“Tampa Bay’s Finest Cigars”
~ Serafin De Cuba Cigars
The Cigar
The highest quality and best value cigars can be easily found at 45 Dodecanese Blvd., in Tarpon Springs Florida. Here Arnold Serafin continues his family’s cigar rolling legacy, which started in Cuba during the 1800s. Arnold and his family are highly respected and well known in the industry. When asked which cigar to feature for Whiskey Network, Arnold wanted to put his best face forward, with his Serafin Reserva 2506, aka ‘The Cuban Missile’ cigar.
Arnold said he made the cigar to honor a friend who worked with his family for over 15 years. “Our Serafin Reserva 2506 cigars were made to honor our friend and longtime associate Jose “El Capitan” Gallinat as well as the heroic men who fought in Brigade 2506 during the Bay of Pigs Invasion in 1961.”
Arnold’s alternative location is 124 Commercial Way in Spring Hill, Florida.
There are so many tobacco growing regions represented in this blend, I’m hesitant to expect anything specific. However, that Mexican San Andres Maduro wrapper without doubt will give us some chocolate notes, while those Nicaraguan tobaccos should give us a smorgasbord of leathery sweetness, some spice, and everything nice!
The Whiskey
I am excited to try this new bold bourbon brand, Augusta Distillery, who are taking their approach to the market very seriously, they are not holding back! They are “Bourbon, uncompromised. That means no shortcuts, no mass production—just patience, precision, and passion poured into every barrel. We believe the finest bourbon comes from a single, perfectly aged barrel—never blended, never diluted, never compromised. Each barrel is unique, shaped by time, temperature, and the natural aging process, resulting in a bourbon with its own distinct character, depth, and complexity. This meticulous approach ensures that every pour offers an authentic, one-of-a-kind experience.” ~AugustaKYDistillery.Com
This incredible Buckner’s ten-year-old single barrel expression commemorates Revolutionary War hero, Philip Buckner (1747-1820), who settled in and gave rise to Kentucky’s historic Augusta Public Square. Augusta Distillery’s amazing female Master Distiller and Director of Operations, Alex E.L. Castle, said “Our commitment to excellence has earned us industry acclaim, including recognition as the Best Bourbon in the World at the 2023 San Francisco World Spirits Competition.”
Tasting Notes From: AugustaKYDistillery.Com
A haunting combination of antique wood, wet soil, and dry corn pulls forward from a honeyed vanilla palate. This introduction immediately suggests a rare complexity that can only be found in a true Kentucky bourbon with properly-aged maturity.
Exotic spice and caramel notes are directly complemented by hints of buttery cream and cured tea leaves.
I am very excited to see how this bold, award-winning cask strength bourbon pairs with this bold blend of honorary tobaccos, as both products commemorate war heroes from around the globe. How cool is that?
Serafin Reserva 2506
The Cuban Missile
Brand: Serafin De Cuba Cigars
Blended By: Arnold Serafin
Vitola: 7×52 Torpedo
Tripa (Filler): Estelí, Jalapa & Ometepe, Nicaragua
Capa (Wrapper): Mexican San Andres Maduro
Capote (Binder): Estelí, Jalapa & Ometepe, Nicaragua
Body: Medium Plus
Price: $15
Purchase Here
Visual/Pre-light Draw
This is a big, beautiful, and dark looking San Andres wrapped ‘Cuban Missile.’ It has a very thin layer of oil, but has bold looking veins and appears tightly packed. The vintage looking gold and black band carries the cigar’s brand name ‘Tobacos Serfin’ over Reserva 2506, which encircles a photo of Jose “El Capitan” Gallinat.
The side sniff also has a vintage odor of aged earthy hay, while the dry foot odor smells like fresh wood chips that were just hit with fresh rain. Very interesting!
There is no spice on the palate when prepping the cigar’s torpedo shaped head for a nice angled straight guillotine cut. This angled cut on torpedo shaped cigars allows for the best opportunity for flavor as the smoke hits the palate at different angles.
The dry draw is subtle in flavor with light but sweet hints of fresh hay.
First Third
This is a classy and vintage looking cigar, earning a very appropriate and proper slow, soft flame lighting. We get campfire-melted milk chocolate on the foot smoke odor, but then buttery white chocolate on the first puff. There are definitely some light notes of vanilla and leathery earthiness that follow. The draw is flawless as we get an unexpected explosion of bold, but smooth, notes of dusty library book leather on the retro-hale.
Vintage unlocked!
Cigar to the whiskey: We get the chocolatiest dose of deep, dark red cherry pits over subtle vanilla spice on the finish. Effing delicious!
Second Third
The whitest and absolute perfect ash remains strong as it enters the second third of this long range torpedo. The draw opens up perfectly, delivering high volumes of flavorful smoke to the palate. Sweet leather and oaky notes start to dominate the experience. If you enjoy smooth leather bomb cigars, this cigar is definitely for you. The draw and retro-hale has smoothed out, with obvious notes of vanilla over its incredible leatheriness. That lengthy ash finally falls off with dignity, time to re-introduce the whiskey.
Whiskey to the cigar: Sweet, tingly caramel notes are immediately doused with sweet leather, creating a thick buttery fresh-baked biscuit flavor that coats the entire palate. Incredible!
This lengthy and explosive ‘Cuban Missile,’ which is dedicated to the brave men of Cuban Brigade 2506, requires a lengthy live track. Here is one appropriately called “Memorial,” by one of my favorite instrumentally-focused bands; Explosions In The Sky:
Final Third
The vintage band slides right off, now back into this awesome memorial cigar. The burn slows while the open draw remains without flaw. Now we’re getting nice chocolate notes over the awesome leathery and creamy notes of the blend. The retro-hale is packed with the same chocolatey leather-infused notes, no spice whatsoever!
The cigar’s boldness remains medium and full of flavor, allowing the smoker to nub it and love it, which is exactly what I did.
Cigar smoked whiskey: Sweet notes of orange peel coat the palate with perfectly spiced creamsicle notes on the finish. Simply amazing!
Overall this is a flavorful and impactful pairing, one to sit back with, to memorialize and remember those who paved the way before us.
Please pray for world peace!
Acknowledgment & Live Pairing
Thank you Serafin De Cuba Cigars’ Fifth Generation owner, Arnold Serafin, and Augusta Distillery Master Distiller Alex E.L. Castle, for joining us Chooches on The Great Cigar & Pipe Show. We had a blast navigating these amazing products and honorable heroes.
Whiskey & Cigar Photography by: James Archie
