“A True Cigar Experience”
~ Carolina Blue Cigars
The Cigar
North Carolina’s state motto and coat of arms reads “Esse quam videri,” which translates to “To be rather than to seem.” Carolina Blue Cigars’ owner, Christopher Moore lives up to this motto, even though he’s from Queens, New York. Chris’ goal is to provide a complex smoking experience, with multiple flavor transitions throughout his cigars, versus being a simple ‘front loader:’ flavor up front – take-your-money-and-run type of cigar brand.
Chris served for over 30 years in the U.S. Army. His integrity and dedication to service is unwavering, reflected in his awesome cigars and growing Carolina Blue Cigars brand:
“At Carolina Blue Cigars we produce premium cigars that embody transition, complexity, and consistency. Founded in April 2016 in the Dominican Republic, after months of testing various tobacco blends and receiving overwhelming positive customer feedback regarding the unique flavor profiles and meticulous hand rolled construction; the Carolina Blue Cigar brand was born. Our goal is to create an amazing cigar experience for all levels of cigar enthusiasts, while maintaining exemplary customer service. Pride, care, and attention to detail goes into each cigar we make. Our company’s foundation is deeply rooted in the legacy of our families’ legacy within the tobacco farming community of N. Harlowe, NC.” ~ carolinabluecigars.com
This Carolina Blue Maduro is a Dominican Puro, meaning all of the tobaccos in the blend are from the Dominican Republic. So I expect some chocolateess from its naturally fermented Maduro wrapper, and some campfire oakiness from its Dominican fillers and binder.
The Whiskey
Named after Dropkick Murphys’ rebellious “Rose Tattoo” track, High N’ Wicked provides yet another incredible Irish whiskey. This unique Irish expression is triple distilled in copper pot stills, at Ireland’s Royal Oak distillery, using 100% malted barley sourced entirely from County Carlow.It is non-chill filtered, and presented to us at a cask strength of 59.9% ABV.
It is aged in ex-bourbon barrels before being uniquely finished for eight months in French oak casks, which were previously used for three rotations of Amarone wine. Amarone is a low-acid wine from Verona, Italy. Specifically, the Amarone in these casks is from Familia Pasqua, a prestigious Italian vineyard that has been operating since 1925.
Tasting Notes From: HighNWicked.Com
Aroma: Caramelized pear, apple pie filling, brown sugar, candied cherry, with hints of thyme and lavender.
Taste: Cocoa, honey butter, black tea, and sweet cherried apricot jam on the perfectly spiced finish.
This is definitely my jam, a very bold, sweet, and creamy Irish dram!
The non-age stated result is both potent and incredible, presenting us with rich red fruits and incredibly smooth tannins.
Whisky A Go Girl owner, Jenna Elie (@whiskyagogirl on Instagram), says the whiskey is “exceptional,” and loves all the amazing expressions coming out of Ireland these days.
Maduro Toro
Brand: Carolina Blue Cigars
Produced By: Tabaclera El Puente (known as the Cigar Bakery), in the Villa Gonzalez Region of the Dominican Republic
Blended By: Chirstopher Moore, Carolina Blue Cigars
Vitola: 6×54 Toro
Tripa (Filler): Aged Dominican
Capa (Wrapper): Maduro (naturally fermented)
Capote (Binder): Aged Dominican
Body: Medium plus
Price: $14
Purchase Here
Visual/Pre-light Draw
This is a bold, oily, and tough looking Maduro with its medium brown and extremely toothy wrapper. We have a pigtail and some interesting dark spots on the wrapper that signal some awesome pockets of flavor throughout the cigar. We have a classy black, gold, and baby blue main band, displaying the Carolina Blue logo (C superimposed over the B), under a baby blue crown.
The cigar’s secondary gold and black band identifies the cigar’s “Maduro” wrapper. There are creamy notes of fresh hay on the side sniff, and creamy notes of Nesquik chocolate milk on the dry foot odor.
There was no spice on the palate when prepping the head of the cigar, for a nice Colibri V-cut. There are bold chocolaty notes of oats on the dry draw. Lets see what all the Carolina Blue buzz is all about:
First Third
Immediate doses of roasted coffee notes on the foot smoke odor, then a burst of vanilla cream-coated pistachios on the first puff. Incredible flavor, and we even get that perfect salty draw that keeps the palate salivating and wanting more. Then some sweet and creamy light leatheriness introduces itself. It’s subtle, but very delicious! Now another transition to hazelnut, love it! The retro-hale is packed with notes of baseball mitt leather and vanilla wafers, with the perfect kiss of spice on the finish. We have a very slow burn and perfect ash.
Now I’m thirsty!
Cigar to whiskey: We get extremely sweet bursts of chocolate-infused candied apricots followed up with a beautifully mellowing and lingering spice that holds the sweet flavors of this pairing direction on the palate.
-Second Third
That perfect ash is making me nervous and it fights every circular tap-off around the ashtray. The construction on this cigar is incredible, it was definitely built to last. The hazelnut coffee notes come to the forefront and start to dominate the blend, with some subtle wood notes on the finish. There is no longer any spice on the amazing retro-hale, which is jam packed with that creamy and bold note of baseball mitt leather. Those nutty and lingering pistachio notes return, and I love it!
Damn I’m thirsty again!
Whiskey to cigar: Those sweet orangey and spicy apricot notes are mellowed by a layer of the cigar’s creamy milk chocolate. Both flavors marry and linger on the palate, with a beautiful dose of leather on the finish. This direction of pairing is definitely my jam!
The pairing ‘treats you sweet’ like the girl in “Carolina Blues” by South of Grand:
Final Third
The cigar becomes a full-on glass of Nesquik chocolate milk, with awesome leatheriness on the finish. The burn remains flawless, even in the Windy City! The main band slid right off toward the head of the cigar, no damage, now back into the cigar. The burn slows even more, allowing the smoker to fully enjoy and appreciate the chocolatey wood notes that dominate the final third of this incredible Maduro. Sit back, relax, and analyze your entire life as you indulge in the Carolina Blue experience.
Cigar smoked whiskey: This direction of the pairing is in your face, another explosion of sweet smoked apricots with chocolatey leather on the lingering spicy finish.
Overall this is a bold, extremely sweet and creamy pairing, dominated by candied apricots, chocolate, leather, spice, and everything real nice. The boldness levels of the cigar and whiskey marry perfectly.
A perfect summer pairing, be sure to find it and “love her right!”
Acknowledgment & Live Pairing
Thank you Carolina Blue Cigars Owner, Christopher Moore, High N’ Wicked Illinois Brand Ambassador, Joe McEwen, and Whiskey A Go Girl, Jenna Elie, for tattooing this amazing pairing experience, permanently on The Great Cigar & Pipe Show. The Chooches were honored to chat with such a star-studded panel of industry professionals.
Whiskey & Cigar Photography by: James Archie
