Few pairings walk the line between spice and smoothness with the grace found in this one: the bold character of Colonel E.H. Taylor Straight Rye whiskey finds a worthy companion in the richly nuanced Aging Room Quattro Nicaragua Maestro cigar. Together, they form a symphony of contrast and complement—a dialogue between sweet rye spice and earthy Nicaraguan complexity.

Whiskey Overview: E.H. Taylor Straight Rye

Bottled-in-bond and crafted from a mash bill that omits corn entirely, E.H. Taylor Straight Rye is a standout in the Buffalo Trace portfolio. With a composition of rye and malted barley, it opens with a bright, peppery nose interlaced with spearmint, caramel, and faint dill. On the palate, there’s a clean expression of baking spice, cinnamon, and dried orchard fruit, followed by grassy rye grain and honeyed oak. The mouthfeel is medium-bodied, dry, and pepper-laced, with a long, warm finish that lingers with clove and subtle citrus.

Key Notes:
• Nose: Spearmint, baking spice, fresh grain, caramel
• Palate: Rye spice, apple peel, black pepper, honey, oak
• Finish: Long, herbal, slightly dry with citrus peel

Cigar Overview: Aging Room Quattro Nicaragua Maestro

Crafted entirely of Nicaraguan tobacco and box-pressed to perfection, the Quattro Nicaragua Maestro (a 6”x52 Torpedo) earned Cigar Aficionado’s #1 cigar of the year in 2019. It’s a medium-to-full-bodied smoke that balances robust earthiness with refined sweetness.

Wrapper: Nicaraguan
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Size: 6 x 52

• First third: Espresso, dark chocolate, black pepper
• Second third: Leather, cedar, baking spice
• Final third: Dried fruit, cocoa, earth, subtle molasses

The Pairing: Interplay and Balance

From the first draw and sip, the synergy is evident. The cigar’s espresso and chocolate tones coax out deeper sweetness in the rye, muting the more dominant pepper elements and enhancing the whiskey’s caramel and oak complexity. Conversely, the whiskey’s spicy brightness lifts the heavier earth and leather from the cigar, creating contrast and freshness.

In the second third of the cigar, the profile mellows and deepens, just as the rye’s spicier edges give way to a more honeyed mid-palate. A well-timed sip brings out a warming clove and cinnamon note that pairs beautifully with the cigar’s evolving dried fruit and cedar tones. The retrohale of the cigar and the whiskey’s finish both deliver a dry, peppery quality that rounds out the pairing with a satisfying grip.

Final Thoughts

E.H. Taylor Straight Rye and the Aging Room Quattro Nicaragua Maestro form a pairing of elegance and depth. The rye’s lean, herbal sharpness complements the cigar’s rich and earthy tones without overpowering it. Both are confident, characterful expressions of their respective crafts, and together they invite a patient appreciation of their layered personalities.

Overall Rating: 9.2/10 – A high-caliber pairing for those who appreciate dry spice, depth, and balance without overwhelming sweetness.


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