Dani and Steve’s Fall Picks

We have some choice selections for your enjoyment this fall!  We start with the lightest of our three cigars, the Flor de las Antillas from My Father Cigars (toro size, $10.95).  This medium-bodied and smooth, boxed-pressed Nicaraguan boasts a perfect draw and dense smoke, due to its excellent construction.  It is medium to full in flavor, with notes of light coffee and toast, with some aromatic spiciness.  Subtle and refined, the cigar is only

Ritual Brewing on Tap

moderately complex, so the flavor will stay consistent and only mildly intensify near the end.  This current Cigar Aficionado Cigar of the Year (96 rating) really struts its stuff, yet is very approachable to most palates.

Our tap beer pairing with this cigar is the Brown Ale from Ritual Brewing ($5.50/16 oz.; $6.00/20 oz.).  Billed as an American brown ale, this dark and robust brew incorporates 8 different malts and 2 kinds of hops.  Toasted bread and chocolate/vanilla notes are balanced by some fruity and bitter esters from the hops.  At a mere 5% ABV, this worthy ale can be enjoyed more than once at a time!

The next step up the fullness ladder takes us to the “Oro” Tubo Maduro from La Flor Dominicana (toro, $15.95).  This beauty delivers all that dedicated maduro lovers are looking for: plenty of rich tobacco, dark chocolate notes, and aromatic spice notes.  For those who want a stick with the full, layered flavors characterized by LFD—but who want the “edges smoothed off,”—this is the cigar to try.

Pair this with one of our newest Belgian beers—the La Rulles Tripel ($6.50/8 oz.; $8.50/12 oz.).  Along with the light caramel and coriander flavors typical of a Trappist-style tripel, this delicious beer carries distinct stonefruit flavors with undertones of citrus (8.4% ABV).  A “brighter” tripel, it contrasts perfectly with the LFD Oro.

Liga Privada No. 9

Now it’s time to go big.  The ever-popular Liga Privada #9 by Drew Estate rounds out our cigar selections for the month (robusto, $15.95).  Billed officially as a medium-to-full smoke, the intensity of flavor makes it feel bigger.  Dark and light pepper, intense aromatic spiciness and dark chocolate notes are layered to bring the smoker a refined and satisfying flavor.  Excellent construction, and the draw and burn are clean, producing copious smoke and a razor-sharp ash.  Remarkably nuanced and approachable for a “big “ smoke, it’s no wonder the “Liga Nine” has become a sought-after classic.

And now for a brew that stands up to and enhances this champ of a cigar: Shipyard’s Double Scottish Ale ($7.00/8 oz.; $9.00/12 oz.).  This bourbon barrel-aged nectar pours very dark brown with a tan head, and delivers a smooth and rich mouth-feel with a lingering warmth on the finish.  Dark roasted malt and coffee-chocolate flavors prevail, with a “raisiny” back note from the bourbon.  At 11.6 ABV, you shouldn’t rush this one, but if you pair it with the Liga #9, you won’t want to anyway!