Everyone knows that cigars and Port are classic companions, and I must admit that for a long time this has been my favorite combination… perhaps until now.
On a recent trip to Cadiz, I arranged an outing to the nearby city of Jerez to sample the region’s best Sherry wine (something I highly recommend). I just can’t go someplace and not sample the local niceties. At any rate, I was blown away by Gonzalez Byass’s NOE, a 30 year old sherry wine made entirely of Pedro Ximenes grapes.
The wine has many similarities to a good Port; it is sweet, smooth and silky. Yet this sherry’s thirty year maturation in oak has given it properties that are perfect for pairing with a cigar. On the nose there are powerful notes of plums, figs and spices. On the palate, the wine has similar notes of figs and spices wrapped up in an exquisite finish of coffee, chocolate, and vanilla.
Believe me when I say that I’ve paired this one up with all my favorite cigars and it has yet to disappoint. I for one have added it to my list fine cigar companions.
patty
December 19, 2006 at 11:33 am
I brought a bottle home from my last trip abroad. We love this sherry but cannot find it here. Any suggestions on where to look?
baden
December 24, 2006 at 1:09 am
Hi Patty
I love this sherry too, and my local vintage cellars (darlinghurst) stocks it there for $51 for a 375 ml bottle. In fact i just bought a bottle for Xmas day and they had maybe 4 bottles left
Hope this helps
rob millbank
January 12, 2007 at 11:18 am
superb sherry.i found in madrid airport.cannot find it in the uk.
Mike Goodall
January 24, 2007 at 9:25 pm
I bought a 30 year old bottle in Harrods in London just before Xmas 06 – LESS THAN 40 US $. every year they have a handful of quality sherries ( a yearly pilgrimage!!)- its worth emailing them
charles
February 3, 2007 at 12:16 am
if one lives in the us try sherry lehman in new york city. sherrylehman.com
Mick
October 5, 2007 at 3:47 pm
Found this wonderful sherry in Lincoln, a small wine shop. They have a good selection of wines.
paula
October 20, 2007 at 12:58 pm
can you please tell me where to find this sherry any addresses in middlans will be good thanks please contact via e-mail to cat.woman.24@hotmail.com
catty04
October 22, 2009 at 11:24 am
Cambridge wine merchants have some for the bargain price of £16.50 a bottle. They have a website or shops in Cambridge (UK) or Edinburgh
Adrian Cresswell
November 18, 2009 at 10:26 am
Forget cigars … pour the sherry over some good vanilla ice cream and think of Traditional Chrismas Pudding while you eat it … :D
By the way if you have trouble sourcing it find any international drink shippers and they will do it for you or look for people who ship things like food and wine in the UK version of eBay. Most will do it. I do a similar thing to get HERRS salt and Vinegar chips from the USA to the UK.