Comisario Tequila Anejo

 

Comisario Tequila Anejo

Tequila, like many hard liquors, has gotten a bad reputation from ignorant young people who don’t know how to drink, or appreciate a good spirit. Good tequila, and especially an Anejo, is not to be taken in a shot glass, and certainly doesn’t need a chaser. It deserves to be sipped, savored, and caressed, to be appreciated and enjoyed. Comisario Tequila’s oak aged Anejo is one of the finest of such tequilas that I have had.

With a deep gold color, and an immediate nose of pepper and agave, the Comisario Anejo lets you know right of the bat what you’re getting into. The nose is fierce and stinging, which gives way to the familiar bite that we all know comes with tequila. Where this anejo differs though, is how it smooths out in your mouth. What begins as a sharp tingling gives way to a soft, smooth, warming as it slides down, leaving behind notes of pepper, caramel, and oak.

Rocky Patel, The Edge, Maduro

 

Rocky Patel The Edge, maduro

Immediate impression was that this cigar had a great feel and texture. The gorgeous Maduro finish was almost black, and not without a certain shine to it. The prelight aroma was deep leather and hard oak. It opened with a good, heavy flavor. There was a high volume of smoke, with an immediate flavor of oiled leather and hard woods. Though it lit well at first, with a smooth, clear draw, there were some issues as it burned. I had some runs throughout the stick, and one side clearly burned more heavily. This cigar takes excellent marks for flavor and smoke, but poor marks on construction, at least on this one.

Room 101 La Serie C – Connecticut Shade Torpedo

Room 101 La Serie C – Connecticut Shade Torpedo

This was my Memorial Day cigar.  Room 101 is a brand that I have grown to enjoy quite a bit. Blended and rolled by Comacho, I chose a Room 101 Serie C for Memorial Day because it is owned by Matt Booth, a former Marine machine gunner, and currently a jewelry designer. I lit it up at Beach Cigar Lounge – a Veteran owned business here in Newport Beach, so all in all, it was quite appropriate for the occasion.

I want to preface this by saying that I have really enjoyed Room 101 cigars in the past. They are edgy, and full of flavor, with a bit of spice to the full, rich smoke. That being said, this was my first of the Serie C, and I was a bit disappointed. This Connecticut shade torpedo lit up well, and very quickly, but went out just as fast. This is not a damning characteristic right off the draw, as a wise man once told me “If your cigar goes out, it means you’re talking too much” However, this happened multiple times on the Serie C, despite near constant attention.

On the positive side, the Room 101 had a good draw with a high volume of rich smoke. It was light to medium bodied – not what I am used to with the 101’s – but with a kick there on the finish. The flavor was rather neutral, without much to speak of except a bit of soft wood. Overall, unremarkable.

I don’t make it a habit of judging a cigar off of just one smoke, but with so many other excellent choices out there, many even from Room 101, I may not want to spend money on this one again.

Wild Geese Irish Soldiers & Heroes - Rare Irish Whiskey

 The Wild Geese Irish Soldiers and Heroes – Rare Irish - Long name, with an even longer taste. This malted blend from the famed Cooley’s distillery in County Louth, Ireland is brand new to the market, and hard to find just about anywhere. If you can though, it is worth it.

A very light gold color, this oak aged spirit is a sharp turn from the dark, heavy, and chewy bourbons that I typically enjoy. It is crisp, light, and fresh, but warming, with a soft, round mouth feel.

This whiskey is smooth and sweet, with a distinct floral bouquet on the nose. The more it breaths and the longer you sip, the aroma and taste of citrus and sweet fruits comes out, but not without a kick. The Rare Irish is one of the sweeter whiskies I have had. The smooth flavors of honey and caramel are what many Irish whiskies are known for, and the Wild Geese stays true to its heritage. An excellent flavor, with notes of cedar, soft woods, and spice, finishing with the tastes of cinnamon and spices instead of the burn associated with more common whiskies.

The Rare Irish is my favorite of the Wild Geese line, but their Limited Edition and Single Malt each have their own qualities and place in your cellar.

Ramon Allones Robusto

Ramon Allones Robusto

Due to the efforts of a good friend, I had the privilege of smoking a Ramon Allones Robusto last week. I am familiar with Cuban Cigars, but this will be the first review I have posted of a Cuban. I tend to stay away from these types of posts (unlike Cigar Aficionado) because I often feel it is rude to show off wares and products that are inaccessible to most. Something of a “Look what I have that you can't get” type of situation. That being said, these particular cigars were a gift, and out of professional courtesy, and due to requests for more reviews, I bring you: The Ramon Allones Robusto, Hecho a Mano en Habana, Cuba

Pre-light aroma of fine leather and spice. It has a good firm feel and slightly oily texture – which I like, though some may not. It lit easily, with a smooth, easy draw. There was a good volume of soft, velvety smoke right as it opened up. The first third of this puro was excellent, with floral notes and a sweet flavor of honey. This led to a more robust middle section where the stronger tastes of leather, oak, and bourbon. These flavors finished off the cigar, but became ever more pronounced as I continued to draw. The construction, as to be expected from a Cuban masterpiece, was excellent, while the burn was even and clean. The ash was stiff, white, and firm. Even the winds of Newport Harbor had a hard time blowing the cherry off this cigar.

The Ramon Allones was a real treat to smoke, and I am glad to have a few resting in my humidor for future consumption. I am most impressed, however, at the similarities and confidence in construction and flavor that have been exhibited by many of my favorite Honduran and Dominican brands. There are still subtle differences, of course, and half of the pleasure of partaking in a Cuban cigar is knowing that it is, indeed a Cuban, crafted by the undisputed master tobacconists of the world. The cigar industry, though, has evolved to the level that craftsmen, many of then trained in Cuba or from the Cuban tradition, are rising to the times, and the gap in quality and flavor between Cuban cigars, and those of the free world, is shrinking with every crop of tobacco grown.