There are few things in life as pleasurable as smoking a cigar and sipping cognac. To hold a well-wrapped cigar may be one of the greatest delights I know. It is far more than physical. The taste is pure and sophisticated and as this beautiful gift is held in one hand, the slight warmth from its leisurely burn is felt and something cerebral occurs.
My passion for cigars is one affair that can’t end. I treasure the taste of fine fermented tobacco, crafted into a tight cigar that, with one breath, allows the smoke to rest on the tongue; it feels smooth, like the inside of a woman's lips. When paired with a cognac it is a long moment of relaxation. Taken slow, it can be tempestuously romantic.
While the taste of aged tobacco lingers, the mouth yearns for strength and beauty. Cognac delivers. The warmth penetrates through the chest where the cigar doesn’t go. Introduced in the 17th century, cognac's rich, full flavour reflects not only its historic, privileged roots but its prestige as well. The range of house styles is vast, but there is a familiar golden-brown color that prevails. Aromas of vanilla, roasted walnuts, toffee and at times something floral all seem to unfold on the tongue with a rich, elegant touch. The thick sensation of combining cigars and 20-something-year-old cognac always arouses the senses.
The two pairings that recently have fascinated me and continue to justify my commitment are gems that I believe should be shared.
Caoba & Hennessey “Privilege” VSOP
The first pairing struck on a sweltering summer’s afternoon. It was not planned, as most great meetings aren't. The Caoba was brought to me by a young lady from the Dominican Republic who is feverishly in love with a man from Cleveland.
I waited no more than a day to smoke it. The cigar was simply amazing, and quite possibly the best constructed cigar I have ever had. Handmade in the Dominican Republic, the Caoba features Dominican-blended filler wrapped with Ecuadorian-grown Connecticut shade wrapper.
Rolled tight, a signature of Cuban hands, the draw is firm and smooth, bringing out a buttery quality in the tobacco that rests on the tongue and, once released, hints of nuts and cedar surround the senses. The tenderness of the Caoba requires a graceful partner, which the VSOP (very superior old pale) Privilege from the house of Hennessey provides.
Seventh generation master blender Yann Fillioux constructs a gentle, floral cognac that combines more than 60 eaux-de-vie sourced from four of the six growing regions. When sipped alone the flavors are exciting. Aged up to 15 years, it reveals a pale brown color, while its aroma strokes the senses with vanilla, spice and lilac. Although the floral quality can be easily lost when not focused upon, it is quickly retrieved when merely thought of.
Once inside the mouth, Privilege caresses the palate with much the same character as the nose, but presents itself delicately, bright and acidic with a touch of honey and oak. A tertiary flavour of toffee and alcohol feel like being massaged and slapped at the same time.
After the first puff, there is anticipation for a cognac that is young and vibrant. The round creamy tobacco meets the vivacious cognac and the flavours not only taste harmonious but feel right throughout the body. The pleasant tobacco lingers on the tongue and after sipping Privilege, there is a realization that this cigar lives up to the good life it promises.
Vegas Cubanas & Martell XO
If beauty lies in strength, then it must also call Nicaragua home. The recent smoke of a corona -Vegas Cubanas- led to a moment I have not experienced since smoking a Cuban Cohiba. The cigar is made by Don Pepin Garcia at El Rey de los Habanos. The producer, Jose Garcia, is an industry great whose reputation began in Cuba, blending the county’s best cigars. He continues to excite smokers today by producing successful blends not only under his name but also for other producers as well.
Vegas Cubanas is a small production cigar with character. Each smoke represents everything that is right with Nicaraguan tobacco. It is a Nicaraguan “puro” (100 percent Nicaraguan-grown tobacco) transported to Miami for production and tightly wrapped in Nicaraguan habano Rosado claro by Cuban master rollers. Generally speaking, the strength of a cigar is influenced by the blend of tobacco and the draw. If tightly rolled, the slow draw can soften full bodied tobacco and vice versa. Here the cigar is masterfully balanced and the apocryphal lore of Cuban craftsmanship holds true.
This Vegas Cubanas is, in fact hand rolled by Cuban master rollers. Knowledge and great tobacco go into this cigar, that when smoked is pleasantly bold. A punch cut yields a smooth but strong draw allowing intense flavours of leather, cedar and peppery spice to rest in the mouth and linger. I liken this cigar to a persistent, tannic wine or pungent cheese. To roll the smoke around the mouth is cantankerous but fun, revealing a floral undertone. It is a complex cigar built for fine cognac.
Each cognac house has its own persona and range of products. The more distinguished or higher end cognacs use more of their reserve stock to give a cognac depth and a labyrinth of flavours. Martell, like most cognac houses, blends more of these reserve cognacs into their esteemed labels. The XO (extra old) cognac produced by Martell is one highly regarded and stands well alone. It is a dream with cigars. By law, to label a cognac XO, it must undergo an aging process of no less than six and a half years, but as with most houses Martell continues to age it for up to 20 years from their most coveted reserve barrels.
Visually, the dark caramel color is intriguing and the thought of tasting something prodigious arises. The aroma is extravagant and full of roasted figs, walnuts, vanilla and a hint of burnt orange. While the experience on the palate is much the same as the nose offers, it is still a surprise, unlike any spirit tasted. There are hints of burnt orange and vanilla, a peppery spice calmed by a round fruit and “sweet” nuttiness as only age can do. The long, rich finish does not disappoint. Softly, floral undertones reveal themselves amidst warm vapours surprising the palate once again.
When the two colossal flavours of Martell XO and Vegas Cubanas collide, they do so gracefully. The strength and spice of the cigar demand the presence of something equally as intricate. While the spicy tobacco flavour rests on the palate awaiting something it can overpower, the cognac stands tall. The round fruit and nutty body of the cognac consumes the power of the Vegas Cubanas creating a cedary, tobacco and toffee-vanilla concoction in the mouth. Meanwhile, there are flashes of black pepper from the tobacco that are countered with bursts of burnt orange from the XO. It is not until the finish that the floral undertone of both cognac and cigar intertwine. Remarkably somehow the most delicate flavours of the two prevail.
When purchasing cigars I recommend the same mantra as wine: Search for a knowledgeable, trusted source who is passionate about their craft. Also, develop a relationship so they can learn your palate, this of course may not happen on the first try.
Since moving to Cleveland the one man I trust when selecting cigars has been Craig Anthony. After only my second visit I found that he had the knowledge and passion to expand my palate, a gift I am most grateful for. Mr. Anthony presides over the Mayfield smoke shop, where he has for more than a dozen years hand selecting great cigars. An ambassador from the fields to the tray, he has brushed elbows with greats like Carlos Fuente and Peter Bello, helping make him a great guide for all smokers.
The Vegas Cubanas can be purchased at the Mayfield Smoke Shop for $7.50. The Caoba was a gift from the Dominican Republic which I have yet to find here in Cleveland.
The Hennessey “Privilege” VSOP retails for around 55.00 while the Martell XO is $130. Both can be purchased at most liquor stores.
Chrostowski will lead a special cognac and cigar tasting at L'Albatros on Monday, July 26 from 6 to 8 pm. Reservations are required, and may be made by calling 216-791-7880. Cost is $55 per guest, and includes aperitivos, Latin music and dolces on the L'Albatros patio.
[Cigar photo by Nikhil Mungel; Cognac photo by Eric Weijers]
Author:
