A Bold Yet Balanced Affair: Still Austin Straight Bourbon Paired with the Bolivar Cofradia Cigar

This pairing is ideal for someone who appreciates balance in boldness. The Bolivar Cofradia brings muscular flavor and dark complexity, while Still Austin Straight Bourbon contributes finesse, warmth, and a Texas-born vibrancy. Together, they offer a smoking and sipping session that feels both rugged and refined.

Still Austin Straight Bourbon: A Texas Original

Crafted in the heart of Austin, Texas, Still Austin Straight Bourbon is a grain-to-glass spirit that reflects the heat, grit, and creativity of its origin. This bourbon stands out for its youthful vibrancy and unique flavor profile, shaped by Texas terroir and the distillery’s innovative slow-water reduction process under master blender Nancy Fraley.

Mash bill: 70% white corn, 25% rye, 5% malted barley
ABV: 49.2% (98.4 proof)
Age: 2 years

• Nose: Sweet and inviting, with layers of caramel, honeycomb, and toasted oak. Hints of cinnamon, apricot, and a touch of floral grain from the young rye cut through with finesse.

• Palate: Rich and warm, offering notes of vanilla bean, corn pudding, toasted nuts, and spice. There’s a subtle earthy undertone that adds structure.

• Finish: Medium in length with lingering spice, dry oak, and sweet cornmeal fading into a touch of citrus zest.

Bolivar Cofradia Cigar
The Bolivar Cofradia, crafted in Honduras under the Forged Cigar Company (a division of Scandinavian Tobacco Group), is a full-bodied cigar blended by the late Estelo Padrón.

Vitola: Robusto 5x54
Filler: Honduran, Nicaraguan, and sometimes Dominican tobaccos.
Binder: Connecticut Broadleaf 
Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper (or Ecuadorian Sumatra in some blends)

Visual: dark, velvety wrapper with some tooth and minimal veins

Nose: 

Cold draw:

Light: Immediate boldness with heavy notes of black pepper, earth, and charred wood. The draw is dense and assertive, but well-balanced.

Pairing: The bourbon’s sweet vanilla and caramel notes complement the cigar’s creamy tobacco and nutty undertones, while its black pepper and cinnamon spice amplify the cigar’s peppery retrohale. The bourbon’s piney and herbal hints add an intriguing layer to the cigar’s earthy core, preventing the pairing from becoming one-dimensional. 

The combination highlights:
• Contrast: Bourbon sweetness calms the cigar’s spice.
• Complement: Oak and grain meet tobacco and earth in harmony.
• Structure: Neither dominates, but both evolve together over time.

Half: Evolves into richer flavors of leather, espresso, and dark cocoa. A dry, mineral-like complexity appears, with the pepper mellowing slightly.

Last Half: The strength builds again, introducing hints of licorice, roasted nuts, and a burnt sugar bitterness that keeps things interesting until the final inch.

This is not a beginner’s cigar—it demands attention and pairs best with a companion drink that respects its depth.

Final Thoughts:

The medium finish of the bourbon gives the palate just enough reset between draws, while the cigar’s bold finish draws out the bourbon’s oak and spice notes. This creates a push-pull sensation that keeps the pairing engaging from start to finish.

This pairing is ideal for someone who appreciates balance in boldness. The Bolivar Cofradia brings muscular flavor and dark complexity, while Still Austin Straight Bourbon contributes finesse, warmth, and a Texas-born vibrancy. Together, they offer a smoking and sipping session that feels both rugged and refined.

Ratings:
•  Still Austin “The Musician”: 85/100 (Very Good)
•  Bolivar Cofradia: 90/100 (Excellent for price)
•  Pairing: 88/100 (Well-balanced, enjoyable)


Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/sticks-n-stonez--5910792/support.