“Viva la Revolution!”
“Good cigars and good booze” was an apt introduction to the Baranows Emporium Cigar and Spirit Event held during BarShow Week. About 30 bar and liquor industry guests gathered on the intimate balcony of Cuban Restaurant and Bar, La Bodeguita Del Medio for a special event that showcased some of the premium collection of Baranows Emporium.
Lighting up
With the click of lighters and puffs of smoke filling the night air, Ben Baranow of Baranows Emporium introduced a special Cuban cigar, a 15 year old Juan Lopez Selección no. 2. Ageing cigars cuts out all the roughness in the taste and brings to the fore the best in the tobacco, making it very smooth.
Juan Lopez Selección no. 2 Cuban cigar
The cigar has a rustic appearance with a dark brown wrapper showing some veins and no band. There are mild wood notes and once it is fully alight, I find it has a nice draw. This is not my first Cuban cigar, but it has been some years since I have indulged.
Guests on the balcony of La Bodeguita del Medio
The Juan Lopez starts out a little strong and full-bodied then mellows a little as it gets towards the middle. It has a predominant sweet chocolate flavour and coffee. Some detect hints of zested orange and wood. It is incredibly smooth and has a complex bouquet. While most cigars change in flavour throughout, this one is known to remain consistent which make it ideal to compare with the spirits on taste.
Ben Baranow of Baranows Emporium introducing the first tasting
Cigar and whisky
Cigars are all about flavour and not the smoke. If inhaled like a cigarette, a lot of the flavour will be lost. For maximum taste, it is best to take small puffs, leave it in the mouth for a little while, just as one does with wine, then blow out the smoke.
Glenburgie 18 Year Old
The first spirit on taste is Glenburgie 18 year old, originally from a distillery established in 1810 as Kilnflat in Scotland. It was shut in 1870 and later reopened in 1878 as Glenburgie. Owned now by Pernod Ricard, the whisky is bottled by Single Malts of Scotland.
Glenburgie 18 Year Old
Aged in a single sherry cask for 18 years, this whisky is bottled at cask strength and has 62% alcohol. Unusually light for an 18 year old, it is a slightly sweeter style of whisky but one that goes well with the chocolate notes of the cigar.
Mortlach 16 Year Old
The Mortlach 16 year old is a single malt from the Mortlach distillery in Dufton near Glenfiddich. Made in three different sized pot stills and spirits stills, it is aged for 16 years in sherry oak. This is a whisky that is also used in Johnny Walker Black.
Mortlach 16 year old
Highly sherried with candied fruit, Christmas pudding notes and a hint of smoke, the whisky is a little earthy and very smooth with a long finish,making it the best whisky match for the cigar.
L: Embutidos (cured meats) – R: Croquetas de malanga (taro croquettes with aji de gallina sauce)
A couple of delectable dishes from La Bodeguita’s kitchen are served, embutidos (cured meats with arrollado and pickles) and croquetas de malanga (taro croquettes with aji de gallina) which go well with the enjoyment of the Mortlach.
Diplomático Reserva Exclusiva Rum
Known as the flagship brand of Baranows, Diplomático Reserva Exclusiva Rum from Venezuela is blended from 80% pot still rums then aged for 12 years in small American oak casks.
Diplomático Reserva Exclusiva Rum
First tasted at the Sydney Whisky Fair, it has dried fruits and caramel notes and is thick and viscous in mouth. The sweetness and luxuriant finish makes it the best match with the chocolate flavour of the cigar.
Mojito with Diplomático Reserva Blanco Rum
La Bodeguita del Medio is known as “the home of the Mojito”, and Bar Manager, James Carlin, explains the history of the drink and how it is made as close to the original recipe as possible. A special version is on taste tonight, made using Diplomático Reserve Blanco Rum, another rum that was on taste at the Sydney Whisky Fair.
James Carlin, Bar Manager of La Bodeguita del Medio
This rum is aged for up to six years with a combination of light and heavy rums distilled in copper pot stills before it is filtered and treated with charcoal to remove its colour. This creates an oily spirit that is smooth with banana notes and orange zest which gives this Mojito a more luxurious taste.
Elements of Islay Pe3
Known as one of the most sought after whiskies in the world, Pe3 (Port Ellen) was closed in 1982, and in the mid-90s, an annual release of Port Ellen was made. The stills have since been dismantled and it is used as a malting facility by Diageo who use it to supply most of their distilleries and in their blends for King George V, Johnny Walker Blue and Johnny Walker Black .
Elements of Islay Pe3
Bottled at cask strength (54.8% abv), it opens up with water and has grassy notes, very little smoke making it the only peaty spirit on taste. A stunning single malt with a long finish but it competes a little with the flavours of the cigar.
Diplomático Ambassador Rum
The final spirit on taste is indeed a special moment. Not yet launched worldwide until October, guests are treated to the inaugural tasting in Australia. The Diplomático Ambassador takes the Diplomático Reserva Exclusiva to another level. A blend of 100% copper pot still rum distillates, it is aged for 12 years with a further two years in Pedro Ximénez sherry casks.
Bottled at 47%, this is a luxuriant rum with evident Pedro Ximénez notes, one to sip slowly and enjoy in the best of company, making it a grand finale to the tasting event.
Ben Baranow with Diplomático Ambassador
More photographs of the Cigar and Spirit Event below.
Guests on the intimate balcony
Presentation and tastings in progress
Cigars, Mojitos and tweets
Cigars and Mojitos
Guests with Cian Stafford (right) of The Loft and Iconic Spirits
Mark Kingston of TheLoft (R) and Tim Glasson of Palazzo Versace with Diplomático Ambassador
La Bodeguita del Medio
The Baranows Emporium Cigar and Spirit event was held on Tuesday 13 September 2011 at La Bodeguita del Medio during BarShow Week.
Baranows Emporium
www.baranowsemporium.com
La Bodeguita del Medio
www.www.lbdm.com.au
Photography by @MrGourmantic
Gourmantic attended the event as media guests.
Great review of the evening MT @Gourmantic: “Good cigars and good booze” was an apt intro to the Baranows Emporium …
This comment was originally posted on Twitter.
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[…] review of Baranows Emporium Cigar and Spirit Event at La Bodeguita Del Medio is now […]
[…] La Bodeguita del Medio recreates the feel of old Havana with its old world décor, Latin vibe, fun ambience and music that takes you there. The impressive bar is a great place to meet friends or hang out if you can secure a seat or a table. You can work your way through the cocktail list as you chat to the bartenders who are attentive and interested. The selection of rums available is worthy of more visits. There is a small balcony where you can also smoke Cuban cigars. […]
Ooo, I love those top two pics. 🙂 They look marvelously Old World. I haven’t had cigars since I left Washington, but hopefully I can have a good one to celebrate my arrival in Australia. 🙂
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