Cigars and Whiskey Weekly

 Devil's River Agave Review Origin: San Antonio Texas, USA (The Burns Building: 401 E Houston St, San Antonio, TX 78205) Type: Bourbon (Flavored) Proof: 80 (40% ABV) Age: minimum 5 years Mash Bill: 75% corn, 13% rye and 12% malted barley Color: Amber MSRP: $24      Somewhere between a traditional bourbon and a reposado tequila, the Devils River Agave Bourbon is a highly unique find. Unlike many other flavored bourbons, the Agave boasts a standard 80 proof and uses natural non concentrated flavors. Although the actual distillation process of the Agave is unavailable to the general public, I personally believe that the distillers at Devils River Distillery make an overproof of their standard Devils River Bourbon and then water it down with natural blue agave nectar. Real Time Review:     The Devils River Agave Bourbon is a light amber color, with a nose of honey, blue agave and almonds. On the palate the bourbon is rich and thick, not quite syrupy but still q...

   Aficionado Knowledge: Country of Origin: Nicaragua Company: Tabacalera Perdomo Release Date: 07/29/2022 Production: Regular Wrapper: Ecuadorian Connecticut Binder: Nicaragua (Cuban-Seed) Filler: Nicaragua (Cuban-Seed) MSRP: $9.99-12.99 Real time review:     The unlit foot of the cigar smells sweetly of molasses and fresh wheat. The body of the cigar is tan in color with tight uniform veins in the wrapper. The initial draw after the foot is properly toasted is strange. It is considerably deeper and more bitter than the unlit profile would suggest. A mild tannic bitterness reminiscent of toasted walnuts and almonds overpowers a slightly sugar cane note as one draws from the cigar. The flavor is quite uniform throughout the draw. Perdomo claims this cigar has a rich spiciness with a powerful oak note followed by a finish of cream and cedar. I find that the tannic wood note presents closer to walnuts than to oak. As the flavor settles on the palate...

 Wild Turkey 101 Review Origin: USA, Kentucky (Wild Turkey Hill) Type: Bourbon Proof: 101 (50.5% ABV) Age: minimum 5 years Mash Bill: 75% corn, 13% rye and 12% malted barley Color: Auburn MSRP: $25      When talking about budget bourbons, there is bound to be talk about the infamous 101 by Wild Turkey. This bourbon is a cornerstone for bourbon and whiskey enthusiasts. If you are a beginner in the bourbon space, you can never go wrong telling a fellow enthusiast that 101 is your go to drink. Far too strong for the casual and faint of heart, when you mention you pour 101 regularly, the whiskey snobs and sommeliers both know you've been around the proverbial whiskey block. 101 Wild Turkey is arguably the more classic bourbon by Wild Turkey Distilling Co. The 101 Wild Turkey uses the same mash bill as the standard proof but ages the bourbon for 6 to 8 years before its bottled and poured. I find in my own experience that the higher ABV of 101 both deepens and incorporates...

 Wild Turkey Bourbon Review Origin: USA, Kentucky (Wild Turkey Hill) Type: Bourbon Proof: 81 (40.5% ABV) Age: minimum 5 years Mash Bill: 75% corn, 13% rye and 12% malted barley Color: Auburn MSRP: $18      Wild Turkey is a big name in the budget world of bourbons. Although it is known by enthusiasts for its great bourbon at a budget price, the general public seems to think of Wild Turkey as a budget bourbon only good for getting wasted. There is a hard to ignore stigma that Wild Turkey is the drink of potbellied alcoholic uncles and frat boys who don't know the difference between WhistlePig and Jim Beam, and while all of that is true, there is a reason why alcoholic Uncle's across the US reach for this bottle, time and time again. Real Review:     The standard 81 proof Wild Turkey has an auburn color and a light sweet corn nose with a hint of oak tannins. On the palate the 81 proof Wild Turkey is quite underwhelming. It has a very middle of the road pr...

  Aficionado Knowledge: Country of Origin: Honduras Company: Rocky Patel Release Date: --/--/2004 Production: Regular Wrapper: Corojo Binder: Nicaraguan Filler: Nicaragua, Honduras MSRP: $6.99-9.99 A prior caveat:      The Edge series created by Rocky Patel was marketed as a budget smoke for experienced aficionados. Rocky Patel promised the original line up of Edge cigars to be bold, and impactful with a full-bodied flavor at a cost-effective price point. Due to the secretive nature of their section process, the Edge series (which now also includes a line of Connecticuts) is a divisive point of contention for many smokers. Advocates of the Edge Series claim that the smoke is well worth the buy regardless of how the components of the cigar are chosen, while the opposition claims that Rocky Patel simply selects the tobacco that does not meet their general standard, wraps up the cast aways in an aged wrapper, and markets their detritus to their masses as "affordabl...

  Aficionado Knowledge: Country of Origin: Honduras Company: the General Cigar Company Release Date: 7/--/2017 Production: Regular Wrapper: Ecuadorian Connecticut Binder: Indonesian Filler: Nicaraguan Esteli, Nicaraguan Jalapa, Mexican San Andrean MSRP: $6.99-9.99 A prior caveat:      The Macanudo Inspirado White is my "go to smoke". After a long day in the office, nothing beats sitting down and with this cigar and a double of 101 Wild Turkey. This is the epitome of a solid Connecticut. This cigar has a great balance of sweetness, pepper and bite for a great price point. I find that the mellow to medium body makes this cigar enjoyable with bourbon or coffee and is a great addition to any down time. For the price and the flavor, this cigar is quite hard to beat.       Real time review:     The unlit cigar smells sweetly of cedar, sage and wood. The body is a caramel brown color with visible veins and tight seams. The initial draw is a bal...