CAO OSA Sol & Flying Dog Snake Dog IPA Pairing
This is the first of four pairing reviews I will be doing from the CAO Cigars & Flying Dog Brewery Pairing Pack Review series. I didn’t have such good luck with the OSA Sol when it first came out. I had two and they just weren’t my style and had draw issues. But I am willing to give it another try paired with a IPA beer this time. The pairing should bring out more flavors in each the beer and cigar. I have a fondness for craft beer as well, but not so much on India Pale Ales (IPA). I have found them to be too bitter to me and not my cup of tea. They remind me of the old Keystone Light beer commercials “Bitter Beer Face!” But like I said before, I am willing to give it another go.
Cigar Stats
- 5×50 Robusto (Lot 50)
- Honduran Olancho San Agustin Wrapper
- Connecticut Broadleaf Binder
- Honduran, Nicaraguan Filler
Beer Stats
- American India Pale Ale
- ABV: 7.1%
- IBU: 60
- Caramel Malts
- Warrior, Columbus Hops
- American Ale Yeast  Â
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CAO Cigars & Flying Dog Brewery Pairing Pack Upcoming Reviews
CAO Cigars recently paired up with the Frederick, Maryland brewery Flying Dog to pair the CAO “Art of Craft” sampler pack with certain Flying Dog beers. The CAO “Art of Craft†cigar pack will be available alongside each corresponding beer exclusively at 36 Total Wine stores throughout Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, Virginia, North Carolina, and California beginning July 1. See full Press Release here.
Each beer has their own unique flavors and characteristics just like the cigars do. Each beer has different ingredients just like each cigar blend has its own ingredients (different types of tobacco). Typically a cigar is paired with a dark liquor or occasionally a light rum or tequila. I usually pair a cigar with a dark rum, whiskey, or bourbon in the fall and winter. Then in the spring and summer, I transition to more craft beers to pair with my cigars. This new pairing collaboration will be a good way to end the work day for me. I will try to review each pairing over the next week or two. I start working 12 hour days this week, but will try to get one or two in the week and the rest on the weekend.
One other nice thing about the “Art of Craft” cigar pack is, its a buy three get one free. Also a nice heavy metal bottle opener accompanies the cigars free of charge a well. So a free cigar and cutter is another way to peak ones attention when scanning the B&M shelves.
Pairing and Initial Thoughts
 
OSA Sol and Snake Dog IPA: This is going to be my least favorite pairing as I don’t care too much for an IPA beer or the OSA Sol cigar. I will be doing this one first and hopefully I can get more (flavor) from the cigar than the first few times I had it. “The zesty spice of OSA Sol meets its match with the citrus and resinous hop aromas and flavors of Snake Dog.” This description sounds promising and I hope it will alloy me to enjoy the OSA Sol and an IPA more.  Â
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KUUTS TO RELEASE NICARAGUAN BLEND AT IPCPR 2014
MIAMI FL, June 25, 2014
Kuuts, LLC is slated to release its 4th brand into the US market at this year’s IPCPR Convention in Las Vegas, NV in mid-July.
The Kuuts Nicaraguan Blend is a solid medium bodied cigar that is sure to please the masses. It features a Nicaraguan filler and binder with an Ecuadorian wrapper. This new release will be available in 5 vitolas for the US Market and comes in 20 count Cabinet Style Boxes.
- 4 X 48 – Momentos
- 4.5 X 58 РPeque̱os
- 5 X 52 – Robustos
- 6 X 52 – Toro
- 7 X 60 – Gordo Especial
Kuuts, LLC is the US Distribution arm for Compañia Hondureña de Tabacos located in Jacaleapa, Honduras. Compañia Hondureña de Tabacos also manufactures Placeres Reserva, Miró and Tabacalera Zapata brands of premium cigars.
Shipping of the Kuuts Nicaraguan Blend is set to commence in August 2014.
For ordering info please contact our office at 305-254-2211 or e-mail: sales@kuuts.com
Tatuaje Teases Surrogates “Satin Glove”
Pete Johnson posted a picture on Facebook of what looks to be a new blend in the Surrogates line of cigars. The new cigar is named “Satin Glove”. From the looks of the photo, the cigar is of a maduro or dark habano wrapper. The same “Surrogates” second band is there with the main band saying “Satin Glove” with a Red Glove in the middle. No official word on the blend, size or when it will be released. If I was a betting man, I’d say be on the look out for it at the 2014 IPCPR show.
Picture from Pete Johnson’s Facebook Page
“Smoked Up” No.75
My short vacation ended this past Monday and I was about to go stir crazy. It was almost too hot to do any of the outdoor projects I had planned to do. But I did get a repair on my truck done that was way over due. I wanted to relax in the pool all day, but was told not to submerge my new tattoo for a few weeks, but I am counting the days to when I can. I didn’t even cut the grass on my vacation; that will give the neighbor something to grumble about.
As I mentioned in the last issue, Wednesday was my birthday and I sat around drinking cold beer, smoked a few cigars and relaxed. Was wanting to go off with the family, but my girlfriend couldn’t get off work. So I made the best of it. I did make a beer run this past weekend for some craft beers that I can’t get locally. I kept my selection to a minimum as I am planning a family vacation this fall.
Cigar Views
 
Matilde Renacer Corona: Jose Seijas is back in the business with his new Matilde line of cigars. I was suggested to try them from the owner of my local Tinderbox and was quite surprised with it. The smoke was a bit more bolder than I had figured it would be. There was a nice sweet coffee note with accompanying notes of leather and a bit of oak as well. The construction was good except for my botched toasting that lead to an off burn. Overall a pretty tasty cigar that wasn’t too complex or busy, but did have a few flavor changes with good construction.  Â
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Arandoza to unveil its “Red†Label at the 2014 IPCPR
In keeping with “Family Traditionâ€, Arandoza will unveil its “Red†Label at the 2014 IPCPR in July. The “Red†label commemorates and praises the nation’s heritage following on its footsteps of Independence Day celebrating the history, commitment and traditions of the Arandoza Family. This new label is a full flavored full bodied cigar that will delight the seasoned aficionado. Manufactured at La Zona Factory in Esteli, Nicaragua, its construction consists of a 100% Nicaraguan binder and filler with triple Ligero, and is finished with a dark rich San Andres Mexican wrapper.
The Arandoza “Red†Label comes in three cigar favorites, a Toro 52×6, a Churchill 49×7 and a 60 Ring Gauge 60 x 5. Price Range is: $7.25 to $8.50.
Untamed by La Aurora to be showcased at IPCPR 2014
La Aurora issues warning, the Lion has gone rogue!
(Santiago, DR) July 1, 2014 – La Aurora Cigars is proud to announce the release of their latest creation, Untamed by La Aurora. Using tobacco selected specifically for this project, La Aurora aims to please even the most demanding consumer with this unique blend. Led by master blender, Manuel Inoa, the team at La Aurora has been able to attack this ambitious project head on and are eager to release the beast in Las Vegas.
 
Since the year 2000, La Aurora has been on the hunt for the ideal tobacco to enhance the strength of the cigar without sacrificing La Aurora’s signature flavor. Thanks to the collective effort of their team, the factory has been able to cultivate perfect harmony. Utilizing tobacco from 3 different countries and finished off with a dark oily Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper, the blend comes with the complexity of a medium bodied cigar and the intensity of something more full. Â
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Roberto P. Duran Cigar Brand To Be Introduced At 2014 IPCPR
(Miami, Florida) June 30, 2014— Roberto P. Duran Premium Cigars, after a successful 2013 launch with the Azan Line of cigars is ready to come into the 2014 IPCPR with a new super-premium blend: The Roberto P. Duran Cigar Brand.
 
Roberto Pelayo Duran introduced the Azan line of Cigars at the 2013 IPCPR which included the Burgundy, Premium White, and Maduro Natural. Azan Cigars was very well received and can now be found in over 200 cigar shops nationwide. This year Roberto will introduce a super-premium blend under the Roberto P. Duran Premium Cigars umbrella.
The Roberto P. Duran Cigar is a super-premium cigar which pays homage to his family and his family’s city of origin in Cuba. Â
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“Smoked Up” No.74
Happy Birthday to me!! Today is my birthday and I have been enjoying some good beer, a few fine cigars and one of the best roast beef and gravy poboys I’ve ever ate. Not much else going on, no local cigar events or happenings going on. There is a new tobacco store that recently got new management in town. I hear they have a small selection of cigars, so I may go check it out on Friday.
Cigar Views
Avo LE10: I got a box of these to age and smoke one on my birthday every year. The smoke seems to be getting more smooth and rounded off than what I remember having last year. I pair it with a Rouge Hazelnut Brown Nectar beer. This was an awesome pairing as I got more chocolate flavors out of the smoke than I usually do. I also got a dry roasted nut flavor on the back half of the draw that was interesting as well. This is one box purchase that I do not regret. Â
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Felipe Gregorio To Release 2014 “Power”
POWER 2014 Release July 2014 IPCPR
Power cigars are released every 7 years, the 2000 Crop, 2007 Collection received a 92 rating in Cigar Aficionado and was voted by the magazine as
one of the Top 25 Cigars of the Year 2007.
Made from Pelo de Oro (Golden Hair) Cuban Ancestral Seeds, grown in the Cordillera Central of Costa Rica at 3000 feet in small arroyos, all planting and harvesting is done by hand. By growing at such altitudes we have the luxury of producing a pesticide free sun grown tobacco. Rich in complexity and with
a unique flavor profile. Power is made with a Rosado Wrapper and seven year old aged tobaccos (Tabacage 2007)
We believe in the 333 rule, triple fermentation, triple inspection and triple cap. Each of our cigars are specially selected for the true connoisseur.
We will be making an Extremely Limited Production (E.L.P) of 1000 boxes per size (4 sizes) until the next release in seven years.
Full Power        (6 X 62)
No. II Torpedo     (6 1/4 x 52)
Triple R Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â (5 1/2 x 55)
Special Robusto   (5 x 52)
Torbusto         (4 1/2 x 58)
Blended by: Philip G. Wynne
Pedigree has a name and it is Felipe Gregorio Est. 1990,
a Grupo Tres Tierras Company
