souldog
OG Post-Whorer since 2008 bitches...
- Joined
- Feb 6, 2008
- Messages
- 6,211
Cigar: Oliva Master Blends III Robusto
Size: 5" x 50
Wrapper: Natural
Country: Nigaragua
Price: $8 USD / cigar
Beer: Stockyard Oatmeal Stout
Price: $7 USD / 6-pack
Start Time: 2304 hours
Initial Impressions: Taking the cello off, the cigar felt firm when I gave it a squeeze, bearing no evidence of cracks in the wrapper. There are no veins running through the wrapper, as the construction is flawless. Before lighting up, I take in the scent of powerful aged tobacco, and I can't wait to dive in.
I've paired this cigar with a stout beer I picked up from Trader Joes called Stockyard Oatmeal Stout from Goose Island Beer Company. From what I've read, it is an exclusive beer brewed specially for sale at Trader Joes. I picked it up for $6.99 USD a 6-pack, and I thought I'd give it a whirl, deviating from my normal fare at BevMo.
I poured it in a glass at room temperature, forgoing my usual iced beer glasses that I keep for hot days, because the temperature in Murrieta is a cool 52 degrees farenheit. This is my first time doing a formal review of a beer, so bear with me if I don't know all the right terms!
As I poured the brew, there was little to no head, and I picked up scents of chocolate and coffee in the inital nosing. Taking my first drink, it tasted slightly sour like a Guinness stout, and was more carbonated than I expected it to be.
The Smoke:
After clipping the cap, I took a pre-light draw and tasted sweet tobacco, the kind that only comes from a cigar that's been aged like this one. The Olive Master Blend III was released in 2006, and clearly it has had some good down-time in my humidor. I toasted the foot thoroughlt, then lit the cigar up and went to work. Initially, the smoke was very bitter and spicy, catching me in my nostrils and back of my throat. Although peppery, I've smoked these beauties before and know they tend to mellow out as the tobacco and smoke begins to blend their flavors together.
The burn is even and clean, and the draw provides just enough resistance that you don't feel like you're sucking just air, but you also aren't fighting with the cigar to smoke it. The ash is holding like a champion, as I've got approximately 2 inches still holding.
Revisiting the stout after some sitting time proves to be a help. On the initial drink, you are immediately hit with the overpowering taste of coffee and bitter chocolate, and the aftertaste is still intensely sour. In my opinion, it's not as balanced as a Rogue Shakespeare Stout or a Samuel Smith's Oatmeal Stout, but still drinkable.
After about 34 minutes, the ash fell off and into my lap. I was hoping to hold it all the way through the cigar, but the law of gravity seems to always win. Now that the ash fell off, the burn is going a tad crooked, but nothing to far that requires a touchup with my lighter. This cigar is producing powerful amounts of smoke, and I am picking up scents of nutmeg and cinnamon.
Nearing the final third, the cigar is getting hot, so I'm slowing down, taking my time in between draws. The stout's overall feel is a bit watery, and has a thin taste to it.
Overall: I really enjoyed this cigar, and I covet these babies like gold. There were little to no burn issues, the construction was flawless, and the smoke was spicy and full-bodied. The oatmeal stout lacked in malty flavor, had a very sour aftertaste to it, and felt very watery. I don't know that I will be buying another pack to try it, but at least I experienced it once, right? Smoke em' if you got em' fellas.
End Time: 0005 hours.
Size: 5" x 50
Wrapper: Natural
Country: Nigaragua
Price: $8 USD / cigar
Beer: Stockyard Oatmeal Stout
Price: $7 USD / 6-pack
Start Time: 2304 hours
Initial Impressions: Taking the cello off, the cigar felt firm when I gave it a squeeze, bearing no evidence of cracks in the wrapper. There are no veins running through the wrapper, as the construction is flawless. Before lighting up, I take in the scent of powerful aged tobacco, and I can't wait to dive in.
I've paired this cigar with a stout beer I picked up from Trader Joes called Stockyard Oatmeal Stout from Goose Island Beer Company. From what I've read, it is an exclusive beer brewed specially for sale at Trader Joes. I picked it up for $6.99 USD a 6-pack, and I thought I'd give it a whirl, deviating from my normal fare at BevMo.
I poured it in a glass at room temperature, forgoing my usual iced beer glasses that I keep for hot days, because the temperature in Murrieta is a cool 52 degrees farenheit. This is my first time doing a formal review of a beer, so bear with me if I don't know all the right terms!
As I poured the brew, there was little to no head, and I picked up scents of chocolate and coffee in the inital nosing. Taking my first drink, it tasted slightly sour like a Guinness stout, and was more carbonated than I expected it to be.
The Smoke:
After clipping the cap, I took a pre-light draw and tasted sweet tobacco, the kind that only comes from a cigar that's been aged like this one. The Olive Master Blend III was released in 2006, and clearly it has had some good down-time in my humidor. I toasted the foot thoroughlt, then lit the cigar up and went to work. Initially, the smoke was very bitter and spicy, catching me in my nostrils and back of my throat. Although peppery, I've smoked these beauties before and know they tend to mellow out as the tobacco and smoke begins to blend their flavors together.
The burn is even and clean, and the draw provides just enough resistance that you don't feel like you're sucking just air, but you also aren't fighting with the cigar to smoke it. The ash is holding like a champion, as I've got approximately 2 inches still holding.
Revisiting the stout after some sitting time proves to be a help. On the initial drink, you are immediately hit with the overpowering taste of coffee and bitter chocolate, and the aftertaste is still intensely sour. In my opinion, it's not as balanced as a Rogue Shakespeare Stout or a Samuel Smith's Oatmeal Stout, but still drinkable.
After about 34 minutes, the ash fell off and into my lap. I was hoping to hold it all the way through the cigar, but the law of gravity seems to always win. Now that the ash fell off, the burn is going a tad crooked, but nothing to far that requires a touchup with my lighter. This cigar is producing powerful amounts of smoke, and I am picking up scents of nutmeg and cinnamon.
Nearing the final third, the cigar is getting hot, so I'm slowing down, taking my time in between draws. The stout's overall feel is a bit watery, and has a thin taste to it.
Overall: I really enjoyed this cigar, and I covet these babies like gold. There were little to no burn issues, the construction was flawless, and the smoke was spicy and full-bodied. The oatmeal stout lacked in malty flavor, had a very sour aftertaste to it, and felt very watery. I don't know that I will be buying another pack to try it, but at least I experienced it once, right? Smoke em' if you got em' fellas.
End Time: 0005 hours.
Ya slippin' man!
