“Don’t Be Basic – Be Ironclad!”
~ Ironclad Cigar Company
In Memory Of Rob Atkins
The Cigar
There’s a new Sheriff in town! Texas-based Cigar Dudes Podcaster and active LEO (Law Enforcement Officer), Randy Wheeler, is the owner of Ironclad Cigar Company, the recent rebrand of The Black Pearl Cigar Company. Randy is strategic, utilizing his Tobacco Products Association connections and ‘Badass M-effer,’ Ismael “Ish” Olivan, Owner of BAMF Cigars, to help blend his ‘multi-cultural’ Banda cigar. I say multi-cultural because this cigar features tobacco from eight different tobacco-growing regions worldwide. Mindblowing!
Randy is also a history buff, I like this fellow LEO even more! The cigar is named after the historic Banda Sea trade route, which connected the Indian and Pacific Oceans for the exchange of high valued spices, goods, and cultures for centuries. Its Cuban-like “Cubra Habano” wrapper leaf is grown from Cuban seed, but cultivated in Brazil’s Reconcavo Bajano region. Its Nicaraguan binder should provide some sweet leathery spice, while the six remaining undisclosed countries, represented in its fillers, are tantalizing!
The Whiskey
In honor of the Banda Sea trade route, let’s venture out…to the Pacific, and learn ‘how California does whiskey.’
“Ten years ago Rodney “Rod” Cegelski, a California surfer, met Hamish “Hammer” Marshall, an Aussie Jackaroo, spurring a friendship rooted in an appreciation of quality spirits and the central coast. The two founded Rod & Hammer’s SLO Stills to share their passion with friends and family. In the heart of California’s central coast, we craft epic whiskey and good times. Whether you’re looking to get barreled, or hitting the trail, you can enjoy a taste of the Golden State in every sip. Each of our handcrafted spirits are cut with purified Pacific Ocean water to capture the soul and essence of the waters that united us. California meets Australia.” ~ Rodandhammer.com
Rod & Hammer present us with a very interesting ‘Cask Reserve No. 5’ 100-proof bourbon finished in California wine barrels. This sweetened 60% corn, 35% rye, and 4% barley bourbon mash is aged for two years in new American white oak, then finished for eight months in Syrah wine barrels from the Edna Valley’s Kynsi Winery.
Tasting Notes From: Rodandhammer.com
Nose: Berry, char
Taste: Blackberry jam, toasted oak
Finish: Smooth, warm proof
“We finished our Straight Bourbon Whiskey in award-winning Kynsi Syrah barrels to impart subtle notes of blackberry jam and toasted oak for a smooth and unique bourbon. Enjoy straight up or on ice rock.”
This uniquely finished bourbon should give us some very interesting flavors when paired with this mysterious Banda cigar. My palate already detects unique sweet notes of pink lemonade or pink Jolly Rancher candy over creamy caramel on the finish. I honestly do not know what to expect on the pairing, but am very optimistic we’ll unlock some ‘unusual awesomeness’ with these extraordinary products.
I am ‘stoked’…’LESGO!’
Banda
Brand: Ironclad Cigar Company
Produced By: Rodriguez Olivan Cigars Factory, Dominican Republic
Blended By: Ismael “Ish” Olivan & Randy Wheeler
Vitola: 6×52 Toro
Tripa (Filler): Six Multi-Country (Undisclosed)
Capa (Wrapper): Cubra, Brazilian Habano
Capote (Binder): Nicaraguan
Body: Medium Plus
Price: $14
Purchase Here
Visual/Pre-light Draw
Halleluja, we have a beautiful looking Cubra! Just look at those strong beefy veins on this amazing medium brown wrapper leaf. It’s very oily and an obviously well constructed cigar. Its main neon yellow and black band carries the brand name and sword logo while its secondary gold and black band carries the cigar’s name ‘Banda.’
Stay tuned for the new rebranded black silver and red bands, coming soon!
On the side sniff I get a big ol’ dose of bold fresh hay over a hint of cocoa. The dry foot odor is chocolatey and minty enough to clear your sinus. After a nice Colibri V-cut, I get dark cocoa notes over subtle hints of fresh hay.
First Third
Lighting into this Iron Clad cigar I get notes of sweet fresh-baked gingerbread cookies on the high-volume foot smoke odor. Smells absolutely delicious! I get vanilla cupcake frosting on the first few puffs, followed up with a gradual transition to light notes of leather. These vanilla and leather notes become bolder on the retro-hale, with a perfect little kiss of spice on the finish. I can tell the cigar is just warming up, buckle up, because I know we’re going for a ride! Now we’re transitioning to some creamy nuttiness over oakiness, which now dominates the retro-hale, with little to no spice.
Cigar to whiskey: OMG this is nice! This literally tastes like biting into a Little Debbie Vanilla Christmas Tree Cake. I am in awe. Merry effing Christmas!
Second Third
The cigar notes are getting creamier and really blending together for something special. Those leather notes become bolder, sweeter, and start to dominate here, especially on the retro-hale. Then comes some fresh and creamy gingerbread cookie notes that coat the entire palate, and sinus. Love it!
Whiskey to cigar: Those fresh fruity red wine and creamy caramel notes of the whiskey are doused with heavy ginger notes, some char, and big bold vanilla on the creamy finish. ‘Unusual awesomeness’ unlocked!
I hope this cigar pairing never ends, because I just want to “Stay Here and Drink” by Merle Haggard, one of Randy’s personal favorites:
Final Third
The band comes off, now back into this incredible cigar. I am in awe of all the transitions in this multi-country blend of tobaccos. Ish and Randy, job well done! Genius! The draw really opens up, allowing all of the blend’s amazing flavors to hit the palate perfectly. We get some sweet char that overlays and accents those leathery ginger notes. Things are starting to ramp up here, yet the creamier retro settles all the same. But how?
Cigar smoked whiskey: Bam! Marzipan! If you know you know! This is a sweet almond flavored nut paste note I only get with high quality cigars. My absolute favorite note, accented by this sweet rose water bourbon and char of the cigar. Yes!!!
Overall this is the perfect dessert pairing for the holidays, but can be enjoyed any season, especially with those sweet and creamy notes that dominate the experience.
Cheers!
Acknowledgment & Live Pairing
Thank you Ironclad Cigar Company owner, Randy Wheeler, Rodney “Rod” Cegelski, Hamish “Hammer” Marshall, and Whiskey Network Cocktail Club Staff Writer Vicki Higginson, for making this all possible. Also, big thanks to The Great Cigar & Pipe Show Chooches, Ronnie Pecorini, ‘Retired’ Bob Pecorini, ‘Cousin’ Frank Minutillo, and Kyle ‘Lancero’ Jesso, for the continued support with these hilariously chaotic but informative live pairings.
Whiskey & Cigar Photography by: James Archie
