Vitola: Mandible/Mastodon- 4.5” x 60 ring gauge, box pressed
- ~$9
- Purchased at Burns Tobacconist
- 12 ounce can, $9.99/6-pack
- Purchased at Richland Wine & Spirits
Background
Recently I had a chance to revisit the RoMa Craft Aquitaine line and found it much more to my liking than in earlier years. Probably it’s just my tastes changing…but that doesn’t change the fact that I have really taken to the blend. In my previous job at Burns Tobacconist, I was able to broker a deal between RoMa Craft and my bosses to get the brand back into the shop…the Downtown shop this time. Part of the deal was a steady stream of the latest limited editions that the company was doing, including the subject of today’s pairing: the Aquitaine Mastodon.
Mastodon is a box-pressed version of the regular release Aquitaine size, Mandible, basically a Short Gordo, with a 60 ring gauge, but just 4.5 inches in length. It uses the normal Aquitaine blend of Nicaraguan filler, Cameroon binder, and an Ecuadorian Habano Ligero wrapper.
I decided to pair it today with a beer that is somewhat of an anachronism: New Holland’s Dragon’s Milk White. If you’ve read this blog regularly, you know I’m a stout fan, but I believe this is the first time I’ve tried to pair up a “white stout” with a cigar. Note, it’s not the first time I’ve had a white stout, but the first time I’ve written about it. Dragon’s Milk White is a “bourbon-barrel aged white stout” that is a lighter drinking experience with a golden hue. It weighs in a 6% ABV and has 35 IBU. New Holland makes it year-round and ships it in 6-packs of 12 ounce cans.
Notes
When you see something described as a “stout” it’s very unusual to see something pour into a glass about the color of a typical IPA. It did have a creamier head than most IPAs and the aroma from it was malty, floral, and just slightly hoppy. Taking a sip, I got a definite maltiness that was closer to a cream stout flavor than anything else this light, with a texture that was creamy and slightly thick. Blindfolded, I might actually mistake this for a “real” stout.” There was a little oak and vanilla in the mix, as well, from the barrel-aging.
The Aquitaine Mastodon had a fantastic draw from the very beginning, even though it was far from the straightest cut I’ve applied to a cigar. There were notes of earth, cedar, and sweet hay, along with a touch of milk chocolate. Once lit, cedar ruled the day, with earth and sweetness coming in behind.
Dragon’s Milk White brought a good amount of sweetness to the party, while the Mastodon kept up its end with earth and wood. I honestly had my doubts as to whether or not this would work, but it was pretty nice. The beer is much better poured in a glass than trying to enjoy it straight out of the can.
