The Dalwhinnie single highland malt is an absolute classic. This fifteen-year-old scotch strikes as gentle and timid from the beautiful light golden hue to the sweet nose. You should not be fooled, though. On the palate, the whisky is bold and firm, while managing to maintain a semi-sweet character.

On the nose it is light, delicate and enticing with fruity notes of ripe raspberries and strawberries. Underlying aromas of herbs, straw and mint come to mind as well. I took my time here. I couldn’t get past the delicate hue and the elegant nose. I took it all in.

On the palate, I must admit to being surprised by the fuller bodied character. It makes an instant statement with a certain mouth drying effect while remaining a classic semi-sweet highland malt; a certain delicious bitterness sprang forward as well and balanced the sweetness perfectly. Notes of honey are clearly present as are the notes of coarse mustard, anis and smoke. It is the anise and the smoke that comprise the medium finish.

I confess to falling under its spell and recommend it highly. It’s become a permanent addition to my cellar.

Perhaps after reading this follow-up to Tidbits of Cigar History (Part I), you’ll be left with one lingering question: Who in the world goes around reading Columbus’ travel journal? Well, I guess we all have our idiosyncrasies, but I assure you that were it not for my interest in cigars, I would have never known that it even existed. I’ve come to think of it as his personal “blog”, and, as such, I suppose I was interested in his “posts” concerning his encounter with tobacco.

As far as the European discovery of the plant, it makes sense that since tobacco was widely smoked and carried around by natives throughout the entire continent, the Spanish would have encountered it on the first island they hit on their voyage. Sure enough, a quick search through Columbus’ travel journal confirms that the first sight of tobacco was on October 13th, 1492, after his arrival on the island of Guanahani; soon renamed San Salvador by the Spanish sailors, who had been “saved” by the island from their growing despair.

Regarding his first encounter with the leaf, Columbus writes: “[the man] was carrying a little of their bread, as big as one’s fist, a calabash of water and a piece of red earth made into dust… and some dry leaves, which must be a thing much valued among them, since at San Salvador they brought them to me as a present.” It turns out that he remained on the island until the 28th of October. On that day he set sail for Cuba, after being told of the existence of a larger island by the natives of San Salvador.

It was, in fact, while on the island of Cuba, on November 3rd, 1492, that the Spanish saw the use of a cigar to smoke the “valued” leaves. On that day’s entry Columbus writes of men and women who “carried live coals, so as to draw into their mouths the smoke of burning herbs”. Another traveler later wrote that “they lighted one end of the little stick thus formed, and sucked in or absorbed the smoke by the other, with which” he continues, “they put their flesh to sleep, and it nearly intoxicates them, and thus they say that they feel no fatigue. These muskets, as we should call them, they call tobaccos.”

Of course, there are many other directions in which one might continue a cigar history lesson, from Queen Isabela and the Spanish court, to Jean Nicot, to Sir Walter Reilly and the advent of English grown tobacco, and so on… but as for me, I’m perfectly happy with the little facts.

Arturo Fuente cigars are not the best selling cigars in the US for no reason. All you have to do is pick one up and you can almost feel the dedication that has gone into the making of a great stick… and there’s just something about lighting up a cigar that is as beautiful as it is tasty.

I picked up the Chateau Fuente and I don’t have to tell you how eager I was to finally unrobe it. My previous experience with Fuente cigars told me to expect a beauty and it sure was. The cigar is truly flawless; a quality that I have long desired to see in my favorite cubans. A perfect cap, a solid fill and an immaculate wrapper grace this stick, all wrapped in its own cedar sleeve.

The prelight aromas are subtle and semi-sweet. Woody and buttery notes come to mind. The wrapper is equally tasty.

Lighting up will let off aromatic toasty notes. The first few puffs are creamy and thick. Nuts, cacao, and butter notes are present with a slight spicy undertone. The solid ash builds up evenly and the burn is regular. Parts of the wrapper that trail behind end up catching up nicely.

Past the half way mark the flavors intensify. A leather note comes to the fore at this point and becomes the dominant note till the end. Sweet spice is much more present now with the leather, as is some white pepper. A subtle woody finish carries over some of the spicy sweetness.

Overall, the Chateau Fuente is a lighter but yet satisfying smoke; both beauty and pleasure wrapped up into one.

Being in France and all, I’ve become a big fan of fine cognac. I am particularly fond of the smooth and floral quality in contrast with single malt whisky. When a cigar calls for a cognac, the Hennessy XO is one of a definite goto. It sure isn’t the cheapest there is, but it’s oh so worth it…

This XO is deep mahogany or caramel in color. The nose is sweet and rich with vanilla, chocolate, and ripe cherry notes. The spirit is silky on the palate. An extraordinary smoothness characterizes this full-bodied cognac. The rich and balanced flavors of oak and leather are perfectly matched with fresh floral notes. A general undertone of ripe fruit ties the whole experience together.

I must say that the Hennessy XO is a remarkable cigar companion to be enjoyed in small sips.