Drink pairing Experiment #2

Cigar: Joya de Nicaragua cabinetta

Vitola / Wrapper / Binder: lancero; dual wrapper

Drink / Food: Drink pairing experiment with: Cherry Dr. Pepper; Landshark pilsner; and Patron reposado tequila, neat


Outside Factors: In shop after long hot day at work with no air conditioning; chillin with the wife.

Construction: Same as first cigar except a little firmness at band

Prelight : same as cigar #1
First Third:
Cherry Dr. Pepper: Lights easily with no early bite. The Dr. Pepper brings some creamy leather with a hint of cedar on finish. Cedar leaves a dry tart tinge on front of tongue.
Landshark beer: I’m going to try this sans lime and salt. Nope. Can’t do it. Okay, salt made the beer palateable. Flavor here is woodsy and deep, hitting the middle of tongue.
Patron tequila: Thought the peppery bite of the Patron might bring out the pepper I had with the first cigar; not so much. Leather taste is creamy and clean on finish.

Draw: firmer than the first cigar, but still very good
Burn: No relights. Burned fast through first two thirds, then slow and easy for finish. Very straight for humidity.
Ash/Smoke: Holds extremely well for the vitola; 1”+. Smoke is good, but not to level of cigar #1.

Second Third:
Cherry Dr. Pepper: repeat of first third.
Landshark beer: Some mushroom with the woodsy taste of the first third.
Patron tequila: Leather with some cedar. My first time having Patron. I am enjoying the tequila, but not impressed with how it is pairing.

Final third:
Cherry Dr. Pepper: Still the same flavors throughout. Dr.Pepper has been a go to as far as pop for reviewing, but the lack of complexity with this drink is a hit to the scoring.
Landshark beer: As I hit the maduro portion, the flavor gets more rich with better body. Thick deep wood comes in.
Patron tequila: If I pair this tequila with a cigar again, it will be a maduro. The drink is finally hitting a good note. Much more flavorful maduro portion than cigar #1. The Patron’s pepperiness blends well with the rich wood and mushroom.
Cherry Dr. Pepper retry: Wondered if the maduro would help this as well. Not really.

Strength: mild Flavor: mild (front) mild medium (maduro)

Overall Impression: Okay, as a lancero playa hata, I am impressed as they went two for two on great constructed cigars! This cigar flavor wise, didn’t match up with the first on the front wrapper, but the maduro was good enough I want to try this cigar as all maduro. The humidity we have been dealing with here in Ohio this week may have played a part in this stick not being as flavorful or complexed as the first. But still, a very enjoyable cigar I would recommend to smokers who enjoy milder offerings. I would suggest waiting for a good day, especially if smoked outdoors.

Cherry Dr. Pepper pairing score
Construction: 8 10
Prelight: 4 5
First Third: 11 15
Draw: 9 10
Burn: 9 10
Ash / Smoke: 9 10
Second Third: 7 10
Final Third: 6 10
Overall impression: 16 20
Total Score: 81 100

Landshark pairing score
Construction: 8 10
Prelight: 4 5
First Third: 12 15
Draw: 9 10
Burn: 9 10
Ash / Smoke: 9 10
Second Third: 8 10
Final Third: 9 10
Overall impression: 17 20
Total Score: 85 100

Patron tequila pairing score
Construction: 8 10
Prelight: 4 5
First Third: 12 15
Draw: 9 10
Burn: 9 10
Ash / Smoke: 9 10
Second Third: 6 10
Final Third: 9 10
Overall impression: 17 20
Total Score: 87 100
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