MiamiCubano
El Martillo (My Boxing Name)
After a rather lengthy hiatus, I'm back and, as I've said already, it's good to be back. So, as promised, here's the review of last nights' festivities. We spent the day getting somewhat skunked doing some deep sea fishing off Key Largo, only to get some better luck when we hoisted out the rods, grabbed our spearguns and dove in. After that, we headed back to shore, then enjoy the remainder of the Columbus Day Regatta festivities here in Miami. With that background...
The Scotch -
Ardbeg Provenance. 1974 vintage, bottled 1998, making it a ripe 24 years of age. ABV, 55.6% - cask strength. I scored a deal on this bottle, but it can be found Stateside anywhere from $400 to $600 a bottle. However, this is a limited bottling (done, supposedly, to commemorate the purchase of the company by Glenmorangie) and quantities aren't increasing.
To begin, this is an Islay scotch so that is going to give you an idea of what to expect. The nose, right off the bat, is strong with peat and smoke. I mean peat and I mean smoke. It's a powerhouse and, like Pavlov's dog, my mouth begins to water in anticipation. I also get a whiff of cocoa and the wonderful sea-air that most Islay scotches tend to share (think Bowmore, think Laphroaig, think Lagavulin to name a few others).
Now, pouring FOUR fingers of this beauty into my glass. Beautiful color. If I could routinely view gold in its liquid form, I would imagine it to look like this. This is the color that sent Ponce De Leon, Vasco De Gama, Magellan, Vespucci, Columbus, and others sailing across oceans, risking scurvy and all manner of disease and death, hostile civilizations, unchartered waters, lands, etc. This is gorgeous.
The taste. Good God the taste. Malty at first, quickly giving way to a symphony, yes symphony, I said it, of peat, oak, sea air, leather, cocoa, smoke and fruit. It's absolutely rich, creamy, smooth and hugely FULL. I am at a loss for words to find something to compare this to, and, even if I could find the words, I don't think I could truly do it justice. In short, this one of the best scotches I've tasted and I couldn't quite get enough of it. I regret only getting one bottle, I truly do. But I only had one bottle available to get, so, those are the breaks. If you can get it, don't even waste a second, just get it. You can thank me later.
The Smokes -
The smokes this evening were many to be honest, but all had one main theme which will become apparent. It began with a contraband Partagas Serie D. No. 2 Edicion Limitada, which truly needs no introduction. It then moved on to an equally contraband San Cristobal De La Habana - La Punta, another outstanding cigar that I had been aging in my humidor for a couple of years. The last cigar was a homeland Sancho Panza - Bellicoso Cabinet. I had one more contraband Vegas Robaina - Unico lined up that didn't get smoked, but, that's what this evening is for.
So, all in all, a fantastic evening filled with great drink, great smokes and wonderful friends. Hope you guys enjoyed the review.
The Scotch -
Ardbeg Provenance. 1974 vintage, bottled 1998, making it a ripe 24 years of age. ABV, 55.6% - cask strength. I scored a deal on this bottle, but it can be found Stateside anywhere from $400 to $600 a bottle. However, this is a limited bottling (done, supposedly, to commemorate the purchase of the company by Glenmorangie) and quantities aren't increasing.
To begin, this is an Islay scotch so that is going to give you an idea of what to expect. The nose, right off the bat, is strong with peat and smoke. I mean peat and I mean smoke. It's a powerhouse and, like Pavlov's dog, my mouth begins to water in anticipation. I also get a whiff of cocoa and the wonderful sea-air that most Islay scotches tend to share (think Bowmore, think Laphroaig, think Lagavulin to name a few others).
Now, pouring FOUR fingers of this beauty into my glass.
Beautiful color. If I could routinely view gold in its liquid form, I would imagine it to look like this. This is the color that sent Ponce De Leon, Vasco De Gama, Magellan, Vespucci, Columbus, and others sailing across oceans, risking scurvy and all manner of disease and death, hostile civilizations, unchartered waters, lands, etc. This is gorgeous.The taste. Good God the taste. Malty at first, quickly giving way to a symphony, yes symphony, I said it, of peat, oak, sea air, leather, cocoa, smoke and fruit. It's absolutely rich, creamy, smooth and hugely FULL. I am at a loss for words to find something to compare this to, and, even if I could find the words, I don't think I could truly do it justice. In short, this one of the best scotches I've tasted and I couldn't quite get enough of it. I regret only getting one bottle, I truly do. But I only had one bottle available to get, so, those are the breaks.
If you can get it, don't even waste a second, just get it. You can thank me later.The Smokes -
The smokes this evening were many to be honest, but all had one main theme which will become apparent. It began with a contraband Partagas Serie D. No. 2 Edicion Limitada, which truly needs no introduction. It then moved on to an equally contraband San Cristobal De La Habana - La Punta, another outstanding cigar that I had been aging in my humidor for a couple of years. The last cigar was a homeland
Sancho Panza - Bellicoso Cabinet. I had one more contraband Vegas Robaina - Unico lined up that didn't get smoked, but, that's what this evening is for. So, all in all, a fantastic evening filled with great drink, great smokes and wonderful friends. Hope you guys enjoyed the review.
