New Riff Bourbon

Kentucky Straight Bourbon Bottled in Bond Without Chill Filtration

65% Corn, 30% Rye, 5% Malted Barley

100 Proof

At least 4 years old

Nose: Cinnamon, brown sugar, orchard fruit, vanilla, oak, rye spice

Palate: Rye spice, caramel sweetness, a touch of vanilla.

Finish: Medium to long, with heavy rye spice, leather, oak and a lingering sugary sweetness.

Samurai by AJ Fernandez

Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano

Binder: Criollo

Filler: A blend of Criollo and Piloto Cubano long fillers

Pre-Light Draw: cinnamon and nutmeg

Performance: Great draw and burns well. Nice smoke output. 

1st 1/3: Earth, sweet tobacco, cinnamon and pepper on the end

2nd 1/3: Starting to get some leather now along with everything else. Little bit of creaminess as well on the front.

Final 1/3: Earthiness and leather has intensified. Still getting the pepper but it has actually gone way to the back. 

Pairing

Nose after light: The rye spice is out front now with cinnamon close behind. The brown sugar note is more like burnt sugar now and the orchard fruit seems to have been stewed. 

Palate after light: Caramel greets my palate first with a nice fruity note that wasn’t really on the palate by itself. Also when I take a sip shortly after a draw I am getting a very nice chocolate taste. 

Final Thoughts

This was another fantastic pairing. AJ Fernandez just keeps putting out banger, after banger, after banger, and I am here for it. The two complimented each other in such a wonderful way. I am going to run to the store and buy some more of these cigars to put in my humidor. Overall, it was a great way to spend my Saturday evening. 

Review by Matthew @vitola_and_proof