Cigar Pairing: Tatuaje Miami - Gran Cojonu

This is an excellent smoke! Tatiaje Miami's Gran Cojonu on its own is something to behold from the start with a sweet floral smell that segues into creme brulee with the first draw. How does it stand up to New Dawn's whiskeys?

The notes of pepper and a faint floral perfume on the first draw made me think this would be a perfect pairing for the 10-year Wheated but then the flavor deepened and I wasn't so sure. As flavors of wheat bread, citrus, hazelnut, and rose began to creep in with just a hint of pepper, I started to think maybe the 6-year bourbon would hold up better.

But when I took my first sip of the 10-year, I knew it was the one. The 6-year just couldn't hold up with the flavors matching instead of complimenting or elevating. But with the 10-year, you just get increasing complexity and depth. The 10-year really sings with this cigar combining its chocolate and apricot notes with the floral sweetness making me think of my favorite chocolate with candied violets. This super flavorful cigar even paired beautifully with the Honeyed Rosed Garden where the sweetness of both the cigar and the cocktail were heightened while highlighting the rich tobacco notes of the cigar. Even the finish on this cigar complimented the 10-year brining out more of its citrus flavors against the cigar's greener tobacco notes.

10/10 would definitely smoke again... probably this upcoming Mother's Day!