Amidst a Summer Nights Smoke!!!!

Summer time in Texas is like standing in front of the oven with no wind or breeze to allow the sweet to cool you off.

So that means that the bourdon and whiskey will be replaced by red wines, crafts beers, and rum!!!!

For this summer night cap, I’m going with an Ashton Symmetry and Brugal Extra Viego Rum.

Ashton Symmetry Tasting Note:

Cinnamon, caramel, with hints of white pepper. Constructed with a Dominica and Nicaraguan filler; Dominica binder, and wrapped with an Ecuador Habano wrapper gives a smooth and well balanced smoke.

Brugal Extra Viego Rum:

The nose gives hints of wood, dried fruits, almonds, cocoa, vanilla, caramel, molasses, and orange peel.

On the palate you get the smooth taste of vanilla, caramel with a touch of honey followed by sweet spices and a noticeable rich cocoa flavor.

The aftertaste is the best part. The lingering peppery finish give the cool opposite of the nose contrasts at the start.

Now there are 2 things that I want to make clear. First I am a bourbon, whiskey, and scotch man; always neat. But this Texas summer heat while smoking on my patio (even at night) don’t go hand and hand.

Second in the summer I prefer a good red wine; Merlots; Malbec’s, Cab’s, and Pinot Noir’s; or a good craft beer when smoking.

Third; I did say 2 things but I have to add one. Rums are not anything that I really get into until the summer.

Now with that stated I went with the standard straight cut just to make sure that I got the full effect and flavors of this Medium to Full body smoke. Once I cut the cigar I took a quick dry pull to see what flavors I could catch and I was surprised with the sweetness of the caramel, cinnamon and white pepper. Now was time for the fire. I used an extra-long match and took two good pulls and noticed all of the flavors playing at once with a little creaminess added.

I let the stick set and watch the thick clear white smoke release from my mouth and flow into the air.

Now onto the Brugal Rum. Extra Viego means extra old just for information. This rum is aged for 8 years in former bourbon and whiskey barrels. So imagine what the flavors of that. Before I had an official pour I had a cap full just to taste and MAN let me tell you this was amazing. The nose, pallet, and after taste was all that is was advertised to be.

For my official first pour was on a big rock (not recommended) it watered down and took away from the overall experience. The second pour (neat remember I’m a bourbon guy) was all that I was made to be.

Now after my 3rd full from the cigar and washing it down with the rum let me tell you, this was amazing!!!!! The sweetness and white pepper from the cigar; along with the caramel and spicy after taste paired together like the perfect pair of jeans and a pair of square toed cowboy boots on a date night!!!

This was a true smoking delight. The cigar didn’t over power the rum, and the rum didn’t over power the cigar. They came together like a good PB&J sandwich, Lionel Richie and the Commodores, or Magic Johnson and the LA Lakers. Trust me you want miss on this one.

Sit back enjoy, and let the music play and the conversation be long with enjoying the perfect pairing.

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