On the second Huge Smoke Meets WhiskyFest, attendees had the prospect to pair cigars with the No. 1 Whisky of 2021, Lagavulin 11 yr outdated Offerman Version: Guinness Cask End.
This previous Memorial Day Weekend, Cigar Aficionado’s Huge Smoke partnered with WhiskyFest for an occasion that mixed superlative cigars and nice whiskies on the Seminole Onerous Rock Resort & On line casino in Hollywood, Florida.
The day began with a sequence of cigar-focused seminars, highlighting audio system like Rocky Patel of Rocky Patel Premium Cigars, Rafael Nodal of Tabacalera USA (behind the Montecristo cigar model, amongst others), Pete Johnson of Tatuaje, and extra. A whisky and cigar pairing closed out the morning, as Jorge Padrón of Padrón Cigars was joined by Cigar Aficionado government editor David Savona for a style of Padrón 1964 Anniversary Collection Torpedo—Cigar Aficionado’s 2021 Cigar of the Yr—and Lagavulin 11 yr outdated Offerman Version: Guinness Cask End, Whisky Advocate’s 2021 Whisky of the Yr.
Following a day break, the occasion resumed within the night within the resort’s sprawling ballroom. There, a whole bunch of whiskies have been poured, accompanied by a collection of cigars from some 27 makers. A VIP hour opened the night time’s grand tasting occasion, the place whiskies like Bardstown Bourbon Co.’s Founders KBS collaboration, Calumet Farm’s 15 yr outdated and 16 yr outdated bourbons, Parker’s Heritage Assortment Wheat, and Glendalough Mizunara 7 yr outdated Irish single malt have been on provide.
Father-and-son duo Daryl and Jerrell attended Huge Smoke Meets WhiskyFest for the primary time; whereas each love whisky, Jerrell can be a burgeoning cigar lover. “The Widow Jane Fortunate 13 yr outdated bourbon was wonderful, and we’re wanting ahead to making an attempt all the pieces,” stated Jerrell. For his half, Daryl was wanting ahead to tasting the various scotch whiskies readily available, amongst them Benriach Authentic Twelve, Tamdhu 15 yr outdated, Talisker Storm, Glen Moray Elgin Basic, and Mortlach 20 yr outdated.
A whole lot of whiskies have been poured all through the course of the night.
Matt Lenser, who was attending his fourth WhiskyFest, was likewise eager on the scotches, significantly the Mortlach 20 and 16 yr olds. Previous to tasting, he had developed a plan for his palate. “I like what number of uncommon or costly whiskies there are right here, and I loved attending to strive them, significantly the nice, sherried scotch,” he stated. “My technique was to drink whisky first, then smoke later.”
Over on the Tabacalera cigar sales space, head of product functionality Rafael Nodal was excited to be again on the ground as soon as extra, and supplied up a pairing suggestion of his personal. “This Growing older Room Maduro cigar is particular, because it has tobacco from all 4 areas of Nicaragua,” he defined. “I’d pair it with a bourbon; tobacco very well-aged wants a bourbon that’s very complicated, with quite a lot of taste.” Loads of aged bourbons have been obtainable on the ground, together with Blade and Bow 22 yr outdated, Widow Jane Decadence, and Heaven Hill 7 yr outdated bottled in bond.
Whereas there have been loads of big-name whiskies all through the ballroom, craft distillers have been additionally properly represented on the night’s festivities. From Ohio, Center West Spirits poured 5 whiskeys from its portfolio, together with a slew of restricted releases; Chicago’s FEW Spirits was additionally there, as have been Virginia Distillery Co., Indiana’s Onerous Fact Distilling, and Texas-based Belfour Spirits. The latter is newer to WhiskyFest, and grasp distiller Dayn Belfour was thrilled on the probability to share his whiskeys with the gang on the distillery’s first WhiskyFest. “Everybody could be very inquisitive about who we’re, and who my household is,” he stated. “They’re loving how dessert-like, velvety, and simple to drink the whiskey is. These are all model new whiskeys, and as soon as folks strive them, they’re consuming them proper up.” Belfour was pouring its Pecan Completed bourbon, in addition to a Small Batch bourbon and a rye.
WhiskyFest will resume within the fall, when it returns to San Francisco and New York, and likewise provides Las Vegas as a brand new venue. Tickets can be found right here.
