E.H. Taylor Straight Rye & Davidoff Golden Band Award Limited Edition

I do like a good Rye from time to time. And since this bottle is from one of my favorite brands, I figured why not start Spring off with a pour of some E. H. Taylor Straight Rye!

Obtained a few years ago, I’ve nursed this bottle at an alarming slow pace. I knew trying to procure a replacement would be almost impossible but…I had some good fortune recently.

Someone failed to pick their lottery winnings at my local store and I happened to be in the right place at the right time! I’ll call this a late birthday gift to myself!

E. H. Taylor Straight Rye

Distilled by Buffalo Trace and made completely different than their Sazerac Rye. This is a simple mashbill of Rye and Malted Barley with no corn.

A gorgeous boutique of Honey and dried fruits on nose. As it fills the palate, flavors of rich Carmel and cinnamon are dominant. Black pepper and baking spices round out the finish.

This is a beautiful bottle that every whiskey lover should have on their shelf. Since this bottle is somewhat of a unicorn, I’m pairing it with a hard to find cigar.

Davidoff Golden Band Awards

Wrapper: Dominican Yamasa

Binder: Dominican

Filler: Dominican

The Golden Band Awards are given to merchants who exudes Davidoff’s highest standard of Excellence. Each merchant is given exclusive access to these cigars for one year.

From the first draw, you get notes of earthiness that soon transform with leather and petrichor. Flavors of cedar and hints of spice are well represented throughout the duration of this smoke. The finish gives us just a hint of sweetness that makes you wish this cigar would last for an eternity.

This may be the best pairing to date for Deck Therapy!

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

Whistle & Adobe

It’s late October here in Virginia and we are enjoying unseasonably warm temps. Could be the last time for shorts, flashy Hawaiian shirts and sandals. Still working on the tan as I write.

Starting the week with a leftover from Whiskey Weekend and a rebrand cigar.

Whistle Pig Homestock

This was made I place of the Farmstock due to the shutdown in 2020 due to Covid-19. The distillery sent out thousands of tasting/blending kits to selected customers. Through at virtual event, they sampled, blended and then selected what would become Homestock.

Sweet, Vanilla and hints of smoke on the nose. Smooth flavors of citrus and baking spices. This is a great pour and wish I had a full bottle.

I paired that Rye with a Nica Rustica Adobe by Drew Estate.

Wrapper: Ecuador (Habano)

Binder: Brazilian

Filler: Nicaraguan

Size: Robusto

Soft leather notes with a smooth, nutty draw. Burn time about 45 minutes.

A perfect combination for a perfect day!

Old Man Winter is around the corner, gonna take full advantage when I can

Cheers Y’all!

Rain with a chance of Rye

My last day off has me yo-yoing from inside to out.

Random showers have me watching Netflix and then running outside for deck therapy. With a longer break between showers of rain, I decided to crack open one last bottle.

Sazerac Rye, aged 6 years bottled at 90 Proof. Mash bill comprised of: 51% Rye, 39% Corn, 10% Malt.

Smooth from start to finish. Sweet notes of honey and a touch of spice.

I’m pairing it with a stick that’s been in my humidor for a few months.

Davidoff 702 Series No. 2

Binder: Dominican

Filler: Dominican

Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano

Size: Panatela

Light smooth with earthy notes and a touch of citrus. A perfect cigar from beginning to end.

Until next time…Cheers Y’all!

Bottle Crackin Season Part 2

Extra days off allows for another bottle to be opened. This was acquired on my trip to Akron recently.

New Riff Single Barrel Rye

95% Rye

5% Malted Rye

Aged 4 years, comes in at 103.8 Proof. Soft Carmel and sweet flavors of baking spices. A true full bodied whiskey.

I decided to pair this with the Devil’s Hand Dark Corojo by Esteban Carreras.

Binder: Nicaraguan

Filler: Nicaraguan

Wrapper: Corojo Nicaraguan

Size: Toro

Earthy, leathery notes, creamy with a smooth finish. This would actually pair well with a heavily Oaked Chardonnay and Barrel Proofed Bourbons.

Overall both items are awesome and I’m just gonna sit back relax and enjoy!

Cheers Y’all!