The New Pleasure Trend: Cigars and Cigar Distillates
There's no question that a glass of good wine has long been considered a harmonious complement to an exquisite meal. In just the same way, cigars have been appreciated by gourmets as suitable partners to cognac, whiskey, rum, brandy, or port. Still relatively new, but popular with the aficionado, are cigar distillates - and even more recently more and more fans are being won over by special coffee distillates. At the World Spirits Award & Festival 2006 in Klagenfurt, the best cigar distillates were selected and then tested for their "abilities to harmonize" with six completely different cigars at the "Cigar Meets Cigar Brandy" event.
The terms "cigar brandy" and/or "cigar distillate" were created by Wolfram Ortner in the mid-nineties, in order to help aficionados in their choice of special distillates. However, what is the actual difference between a cigar distillate and a "normal" brandy? This prestigious title for an accompaniment to fine cigars is not deserved by all the distillates that claim to use the name – as seems to be the case – only because they boast a high alcohol content and have been matured in barrels. More is required.
First, it involves the selection of the right fruit varieties and basic ingredients. The choice of cigar distillates ranges from the fragrant orange blossom muscatel, classic plum, or cuvée from old apple varieties full of character, to grain brandy or bock beer brandy, a proof of how varied these fashionable distillates can be while still fulfilling all the connoisseurs' expectations: maturity, density, complexity, and character.
The special charm of these fine brandy specialties lies in the harmony between fruit and wood, as well as the fine sweetness resulting from distillation without the addition of sugar. They enhance the aroma of tobacco or coffee from 100% Arabica beans. This harmony develops above all through the aging in barriques, the 225-liter oak barrels, until the secondary aromas develop fully.
The resulting special distillates are captivating in their elegance and uniqueness. While the cigar distillates are approximately 48% vol., the preference is for coffee distillates at approximately 42% vol., making them also a fine complement to lighter cigars.
The stars on the catwalk of fine taste
The extensive "Cigar Meets Cigar Brandy" tasting – held in Wolfram Ortner’s distillery in Bad Kleinkirchheim, Austria – was attended by aficionados, distillers, restaurant owners and friends of good taste in order to discover "which of the award-winning distillates harmonizes especially well with a Cigar dö Wob, a La Meridiana Double Corona or a robusto of the Partagás D Series?" In a second round, the distillates were complemented with three cigars (Goya No 1, Partagás 8-9-8 and Pléiades Jupiter Belicoso).
The procedure: With each of the six cigars the participants tasted nine cigar distillates - the eight brandies with the World Spirits Award plus Wolfram Ortner’s Wob Cigar Cult brandy. The ratings in the blind tasting were collected and the result is as interesting as it is informative.
The jury:
· Ruedi Käser, Stefan Bodmer (Swiss brandy distillers)
· Peter Angel and wife, with Wolfram Ortner (Austrian distillers)
· Wolfgang Eder, Harald Lüftner, Heinz Hinteregger (Cigar Club BKK)
· Manfred Contzen, Thomas Reppchen and wife (aficionados from Germany)
· Karin Oder, Robert Leubolt and Andrew Fischerauer (aficionados from Austria)
1st Crossover
Wob Cigar Cult - Apple Brandy Barrique Cuvée
Wolfram Ortner Distillery, A-9546 Bad Kleinkirchheim, Austria
1995, 48% vol.
Origin: Austria
World-Spirits Award: not entered (organizer's brandy)
Taste/Aroma: A harmonious blend of smoky-spicy fragrances with a distinct caramel-vanilla tone, ripe aromatic fruitiness and concentrated, lingering strength on the palate. Much potential. The limited edition of 450 bottles promises exclusivity.
Goya No. 1
Size: Corona, 19/1.8 cm
Country of Origin: Canary Islands
Filler: Cuba
Binder: Cuba
Wrapper: Cuba seed from Ecuador
Interplay
The Goya is a medium-strength cigar with a nutty, slightly medicinal-herbal, even somewhat leathery aroma. The draw must be continuously maintained, making it an ideal partner for the Wob Cigar Cult brandy by Wolfram Ortner. The sweet essence of the apple barrique distillate balances the relative strength of the Goya and guarantees a wonderful taste experience.
2nd Crossover
Fruit Brandy
Wurm & Wurm, Franz Wurm, A-4490 St. Florian, Austria
2000, 45% vol.
Wurm & Wurm, Franz Wurm, A-4490 St. Florian, Austria
2000, 45% vol.
Origin: Austria
World-Spirits Award: 92 points - Gold
Taste/Aroma: Characterized by sweet wood; balanced in its fruitiness and spiciness; soft smooth strength; harmonious.
Taste/Aroma: Characterized by sweet wood; balanced in its fruitiness and spiciness; soft smooth strength; harmonious.
La Meridiana
Size: Double corona, 17.5/1.8 cm
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Binder: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Cameroon
Interplay
The La Meridiana is a very well-rolled cigar with fresh, intensely earthy-leathery, medicinal-herbal aromas. A subtle sweet spiciness develops in the very good, cool draw; towards the end it becomes increasingly harmonious with its "solid" strength. Franz Wurm's brandy, with its pleasant sweetness of wood, provides a distillate that can stand up to the strength of the cigar, such that the spicy aromas of both products complement each other and merge harmoniously - especially in the last third of the cigar!
3rd Crossover
Plum Wood Reserve
Franz Tinnauer Fruit Distillery, A-8462 Gamlitz, Austria
2000, 49% vol.
2000, 49% vol.
Origin: Austria
World-Spirits Award: 90 points - Gold
Taste/Aroma: Though continuously present, the wood aroma is never obtrusive, and integrates well with that of the fruit stone; fruity sweetness and aromatic tartness on the palate; well-structured.
Pléiades Jupiter Belicoso
Size: Belicoso, 17.6/1.9 cm
Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
Filler: Dominican Republic
Binder: Dominican Republic
Wrapper: Connecticut
Interplay
The Belicoso with its rather lightweight structure is challenged by an enormous struggle to maintain a taste balance with the tremendous strength of this plum brandy from the wooden barrel. The discreetly tart and sharp, slightly peppery aromas of the cigar are "submerged" by the density of the plum brandy, which clearly dominates.
4th Crossover
Schilcher Brandy Wood L-3603 Wood
Distillery Waltraud Jöbstl, A-8551 Wies, Austria
1995, 55% vol.
1995, 55% vol.
Origin: Austria
World-Spirits Award: 83 - Silver
Taste/Aroma: The characteristics of marc are present from the bouquet to the ending – naturally restrained in sweetness and somewhat bitter, flat and sharp, one of the causes being the high alcohol content.
Partagás 8-9-9
Size: Corona, 16.7/1.5 cm
Country of Origin: Cuba
100% Cuban
Interplay
"Strength demands strength"- the Partagás corona is firmly rolled and consequently also has a rather strong draw. In taste, it features bitter chocolate, with leathery touches, a texture marked by tannic acid which increases in the second third of the cigar. Waltraud Jöbstl's Schilcher Brandy, carrying some touches of marc and yeast, becomes an exceptional taste experience through this interplay with the cigar's sweetness – remarkable in this case where the cigar brings the sweetness for the harmony!
5th Crossover
McIntosh Apple in Wood
Distillery Waltraud Jöbstl, A-8551 Wies, Austria
2003, 45% vol.
2003, 45% vol.
Origin: Austria
World-Spirits Award: 93.30 points - Gold
Taste/Aroma: Much intensity in its fragrance with a characteristic fruitiness and aroma; harmonious wood quality; soft, clean overall taste; delicate tartness and a light sharpness at the end.
Cigar dö Wob
Size: Robusto, 12.7/1.9 cm
Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
Filler: Dominican Republic
Binder: Dominican Republic
Wrapper: Cameroon
Wrapper: Cameroon
Interplay
The Cigar dö Wob is very well rolled. In its very good draw it develops roasty-spicy, robust and rougher, intense aromas. The hearty, dense taste plays with spiciness and sharpness. The medium-strength cigar full of character loses its sturdy coarseness to a large extent during smoking and gains in smooth spicy sweetness and volume. A somewhat different taste is featured here, nevertheless very harmonious and expressive. Jöbstl's McIntosh is almost addictive with its apple fragrance - "cigar and distillate", a beguiling experience of pleasure through the combination of the spicy and sweet taste tones of these "partners".
The Cigar dö Wob is very well rolled. In its very good draw it develops roasty-spicy, robust and rougher, intense aromas. The hearty, dense taste plays with spiciness and sharpness. The medium-strength cigar full of character loses its sturdy coarseness to a large extent during smoking and gains in smooth spicy sweetness and volume. A somewhat different taste is featured here, nevertheless very harmonious and expressive. Jöbstl's McIntosh is almost addictive with its apple fragrance - "cigar and distillate", a beguiling experience of pleasure through the combination of the spicy and sweet taste tones of these "partners".
6th Crossover
Bock Beer
Achensee Edelbrennerei, Franz Kostenzer, A-6212 Maurach, Austria
2002, 45% vol.
Achensee Edelbrennerei, Franz Kostenzer, A-6212 Maurach, Austria
2002, 45% vol.
Origin: Austria
World-Spirits Award: 94 points - Gold
Taste/Aroma: Very complex: spicy-malty, bitter-sweetish charm and perfectly positioned wood tones consistently draw a continuous line from the fragrant start into the long resonance; full-bodied, soft-smooth and still powerful.
Partagás Series D 4
Size: Robusto, 12.4/2.0
Country of Origin: Cuban
100% Cuban
Interplay
The Partagás D robusto is an especially harmonious, medium-strength cigar which captivates through its perfect draw and workmanship, as well as its sweet-spicy tones of wood. The waxy-oily aromas combined in the tobacco are reminiscent of honeycomb and a little bitumen. Kostenzer's bock beer brandy blends the bittersweet touches of chocolate with the also somewhat bitter sweetness of the cigar distillate into a true "wedding of pleasure".
The Crossover - brought to the point
· The stronger the cigar, the stronger and/or sweeter the cigar distillate can be.
· The distillate is not always responsible for the harmony - the "sweetness" and/or the components of the harmony of delights can also come from the cigar.
· And something else: Nothing is set in stone - the proof of the pudding is in the eating. Otherwise there is the risk of succumbing to mere "puffing" ...
The ranking of the best cigar brandies – winners of medals and the World Spirits Award
96.70 - D-Gold - Cigar Wine/Grapes, Yeast Wood L-3803
SCHILCHER – BRANDIEs, Juices – sparkling wine, Jöbstl family, Wies, Austria
SCHILCHER – BRANDIEs, Juices – sparkling wine, Jöbstl family, Wies, Austria
94.00 - Gold - Cigar Grain, Bock Beer L-1/022002
Achensee´r Edelbrennerei, Franz Kostenzer, Maurach, Austria
93.30 - Gold – Cigar Pomaceous Fruit, McIntosh Apple in Wood
SCHILCHER – BRANDIEs, Juices – sparkling wine, Jöbstl family, Wies, Austria
92.00 - Gold - Cigar Wine/Grapes, Wine Brandy L-12
WURM & WURM, St. Florian, Austria
91.00 - Gold - Cigar Grain, Cigar Special 2003
Grain distillery THEO SASSE, Schöppingen, Germany
90.00 - Gold - Cigar Stone Fruit, Plum Wood Reserve
Fruit distillery Franz Tinnauer, Gamlitz, Austria
89.30 - Silver - Cigar Stone Fruit, Plum 2002
KÄSERS SCHLOSS, Elfingen, Switzerland
83.00 - Silver - Cigar Wine/Grapes, Brandy Wood L-3603
SCHILCHER – BRANDIEs, Juices – sparkling wine, Jöbstl family, Wies, Austria
The best brandies at a glance
The World Spirits Guide is an indispensable reference for anyone interested in spirits, brandy collectors and purchasers. All of the brandies and spirits distinguished by the World Spirits Award, "Spirit of the Year" title, or the World Spirits medal were rated and described by an international jury. More than 40 distilleries were classified and awarded the title of "Distillery of the Year", the best in each category being "World Class Distilleries".
The focus of this edition is on classic fruit brandies, flanked by grappa, gin, rum, vodka, and whisky, complemented by fashionable spirits that go perfectly with cigars or coffee - in a thrilling harmony of taste.
The print edition of the World Spirits Guide 2006 (ISBN 3-9501817-4-1) is available directly at www.world-spirits.com, at the price of EUR 14.90. A practical 120-page reference paperback, partly illustrated in color.
The online guide is available at www.world-spirits-guide.com for an annual subscription of EUR 22 - it is constantly being updated and extended.
