The Monarch Cocktail

While this cocktail has many variations, the original was created in 2003 by Douglas Ankrah (Creator of Lab and Townhouse bars in London).

• Nose:  lemon and mint
• Taste:  tangy, very herbal with bright lemon, crisp
• Finish:  tangy mint with lingering lemon
• Overall:  crisp and  refreshing

The Monarch Cocktail – Recipe

• 2oz Gin
• 1.5 Lemon Juice
• 1oz St. Germaine
• 0.25oz Agave Syrup
• Mint
• Lemon Zest Garnish

Padron Damaso No.12

Named for Jose Padron’s grandfather, Damaso, this is the first mild offering from Padron.

Filler:  Nicaraguan, Binder:  Nicaraguan, Wrapper: Ecuadorian Connecticut-seed

• Cold Draw:  cream, orange, and milk chocolate
• First Third:  starts off with major notes of cedar that transform into caramel, grass, coffee, with cream-scented smoke, a fuller mild
• Second Third:  mild-medium, the sweet creaminess from the first third continues into the second, with new nutty and pepper flavors
• Final Third:  medium bodied, pepper/nut/cream flavors continue with an additional note of soft earth
• Overall:  A solid mild-medium cigar with a complexity of flavors uncommon in most connecticut cigars, although that’s to be expected from Padron!

The Pairing

The drink takes some of the fullness out of the cigar, resulting in a true medium stick.  The pepper of the cigar and lemon from the drink tame each other, bringing the cream and herbs to the front of the flavor.