Madeira - No. 1 Drink for Cigars

[BP22]

Thanks to this thread I picked up a bottle of Blandy's Madeira Malmsey 15 year ($34.99) on Thursday.

I haven't had a chance to try it yet but am looking forward to it.

[mosesbotbol]

Originally Posted by BP22

Thanks to this thread I picked up a bottle of Blandy's Madeira Malmsey 15 year ($34.99) on Thursday.

I haven't had a chance to try it yet but am looking forward to it.

And?

[BP22]

Originally Posted by mosesbotbol

And?

I haven't cracked it yet...

[BP22]

Originally Posted by mosesbotbol

And?

I am drinking some right now. No cigar accompanying it because I am getting over a cold.

First impressions - "spiced rum" coloring, sweet smell reminds me of creme brulee.

Taste - rich, sweet and it stays with you. Easy to drink.

I will defintely be pairing this with some cigars in the near future.

Thanks for the heads up Moses!

[s15driftking]

I've onyl ever cooked iwht it. i tried to drink it straight once. didn't appeal to me.what temp do you drink it at?

[mosesbotbol]

Originally Posted by s15driftking

I've onyl ever cooked iwht it. i tried to drink it straight once. didn't appeal to me.what temp do you drink it at?

Just below room temperature. You may have been drinking pretty low level stuff that would be difficult for anyone to really enjoy- if it's just cooking level Madeira.

[TheRiddick]

Moses,

Ever had good quality Pedro Ximenez with cigars? I would agree that Madeira may be better a choice with cigars than many Portos, but I would also argue that a great PX is probably better still. Any thoughts?

[mosesbotbol]

Originally Posted by TheRiddick

Moses,

Ever had good quality Pedro Ximenez with cigars? I would agree that Madeira may be better a choice with cigars than many Portos, but I would also argue that a great PX is probably better still. Any thoughts?

There's a brand called Nobel or Noel that is good. For me, PX is actually too rich and can only get through a glass or so. It is an excellent choice for the real sippers, but I can not sip that slow

Most PX's will state how long they were aged or the Solera they are from; so use that and price as a gauge. I am not a big Sherry expert, but how many PX's are you going to find? Most on the shelf will have a review next to them.

One wine I would like to dig into that seems way under priced is Marsala wine. Been meaning to buy a bottle Florio Marsala, as it is a give away and sounds actually pretty good. Any one had it yet?

[mosesbotbol]

As much as I would rather have you all not drinking Madeira and raising the prices at auction, lol... I am glad you are able to find this hidden treasure of the wine world that is just so wonderful a pairing with cigars or just sitting around. It's been America's most beloved style of wine since Jamestown settlement, but in the last 50 years has beem looked over by the masses.

[TheRiddick]

Moses,

See if you can get your hands on a bottle of Toro Albala PX, either a 1961 (pretty expensive of you can find it at all) or 1972 vintage. Yes, sippers, as you stated, but with cigars I do sip (rather than drink, which I do otherwise).

Will pay a visit to Rare Wine Co. and buy some Madeira per your recs.

[Kreth]

What's a good low-cost Madeira to start my slide down *that* slope?

[mosesbotbol]

Originally Posted by Kreth

What's a good low-cost Madeira to start my slide down *that* slope?

Broadbent 10 Year Malmsey - my first pick on this list.
Leacock's 15 Year Bual
Blandy's 10 or 15 Year Malmsey
Rare Wine Company's Historic Series "Boston Bual" or "NY Malmsey"