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Chieftain's Robusto Cigar Malt
Single Malt Scotch Whisky
55.1% abv
£65
This is the third cigar malt from Chieftain's 2007 releases that I have had this week and I still haven't sparked a cigar. In fact, these whiskies have all been quite outstanding on their own, without filling my mouth (and flat) with smoke. I encourage any feedback from readers who have enjoyed any of these malts (or others) with cigars (or pipes, for that matter).
I have nothing much to say. I suppose some might be wondering why the prices for these malts are so high considering the oldest is 13 years old. Unfortunately, beyond explaining the general quality of the taste of these whiskies, I have no explanation. I can assume, however, that the casks selected to be Cigar Malts 2007 were maturing stocks from well known and perhaps ever rare distilleries. No, not Brora or Port Ellen, but perhaps these whiskies are single cask selections from big names like Macallan or Ardbeg? Ian Macleod Distillers have kept that a secret, but it is the only explanation I can think of for the high price tag for 10-13 year old whiskies. Any other ideas?
This is from a hogshead that yielded 270 bottles. It is intended to go well with a full-bodied cigar. All Chieftain's had on the mission can be viewed HERE.
TASTING NOTES:
Croissants, buttery with an appealing sourness, custard, etc., but the real key here is bonfire, tires, and peat. Orange sweetness, like vitamin C or Fanta. Some dehydrated strawberry and cereal notes, too.
Tar and leaf fires, salt, smoke and oak that eventually gives way to sweet apple and rhubarb pie, some vanilla, and returns to the smoke before finishing on a malt and peat balance.
SUMMARY:
Great nose that balances appealing sweetness against rugged peaty Islay characteristics. A really excellent whisky in its own right, cigars or not. Again, as with the other cigar malts had this week, this one doesnt need water but does exhibit more when a drop is added. A great smoky treat.
Malt Mission #196
Malt Mission #197
Malt Mission #199
Malt Mission #200
Malt Mission HOME
Chieftain's Cigar Malt Mild
Single Malt Scotch Whisky
54.9% abv
£64
Another whisky from the fifth batch of Chieftain's Cigar Malts. We had the new Classic yesterday and will have the Mild and Robusto today and tomorrow.
I have got to tell you that Googling around for pictures to accompany my posts led me to a few, um, potent images. I was pretty shocked at the volume of erotic and downright dirty photography featuring women (and men, but mostly women) with cigars. And smoking them was only one activity portrayed... use your imagination.
This is an 11 year old whisky finished in madeira casks and is one of 372 bottles. For all "cigar malts" had on the mission click HERE. Tasted with my visiting whisky-loving Finnish friend, TS. His notes appear in quotes.
TASTING NOTES:
Plums, oak, and some dried basil. Lemon thyme? Mint maybe, too. Light and fragrant, fresh with youth, "or maybe that is because it is cask strength, you can't feel all the flavours because the alcohol is on top of all the flavours," oaky spice. Gets creamier, more dairy aromas with time, some added spice when water is added. With water, it's a little mouldy, like wet wood, too.
Here comes some flavours that make me think "cigar malt": oily sweetness, wood, varnish, stewed fruits, spice and lingering oakiness. Pleasant and nothing too hamfisted or over the top. Creamy again, without too much grip.
SUMMARY:
A mild, gentle, and friendly drop that is bittersweet and quite engaging for a "lighter" dram. After work rather than after dinner or nite cap; after all it is the MILD version of their cigar malt. For opinions of others who know something about cigars, see THIS. Fancy a pipe? Go for it.
Malt Mission #196
Malt Mission #198
Malt Mission #199
Malt Mission #200
Malt Mission HOME
Chieftain's Cigar Malt Classic (2007)
Single Malt Scotch Whisky
54.4% abv
£68
Yeah, baby. Light 'em up, smoke 'em if you got 'em, etc.
This week we'll be hitting Malt Mission #200 and to mark the occasion we'll be looking at whiskies well suited to accompany cigars... not that I smoke, but it seems that many people smoke when they celebrate and I have a few appropriate malts on the shelf so I figured it was as good a theme as any.
The truth is, I am not very fond of cigars and find the concept of matching something that impairs your taste/fills your mouth with smoke and tar with something best enjoyed with an attentive palate a bit puzzling. That being said, many folks love this combination and it must be acknowledged that "unwinding" with a cigar and a whisky is a common practice; it is a classic image we have of whisky drinkers, especially older male whisky drinkers, whether or not it be accurate. I have been told by many respected whisky folks that the combination of whisky and cigars can be very complimentary, but when I have tried to combine them I've found that the cigar spoiled my enjoyment of my whisky. Only the most pronounced characteristics could be detected and thus all the charm and subtlety I love about enjoying whisky was lost... on me. I do love the smell of tobacco and used to enjoy visiting Royal Mile Whiskies and The Cigar Box in Edinburgh for the smells if nothing else. Burning the stuff is a different story, but to each their own.
Chieftain's is brand within Ian Macleod Distillers group and the Cigar Malt range has been through 4 previous editions. Early this year, with the smoking bans in Scotland well in place and the ban in England imminent, Ian Macleod Distillers invited whisky and cigar writers and retailers to Berwick, just south of the Scottish border, for the chance to smoke and taste their way through cask samples with the aim of selecting the best drops for release as Chieftains Cigar Malts in 2007. We will be tasting the trio over the next 3 days.
This is a 13-year-old limited release of 618 bottles and has been finished in ex-Chateau La Nerthe casks. Chateau La Nerthe is one of the oldest estates in Chateauneuf de Pape. It should be noted that I will NOT be tasting these with cigars. I might do so this weekend and will let you know if I have any further observations. Otherwise, I will leave the cigar-and-whisky commentary to the experts.
TASTING NOTES:
I often avoid describing colour, but in this case it is worth noting a new-copper tint, slightly pink. Very creamy, butter, jam, crumpets; trés Anglais. Butterscotch or toffee, soft-serve vanilla ice cream, and some corn. Water really sweetens this up and brings out more grassy-type of aromas. Hay, cinnamon and lemongrass.
Mmm, sweet and sour with a pleasant mouth-coating quality. Hot and exciting, under-ripe fruits, hard kiwis, green bananas. With water the creaminess in both texture and flavour becomes enhanced.
SUMMARY:
Big and sumptuous with sweet and sour extremes keeping an enjoyable, and balanced, flavour experience. With time, the nose get more and more sour (lactic sour, not crabapple sour) and I really enjoyed that. The taste remained fruity and chewy. The grip is extremely pleasing to my drinking experience, and I imagine it would be a positive feature for cigar-matching.
Malt Mission #195
Malt Mission #197
Malt Mission #198
Malt Mission #199
Malt Mission #200
Malt Mission HOME
