The Stogie Guys

Blade and Bow is a new bourbon brand launched earlier this year that uses extensively-aged bourbon, which is in increasingly short supply. Two offerings, Blade and Bow Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey and Blade and Bow 22-Year-Old Limited Release Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, were introduced this year.

Both feature whiskey aged at the famed Stitzel-Weller Distillery, which stopped distilling activities in 1992 but has been used to age bourbon. The standard Blade and Bow (without an age-statement) even uses a small amount of original Stitzel-Weller bourbon as part of its solera aging system in combination with other whiskies.

Despite its age, the limited release Blade and Bow 22-Year-Old bourbon doesn’t use Stitzel Weller bourbon. Instead, it is a combination of bourbons distilled at what is now the Buffalo Trace Distillery (then called George T. Stagg) and the New Bernheim Distillery (which is now owned by Heaven Hill, maker of Elijah Craig and Evan Williams).

I recently received samples of each and here are my tasting notes:

Blade and Bow Kentucky Straight Bourbon ($50)

Light gold in color with a nose featuring vanilla, apricot, and light oak. On the palate, it shows butterscotch, apple, pear, buttered cornbread, and pine. The finish features cereal grains and wood spice.

The solera aging simultaneously shows off youth and age and reminds me of a spicier, more intense version of the recently-released I.W. Harper (no age statement).

Suggested cigar pairings: Arturo Fuente King T, Las Cumbres Tabaco Señorial, Paul Garmirian Symphony 20th Connoisseur.

Blade and Bow 22-Year-Old Limited Release Kentucky Straight Bourbon ($150)

Dark copper hue and one of the most fantastic noses I’ve ever encountered, reminiscent of a Pappy Van Winkle 20 Year, with wonderfully intense wood balanced with rich sweetness. The palate doesn’t quite live up to the high standard set by the aromas, but it does show off its age with deep wood, brown spices (clove, nutmeg, and cinnamon), figs, and burnt caramel. The finish is long with wood and more vanilla.

Such a high price is always hard to justify when there are so many excellent bourbons for far less, but the this limited offering does have all the characteristics that make old bourbon sought-after by many bourbon fans.

Suggested cigar pairings: Sobremesa Cervantes Fino, Bolivar Royal Corona (Cuban), Litto Gomez Diez Small Batch.

–Patrick S

photo credits: Stogie Guys/Blade and Bow

While the clock counts down until the FDA deeming rule regulating premium cigars and OTP (other tobacco products) becomes law, tobacco industry groups impacted by the forthcoming rule continue to work to lessen the damage of FDA regulation.

The long-term stifling of innovation by FDA regulation would be devastating given the cost of bringing new cigars to market, but in the short-term the impact would be even more drastic. As we’ve explained before, FDA regulation could likely wipe out every new cigar introduced since February 15, 2007, which would retroactively be subject to FDA approval.

Given the constant innovation and hundreds of new products introduced every year, estimates claim 80% or more of the handmade cigars sold every day could be wiped out by the rule. (In theory, such products could be approved as “substantially equivalent” to products that were already on the market in 2007, but the process is extremely complicated and the FDA hasn’t shown any ability or willingness to approve new tobacco products.)

For other tobacco products, like e-cigarettes, for which there were virtually no substantially equivalent products on the market prior to 2007, the impact would be even larger. Because of this, a variety of industry groups have coordinated a push to change any grandfathered date in the deeming rules.

The simple fix would make it clear that a product cannot be subject to pre-market review by the FDA if it is introduced to market before that type of product is deemed a tobacco product for purposes of FDA regulation. The language has been introduced as House Bill 2058, but to improve the odds of it being codified into law advocates have been trying to attach the legislation to the appropriations bill that covers FDA funding.

With rumors swirling that the FDA rule sent to the White House for final approval doesn’t contain “Option 2,” which would at least exempt cigars with a retail price above $10 from FDA pre-approval, a change of the grandfathered date is particularly important. Otherwise, cigars ranging from San Cristobal (introduced in 2007) to Sobermesa (introduced last month) could be wiped out.

Currently, the FDA maintains the date cannot be changed from the 2007 date, which was included in the bill that ordered the agency to regulate cigarettes. While others have questioned that interpretation, the stance makes a legislative fix necessary.

The language has already been attached to the House appropriations bill. Now advocates are hoping to attach it to the accompanying Senate appropriations act, with hope, if it passes, pressure would prevent President Obama from vetoing the large bill over this one relatively small issue.

–Patrick S

photo credits: Stogie Guys

Being named “Whisky of the Year” is a kind of a big deal. But it was an even bigger deal when Crown Royal Northern Harvest Rye, a Canadian whiskey, was selected for the honor in the just-released version of Jim Murray’s Whiskey Bible.

Predictably, this blew the mind of many scotch and bourbon fans who tend to look down at simple low-proof Canadian whiskey. Not to mention the low price ($26-35) and wide availability of Northern Harvest Rye compared to the kinds of collectible, super rare whiskies that many consider to be the best of the best (I’m looking at you, Pappy).

With all that in mind, I decided to try Crown Royal Northern Harvest Rye to decide for myself if it is the best whiskey ever, or the most overrated. More likely I’d find it somewhere in between.

The 95-proof spirit features a light straw color and a nose with fresh banana bread, light wood, and spice. The palate is very smooth and balanced (smoother than you’d expect from 90-proof) with wood, baking spices, and a toned-down dill flavor similar to what you might find from Bulleit Rye. The finish is short and sweet.

First, let me be clear about what Northern Harvest isn’t. It isn’t the best whiskey I’ve had in the past year (or even month). It isn’t the best rye, either. It isn’t even the best Canadian Whiskey for my taste preferences (I prefer Lot 40, which features similar flavors but with more intensity.)

That said, not being “the best” doesn’t make it bad. In fact, it has a lot going for it. It’s pleasant, balanced, smooth, approachable, and affordable.

There’s a theory that Murray chose this as his Whiskey of the Year to bring awareness to a well-made, widely distributed Canadian whiskey; a nudge of sorts for drinkers to check out what Canada has to offer, and also to prompt Canadian whiskey makers to unleash their potential. (You could say naming a Japanese whiskey Whisky of the Year last year did similar things for Japanese single malt.) Not to mention, by forgoing a rare single malt or bourbon, this year’s Whisky of the Year is something you’ll actually be able to find on shelves.

Pair it with a mild- to medium-bodied cigar so the balanced flavors don’t get overwhelmed. Try a Mexican San Andrés-wrapped maduro like the Illusione *R* Rothchildes. A good $4 cigar and a fine sub-$30 whiskey… What’s not to like about that?

–Patrick S

photo credit: Stogie Guys

Each Saturday and Sunday we’ll post a Quick Smoke: not quite a full review, just our brief verdict on a single cigar of “buy,” “hold,” or “sell.”

The Wolfman was one of the best Tatuaje Monster Series cigars, and the Pudgy Monster version (5.5 x 52) doesn’t fall far from the tree. The combination of a box press on the torpedo and an unfinished foot creates an airy draw, but it doesn’t impact construction or the flavors. Spice, wood, and leather dominate, but there’s also roasted notes and a hint of cola. With interesting, full flavors, this is a cigar worth seeking out, and fortunately, with a bit of searching, you can still get your hands on this smoke.

Verdict = Buy.

–Patrick S

photo credit: Stogie Guys

I’ll admit to being far less familiar with brandy as I am whiskey. And yet, when dabbling in brandy, I find myself drawn to Armagnac, as opposed to its better known sibling, Cognac.

Both are made by distilling wine from each region (Cognac from the area surrounding the French town of Cognac, and Armagnac from the Armagnac region in Gascony, which is in the southwest France) and then aging it in oak barrels, often for extended periods of time. But there are key differences between the two that give each its own character.

Cognac tends to be more corporate with a few big name producers, while Armagnac has smaller, family-controlled producers. Traditionally, cognac is distilled twice in pot stills, while Armagnac is distilled only once in a column still. Armagnac fans will tell you the single distillation leaves the spirit with more complexity and character.

Today, I’m exploring two expressions from Tariquet, a well-known Armagnac producer from the Bas-Armagnac subregion (one of three Armagnac geographical classifications). The company relies mostly on a combination of Ugni-blanc (60%) and Baco (40%) grapes, two of the ten grape varietals permitted for Armagnac production.

Tariquet XO Bas-Armagnac ($60)

Aged for 12-15 years (longer than the required 6+ years for the XO designation), Tariquet’s XO (80-proof) expression is light copper in color with a nose that features oak, almonds, and toasted coconut. There are full flavors on the palate with wood, fruit cake, and chocolate followed by a warm spicy finish.

Tariquet Millesime 1993 Bas-Armagnac ($90)

Distilled in 1993 and bottled in 2010, this vintage offering (90.4-proof) features a golden straw color and a nose that is bright with candied orange, honey, and nougat notes. On the palate there is vanilla, soft oak, pie crust, and citrus. The finish on this refined but powerful Armagnac is long and rich with dates and butterscotch.

Both are enjoyable in their own way. The extra age of the 1993 manifests itself as sophisticated, complex, and elegant. The XO is grittier with more wood and spice, but both are worth the extra cost versus the VSOP Tariquet, which is the only expression I was familiar with before this article.

These spirits also make for natural pairings with a fine cigar. The XO calls for woodier, spicier smokes like the Cuban Hoyo de Monterrey or a Dominican Fuente Opus X. For the Vintage 1993, I’d suggest balanced, nuanced cigars like the Cohiba Behike or Nicaraguan Illusione Epernay.

–Patrick S

photo credit: Stogie Guys

Each Saturday and Sunday we’ll post a Quick Smoke: not quite a full review, just our brief verdict on a single cigar of “buy,” “hold,” or “sell.”

While Ashton Cigars has been busy expanding its San Cristobal and La Aroma de Cuba brands, the namesake Ashton brand was in hibernation from when it introduced the ESG line in 2006 until 2014 when it added Symmetry. The Fuente-made Symmetry uses an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper, Dominican binder, and a combination of Dominican and Nicaraguan filler. (The Nicaraguan filler is a first for an Ashton cigar.)  The result is a medium- to full-bodied smoke with wood, leather, tea, and sawdust notes. The draw on my corona was a little tight but otherwise construction was good. This was a fine enough smoke but nothing special, which  doesn’t cut it for a cigar that costs $12.

Verdict = Hold.

–Patrick S

photo credit: Stogie Guys

In this edition of Random Thoughts from the Humidor, I look at Steve Saka’s radical transparency, the origins of the word “herf,” and suggestions for finding value cigars.

The Original Cigar Blogger Pulls Back the Curtain

You don’t have to talk very long with Steve Saka to realize he isn’t the type to BS you. In fact, after sitting down with him during a couple of trips to Drew Estate while he was still with the company, I came to appreciate you could ask him just about anything, as long as you were prepared to hear an unvarnished, candid answer. So perhaps it shouldn’t surprise me to see his openness (especially on Facebook) about the process, including the challenges and anxiety, of creating his own cigar brand and bringing it to market. Even the info sheet that came with the samples he recently sent for review came with a leaf-by-leaf breakdown of the Sobremesa blend, something many established brands are still unwilling to provide (in part for fear of someone copying their blend). It’s a level of transparency you don’t often see. And yet maybe his candor shouldn’t come as a surprise. Before Saka was the driving force behind the creation of Liga Privada, he was the editor of what was essentially the first cigar blog, (before the word blog even existed). While the original Cigar Nexus domain is no longer online, you can still read the archive here, including the Monthly Officious Taste Test or M.O.T.T. (a not-so-subtle jab at then Cigar Aficionado executive editor Gordon Mott).

Herf, Established November 21, 1996

Speaking of Cigar Nexus, here’s a gem about the origin of the the word herf, which originated on the alt.smokers.cigars (ACS) newsgroup in 1996: “The un-official word of ASC is herf. Herf is a unique part of speech. It can be correctly used as a noun, a verb, an adjective, an adverb, an infinitive, a prefix, a suffix, and an explicative. The arcane word ‘herf’ first entered the ASC lexicon on November 21, 1996, and was quickly elevated to frenetic and common use by ASCers… Herf is now virulently spreading to worldwide common use as hip cigar parlance.”

Which Wrappers Are Most Likely to Produce Value?

Finding a good cigar isn’t all that hard these days. Finding a good cigar at a price that offers excellent value is harder. But if good values are what you are after, one thing to think about is wrappers. Connecticut wrappers, both shade-grown and broadleaf, are hardest to do on a budget, in part because good Connecticut-grown wrappers are increasingly in demand. So if you’re the type of person who seeks out that elusive bundle cigar that smokes like a pricier stick, you’ll improve your odds by sticking to Nicaraguan-grown Habano and Mexican wrappers.

–Patrick S

photo credit: Stogie Guys