I keep a couple of the anniversary cammys for a mild to medium afternoon smoke, but back when I tried both of those I did not put any in the humi. The latest I have tried is the Brazilia Box Pressed Maduro, and I must say, that is a good cigar, so I put a couple in the Humi.

[tym2relax]

I have a few of the Brazilia's left after trying about a year ago. I like the wrapper. I think it's the same as the Torano Sig. Never had with rum, so I'll have to break one out.

Oh, I am glad the weather is warming :cool:

[Lew Barrett]

Oh, I am glad the weather is warming :cool:

Not here. We had a vicious cold wind storm yesterday with gusts to 45 MPH. No way to smoke outside, so I didn't even bother.

[SuperCorona]

I stopped smoking CAOs after the 2nd release of the Extremes. They weren't even close to the original release in flavor or construction. The early Costa Rican made L'aniversaire Maduros were unbelievable. I've still got one tucked away in a mixed box somewhere. Back then, the cammies were very good, too. Then they released the Extremes and I loved them. As soon as the 2nd release hit the shops, I bought all I could get. I smoked through the rest of my OR Extremes over the next few months and then cracked open the 2nd release. There was no way this was the same cigar. Most of my stock of Extremes went overseas to the troops and I vowed never to buy another CAO again. I haven't really missed them. Padrons, Fuentes and Habanos have filled the void nicely. :)

[KINGSTON]

That was when CAO had no control over their product. Every thing now is made in conjuction Carols Torano. Real good stuff.

[Lew Barrett]

I am really liking the 1964s, I must say. I had a laugh leaving Vegas today. There's a cigar stand in the airport that sells Opus, Ashton and Padron models. For kicks I asked how much they wanted for the 1964 sampler box of 4 cigars. The one they did have looked poorly kept, but I figured there was no harm in asking. The lady at the counter responded with "$225.00" I told her, "no thanks" and she offered me a No. 35 for $25. How do these people sell anything and to whom might they sell this nothingness? Vegas is just so strange.


I did buy a copy of "Cigar" to read on the plane, though. My first issue. Having read it cover to cover I have to say I prefer my on-line reading to the stuff in the magazines. Boy, I'm just no fun!

[rumdog007]

Lew, my better half's cousin is a lover of cigars. He loves something called a "Punch" which I buy for him at Christmas in different variations (Sizes? Lengths? etc.) at HiTimes in Costa Mesa. He is what I would call an untrained smoker who just knows what he likes. I am a complete moron when it comes to cigars. What else, as a surprise, would he relish? :confused:

[Hank Koestner]

There are many possibilities here, but let me say Oliva Series G and Series O might be good. Punch cigars have nice layers of woody flavors, and the Corojo has some spice. There are some Carlos Torano cigars that would fit this profile, along with Arturo Fuente. I have tasted some punch cigars along the way, and I don't care for them, but I understand thier appeal. A good tobacconist in the shop could probably make comparisons.

[Lew Barrett]

Punch and the Honduran Hoyo de Monterrey/Excalibur ranges of cigars are both from Villazon, so I'd start there. Villazon has been acquired by General Cigar, and there's no way I'd recommend their entire range, but the HdM Excalibur cigars (start with a maduro in Excalibur II or III) will probably be nice additions that he will like. The Punch range are Hondurans, so I'd stick with that country of origin for him as a starter. The original Punch Punch from "that other island" is among my favorites, but I haven't smoked any of the Honduran namesakes in years.
While I rarely disagree with Hank in matters of taste, the Fuente cigars are Dominican, and while they are probably among the best examples of the style, they tend to have traces of characteristic Dominican flavors (that I am not as fond of myself) so I'd stick with cigar styles from the same region for now. Excalibur III maduro is a fine and well reviewed model that is easily available. Let me know if you have trouble finding one for him; I have a few put away with some age on them and I could spare one for the cause.

[SuperCorona]

I'm not a big Torano fan, so I'll continue to avoid the CAOs.

I've smoked many boxes of Punch and HdM Rothschilds over the years. The double maduros were always my go to cigar.

Another good line of Honduran cigars is El Rey del Mundo. Try the Rectangulares, Robusto Largas and Flor de Lavonda.

[Hank Koestner]

Great suggestion, Lew, and good to point that out. I would not have thought to much about the difference in the flavors from country to country, but they are important. I just find that some of Fuentes mid range stuff has the woody profiles of the Punch. Great idea to stay in the country of origin. I did not know about the Villazon deal. I wonder if that will effect the blends.
The Excalibur maduros are a great cigar. I have one left from a few I bought about a year ago when I first tasted them. Has the blend changed any?

My latest find for a cigar I like has been the Cusano Cuvee 151 robusto. Great flavor, and sits well with rum.

Also, I have been trying some milder to medium cigars, looking for great flavor in a milder smoke. I tend to be able to smoke in the daytime more in the summer on the weekends, and I like a milder cigar in the day. So far, the one I have found that I like is the Cuvee Blanc. Great flavor for a milder cigar.
Sits well with a nice afternoon Mojito or Daquiri. Maybe this needs a seperate thread. Any suggestions?

[rumdog007]

Many, many thanks! I'll actually try ALL of the suggestions, beginning this Wed. when I get back from the Big D. This is a guy that has always appreciated my effort, so I'll let him puff and give me the feedback. glass

[SuperCorona]

Hank, General acquired Villazon in 1997. I didn't notice any changes in flavor profiles with the Punch and HdM cigars I smoked regularly back then.

[Hank Koestner]

I never knew that. I thought Villazon was thier own company.HMMR I thought it was a recent purchase after I read Lew's post. Thanks for the info.cheers)

[Lew Barrett]

I think the Excalibur IIIs have been very consistent over the years, but they don't taste quite as nutty to me as they used to. I used to think they were like smoking a nut, but in the last few years that has seemed to lessen. On the other hand, it might just be me. They're a good every day smoke, no doubt. Love the new smilies!cigar.gifcigar.giflaughing.gifcheers.gif