PLPC EML MAY 14 Cigar and Drink review competition

[Wailbait]

1. This was a special day as I can’t recall the last time I had a cigar during a work day afternoon.  But today was a late start and it was a particularly nice fall afternoon.  (By “fall” in Los Angeles, I mean that the temperature was 75 degrees.)

Because it was a cigar oasis kind of afternoon, I figure pair it with one of my favorite cocktails.  A simple Manhattan.  I used two vermouths.  Half Dolin for its vinous quality and half Chinato for the bitterness.  

Normally I drink my Manhattans stirred and strained, but today I really wanted to utilize these beautiful glasses and The was line is so low without an ice cube.  So aesthetics triumphed. 

PLPC is one of my favorite cigars and I was excited to see how this box has been progressing.  I smoked a 2011 about two months ago and found it to be right there.  

Lets see how this one is...

Prelight was promising.  When young, I notice these can have a lovely fruit aroma that’s great at cold but can be bitter in the first third.  This didn’t have that so I assumed the evolution was proceeding as planned.

first third.  

Lovely.  Mellow and easy.  Perhaps not as flavorful as the 2011 but still elegant.  Some hay and funk.

 

second third

Bam.  Here’s the caramel.  It’s exactly what you want in a rested PLPC.  This part hit up beautifully with the Manhattan.  Complex but also familiar.

Final third

Unfortunately the intensity ramped up a bit but wasn’t as refined as I would have hoped.  Still needs a bit more time as the 2011 was substantially better at this point. I’ll try another one in 6 months and see how these are.  

I love the idea of these cigar and drink pairings.  I have truly enjoyed reading the reviews of others.  

 

 

 

 

[MoeFOH]

5 hours ago, Wailbait said:

(Sorry for the images, for some reason my iPhone doesn’t let me rotate.  )

Tell the truth, you got hammered and fell off your chair, didn't you? ; )

Nice review, Jase. 

[Wailbait]

I mean - absolutely.  That's the best vantage point I could come up with.  

That said - my iphone so crummy at letting me rotate!!!!

[Chucko8]

Great review mate.

[Raskol]

Nice review. Thanks!

Sent from my SM-G965F using Tapatalk

[Burningman]

Very nice! What whiskey did you use?

[Wailbait]

I am Sooooo glad you asked this question as I have extensive opinions about this....

here is my personal opinion.

I love superb spirits when consumed straight but I really think that for cocktails, spend the $ on the adjuncts.  My personal favorite dollar to quality bourbon is Evan Williams.  It’s lovely and is still 86 proof.  That said, I have had GREAT experiences using a 2/3,1/3,split of evan Williams and a nice spicy rye.  Since I was feeling lazy and wanted to bask in the fun glasses I just used Evan Williams.

 

i profusely apologize in advance for the extended exegesis of a reply.,

[Burningman]

Nice!

I completely agree. If you are having your bourbon neat have something high quality. For a cocktail the mixers and liqueurs are key with the main spirit playing more of a supporting role as it were.

Very handsome glass BTW.

[Wailbait]

Love to hear that!  What are some of your fave spirits for cocktails?

[Burningman]

Nothing out of the ordinary. I tended bar for around 10 years but didn't go too far down the rabbit hole as far as niche brands.

4 Roses Bourbon

Beefeater Gin

Sentinela Tequila

I'm not picky at all with Vodkas but do learn toward Absolute

[Wailbait]

20 hours ago, Burningman said:

Nothing out of the ordinary. I tended bar for around 10 years but didn't go too far down the rabbit hole as far as niche brands.

4 Roses Bourbon

Beefeater Gin

Sentinela Tequila

I'm not picky at all with Vodkas but do learn toward Absolute

We are absolutely on the same page.  One of my favorite drinks in the world is a martini - no mods or fancy variations - and I've tried a billion fancy gins but I end up coming back to either Bombay Dry (not Sapphire) or Beefeater.  Both are made so well by companies that have been making their product long before the hipsters got into the game.  That said - similar to how I can do a manhattan with a 2/3, 1/3 split of Evan Williams to spicy rye, I also enjoy a 2/3, 1/3 split of 2/3 Beefeater or Bombay and 1/3 so Mme fancy aromatic gin.  I find it benefits both aspects well because it lengthens the flavor of the fancy aromatic gin and my Martini doesn't taste like a basket of roses.  

 

I'll certainly look out for that tequila as I haven't heard of that one before.

 

 

[Burningman]

Centinela is good tequila at IMO a very reasonable price though it is beginning to attain a following which will inevitably raise the price. Tequila in general is pricey due to the global demand increasing every year.