A Rare Pairing

It’s fun going out into the wild, the crisp morning air to take down large game.

Oh who the hell am I kidding, I’m riding around in the hills from liquor store to liquor store hunting for allocated and unicorn bourbons. However, there’s a good chance I have a roadie in a camo koozie!

These past few months have been good to the Fat Man! Procured 5 in the wild, 2 were sent to me from my boy and 1 given to me. Even the cigar shop got something unusual or rare if you would.

Murph had told me about this bottle. It was years before a TV series, movie or Godless Hipsters made bourbon relevant in the world.

I would grab multiple bottles and had a nice stash. And then it happened…it became allocated, one per day.

When your regular sipping whiskey becomes popular and unable to find, you become frustrated and even drown your sorrow with a glass of this brown juice to ease the suffering.

As much as it hurts my soul to do a Deck Therapy Bottle Crack, it’s my duty to do so to provide you with some helpful information while savoring this brown water goodness.

Eagle Rare

Now most will argue that Buffalo Trace is a better product that Eagle Rare and I admit Trace is good but not as good as ER. For the price point, I’d rather have a 10 year aged bourbon compared to a 4 year aged. That being said, it’s time for some Bottle Crackin’ Szn!

As I swirl, the aromatics are very inviting; hints of coca, brown sugar, cinnamon permeate the glass.

The mouth feel is soft on the first sip, shows notes of toasted oak with a touch of honey. The mid-palate has a large presence of oak which is from the 10 year aging process. The finish shows a bit of spice with a hint of white pepper.

This is a must for your shelf and happy hunting for this elusive bottle.

Keeping with the Rare theme, I chose a limited release cigar to pair with my adult beverage:

Arturo Fuente Rare Pink Signature.

The Rare Pink Series was created to raise awareness for breast cancer. A portion of each box sale is donated to the American Cancer Society – Making Strides Against Breast Cancer.

Great draw fresh hay and earthiness with notes of cocoa and a hint of sweetness. Creamy & smooth on the mid palate with a touch of spice. Available in 6 sizes, I chose the Signature for today.

The full lineup of sizes:

Short Story: 4 X 42/49

Queen of Hearts: 4.125 X 60

Work of Art: 4.875 X 46/60

Happy Ending: 5.5 X 53

Signature: 6 X 53

Sophisticated Hooker: Figurado

This maybe one of my new favorite pairings for deck therapy and if given the opportunity, you must stock your shelf and humidor with these Rare picks.

Until next time Kids, Remember:

Life’s Too Short to Drink Bad Booze and Smoke Bad Cigars!

Cheers Y’all!

Give the Fat Man a follow on Instagram if you will: @crazynvirginia

Deck Therapy Sessions

I’m getting ahead of myself, I’ll give you the highlights of 2020 next time. One of the good things that happened; I started working at a local vineyard. It’s only part time but it’s fun and I’m back in the wine industry. 

Here’s a review of two local wines and what cigars paired well with them. And 2021 starts Deck Therapy Session with the Fat Man. 

D.T.S. 1

Zweigelt North Mountain Vineyard & Winery

An Austrian hybrid grape, which is crossed between a St. Laurent & Blaufänkiach grown in the Shenandoah Valley at North Mountain Vineyard & Winery. North Mountain, known for their Chambourcin, Chardonnay and Grunier Vetliner, are the first to grow Zweigelt in the state of Virginia. Along with their red single varietal, they also use the Zweigelt to produce a dry Rosé.

Deep, bold ruby/garnet in color, with medium to low acids. Dark stone fruit with hints of leather and a bit of earthy undertones on the nose. 

Soft mouth feel, bright, balanced, concentrated fruit with a slight touch of Jam and a hint of white pepper on the finish. 

It would pair well with pasta, pizza, and a good steak. 

This wine shouldn’t be reserved for the colder months – it should be enjoyed year round. 

Definitely a cigar wine! And speaking of that. As much as I prefer a Maduro or a Connecticut broadleaf wrapper stogie, I found the perfect stick to compliment this vino:

Hoyo de Monterrey Icon

Shape: Robusto
Origin: Dominican Republic 
Wrapper: Corojo
Filler: Dominican 
Binder: Dominican 

Medium bodied, cedar notes, acidity is subtle and a bit creamy. Draw near perfect with soft leather and mild spices. The burn time is about 35 minutes, perfect for your mid-afternoon deck therapy session. Added bonus, a one light stick. Shortie likes that!

D.T.S. 2

2017 Vin Rouge Glen Manor Vineyards 

Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot & Petit Verdot

Deep dark burgundy in color, medium acids. 
Earthy, leather & cigar smoke on the nose. 
Black cherry and currants with soft tannins on the finish. 
A true afternoon sipper for deck therapy.

It would pair well with a burger and pasta. 

I choose the Caldwell Blind Man’s Bluff to enjoy with this Bordeaux Blend. 

Shape: Robusto
Origin: Dominican Republic 
Wrapper: Maduro, Pennsylvania Broadleaf 
Filler: Dominican 
Binder: Sumatra

Smooth is the key word here. Soft mouth feel with earthy notes that linger. The draw is near perfect with little spice and low acids. This was a 2 light cigar which isn’t a bad thing. Both Cigar and wine were low in acids and complemented each other. 

This would be a great cigar for a newcomer to the stogie world. I would also pair this stick with the Willet Pot Still Reserve, Kentucky Bourbon. The mildness of the cigar and the baking spices of this brown water goodness are a perfect combination. 

Both deck therapy sessions were a success and much more to come in 2021. 

I’ll try to get some friends to join me for these sessions throughout the year. 

Y’all be safe ya hear, keep those masks on, social distance when you can and wash those damn hands. 

Slainté Mhath Kids!