u/Cocodrool

Intro
It would be absurd to claim that the Serie V Melanio is Oliva’s most well-known line. Mind you, it very well might be, largely because it is a cigar respected and even revered by aficionados of Cuban cigars, who are otherwise so quick to disparage those from the New World. However, the semantic issue here is that when you designate a specific line as a brand’s most famous offering, it implicitly suggests that the rest of the brand’s lines are *not* well-known; yet, if there is one brand that is truly a household name in the world of New World tobacco, it is Oliva. What many people don’t realize, however, is that the Oliva brand no longer belongs to the Oliva family. In fact, it ceased to be theirs around 2016. The Oliva family still owns the estates and lands where the tobacco is grown, and the majority of that tobacco is indeed used to produce this brand’s cigars, but the brand itself is now owned by Fred Vandermarliere; and with a surname as catchy and simple as that, it’s rather surprising he hasn’t simply launched a brand under his own name.

Appearance
But the Melanio is quite possibly one of Oliva’s most popular lines in my tastes, as this marks the fourth vitola I’ve tried. I've tried the Nub (4 x 60), Robusto Extra (5 x 52), and Torpedo (6½ x 52) vitolas. So, without a doubt, it is a cigar that at the very least has been popular with me. This Toro has been sitting in my humidor for approximately two years; and while it is a cigar I smoke regularly, it also seems to be one that gets gifted regularly, which is why I almost always have one on hand in my humidor. The Sumatra wrapper on this 6 x 52 Toro offers aromas of rhubarb and croissant, while on the cold draw, I detect notes of fruit, nuts, and chocolate. Just as good as ever.

First Third
Once lit, the Melanio yields mild notes of pepper and perhaps those two years of aging have something to do with it being milder than usual. Throughout the first third, these peppery flavors get even milder, and the Melanio reveals additional notes of leather, caramel, and chocolate. It produces a good ash, with a burn line that tends to be straight, though it is not entirely free of minor imperfections and flaws that correct themselves naturally. The strength is medium, with a similar intensity and not too many shifts.

Second Third
In the second third, the caramel flavor stands out the most, with leather taking second place. This trend persists until, roughly around the halfway point, notes of coffee and nuts emerge, lending additional complexity to the Melanio. Fortunately, the peppery flavor remains present throughout the smoke; although never overpowering, it never ceases to be there, providing greater intensity and a hint of added strength to the experience. Consequently, the second third concludes with medium-high intensity and medium strength.

Last Third
In the final third, leather takes center stage, though the caramel never strays far, blending with the coffee, even as that coffee gradually fades with each puff, until it remains merely a memory by the time the picture is taken. In truth, there are few transitions or shifts in this final third; the flavors simply mellow out, and there isn't much else to expect from the Melanio other than that it maintains its flavor profile as it burns down. The intensity is medium, with a medium-to-low strength, so it never becomes overwhelming, bust just more subdued. But those were 100 minutes very well spent.

Conclusion
The Serie V Melanio is always a good idea, regardless of the vitola, or at least in the sizes I’ve smoked. However, with the passage of time and not merely because it has spent two years in the humidor, it has become a predictable cigar, devoid of much surprise. You could view this as either a positive or a negative, for sometimes precisely such a smoke is what is needed: one free of surprises, offering guaranteed quality, involving no risks, and providing the assurance that it will be an enjoyable experience. Over time, it has evolved into a classic that Oliva must surely maintain, and which I am certain sells exceptionally well. New products will come with new names, but the Melanio will always remain the Melanio.

Made by: Oliva Cigar Co.
Brand: Oliva
Line: Serie V Melanio
Size: 6 x 52
Vitola: Toro
Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Ecuador (Sumatra)
Binder: Nicaragua (Condega, Estelí)
Filler: Nicaragua (Habano Jalapa)
Price: $11,50
Score: 91

Many people believe that the higher the score, the better the cigar, and it makes perfect sense. But this logic tends to imply that any score less than x automatically means the cigar is crap. That's what I want to avoid because there are cigars for different occasions, and not all of them aim to be the best of the best.

Additionally, let's keep in mind that my tastes are my own. There's a cigar that you might think is excellent, and maybe I smoke it, and it doesn't seem that way to me. Likewise, one that I gave a high score and recommend buying by the box, and you smoke it, and it seems all sorts of different to you. These are my opinions. Take them as you wish.

With that in mind, here's a scale of what each score means:

0-25 You have nothing to look for here]
26-49 You're bound to get cursed, even if you use it in a tribal rite
50-59 A good cigar to quit smoking
60-69 It's a cigar to give as a gift, especially if you don't want to be asked to gift cigars again
70-74 Good for a smoke where you don't care what you're smoking
75-79 Still a decent smoke, but forgettable
80-84 A good smoke, the kind you'll buy 5-packs of every once in a while
85-89 Excellent smoke and a cigar you'll want to keep regularly in your humidor
90-94 Permanent part of the humidor
95-98 The best of the best. Boxworthy
99-100 Consider selling body parts online to buy this

I usually post in Spanish on my networks, so if this review seems translated, it's because it is.

Blog
Instagram
YouTube

Intro
It would be absurd to claim that the Serie V Melanio is Oliva’s most well-known line. Mind you, it very well might be, largely because it is a cigar respected and even revered by aficionados of Cuban cigars, who are otherwise so quick to disparage those from the New World. However, the semantic issue here is that when you designate a specific line as a brand’s most famous offering, it implicitly suggests that the rest of the brand’s lines are *not* well-known; yet, if there is one brand that is truly a household name in the world of New World tobacco, it is Oliva. What many people don’t realize, however, is that the Oliva brand no longer belongs to the Oliva family. In fact, it ceased to be theirs around 2016. The Oliva family still owns the estates and lands where the tobacco is grown, and the majority of that tobacco is indeed used to produce this brand’s cigars, but the brand itself is now owned by Fred Vandermarliere; and with a surname as catchy and simple as that, it’s rather surprising he hasn’t simply launched a brand under his own name.

Appearance
But the Melanio is quite possibly one of Oliva’s most popular lines in my tastes, as this marks the fourth vitola I’ve tried. I've tried the Nub (4 x 60), Robusto Extra (5 x 52), and Torpedo (6½ x 52) vitolas. So, without a doubt, it is a cigar that at the very least has been popular with me. This Toro has been sitting in my humidor for approximately two years; and while it is a cigar I smoke regularly, it also seems to be one that gets gifted regularly, which is why I almost always have one on hand in my humidor. The Sumatra wrapper on this 6 x 52 Toro offers aromas of rhubarb and croissant, while on the cold draw, I detect notes of fruit, nuts, and chocolate. Just as good as ever.

First Third
Once lit, the Melanio yields mild notes of pepper and perhaps those two years of aging have something to do with it being milder than usual. Throughout the first third, these peppery flavors get even milder, and the Melanio reveals additional notes of leather, caramel, and chocolate. It produces a good ash, with a burn line that tends to be straight, though it is not entirely free of minor imperfections and flaws that correct themselves naturally. The strength is medium, with a similar intensity and not too many shifts.

Second Third
In the second third, the caramel flavor stands out the most, with leather taking second place. This trend persists until, roughly around the halfway point, notes of coffee and nuts emerge, lending additional complexity to the Melanio. Fortunately, the peppery flavor remains present throughout the smoke; although never overpowering, it never ceases to be there, providing greater intensity and a hint of added strength to the experience. Consequently, the second third concludes with medium-high intensity and medium strength.

Last Third
In the final third, leather takes center stage, though the caramel never strays far, blending with the coffee, even as that coffee gradually fades with each puff, until it remains merely a memory by the time the picture is taken. In truth, there are few transitions or shifts in this final third; the flavors simply mellow out, and there isn't much else to expect from the Melanio other than that it maintains its flavor profile as it burns down. The intensity is medium, with a medium-to-low strength, so it never becomes overwhelming, bust just more subdued. But those were 100 minutes very well spent.

Conclusion
The Serie V Melanio is always a good idea, regardless of the vitola, or at least in the sizes I’ve smoked. However, with the passage of time and not merely because it has spent two years in the humidor, it has become a predictable cigar, devoid of much surprise. You could view this as either a positive or a negative, for sometimes precisely such a smoke is what is needed: one free of surprises, offering guaranteed quality, involving no risks, and providing the assurance that it will be an enjoyable experience. Over time, it has evolved into a classic that Oliva must surely maintain, and which I am certain sells exceptionally well. New products will come with new names, but the Melanio will always remain the Melanio.

Made by: Oliva Cigar Co.
Brand: Oliva
Line: Serie V Melanio
Size: 6 x 52
Vitola: Toro
Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Ecuador (Sumatra)
Binder: Nicaragua (Condega, Estelí)
Filler: Nicaragua (Habano Jalapa)
Price: $11,50
Score: 91

Many people believe that the higher the score, the better the cigar, and it makes perfect sense. But this logic tends to imply that any score less than x automatically means the cigar is crap. That's what I want to avoid because there are cigars for different occasions, and not all of them aim to be the best of the best.

Additionally, let's keep in mind that my tastes are my own. There's a cigar that you might think is excellent, and maybe I smoke it, and it doesn't seem that way to me. Likewise, one that I gave a high score and recommend buying by the box, and you smoke it, and it seems all sorts of different to you. These are my opinions. Take them as you wish.

With that in mind, here's a scale of what each score means:

0-25 You have nothing to look for here]
26-49 You're bound to get cursed, even if you use it in a tribal rite
50-59 A good cigar to quit smoking
60-69 It's a cigar to give as a gift, especially if you don't want to be asked to gift cigars again
70-74 Good for a smoke where you don't care what you're smoking
75-79 Still a decent smoke, but forgettable
80-84 A good smoke, the kind you'll buy 5-packs of every once in a while
85-89 Excellent smoke and a cigar you'll want to keep regularly in your humidor
90-94 Permanent part of the humidor
95-98 The best of the best. Boxworthy
99-100 Consider selling body parts online to buy this

I usually post in Spanish on my networks, so if this review seems translated, it's because it is.

Blog
Instagram
YouTube

Intro
It would be absurd to claim that the Serie V Melanio is Oliva’s most well-known line. Mind you, it very well might be, largely because it is a cigar respected and even revered by aficionados of Cuban cigars, who are otherwise so quick to disparage those from the New World. However, the semantic issue here is that when you designate a specific line as a brand’s most famous offering, it implicitly suggests that the rest of the brand’s lines are *not* well-known; yet, if there is one brand that is truly a household name in the world of New World tobacco, it is Oliva. What many people don’t realize, however, is that the Oliva brand no longer belongs to the Oliva family. In fact, it ceased to be theirs around 2016. The Oliva family still owns the estates and lands where the tobacco is grown, and the majority of that tobacco is indeed used to produce this brand’s cigars, but the brand itself is now owned by Fred Vandermarliere; and with a surname as catchy and simple as that, it’s rather surprising he hasn’t simply launched a brand under his own name.

Appearance
But the Melanio is quite possibly one of Oliva’s most popular lines in my tastes, as this marks the fourth vitola I’ve tried. I've tried the Nub (4 x 60), Robusto Extra (5 x 52), and Torpedo (6½ x 52) vitolas. So, without a doubt, it is a cigar that at the very least has been popular with me. This Toro has been sitting in my humidor for approximately two years; and while it is a cigar I smoke regularly, it also seems to be one that gets gifted regularly, which is why I almost always have one on hand in my humidor. The Sumatra wrapper on this 6 x 52 Toro offers aromas of rhubarb and croissant, while on the cold draw, I detect notes of fruit, nuts, and chocolate. Just as good as ever.

First Third
Once lit, the Melanio yields mild notes of pepper and perhaps those two years of aging have something to do with it being milder than usual. Throughout the first third, these peppery flavors get even milder, and the Melanio reveals additional notes of leather, caramel, and chocolate. It produces a good ash, with a burn line that tends to be straight, though it is not entirely free of minor imperfections and flaws that correct themselves naturally. The strength is medium, with a similar intensity and not too many shifts.

Second Third
In the second third, the caramel flavor stands out the most, with leather taking second place. This trend persists until, roughly around the halfway point, notes of coffee and nuts emerge, lending additional complexity to the Melanio. Fortunately, the peppery flavor remains present throughout the smoke; although never overpowering, it never ceases to be there, providing greater intensity and a hint of added strength to the experience. Consequently, the second third concludes with medium-high intensity and medium strength.

Last Third
In the final third, leather takes center stage, though the caramel never strays far, blending with the coffee, even as that coffee gradually fades with each puff, until it remains merely a memory by the time the picture is taken. In truth, there are few transitions or shifts in this final third; the flavors simply mellow out, and there isn't much else to expect from the Melanio other than that it maintains its flavor profile as it burns down. The intensity is medium, with a medium-to-low strength, so it never becomes overwhelming, bust just more subdued. But those were 100 minutes very well spent.

Conclusion
The Serie V Melanio is always a good idea, regardless of the vitola, or at least in the sizes I’ve smoked. However, with the passage of time and not merely because it has spent two years in the humidor, it has become a predictable cigar, devoid of much surprise. You could view this as either a positive or a negative, for sometimes precisely such a smoke is what is needed: one free of surprises, offering guaranteed quality, involving no risks, and providing the assurance that it will be an enjoyable experience. Over time, it has evolved into a classic that Oliva must surely maintain, and which I am certain sells exceptionally well. New products will come with new names, but the Melanio will always remain the Melanio.

Made by: Oliva Cigar Co.
Brand: Oliva
Line: Serie V Melanio
Size: 6 x 52
Vitola: Toro
Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Ecuador (Sumatra)
Binder: Nicaragua (Condega, Estelí)
Filler: Nicaragua (Habano Jalapa)
Price: $11,50
Score: 91

Many people believe that the higher the score, the better the cigar, and it makes perfect sense. But this logic tends to imply that any score less than x automatically means the cigar is crap. That's what I want to avoid because there are cigars for different occasions, and not all of them aim to be the best of the best.

Additionally, let's keep in mind that my tastes are my own. There's a cigar that you might think is excellent, and maybe I smoke it, and it doesn't seem that way to me. Likewise, one that I gave a high score and recommend buying by the box, and you smoke it, and it seems all sorts of different to you. These are my opinions. Take them as you wish.

With that in mind, here's a scale of what each score means:

0-25 You have nothing to look for here]
26-49 You're bound to get cursed, even if you use it in a tribal rite
50-59 A good cigar to quit smoking
60-69 It's a cigar to give as a gift, especially if you don't want to be asked to gift cigars again
70-74 Good for a smoke where you don't care what you're smoking
75-79 Still a decent smoke, but forgettable
80-84 A good smoke, the kind you'll buy 5-packs of every once in a while
85-89 Excellent smoke and a cigar you'll want to keep regularly in your humidor
90-94 Permanent part of the humidor
95-98 The best of the best. Boxworthy
99-100 Consider selling body parts online to buy this

I usually post in Spanish on my networks, so if this review seems translated, it's because it is.

Blog
Instagram
YouTube

The Single Vintage 2005 was one of very few Single Vintage edition which was launched in its country of origin. The other was the (in)famous 1997. Its process is almost identical to that of the other releases (except for the 2013), featuring 12 years of aging in ex-bourbon and ex-single malt Scotch casks, followed by an additional year in an ex-Oloroso sherry cask, and bottled at 43% ABV. Curiously, the bottle does not read "Single Vintage," but rather "Single VTG." There are other bottles that do display the full word, but they are not 750ml bottles like this one.

Made by: Destilerías Unidas, S.A. (DUSA)
Name of the rum: Single Vintage 2005
Brand: Diplomático
Origin: Venezuela
Age: 12+1 years

Nose
On the nose, it feels warm, with typical and delicious aromas of marzipan, vanilla, caramel, and almonds, along with slightly perfumed notes of red flowers.

Palate
On the palate, it is much sweeter than I would expect from a Single Vintage, or at least much sweeter than the other Single Vintages I have tried. Consequently, it feels silky and dense, with subtle notes of oak and more pronounced notes of caramel, coffee, red fruits (such as strawberries), pears, humidor wood, and something I can only describe as seawater, but not due to iodine, but rather because of the saline sensation.

Retrohale/Finish
The finish is dense, rich, and complex, featuring notes of raisins, nuts, and red fruits on the retrohale, though without specific distinction this time around.

Rating
6 on the t8ke

Conclusion
Diplomático’s Single Vintage series has consistently delivered exceptional products, but I feel that one of the things that particularly appealed to me about the previous two was the absence of added sugar, or at least the lack of large quantities thereof. However, the SV2005 seems to lean more toward the sweet notes that have made the brand famous; indeed, I’m afraid it is the sweetest Single Vintage expression I have tasted to date. It does not quite reach the level of a Reserva Exclusiva, but it is certainly just as sweet as a Mantuano.

And that's a funny thing when you're evaluating rums, because the world seems to like sweeter rums and they are the best sellers, yet we're here looking down on rums that are sugar dosed. The Single Vintage 2005 may be tailored to what most consumers like, but I doubt the masses will look forward to paying $120+ for a product that they can find with lesser quality and lower price from any other maker. The people who tend to like dosed rums are not looking for 12 years + 1 year finishing, but rather a 6-year-old (or even less) rum they can drink with soda.

I usually post in Spanish on my networks, so if this review seems translated, it's because it is.

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Si el Buchanan’s 12 es el whisky que mucha gente en Latinoamérica tiene de cabecera, el Buchanan’s 18 es el que toman para ediciones especiales. Incluso, el Buchanan’s 18 se ha convertido en un whisky aspiracional para muchas personas que ven el 12 como un objetivo logrado.

Con un precio que circula entre $60 y $80, tiene sentido que sea más aspiracional y celebratorio que muchos en el mercado nacional, especialmente porque son pocas las marcas que han vendido whiskies de 18 años de manera tan regular como Buchanan’s. Creo que la que más se le acerca es Johnnie Walker 18, aunque esa tiende a costar más y el hecho que Buchanan’s sea más ‘asequible’ y siga siendo Buchanan’s es insuperable.

Nuevamente, la marca no pierde tiempo ni tinta describiendo el proceso de creación de este whisky. Se trata de una mezcla de whiskies de malta con whiskies de grano, de distintas destilerías y distintas regiones, añejados durante 18 años y embotellado a 40% de alcohol. Eso sí, la botella es espectacular y esta es la nueva; la anterior también era espectacular.

Hecho por: Diageo
Nombre del Whisky: 18 years Special Reserve
Marca: Buchanan’s
Origen: Escocia
Edad: 18 años
Precio: $75

Nariz
En nariz se sienten abundantes notas de alcohol de grano y si en algún momento te has puesto a percibir los aromas de una vodka como Grey Goose, sabes de lo que hablo. También hay notas de miel, madera y ciruela, pero son relativamente tenues, pero se llegan a sentir cáscara de naranja y cereales.

Paladar
En boca se siente ligeramente medicinal, pero también hay notas de cartón, miel, panquecas recién hechas, madera seca y un fondo lejano de café americano.

Retrogusto
En el retrogusto madera mojada.

Puntuación
70 puntos (sobre 100, en mi escala que es básica)

Conclusión
En términos generales el Buchanan’s 18 podría ser un whisky decente de diario, pero por $75 yo preferiría irme por algún whisky de single malt y ese es el tema cuando en un mercado no existe el single malt, el Buchanan’s 18 pasa de ser una opción a una única alternativa. Pero en el mercado cambiante en el que estamos (en Venezuela), hay mejores opciones. Sólo que depende de qué es lo que estás buscando: si quieres un whisky celebratorio para algún evento y quieres que los demás sepan que estás gastando, el Buchanan’s 18 es para ti. Pero si lo que buscas es un whisky con sabor para degustar, hay una gran cantidad de single malts que son superiores, a mucho menos de $80.

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This may have happened to you, but I'm a big, big fan of the AVO Syncro Nicaragua, in almost all vitolas available, whenever I see one I'll get it and love every drag I take out of it. And with such a high esteemed blend, I came to think AVO made good cigars and tried a bunch of what they do... and hated every one of it.

The Heritage is one more in that list of cigars I didn't enjoy. It lacks the strength of the Syncro Nicaragua but makes up for it with blandness and nicotine intensity. I'm sure this is my take and not a lot of other people's one, since the cigar is still a best seller, but though it has decent notes of brown sugar, nutmeg, chocolate and licorice, most of these felt under a cover of chalk and the mix of low flavor intensity and high nicotine strength made it a cigar I couldn't enjoy (I bought a 5-pack and they were all similar).

Opposite this one was the Calazan Reserva Exclusiva, my least favorite Calazan, mostly because it has a strawberry jello aftertaste I can't get over with. Hoping two wrongs made a right, I went ahead and just endured this pairing. I wouldn't recommend the cigar or the rum, but together... let's just say I temporarily forgot about it for a while and just enjoyed the occasion, if not the components.

This may have happened to you, but I'm a big, big fan of the AVO Syncro Nicaragua, in almost all vitolas available, whenever I see one I'll get it and love every drag I take out of it. And with such a high esteemed blend, I came to think AVO made good cigars and tried a bunch of what they do... and hated every one of it.

The Heritage is one more in that list of cigars I didn't enjoy. It lacks the strength of the Syncro Nicaragua but makes up for it with blandness and nicotine intensity. I'm sure this is my take and not a lot of other people's one, since the cigar is still a best seller, but though it has decent notes of brown sugar, nutmeg, chocolate and licorice, most of these felt under a cover of chalk and the mix of low flavor intensity and high nicotine strength made it a cigar I couldn't enjoy (I bought a 5-pack and they were all similar).

Opposite this one was the Calazan Reserva Exclusiva, my least favorite Calazan, mostly because it has a strawberry jello aftertaste I can't get over with. Hoping two wrongs made a right, I went ahead and just endured this pairing. I wouldn't recommend the cigar or the rum, but together... let's just say I temporarily forgot about it for a while and just enjoyed the occasion, if not the components.

This may have happened to you, but I'm a big, big fan of the AVO Syncro Nicaragua, in almost all vitolas available, whenever I see one I'll get it and love every drag I take out of it. And with such a high esteemed blend, I came to think AVO made good cigars and tried a bunch of what they do... and hated every one of it.

The Heritage is one more in that list of cigars I didn't enjoy. It lacks the strength of the Syncro Nicaragua but makes up for it with blandness and nicotine intensity. I'm sure this is my take and not a lot of other people's one, since the cigar is still a best seller, but though it has decent notes of brown sugar, nutmeg, chocolate and licorice, most of these felt under a cover of chalk and the mix of low flavor intensity and high nicotine strength made it a cigar I couldn't enjoy (I bought a 5-pack and they were all similar).

Opposite this one was the Calazan Reserva Exclusiva, my least favorite Calazan, mostly because it has a strawberry jello aftertaste I can't get over with. Hoping two wrongs made a right, I went ahead and just endured this pairing. I wouldn't recommend the cigar or the rum, but together... let's just say I temporarily forgot about it for a while and just enjoyed the occasion, if not the components.

This may have happened to you, but I'm a big, big fan of the AVO Syncro Nicaragua, in almost all vitolas available, whenever I see one I'll get it and love every drag I take out of it. And with such a high esteemed blend, I came to think AVO made good cigars and tried a bunch of what they do... and hated every one of it.

The Heritage is one more in that list of cigars I didn't enjoy. It lacks the strength of the Syncro Nicaragua but makes up for it with blandness and nicotine intensity. I'm sure this is my take and not a lot of other people's one, since the cigar is still a best seller, but though it has decent notes of brown sugar, nutmeg, chocolate and licorice, most of these felt under a cover of chalk and the mix of low flavor intensity and high nicotine strength made it a cigar I couldn't enjoy (I bought a 5-pack and they were all similar).

Opposite this one was the Calazan Reserva Exclusiva, my least favorite Calazan, mostly because it has a strawberry jello aftertaste I can't get over with. Hoping two wrongs made a right, I went ahead and just endured this pairing. I wouldn't recommend the cigar or the rum, but together... let's just say I temporarily forgot about it for a while and just enjoyed the occasion, if not the components.

En junio de 2023 me invitaron a una cata a ciegas de cocuy, en donde probé como cinco variedades distintas. Una cosa que me llamó mucho la atención de esa invitación era que solamente éramos 4 asistentes y yo era el único que no era sommelier. Incluso, los otros tres habían ganado el premio de mejor sommelier de Venezuela en años distintos. Pero estos tres son amigos míos y la cata fue muy divertida para comparar y contrastar la experiencia.

Posterior a esta cata, nos presentaron los cocuy que habíamos probado y de la marca Fénix habían dos productos, uno llamado Reposado y otro Añejo, y lo que más nos llamó la atención del que terminó siendo el Añejo era la clara y dominante influencia de la madera. El cocuy sabía únicamente a madera y con unos matices mínimos de cocuy. En su momento la recomendación fue que eso no saliera al mercado porque desvirtuaba el sabor de lo que un cocuy debería ser. Ese producto estaba embotellado a 38% de alcohol.

Hace unos meses me contactó uno de los dueños de la marca, independiente de esa cata a ciegas y más relacionado con los videos que publico en redes sociales, a fin de que probara su cocuy añejo y el clarito (o joven, o sin añejar, no sé cómo se llama). El día que me los entregaron, estaba este Añejo y ese Blanco, pero no me entregaron el joven porque el corcho se había desgastado y el líquido tenía partículas en suspensión. Me comentaron que las botellas nuevas tienen un corcho sintético, pero la que me iban a dar tenía corcho natural que se iba descomponiendo.

Este Añejo «nuevo» está embotellado al 25% de alcohol y mantiene sus mismos 11 años de añejamiento en barricas de roble blanco francés, ex-vino, que fue lo que me dijeron originalmente que era el origen de esa barrica. Curiosamente, el Reposado que probé en la cata a ciegas destacaba que ese reposo era en barrica ex-bourbon.

CATA

En nariz tiene abundantes notas de agave y de madera, mientras que hay aromas más sutiles de uva y balsámico.

Aunque tiene apenas 25% de alcohol, se sigue sintiendo un cierto golpe alcohólico y sabores balsámicos y de agave, con una nota más suave de la madera y un ligero ahumado. El retrogusto es más ahumado y con un matiz de vino viejo que fácilmente puede ser ese balsámico que sentí anteriormente.

Impresiones
Once años realmente no es un número redondo y viendo cuánto este cocuy ha absorbido de la madera, me impresiona que no lo hayan sacado de la barrica antes. Tengo incluso una teoría que dice que se les olvidó que tenían ese cocuy ahí y lo sacaron tanto tiempo después porque se acordaron. Pero es sorprendente cuánto ha cambiado con una mayor dilución y a 25% conserva más sabores de cocuy y la madera, aunque todavía bastante presente, se siente mucho menos invasiva.

Fabricante: N/D
Nombre del Cocuy: 11 Años
Marca: Fénix
Edad: 11 años
Precio: N/D
Densidad alcohólica: 25%
Puntuación: 74

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Going with something more or less easily accesible for my Stateside friends. The Don Carlos is one of my favorite lines from Arturo Fuente. I'd put the Añejo first, but coming really close is the Don Carlos, probably in all of its vitolas. I had the pleasure of having one yesterday after a very, very long day. And though I usually try to avoid hard liquor on Mondays, by 4pm yesterday I knew it was going to be required later on.

The notes of cinnamon, nutmeg, chocolate, sunflower seeds and cedar are strong in this one and it just cements my liking for them, especially when paired with barley whiskies, and this Bothan, very available in Total Wine, is a sherry-influenced Scotch from the Lowlands region, not very complex, but also not very expensive and a great way to spend a Monday night.

If I was doing some yardwork, this would've been compensation, but I didn't. I just got back from an out of office meeting and sat down on the porch, lit up something I had been waiting for and opened a beer from the fridge. The week's going great, I'm tired but not too bad and the weekend is just right there.

This was last evening, with the Alec Bradley Prensado, hoping it's one of the good ones (they're pretty inconsistent), but knowing if it isn't, I'm not goin to get up to get something else. Just relaxing with a cold beer and a nice smoke.

That's all you need, sometimes. Cheers, folks.

Ron Extra Añejo de Lujo Dinastía fue creado originalmente por Licorerias Unidas S.A. en La Miel, Edo Lara en los años 80, antes que esta se convirtiera en Destilerías Unidas, S.A. y mejor conocida como DUSA. Actualmente es elaborada por DUSA, exclusivamente para Distribuciones Espinoza Yañez C.A. y no cuenta con D.O.C.

Según tengo entendido, algunos de los rones de este blend alcanzan los 6 años de edad, y embotellado a 40% de alcohol, nos pueden esperar experiencias interesantes. Pero sí cabe destacar que como no es un producto oficial de DUSA, sino algo que hacen para alguien más (maquila), no aparece en la página de DUSA y hay muy poca información en internet del producto, lo que sirve de mayor ejemplo al hecho de por qué las empresas invierten tan poco en las marcas. Si no invierten en una simple información en internet, ¿para qué habrán de invertir en una estandarización de procesos y una DOC?

Cabe destacar que la fórmula no es la misma de los años 80, y posiblemente haya sido a partir de principios de los 2000 que se reformuló, con el objetivo de destinar mejores alcoholes a productos que le interesan más a la marca o la destilería, y simplemente mantener el nombre Dinastía como el de un ron de producción.

CATA

En nariz se sienten matices arropados por una sensación tostada, por lo que el aroma de almendras se siente como almendras tostadas, suave de vainilla, algo de fruta cítrica, un poco más fuerte de caramelo, al punto que se siente como el propio aroma de un quesillo. No hay mucho más, principalmente porque es un ron de alta volatilidad y al cabo de un par de minutos apenas si se sienten aromas.

Esta volatilidad se siente en boca, al punto que después de sentir los aromas y esperar unos minutos, cuando lo pruebo se siente aguado, así que me sirvo una copa nueva. En esta nueva ocasión el sabor principal es de caramelo intenso, pero no tan dulce como me llevaría a pensar. También hay vainilla, sabores tostados como en nariz, pero una nota cremosa y láctea en ese dulce que me hace pensar en dulce de leche y azúcar refinada, pero solo en esencia porque no es un ron especialmente dulce. El retrogusto es pura vainilla y caramelo del estilo que en Venezuela se llamaba Vaca Vieja. Insisto, son matices y no necesariamente un sabor per se, pues el ron no es realmente dulce.

Impresiones
Es un ron decente, especialmente para tomar en coctelería y creo que es donde fácilmente se puede disfrutar. Sin embargo, no lo recomendaría para algo tipo old fashioned, pues los aromas se disipan muy rápidamente y no da tiempo de disfrutarlo mucho. En sabor se mantiene más tiempo, así que sin duda un cóctel tipo cubalibre o daiquirí.

Fabricante: Destilerías Unidas, S.A. (DUSA)
Nombre del Ron: Extra Añejo
Marca: Dinastía
Edad: 2 a 6 años
Precio: $11
Densidad alcohólica: 40%
Puntuación: 67

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Intro
The My Father Le Bijou 1922 was one of my first introductions to quality Nicaraguan tobacco. Approximately a year after I started smoking, the cigar took the top spot in Cigar Aficionado’s Top 25. However, I recall that the version I managed to get at the time was the Short Robusto, which I loved, and since then, it has become my preferred vitola. Since then , I've tried the Robusto, Gran Toro and Torpedo, without much success. But a couple of years ago I spotted it in the Churchill size; I figured that, given the smaller ring gauge, I could give it another chance.

Appearance
It is quite a coincidence that the "Best Cigar of the Year" awards over the past couple of years have shown a clear preference for these specific formats, which made me all the more eager to smoke it. Since the corresponding photo was taken in direct sunlight, it does not fully reveal just how dark the wrapper is; in reality, it is the color of 70% dark chocolate. The aroma precisely matches this visual, featuring a strong note of chocolate alongside coffee beans, which carry over into the cold draw, where hints of pepper, cinnamon, and damp wood can also be detected.

First Third
From the very first puffs, my memories immediately transport me back to those initial, high-quality smoking experiences I’ve had, especially the Petit Robusto from this very blend. The pepper is pronounced, yet it does not stand out as the most intense flavor. The most dominant notes are chocolate and wood, alongside hints of freshly baked bread and Danish cookies. It is truly a cigar that evokes fond memories for me; toward the end of the first third, that generic woody flavor takes on a distinct cedar nuance. The flavor intensity is medium-to-high, while the strength remains medium-to-low—thanks in large part to the cigar's larger dimensions and the fact that the smoke reaches the palate cool. The burn is masterful, and it takes me a couple of attempts to finally knock off the ash.

Second Third
In the second third, the chocolate flavors, which were already dominant, take on a more intense nuance, akin to a chocolate syrup containing 70% cocoa or more. The coffee notes, too, evoke the profile of a highly intense and enveloping espresso. The pepper feels more subtle, appearing alongside cedar and new hnits of nutmeg, red berries, and cardamom. The flavor intensity is high, accompanied by a medium strength; however, that strength is constantly building, compelling me to space out my puffs slightly. While this doesn't cause the cigar to go out, it does mean that each subsequent puff must be a double or triple draw to keep the ember glowing. The burn is performing beautifully, so it is simply a matter of smoking more slowly to avoid ending up at odds with the Le Bijou 1922.

Last Third
The flavors evolve from the previous third, shifting toward something darker, featuring more dark chocolate, black pepper, and espresso in the final third. The remaining flavors gradually dissipate, and the notes of wood and spice become much less pronounced, while both the intensity and the strength settle at a medium-to-high level. It continues to burn beautifully and tends to produce a solid ash, though between removing the bands and having spent a fair amount of time with the cigar already, I don't let the ash build up very far. It takes me just over two hours to smoke this cigar, and I can say that I am left thoroughly satisfied.

Conclusion
The variations within any blend across different vitolas are always intriguing, and with this Le Bijou 1922, I believe they present quite a challenge. In the smaller vitolas, I ultimately found myself enjoying it more than in the larger ones. The Gran Robusto I smoked (measuring 5⅝ x 55) really felt quite diluted. In the Churchill size (7 x 50), however, it is truly impressive, especially if you feel left wanting more after smoking the Petit Robusto (4½ x 50). In this particular size, the smoking experience feels more consistent with that Petit Robusto, albeit amplified twofold. It is certainly my preferred vitola for this product, provided you have the time and patience, for this is not a cigar to be rushed, but rather one to be savored with no hurry.

Made by: My Father Cigars
Brand: My Father
Line: Le Bijou 1922
Size: 7 x 50
Vitola: Churchill
Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Ecuador (Habano oscuro)
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Price: $10,50
Score: 92

Many people believe that the higher the score, the better the cigar, and it makes perfect sense. But this logic tends to imply that any score less than x automatically means the cigar is crap. That's what I want to avoid because there are cigars for different occasions, and not all of them aim to be the best of the best.

Additionally, let's keep in mind that my tastes are my own. There's a cigar that you might think is excellent, and maybe I smoke it, and it doesn't seem that way to me. Likewise, one that I gave a high score and recommend buying by the box, and you smoke it, and it seems all sorts of different to you. These are my opinions. Take them as you wish.

With that in mind, here's a scale of what each score means:

0-25 You have nothing to look for here
26-49 Use it only if you're doing religious rites, but the spirits probably won't like it
50-59 A good cigar to quit smoking
60-69 It's a cigar to give as a gift, especially if you don't want to be asked to gift cigars again
70-74 Good for a smoke where you don't care what you're smoking
75-79 Still a decent smoke, but forgettable
80-84 A good smoke, the kind you'll buy 5-packs of every once in a while
85-89 Excellent smoke and a cigar you'll want to keep regularly in your humidor
90-94 Permanent part of the humidor
95-98 The best of the best. Boxworthy
99-100 Consider selling body parts online to buy this

I usually post in Spanish on my networks, so if this review seems translated, it's because it is.

Blog
Instagram
YouTube

Intro
The My Father Le Bijou 1922 was one of my first introductions to quality Nicaraguan tobacco. Approximately a year after I started smoking, the cigar took the top spot in Cigar Aficionado’s Top 25. However, I recall that the version I managed to get at the time was the Short Robusto, which I loved, and since then, it has become my preferred vitola. Since then , I've tried the Robusto, Gran Toro and Torpedo, without much success. But a couple of years ago I spotted it in the Churchill size; I figured that, given the smaller ring gauge, I could give it another chance.

Appearance
It is quite a coincidence that the "Best Cigar of the Year" awards over the past couple of years have shown a clear preference for these specific formats, which made me all the more eager to smoke it. Since the corresponding photo was taken in direct sunlight, it does not fully reveal just how dark the wrapper is; in reality, it is the color of 70% dark chocolate. The aroma precisely matches this visual, featuring a strong note of chocolate alongside coffee beans, which carry over into the cold draw, where hints of pepper, cinnamon, and damp wood can also be detected.

First Third
From the very first puffs, my memories immediately transport me back to those initial, high-quality smoking experiences I’ve had, especially the Petit Robusto from this very blend. The pepper is pronounced, yet it does not stand out as the most intense flavor. The most dominant notes are chocolate and wood, alongside hints of freshly baked bread and Danish cookies. It is truly a cigar that evokes fond memories for me; toward the end of the first third, that generic woody flavor takes on a distinct cedar nuance. The flavor intensity is medium-to-high, while the strength remains medium-to-low—thanks in large part to the cigar's larger dimensions and the fact that the smoke reaches the palate cool. The burn is masterful, and it takes me a couple of attempts to finally knock off the ash.

Second Third
In the second third, the chocolate flavors, which were already dominant, take on a more intense nuance, akin to a chocolate syrup containing 70% cocoa or more. The coffee notes, too, evoke the profile of a highly intense and enveloping espresso. The pepper feels more subtle, appearing alongside cedar and new hnits of nutmeg, red berries, and cardamom. The flavor intensity is high, accompanied by a medium strength; however, that strength is constantly building, compelling me to space out my puffs slightly. While this doesn't cause the cigar to go out, it does mean that each subsequent puff must be a double or triple draw to keep the ember glowing. The burn is performing beautifully, so it is simply a matter of smoking more slowly to avoid ending up at odds with the Le Bijou 1922.

Last Third
The flavors evolve from the previous third, shifting toward something darker, featuring more dark chocolate, black pepper, and espresso in the final third. The remaining flavors gradually dissipate, and the notes of wood and spice become much less pronounced, while both the intensity and the strength settle at a medium-to-high level. It continues to burn beautifully and tends to produce a solid ash, though between removing the bands and having spent a fair amount of time with the cigar already, I don't let the ash build up very far. It takes me just over two hours to smoke this cigar, and I can say that I am left thoroughly satisfied.

Conclusion
The variations within any blend across different vitolas are always intriguing, and with this Le Bijou 1922, I believe they present quite a challenge. In the smaller vitolas, I ultimately found myself enjoying it more than in the larger ones. The Gran Robusto I smoked (measuring 5⅝ x 55) really felt quite diluted. In the Churchill size (7 x 50), however, it is truly impressive, especially if you feel left wanting more after smoking the Petit Robusto (4½ x 50). In this particular size, the smoking experience feels more consistent with that Petit Robusto, albeit amplified twofold. It is certainly my preferred vitola for this product, provided you have the time and patience, for this is not a cigar to be rushed, but rather one to be savored with no hurry.

Made by: My Father Cigars
Brand: My Father
Line: Le Bijou 1922
Size: 7 x 50
Vitola: Churchill
Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Ecuador (Habano oscuro)
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Price: $10,50
Score: 92

Many people believe that the higher the score, the better the cigar, and it makes perfect sense. But this logic tends to imply that any score less than x automatically means the cigar is crap. That's what I want to avoid because there are cigars for different occasions, and not all of them aim to be the best of the best.

Additionally, let's keep in mind that my tastes are my own. There's a cigar that you might think is excellent, and maybe I smoke it, and it doesn't seem that way to me. Likewise, one that I gave a high score and recommend buying by the box, and you smoke it, and it seems all sorts of different to you. These are my opinions. Take them as you wish.

With that in mind, here's a scale of what each score means:

0-25 You have nothing to look for here
26-49 Use it only if you're doing religious rites, but the spirits probably won't like it
50-59 A good cigar to quit smoking
60-69 It's a cigar to give as a gift, especially if you don't want to be asked to gift cigars again
70-74 Good for a smoke where you don't care what you're smoking
75-79 Still a decent smoke, but forgettable
80-84 A good smoke, the kind you'll buy 5-packs of every once in a while
85-89 Excellent smoke and a cigar you'll want to keep regularly in your humidor
90-94 Permanent part of the humidor
95-98 The best of the best. Boxworthy
99-100 Consider selling body parts online to buy this

I usually post in Spanish on my networks, so if this review seems translated, it's because it is.

Blog
Instagram
YouTube

Intro
The My Father Le Bijou 1922 was one of my first introductions to quality Nicaraguan tobacco. Approximately a year after I started smoking, the cigar took the top spot in Cigar Aficionado’s Top 25. However, I recall that the version I managed to get at the time was the Short Robusto, which I loved, and since then, it has become my preferred vitola. Since then , I've tried the Robusto, Gran Toro and Torpedo, without much success. But a couple of years ago I spotted it in the Churchill size; I figured that, given the smaller ring gauge, I could give it another chance.

Appearance
It is quite a coincidence that the "Best Cigar of the Year" awards over the past couple of years have shown a clear preference for these specific formats, which made me all the more eager to smoke it. Since the corresponding photo was taken in direct sunlight, it does not fully reveal just how dark the wrapper is; in reality, it is the color of 70% dark chocolate. The aroma precisely matches this visual, featuring a strong note of chocolate alongside coffee beans, which carry over into the cold draw, where hints of pepper, cinnamon, and damp wood can also be detected.

First Third
From the very first puffs, my memories immediately transport me back to those initial, high-quality smoking experiences I’ve had, especially the Petit Robusto from this very blend. The pepper is pronounced, yet it does not stand out as the most intense flavor. The most dominant notes are chocolate and wood, alongside hints of freshly baked bread and Danish cookies. It is truly a cigar that evokes fond memories for me; toward the end of the first third, that generic woody flavor takes on a distinct cedar nuance. The flavor intensity is medium-to-high, while the strength remains medium-to-low—thanks in large part to the cigar's larger dimensions and the fact that the smoke reaches the palate cool. The burn is masterful, and it takes me a couple of attempts to finally knock off the ash.

Second Third
In the second third, the chocolate flavors, which were already dominant, take on a more intense nuance, akin to a chocolate syrup containing 70% cocoa or more. The coffee notes, too, evoke the profile of a highly intense and enveloping espresso. The pepper feels more subtle, appearing alongside cedar and new hnits of nutmeg, red berries, and cardamom. The flavor intensity is high, accompanied by a medium strength; however, that strength is constantly building, compelling me to space out my puffs slightly. While this doesn't cause the cigar to go out, it does mean that each subsequent puff must be a double or triple draw to keep the ember glowing. The burn is performing beautifully, so it is simply a matter of smoking more slowly to avoid ending up at odds with the Le Bijou 1922.

Last Third
The flavors evolve from the previous third, shifting toward something darker, featuring more dark chocolate, black pepper, and espresso in the final third. The remaining flavors gradually dissipate, and the notes of wood and spice become much less pronounced, while both the intensity and the strength settle at a medium-to-high level. It continues to burn beautifully and tends to produce a solid ash, though between removing the bands and having spent a fair amount of time with the cigar already, I don't let the ash build up very far. It takes me just over two hours to smoke this cigar, and I can say that I am left thoroughly satisfied.

Conclusion
The variations within any blend across different vitolas are always intriguing, and with this Le Bijou 1922, I believe they present quite a challenge. In the smaller vitolas, I ultimately found myself enjoying it more than in the larger ones. The Gran Robusto I smoked (measuring 5⅝ x 55) really felt quite diluted. In the Churchill size (7 x 50), however, it is truly impressive, especially if you feel left wanting more after smoking the Petit Robusto (4½ x 50). In this particular size, the smoking experience feels more consistent with that Petit Robusto, albeit amplified twofold. It is certainly my preferred vitola for this product, provided you have the time and patience, for this is not a cigar to be rushed, but rather one to be savored with no hurry.

Made by: My Father Cigars
Brand: My Father
Line: Le Bijou 1922
Size: 7 x 50
Vitola: Churchill
Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Ecuador (Habano oscuro)
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Price: $10,50
Score: 92

Many people believe that the higher the score, the better the cigar, and it makes perfect sense. But this logic tends to imply that any score less than x automatically means the cigar is crap. That's what I want to avoid because there are cigars for different occasions, and not all of them aim to be the best of the best.

Additionally, let's keep in mind that my tastes are my own. There's a cigar that you might think is excellent, and maybe I smoke it, and it doesn't seem that way to me. Likewise, one that I gave a high score and recommend buying by the box, and you smoke it, and it seems all sorts of different to you. These are my opinions. Take them as you wish.

With that in mind, here's a scale of what each score means:

0-25 You have nothing to look for here
26-49 Use it only if you're doing religious rites, but the spirits probably won't like it
50-59 A good cigar to quit smoking
60-69 It's a cigar to give as a gift, especially if you don't want to be asked to gift cigars again
70-74 Good for a smoke where you don't care what you're smoking
75-79 Still a decent smoke, but forgettable
80-84 A good smoke, the kind you'll buy 5-packs of every once in a while
85-89 Excellent smoke and a cigar you'll want to keep regularly in your humidor
90-94 Permanent part of the humidor
95-98 The best of the best. Boxworthy
99-100 Consider selling body parts online to buy this

I usually post in Spanish on my networks, so if this review seems translated, it's because it is.

Blog
Instagram
YouTube

This is perhaps the most unnecessary addition to Carúpano's portfolio. Unnecessary in terms of marketing, that is, for its existing range is truly enviable, featuring no fewer than nine products that are highly distinct from one another. Three ultra-premium offerings and six mid-range products make Carúpano one of the rum brands with a portfolio most finely tuned to cater to various quality tiers.

But for some reason, they decided to release this 1996 Reserve, replacing the Zafra 1991. Personally, I found it to be a good rum, albeit a bit pricey. The Carupano 1996 Reserve features rums in its blend with reserves aged up to 24 years. So it was placed in the barrel in 1996 and bottled in 2020. There are younger rums, but the brand assures the youngest is just over 18 years. I would hope so, since this is a $160-180 bottle.

Made by: Destilería Carúpano
Name of the rum: 1996 Reserve
Brand: Carúpano
Origin: Venezuela
Age: 18 to 24 years

Nose
On the nose, there's a strong toasted or smoky wood note, tangerine peel, an abundance of almonds, and a distant hint of brown sugar, which could well be a trace of molasses. However, despite being a Carúpano rum, that sea air note is very faint and gets somewhat lost against the aroma of toasted or burnt wood.

Palate
On the palate, it is very true to its aromas. It highlights the same notes of tangerine peel, burnt wood, and almonds, but also includes a note of fresh red berries, featuring stronger notes of strawberry.

Retrohale/Finish
It offers long lasting retrohale, in which citrus peel—this time not necessarily tangerine—stands out, alongside a note of anise.

Rating
7 on the t8ke

Conclusion
This 1996 Reserve is delicious and probably one of my favorites from the brand. It executes it beautifully and pairs excellently with a cigar, and enjoyed neat, it is a true luxury. However, when considering that in Venezuela the Carúpano 12 costs no more than $15 while this 1996 Reserve goes for $175, it is easy to tip the scales in favor of the cheaper option; it is simply not $160 better than the 12.

I usually post in Spanish on my networks, so if this review seems translated, it's because it is.

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Siendo parte de una empresa mejor conocida por embotellar para muchas marcas que por sus propios productos, Benromach se ha convertido en un magnífico ejemplo de una marca manejada familiarmente, pero con inversión adicional gracias a Gordon & MacPhail. Pero más impresionante que eso es su capacidad de crear distintos productos, mientras se mantiene como un whisky de Speyside.

La realidad es que cuando hablamos de un whisky con peat smoke, o ahumado/turbado, lo primero que viene a la mente debe ser Islay y luego algunas islas del norte de Escocia que no necesariamente se encuentran en la región de Islay. Lo que no viene a la mente es Speyside, pues esta región que es atravesada por el río Spey, simplemente tiene su sabor característico.

El producto es un NAS, pero al igual que ocurre con otros NAS de la marca, su etiqueta menciona una fecha de destilación y una fecha de embotellado. Previendo que no haya pasado un tiempo «estacionado» en una cuba de acero inoxidable, podríamos asumir que se trata de un whisky con 9 años de añejamiento. Es añejado en barricas ex-jerez y finalmente es embotellado a 46% de alcohol. También promete 55 ppm de fenoles, lo que coloca su intensidad ahumada en niveles de Kilchoman y Ardbeg.

Hecho por: Benromach Distillery
Nombre del Whisky: Contrasts: Peat Smoke
Marca: Benromach
Origen: Speyside, Escocia
Edad: NAS, pero 9 años
Precio: $51

Nariz
En nariz se siente notablemente ahumado, pero el entrenamiento con estos whiskies me ha permitido también aprender a evadir esa intensidad aromática y concentrarme en otros aromas, como los intensos de toffee, azúcar morena, tocineta ahumada y leña que presenta. También hay notas de frutos rojos, tan típicas de los destilados añejados en barricas ex-jerez, pero a veces son superadas por esas notas medicinales o de yodo tan particulares de los whiskies ahumados y añejados en costa. Pero también hay notas de frutas, principalmente durazno, banana y algo cítrico, que cierra con neumático nuevo y heno.

Paladar
En boca se sienten sabores similares a los aromas, pero la nota de toffee es dominante y esta tiene matices de frutos rojos, por lo que diría que el whisky es más intenso de ex-jerez en boca que en nariz. La sensación en boca es densa y de un whisky con altos ésteres, destacando sabores muy ahumados, de leña, humo y ceniza. Pero también notas de cerezas ácidas, carne quemada, jengibre y tierra mojada, más como un petrichor que como barro, por ejemplo.

Retrogusto
El retrogusto tiene toffee, manzana verde, vainilla y sal.

Puntuación
91 puntos (sobre 100, en mi escala que es básica)

Conclusión
Me gusta que aunque este whisky menciona en su etiqueta que es peat smoke y que promete 55 ppm de fenoles, también destaca que es un whisky de Speyside y el perfil parece mezclar lo mejor de los sabores típicos de esta región con los sabores ahumados de la turba y los afrutados de la barrica ex-jerez. Creo que como mezcla queda muy bien y que la ausencia de uno de estos estilos le daría una sensación mucho menos compleja a la experiencia. Como expresión distinta de un whisky me ha gustado mucho y de la serie Contrasts de Benromach, creo que es el mejor.

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An absolute classic banger from AJ Fernandez, this San Lotano Oval Maduro has around 11 years of humidor time, and when I bought it the cigar had already been sitting in the store for a while. Aging has improved it lots, especially in the spicy retrohale, which has subsided a bit and is now mostly chocolate and coffee, while the palate has additional notes of leather, cedar and damp earth.

Coupled with 101 proof whiskey with very nice notes of rye, leather, tobacco and pecans, this pairing is as good as you would expect. And it's taken me a while to find something up to the level of this Wild Turkey, so I'm glad I found it.

An absolute classic banger from AJ Fernandez, this San Lotano Oval Maduro has around 11 years of humidor time, and when I bought it the cigar had already been sitting in the store for a while. Aging has improved it lots, especially in the spicy retrohale, which has subsided a bit and is now mostly chocolate and coffee, while the palate has additional notes of leather, cedar and damp earth.

Coupled with 101 proof whiskey with very nice notes of rye, leather, tobacco and pecans, this pairing is as good as you would expect. And it's taken me a while to find something up to the level of this Wild Turkey, so I'm glad I found it.