“If You Want A Taste Of Perfection, Try The A.T. Fields Selection.”
~ Antanius Fields
The Cigar
For Jacksonville’s Antanius Fields, aka ‘A.T.,’ tobacco is simply “in my DNA.” Aside from loving cigars for over 22 years, his grandmother worked for the King Edward Cigar Factory (famously known as the Swisher Cigar Company), stripping and preparing tobacco for production.
“Learning about the lineage of this part of my family history was a driving point for me to one day make a mark of my own in this beautiful industry,” Antanius said. “Over the past 20 years, I’ve smoked thousands of cigars from all over the world and I realized that my favorite region for cigar cultivation is the Dominican Republic. The level of history in this region matched with all the great families that have made premium tobacco such a staple in this country has allowed for several generations to create a process and finished product for the world to enjoy.”
Antanius’ goal with his Dominican cigar line is to “stay as true to the region as you could possibly be.” To accomplish this, Antanius has teamed up with the incredible Dr. Oscar Rodriguez, owner of GTO Cigars, and a fourth generation Dominican cigar maker. The high altitude of Dr. Rodriguez’s family farm in The Valley Del Cibao, allows for the best tobacco cultivation and, without a doubt, the best cigar blends coming out of the D.R.
This extra-aged Dominican Puro Maduro expression, meaning all of the tobacco in the blend is Dominican, also has a Maduro binder, making this delicious cigar a ‘double Maduro.’
Well played Antanius!
The Whiskey
Kentucky’s Castle & Key Distillery, just outside Frankfort, Kentucky, is one of my favorite and most scenic places to visit and enjoy a summertime dram.
“The property’s architecture draws heavily from E.H. Taylor Jr.’s travels through Europe in 1869. Many of the structures exhibiting flourishes drawn from Scotland, England, Ireland, Greece, and Italy. This is further demonstrated in the site possessing various walking and pleasure gardens. After 40 years of neglect, many of these gardens were nigh unrecognizable and required deliberate restoration. In 2015, Castle & Key began working with the famed fine gardener, Jon Carloftis, to restore the historic gardens to their iconic beauty. This allowed for the historic Sunken Garden to once again be the jewel of the facility. In addition, a stunning botanical trail was shaped by Jon Carloftis’ deft hands to offer visitors a place to stroll and enjoy nature.” ~ Castlesandkey.com
I’ve never been a ‘rye guy,’ as most present a level of spice out of tune with my palate. However this 17% yellow corn, 20% malted barley, and 63% rye fruit bomb Restoration Rye expression, aged three years and bottled at 53.25% ABV, definitely presents us with a multitude of excellent cigar pairing opportunities. It is distilled in a Vendome copper column and aged in vintage barrels, which are grouped in “pods,” producing varying flavor profiles from batch to batch.
Tasting Notes From: Castleandkey.com
Aroma: Baked apricot, Demerara wugar, eried dherry, ginger, honeysuckle, cinnamon, allspice, and pumpernickel.
Taste: Baked apricot, cane syrup, baking chocolate, fig, rye grass, candied orange, fresh rose, cinnamon, and clove.
Finish: Candied orange, round mouthfeel,warming medium lingering spice, structure with a fleeting bright floral finish.
Castle & Key Sales Coordinator Victoria Haley said “The names of our spirits reflect our journey with the property. This Restoration Rye is an ode to the restoration we’ve been doing to the property over the past ten years, reflected by the arms and hands used to rebuild the property, which are depicted on the bottle’s label.”
Maduro Toro
Brand: A.T. Fields Selection
Produced By: Dr. Oscar Rodriguez, Dominican Republic
Blended By: Antanius Fields, A.T. Fields Selection
Vitola: 6×54 Toro
Tripa (Filler): Dominican Maduro
Capa (Wrapper): Dominican Maduro
Capote (Binder): Ligero
Body: Medium Plus
Price: $12
Visual/Pre-light Draw
Very oily, toothy, and rigid dark coffee brown maduro wrapper. We have a classy purple and gold band displaying “Full Dominicana” over “A.T. Fields Selection EST. 2023.” There is also a nice purple foot band, purple of course signifying royalty. Bold notes of chocolaty hay on the side sniff. I get dark mint infused berries on the dry foot odor. Super cool. There is no spice on the palate when prepping the cigar’s head for my favorite Colibri V-cut. I get a nice dose of raspberries on the dry draw.
First Third
Sweet roasted dark chocolate on the foot smoke odor. Then a burst of roasted vanilla oats on the first puff. I’m definitely seeing a pattern of that oaky roasted campfire effect from Dominican cigars; this cigar is no exception. This cigar definitely “pumps up the volume,” as its smoke output immediately fills the room, with a very slow burn and perfect ash. Now getting roasted berries on the amazing foot smoke odor, and a nice chocolatey cake-battered spice on the retro-hale.
Cigar to whiskey: The cigar definitely makes this Restoration Rye sweeter, fruitier (stone fruits), and bolder. It reminds me of a classic candy cane, enjoyed at Christmas time.
How unique and unusually awesome.
Second Third
That crazy amazing ash is still holding as creamy roasted vanilla starts to dominate the blend. Then some subtle leatheriness creeps into the background. Very nice, and one of my favorite cigar notes! The cigar’s burn slows even more, while its level of light chocolatey creaminess on the retro-hale is heavenly.
Whiskey to cigar: Those spicy stone fruits of the rye melt away to notes of coconut-infused vanilla milkshake. I am speechless!
I am in awe of the cigar’s consistent high volume of smoke output and extremely slow burn. Its tempo pairs perfectly with Antanius Fields’ favorite jazzy Boney James track called “Body Language.”
Final Third
This perfect ash just doesn’t quit! It even fought the tap off. Now back into the cigar. The blend is getting sweeter with bolder notes of buttery leather. Yes! The retro-hale is perfectly spiced with those same awesome notes of sweet buttery leather that glide perfectly through the sinus. The band comes off effortlessly so we can continue this very chillaxing and lengthy leather bomb cigar smoking experience.
I nubbed it and loved it!
Cigar smoked whiskey: We get the sweetest and ripest dose of peppermint-infused stone fruits one can imagine. I love it.
Overall, this relaxing and jazzy cigar pairing experience will make anyone feel like they have the key to the castle, a castle filled with extraordinary flavor!
Acknowledgment & Live Pairing
Thank you A.T. Fields Selection owner, Antanius Fields, The Lovely Ash Red from Texas’ Leaf n’ Grain Society, and Castle & Key’s awesome Sales Coordinator, Victoria Hayes, for helping us Chooches, unlock this amazing pairing for all to enjoy, on The Great Cigar & Pipe Show:
Whiskey & Cigar Photography by: James Archie
