Bruichladdich First Growth Series Cuvee D, Chateaux Haut-Brion 16 Year Old Scotch Paired with Chuao's Framboise and Miel Bonbons and La Aurora Serie 107 Anniversario Cigar

Grape meets grain in six "Cuvee" expressions from Bruchladdich that are finally making their way to stores in the United States this autumn.  Released in 2008, this unique series features 16 year old small batch single malts finished in wine barriques, from "First Growth" or the highest ranking wine estates as categorized by their quality and reputation in the Bordeaux Wine Official Classification of 1855.  Only five Chateauxs received this coveted classification ordered by Napoleon III for the 1855 Paris exposition. This ranking system has survived in the wine world amid some controversy, even to this day.

One of these premier Chateauxs is Haut-Brion located in Pessac, Graves in France.  Historic documents indicate that vineyards were present on this site as early as 1426, but it wasn't until a century later that its stellar wine legacy took hold under the ownership of Jean de Pontac.  In 1935 a new era began as the Chateaux was acquired by New York financier Clarence Dillon, making it the only "First Growth" to be American owned.  It remains under the control of Dillon heirs, producing what have long been considered luxury wines in a class by themselves.  After reading much about the complex and rich quality of the Haut-Brion Bordeaux, we were anxious to sample Bruichladdich 16 year old First Growth Cuvee D, Chateaux Haut-Brion whisky.

We couldn't have been more delighted with this choice.  Cuvee D is matured in Bourbon casks with additional cask evolution in Chateaux Haut-Brion premium French oak barriques.  These casks previously held some mixture of Haut-Brion Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon wines along with Cabernet Franc, as these are the predominate red grapes grown on this estate.  The wine influence is immediate on the nose of this scotch.  It is big and fruity, somewhat like a bowl of wine soaked ripe berries with just a touch of almond extract.  Deep ripe fruit flavors also pervade the palate.  It is as if juicy raspberries have been mashed with overripe figs.  Honey bourbon notes emerge along with a certain maltiness and distinct oak notes that come and go.  The finish is luxurious with a bit of spice, tobacco and fresh mint lingering on the tongue.  Cuvee D is rich and elegant.  We found it wonderfully complex for such a lightly peated malt.  This dram left us eager to try others from Master Distiller Jim McEwan's inspired First Growth Cuvee series. (click on picture to purchase Cuvee D)

Cuvee D Chateaux Haut-Brion was a dream to match to Chuao confections, but our favorite pairings are the Framboise and Miel bonbons.  The raspberry pate de fruit of the Framboise introduced a wonderful new textural dimension to this pairing while the flavor is spot on for those who enjoy the fruity notes of the scotch.  Equally enjoyable is Miel's maltiness along with the gristy texture of its almond and hazelnut filling.  These nutty flavors make for a nice foil to the fruitness of this dram, allowing other flavor notes to more fully develop.  We'll let you make the choice. (click on pictures to purchase bonbons)

Such a rich and elegant dram demands counterparts of equal elegance and complexity. So much of the style of  the Haut-Brion Bordeaux comes through in the character of the whisky, and is defined as having "a certain discretion and even restraint... At every swirl, you discover new aromas, which build up into great complexity. The terroir is expressed in this wine through a unique signature with an empyreumatic bouquet (Havana cigars, chocolate, roasting, cedar wood and so on). The attack has the same restraint with precise exceedingly soft tannins..."   Thus our cigar selection must express similar restraint and complexity in order to do justice to this pairing. A heavy maduro or corojo wrapper would unnecessarily overpower the flavors of the whisky, and while a Connecticut broadleaf may be light on the attack, it may be too weak.

A fine balance was achieved by turning to La Aurora's line of cigars. Largely known for milder cigars in the past, La Aurora has lately produced very rich and complex medium strength cigars such as Cien Anos, the 1495 series and the Serie 107 Anniversario.  The latter is our choice for this pairing due to the flavor profile of the Sun Grown Ecuadorian wrapper and the 6 year old blend of Dominican and Nicaraguan binders and fillers. (Click on picture for more notes and to purchase.)

Elegance and restraint is the description that comes to mind when smoking the Serie 107. Instead of a hot pepper attack at the start, the cigar offers up cream and spice, but with a distinct mild white pepper accent. As the pepper fades, a sweetness develops that can be described as either syrupy, or honeyed molasses. This sweetness identifies with the bourbon malt, honey and oak notes in the Bruichladdich. Transition to earth and leather flavors with the molasses still apparent, and the depth of character and complexity of the cigar becomes obvious.

Volumes of creamy smoke appear with each draw, yet the smoke is lightly aromatic and smooth, never harsh. Interestingly in mid-burn a citrus or fruit note materializes, which serves to highlight the fruitiness of the malt and it's wine cask finish. Continuing on, the Serie 107 returns to its creamy origins, with a hint of pepper on the finish.  With an excellent draw and silky smooth smoke, this is an amazing cigar.

Plan to sip and smoke leisurely with this combination to get the most out of the complexity of flavors generated, and do it when you won't be distracted. You will miss much of what this pairing has to offer if you rush it, or don't pay attention.