International Port Day

The Center for Wine Origins has declared Friday, January 27th, 2012 to be the inaugural International Port Day.  And fortunately for those in the Nashville area, we were graced with the presence of Robert Bower from Taylor Fladgate this past Wednesday at the 1808 Grille as a lead into this inaugural day.

Port wine is a fortified wine traditionally from the Douro Valley in Northern Portugal and derives its name from the seaport city of Porto (which is at the mouth of the Douro River).  It is fortified because an aguardente is added to stop fermentation, leaving sugar in the wine while boosting alcohol content.  Because of the sugar, port is typically served as a dessert wine.  It also pairs well with cigars as an after dinner treat.

The tasting at 1808 on Wednesday was divided into a "Ruby" room, and a "Tawny" room.  For those who don't know, "Tawny" wines are aged in wooden barrels, where "Ruby" wines are aged in bottles.  Generally speaking, "Tawny" wines are a bit sweeter starting at 10 years and becomes less sweet, yet opening up more as it progresses to the 40 year.  They also have a distinct "nuttiness" from their aging in the wooden barrels.  From high to low, my preference runs 20 year, 40 year, 30 year and then 10 year.  Since "Ruby" wines are not altered by long exposure to air through the wood casks like it's "Tawny" sibling, it manages to keep its primary flavors and the aromas of fruit remain intense.  It keeps its youthful ruby-red color with strong plum, blackberry, currant, etc on the nose.  My favorites are Vintage 2000, Vintage 2009, LBV 2005, Bin 27 and the Terra Bella (Organic).  The Vargellis was the only one I didn't try, but look forward to it one day. 

If you've not tried port, I definitely recommend it.  It is something that I am sure you will enjoy and want to learn more.  If you want to get your start today, you can start with an inexpensive Tawny (Taylor 10 year), or  Ruby (Fonseca Bin 27) and build up from there.  But I can't think of a better way to celebrate the inaugural International Port Day!

Gran Habano Connecticut #1 Imperiales

I had the pleasure of trying a Gran Habano Connecticut #1 Imperiales not too long ago.  The Imperiales is a 6 x 60 size, which is a bit larger than I typically smoke.  This cigar, with its Nicaraguan fillers and binders and it's Ecuadorian wrapper, has an overall good look and firmness.  However, there was a slight blemish in the middle which you can see in the first photo.  This was the first from a newly opened box, so I believe it came from the factory where someone overlooked this one.  The veins were noticeably present with a bit of a dry feeling, yet there was a slight oily sheen to the stick.

Initially, I detected hay and a woodsy aroma.  Upon lighting, I tasted a bit of sweetness in the tobacco as well as the hay.  There's a bit of creaminess that slowly develops, but it never builds to anything too powerful. The smoke is plentiful and the burn seems to remain pretty even and consistent.

Entering into the 2nd third, the creaminess continues with the sweet tobacco falling off, and the hay settling down for a bit.  Spice notes seem to pop up but it does not become too strong, and it blends pretty well with the cream.  The ash seems to remain steady of around an inch before falling.

Entering into the final third, notes of cedar become present with less cream and spice.  The smoke and burn have remained constant the entire time.  The finish ended with no heat at the nub

The Connecticut #1 is definitely a mild - light medium cigar.  It doesn't require multiple lights, it's not too complex, and it's not too bold with spice.  I would say that this would be a great introductory cigar to a newbie, or something you might want on a hot afternoon working in the yard, especially for the price.  I give this an 85.

Perdomo Grand Cru Maduro

The other day, I was going through my cigars to find something different than what I had been smoking lately.  I came across a Perdomo Grand Cru Maduro Toro that I picked up about a year ago and thought I'd give it a shot.  I was heading to a club which is cigar friendly and decided to do a review of it there.  So I grabbed my camera and put in some new batteries, and headed downtown.  

When I got to the club I ordered a Crown on the rocks and took out my camera.  Wouldn't you know it, the "fresh" batteries I just put in the camera were dead.  Fortunately my phone has a built in camera, although the flash is a little harsh when used, but it'll do.

The Nicaraguan grown leaves from Cuban seeds made for a nice looking stick.  The chocolate wrapper had few veins, none of which were too large.  It's aroma was that of sweet tobacco and fresh cut hay.  The foot was neatly packed which worked well with the cigar being lit only once.

 

Upon lighting, my initial notes were that of the tobacco and hay that I encountered earlier with its aroma.  There was plenty of smoke with each draw without working hard for it.  As it burned, I noticed it was burning a bit uneven, as you can see below.  The ash held on well, falling about an inch to an inch and a half.

Entering into the 2nd third, the flavors changed a bit. I tasted leather, and a bit of coffee.  The smoke was still plentiful, but the burn still went uneven after a touch up.  Near the end of the 2nd third, I got more of a creamy flavor while the leather notes dissipated.

Into the final third, the creaminess remained strong, the coffee notes returned, and spice made itself known.  I felt this was the best of the entire cigar.  The smoke was still plentiful and the flavors were well balanced. And it paired well with the Crown.

Despite having a couple of minor burn issues with the cigar, the cigar was a good cigar.  It produced proper smoke, had pleasing aromas, and had nice flavors.  For an inexpensive cigar, I'd say it'll definitely be worth picking some up.  I'm rating this as an 88.