The Pairing Oliva Serie V Belicoso/Old Ballantruan 10 yr Old
Cigar And Spirit Pairings
Description
The Cigar
The Oliva Serie V Belicoso is a full-bodied Nicaraguan cigar made using carefully selected Jalapa Valley Ligero tobaccos beneath a sun-grown wrapper. Rich but well balanced, it delivers plenty of coffee and dark chocolate alongside earthy tobacco, leather and peppery spice. There is a subtle sweetness underneath that richness, while the Belicoso shape helps concentrate the flavours as the cigar develops.
The Whisky
Old Ballantruan 10 Year Old is something of an unusual Speyside. Produced using heavily peated malt and bottled at a robust 50% ABV, it combines plenty of peat smoke with the sweeter character underneath. The palate brings smoky peat and warming spice alongside creamy malt and a gentle sweetness, before becoming increasingly smoky towards the finish.
The Pairing
The Oliva Serie V has more than enough character to stand up to the strength and peat of the Old Ballantruan without being overwhelmed. Its coffee, dark chocolate, earth and spice sit naturally alongside the whisky’s smoke, while the sweeter, creamier malt underneath stops the combination becoming too dry or heavy. A big, smoky pairing with plenty of depth, but enough sweetness and balance to keep both the whisky and cigar showing through.
At a Glance
£88.95
