Gurkha’s Seduction Rothchild

This cigar was first released at the 2011 IPCPR trade show.

Filler:  Columbian Corojo, Binder:  Dominican Olor, Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano

• Cold Draw:  leather, tobacco, hint of cocoa
• First third:  surprisingly mild, leather, white pepper, cedar
• Second Third:  growing in body but still mellow, the white pepper has morphed into a baker’s spice, a more notable earthy tone is added
• Final Third: mellow medium body, smooth with hints of caramel, continuing flavors of leather and baker’s spice
• Overall:  This is one of those sticks that really prove that you cannot determine body based on the color of the wrapper alone.  It was surprisingly mellow in body, culminating to a medium finish.  Solid medium level of flavors throughout.  This could even be enjoyed as a morning cigar with your cup of coffee.

 

Velvet Red Manhattan

This twist in the classic Manhattan was crafted by myself and SiP bartender Patrick Briscoe, specifically to pair with a cigar.  The result is a smooth, very approachable Manhattan with major notes of rye spices and berry undertones.

• 2oz Woodford Reserve Rye
• .5oz Chambord – Black Raspberry Liquor
• .25oz Don PX 1987 Gran Reserva – Fortified Dessert Wine
• Angostura and Peach Bitters
• Muddled Bordeaux Cherry

The Pairing

This is a combination that really highlights the difference a good drink will make in your cigar.  The manhattan breathes life into the cigar, making it a much fuller body experience.  The spice of the rye is transferred to the cigar, bringing out the sweet-mellow raspberry and raisin notes of the drink.