Sticks-n-Stonez

Brent Elrod
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Sticks-n-Stonez is a weekly podcast that pairs fine cigars with premium spirits. Each week a premium hand rolled cigar is paired with just the right spirit to enhance the palate and profile of each offering. During the episode Brent, the host, will share details about each offering and then present his opinion on the visual aspects, nose, and palate of the cigar and spirit and detail his opinion and rating of the pairing. He will also sprinkle in some of his own offbrand humor. Between each episode you can catch Brent on Instagram at @sticksnstonez1. The show's Insta account is approaching 20,000 followers so you should really jump in now. Brent is a retired combat veteran with deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. He picked up cigars while deployed to Baghdad, Iraq, in 2004 and has been developing his nose and palate ever since. With two decades of experience in cigars and 3 decades in fine spirits his senses are acutely tuned to provide the best possible advice. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/sticks-n-stonez--5910792/support.

  1. Oct 13

    S6 E23 Unexpected Harmony: Penelope Four Grain + Room 101 Miami Snow

    Can a soft, creamy Connecticut cigar bring out the hidden complexity in a four-grain bourbon without getting lost in the sweetness? OPENING MONOLOGUE Welcome back to Sticks-n-Stonez. Today we’re bringing together two bottles and sticks that take a softer approach—but don’t mistake that for boring. Penelope Four Grain brings four different grains and layers of sweetness, fruit, vanilla and spice, while Room 101 Miami Snow brings cream, cedar, roasted nuts and just enough pepper to keep things interesting. And after years without pairing this bourbon, it’s time to see what these two can really do together. THE SPIRIT — PENELOPE KENTUCKY STRAIGHT BOURBON FOUR GRAIN Style: Straight Bourbon Whiskey Proof: 80 Age: 4 Years MASH BILL 75% Corn 15% Wheat 7% Rye 3% Malted Barley Penelope describes Four Grain as a blend of three bourbon mash bills using all four grains.  MASH BILL IMPACT The high corn and wheat percentages give this bourbon its soft, sweet foundation, while the rye and malted barley add enough spice and grain character to keep it from becoming one-dimensional. That’s exactly what makes it interesting with a lighter Connecticut cigar. NOSE Corn sweetness, caramel, light oak, syrup and subtle savory notes. PALATE Fruit, candied sweetness, vanilla and a touch of berry and citrus. FINISH Buttercream, cornbread and lingering vanilla spice.  THE CIGAR — ROOM 101 MIAMI SNOW Size: Toro, 6 x 50 Wrapper: Ecuador Connecticut Binder: Honduran Filler: Honduran Profile: Mild to Medium Miami Snow is built around a golden Ecuador Connecticut wrapper with Honduran binder and filler. Its profile brings creamy cedar, roasted nuts, earth and subtle pepper.  CONSTRUCTION & BURN The Toro format gives the blend plenty of room to develop, with a substantial smoke presence while maintaining the mellow-to-medium character that defines Miami Snow. NOSE Cream, cedar, toasted tobacco and light nuttiness. COLD DRAW Sweet cedar, nuts, light earth and a touch of pepper. FIRST THIRD The Miami Snow opens creamy and approachable. Cedar and light roasted-nut notes lead, while the Four Grain brings caramel and corn sweetness. PAIRING — INITIAL IMPRESSION This is immediately harmonious. The bourbon’s sweetness reinforces the cigar’s creamy character, while the cigar’s cedar keeps the bourbon from feeling overly sweet. The wheat in the mash bill makes the opening particularly smooth. SECOND THIRD The cigar starts developing more earth and pepper while the bourbon reveals more vanilla, fruit and baking-spice character. PAIRING — MID-SESSION EVOLUTION This is where the Four Grain earns its place. The rye and malted barley provide just enough spice and toasted-grain character to interact with the cigar’s pepper and roasted-nut notes. The combination becomes more complex without becoming heavier. FINAL THIRD The Miami Snow moves toward deeper toasted cedar, earth and pepper while the bourbon leaves lingering vanilla spice and buttercream. PAIRING — FINAL IMPRESSION The Four Grain’s sweetness softens the cigar’s increasing pepper, while the cigar gives the low-proof bourbon enough structure to keep the finish interesting. Neither one dominates—the bourbon rounds out the cigar while the cigar gives the bourbon definition. WRAPPER IMPACT NOTE The Ecuador Connecticut wrapper is the key to this pairing. Its creamy, cedar-forward character creates a natural bridge to Four Grain’s wheat, vanilla and buttercream notes, while the wrapper’s lighter profile allows the bourbon’s four-grain complexity to remain noticeable. OVERALL EXPERIENCE This is a pairing built on harmony rather than power. The Four Grain doesn’t overpower Miami Snow; instead, its corn sweetness and wheat softness amplify the cigar’s creaminess, while rye and malted barley bring enough spice and toast to create evolution. And because this is a bourbon you haven’t paired in years, it brings something else to the episode: freshness. This doesn’t feel like another high-proof bourbon trying to muscle its way through a cigar. It’s a more refined conversation between two approachable profiles. FINAL VERDICT Penelope Four Grain: 9.0 / 10 Room 101 Miami Snow: 8.8 / 10 Pairing Harmony: 9.3 / 10 Complexity: 9.0 / 10 Overall Experience: 9.1 / 10 PAIRING RATING: 9.1 / 10 Bottom line: Penelope Four Grain + Room 101 Miami Snow is a surprisingly sophisticated low-intensity pairing. Cream, vanilla, cedar, toasted nuts and baking spice come together without either side overwhelming the other. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/sticks-n-stonez--5910792/support. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/sticks-n-stonez--5910792/support

    S6 E23 Unexpected Harmony: Penelope Four Grain + Room 101 Miami Snow

  2. Oct 9

    S6 E22 Can This Wheated Bourbon Tame a Nicaraguan Powerhouse

    Can a soft, wheated bourbon bring out the darker, richer side of a Nicaraguan powerhouse without getting lost in the smoke? Welcome back to Sticks-n-Stonez. Today we’re doing a bourbon and cigar pairing with 1792 Sweet Wheat and My Father El Centurion Toro. We’re tasting a wheated bourbon alongside a Nicaraguan cigar to see how caramel, vanilla, earth, pepper, and dark tobacco work together. Let’s get into this bourbon and cigar review. The Spirit — 1792 Sweet Wheat Style: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Proof: 91.2 / 45.6% ABV Mash Bill: The exact percentages aren’t publicly disclosed, but Sweet Wheat replaces the traditional rye component with wheat alongside corn and malted barley. Mash Bill Impact Note: Wheat creates a softer, rounder sweetness and smoother mouthfeel. Instead of adding another heavy layer of spice, the bourbon gives this cigar pairing a sweet, creamy counterpoint to El Centurion’s Nicaraguan intensity. Nose: Vanilla, caramel, sweet grain, soft oak, and light baking spice. Palate: Caramel, vanilla, brown sugar, and soft oak with a creamy texture and gentle baking spice. Finish: Warm and lingering, with vanilla, caramel, oak, and subtle spice. The Cigar — My Father El Centurion Toro Tobacco Breakdown Wrapper: Nicaraguan Binder: Nicaraguan Filler: Nicaraguan Wrapper Impact Note: The Nicaraguan wrapper brings earth, pepper, and dark tobacco richness, giving this premium cigar plenty of intensity beside the softer bourbon. Construction A Toro format with a comfortable draw, strong smoke production, and plenty of room for the flavors to develop. Cigar Nose: Rich tobacco, earth, pepper, and subtle natural sweetness. Cold Draw: Earth, cedar, pepper, and a hint of sweetness. First Third El Centurion opens with earth, cedar, pepper, and rich tobacco while 1792 Sweet Wheat brings caramel and vanilla. Pairing Experience: The bourbon’s sweetness rounds off the Nicaraguan pepper without hiding the cigar’s character. The cigar provides intensity; the bourbon provides the cushion. Overall Experience: Smooth, contrasting, and balanced. Second Third The cigar develops darker earth, espresso, dark tobacco, and subtle cocoa while the bourbon continues with caramel, vanilla, and soft oak. Pairing Experience: This is where the pairing really clicks. The bourbon pulls sweeter, richer notes from the cigar, while the cigar’s earthiness keeps the bourbon from becoming overly sweet. Overall Experience: The cigar deepens the bourbon; the bourbon smooths the cigar. Final Third The cigar moves toward dark earth, charred wood, pepper, and concentrated tobacco. The bourbon’s oak and warmth become more noticeable. Pairing Experience: The wheat becomes especially valuable here. Instead of adding more spice, Sweet Wheat provides relief from the cigar’s increasing intensity and keeps the finish rounded. Overall Experience: Rich, warming, and substantial. The Big Pairing Takeaway This bourbon and cigar pairing works because the flavors contrast rather than compete. 1792 Sweet Wheat: Caramel • Vanilla • Brown Sugar • Soft Oak El Centurion Toro: Earth • Pepper • Dark Tobacco • Cocoa The bourbon’s softness gives this Nicaraguan cigar room to show its darker side, while the cigar’s depth keeps the bourbon grounded. Final Verdict Spirit: 9.1/10 Cigar: 9.2/10 Flavor Harmony: 9.3/10 Balance: 9.2/10 Evolution: 9.1/10 PAIRING SCORE: 9.2/10 Sweet meets spice. Smooth meets strength. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/sticks-n-stonez--5910792/support. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/sticks-n-stonez--5910792/support

    S6 E22 Can This Wheated Bourbon Tame a Nicaraguan Powerhouse

  3. Sep 28

    S6 E21 Can This 100-Proof Bourbon Handle a Full-Bodied Cigar Henry McKenna + La Imperiosa

    Can a 100-proof, 10-year-old bourbon with serious oak and spice stand up to a dark, full-bodied Nicaraguan cigar built on pepper, earth, and char? Welcome back to Sticks-n-Stonez. Today we’re pairing Henry McKenna 10 Year Single Barrel Bottled-in-Bond with Crowned Heads La Imperiosa Mágicos. McKenna brings caramel, vanilla, honey, oak and baking spice at 100 proof, while La Imperiosa brings an Ecuadorian Habano Oscuro wrapper over Nicaraguan binder and filler. This is a pairing built on contrast: sweetness and mature oak meeting dark fruit, earth and pepper. THE SPIRIT — HENRY McKENNA 10 YEAR Style: Kentucky Straight Bourbon | Age: 10 Years | Proof: 100 | Bottled-in-Bond Mash Bill: 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley Mash Bill Impact: The corn brings sweetness, while rye adds peppery spice and barley helps round the profile. Nose: Caramel, vanilla, toasted oak and baking spice. Palate: Honey, caramel, oak and sharp spice. Finish: Long, sweet, warming and spicy. THE CIGAR — CROWNED HEADS LA IMPERIOSA MÁGICOS Vitola: Mágicos | 4.5 x 52 Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano Oscuro Binder/Filler: Nicaraguan Tobacco Breakdown: Dark, rich wrapper character with Nicaraguan earth, pepper and savory depth. Wrapper Impact Note: The Habano Oscuro wrapper drives richness, cocoa, earth and intensity. Nose: Earth, leather, cocoa and cedar. Construction & Burn: Substantial Robusto format, generous smoke and a generally slow, even burn. Cold Draw: Cedar, earth, cocoa and subtle sweetness. FIRST THIRD Pepper, cedar, earth and dark fruit lead the cigar. McKenna’s caramel and vanilla immediately provide contrast, rounding the pepper while its 100-proof body keeps up with the cigar. Pairing: Sweet oak meets dark earth and pepper. SECOND THIRD The cigar moves toward earth, cedar, cocoa and savory depth. McKenna’s oak connects with the cedar while caramel bridges the darker flavors. Rye spice reinforces the cigar’s pepper without overwhelming it. Pairing: Contrast begins turning into harmony. FINAL THIRD Oak, leather, earth and savory notes take over. McKenna’s mature oak and sweetness keep the cigar from becoming too dry, while the bourbon’s rye spice keeps the finish lively. Pairing: Dark fruit, leather, caramel, oak and lingering spice. OVERALL EXPERIENCE This works because neither component tries to overpower the other. McKenna brings sweetness, honey, mature oak and spice; La Imperiosa brings dark fruit, earth, cedar and pepper. The pairing evolves from caramel and pepper to oak and earth, then into a long, dark, spicy finish. FINAL VERDICT Spirit: 9.3/10 Cigar: 9.1/10 Flavor Compatibility: 9.3/10 Balance: 9.2/10 Complexity: 9.3/10 OVERALL PAIRING: 9.2/10 Henry McKenna doesn’t tame La Imperiosa Mágicos—it gives all that dark pepper, earth and oak something sweet and structured to push against. By the final third, they’re speaking the same language. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/sticks-n-stonez--5910792/support. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/sticks-n-stonez--5910792/support

    S6 E21 Can This 100-Proof Bourbon Handle a Full-Bodied Cigar Henry McKenna + La Imperiosa

  4. Sep 21

    S6 E20 Calumet 8 Year Bourbon + Aging Room Concerto

    Welcome back to Sticks-n-Stonez, today we're putting a small-batch Kentucky bourbon with a Nicaraguan cigar with some serious pedigree. Calumet Farm 8 Year brings an 18% rye mash bill, and eight years of barrel aging. The Aging Room Concerto, is a medium-to-full-bodied box-pressed cigar built around Nicaraguan tobacco, includes leaves from the first harvest at the Los Espejos farm. This pairing has sweetness, spice, oak and aged tobacco written all over it—but the question is whether they can bring out the best in each other. Let's get into it. THE SPIRIT — CALUMET FARM 8 YEAR Style: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Age: 8 Years Proof: 90 Proof / 45% ABV Batch Size: Less than 50 hand-selected barrels Mash Bill 74% Corn 18% Rye 8% Malted Barley Mash Bill Impact Note The 74% corn provides the bourbon's foundation of sweetness and body, while the 18% rye adds spice, brightness and structure. The rye percentage is especially important here to keep the Concerto's medium-to-full-bodied character in check. Small-Batch Character With small barrel selection, Calumet Farm 8 Year has an unusually limited production profile that makes it an interesting partner for this cigar. Nose Caramel, vanilla, toasted oak and baking spice lead the way, with the rye bringing a subtle peppery lift beneath the sweeter bourbon notes. Palate The palate brings together caramel, vanilla, oak & baking spice, with the 18% rye adding a noticeable spicy backbone. At 90 proof, the bourbon has enough weight to work with a substantial cigar while remaining approachable. Finish A warm, medium-length finish with oak, caramel, vanilla and rye spice lingering on the palate. THE CIGAR — AGING ROOM CONCERTO Country of Origin: Nicaragua Manufacturer: Tabacalera A.J. Fernandez Shape: Box-Pressed Strength: Medium-to-Full Tobacco Breakdown Wrapper: Hybrid Criollo '98, grown at A.J.'s Finca La Lilia farm in Estelí Binder: Nicaraguan Filler: Nicaraguan, including aged leaves from the first harvest of the Los Espejos farm Wrapper Impact Note The Hybrid Criollo '98 wrapper from Finca La Lilia brings an important combination of richness, spice and aromatic intensity. It gives the Concerto enough character to stand up to bourbon while contributing the darker flavors we're looking for in this pairing. Construction & Burn The box-pressed shape gives the Concerto a distinctive feel in the hand and adds to the smoking experience. With a medium-to-full strength profile, this is a cigar that develops rather than overwhelm the palate immediately. Cigar Nose Cedar, natural tobacco sweetness, earth and pepper set the stage before the first cut. Cold Draw The cold draw brings earth, cedar, tobacco sweetness and a touch of pepper, hinting at the darker and spicier character to come. FIRST THIRD The Concerto opens with a combination of cedar, earth, roasted coffee and Nicaraguan pepper, with an underlying tobacco sweetness to keep tame the cigar's aggression. Calumet Farm brings caramel and vanilla to the conversation immediately. Pairing — Initial Impression This is where the 90-proof bourbon becomes an advantage. Rather than overpowering the cigar, Calumet Farm's caramel and vanilla soften the initial pepper while the rye spice reinforces the cigar's own Nicaraguan character. The bourbon doesn't tame the Concerto so much as round its edges. SECOND THIRD As the cigar progresses, the coffee and cocoa becomes more pronounced. The cedar and earth remain underneath, while that aged filler begins supplies depth and complexity. Mid-Cigar Evolution The pairing really starts to come together here. The bourbon's 18% rye begins to interact with the cigar's pepper and spice, while the corn-driven sweetness provides contrast against the Concerto's darker coffee and cocoa notes with oak tagging along. Calumet Farms age gives enough maturity to create a compelling oak + aged tobacco + coffee combination. FINAL THIRD The Concerto moves into its richest territory. Dark coffee, cocoa, earth, oak and pepper become increasingly prominent, while the aged Nicaraguan filler gives the cigar additional depth. The strength builds, but the flavor remains the focus. Pairing — Final Impression Calumet Farm 8 Year and Aging Room Concerto work because they approach the pairing from different directions. The Concerto brings: Nicaraguan spice • coffee • cocoa • earth • aged tobacco Calumet Farm brings: Caramel • vanilla • oak • sweetness • rye spice The 18% rye is the anchor, itgives the bourbon enough spice to communicate with the Nicaraguan tobacco, the 74% corn provides the sweetness necessary to keep the pairing from becoming too dry, earthy or aggressive. The Hybrid Criollo '98 wrapper provides richness and spice giving the Concerto the presence to stand with the bourbon's, caramel, vanilla and oak provide contrast. FINAL VERDICT Flavor Harmony 9.3 Complementary Flavors 9.3 Contrast 9.1 Evolution 9.3 Balance 9.2 Finish 9.1 Pairing Rating: 9.2 / 10 Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/sticks-n-stonez--5910792/support. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/sticks-n-stonez--5910792/support

    S6 E20 Calumet 8 Year Bourbon + Aging Room Concerto

  5. Sep 14

    S6 E19 Old Grand-Dad 114 Single Barrel + Aging Room Nicaragua

    What happens when a 114-proof bourbon meets a Nicaraguan puro built around pepper, espresso, and earth? This pairing does not ease you into the experience — it starts with intensity and then gets more interesting. Welcome back to Sticks-n-Stonez. Today we are putting two seriously assertive profiles together: Old Grand-Dad 114 Single Barrel and the Aging Room Nicaragua. One brings seven years of barrel depth, high-rye spice, caramel, vanilla, and serious proof, while the cigar brings Nicaraguan pepper, espresso, earth, and tobacco sweetness. The question is whether these two heavy hitters complement each other or simply compete for your attention. Let’s find out. The Spirit — Old Grand-Dad 114 Single Barrel Style: Kentucky Straight Bourbon, Single Barrel Proof: 114 Age: 7 Years ABV: 57% Mash Bill High-rye bourbon: 63% Corn 27% Rye 10% Malted Barley Mash Bill Impact That substantial rye component gives this bourbon the spicy backbone needed to stand beside a full-flavored Nicaraguan cigar. Instead of disappearing underneath the cigar's pepper and espresso, the bourbon has enough spice and proof to remain an active part of the pairing. Background The 114 Single Barrel builds on Old Grand-Dad's classic high-rye profile with seven years of maturation and barrel-specific character. Beam's current profile highlights dried fruit, caramel, seasoned oak, vanilla, brown sugar, and subtle baking spice. Nose Dried fruit, caramel, vanilla, seasoned oak, and baking spice. At 114 proof, there is also a noticeable warmth underneath the sweeter aromas. Palate Brown sugar and vanilla arrive first, followed by caramel, oak, rye spice, and a touch of dried fruit. The high proof gives the palate weight and keeps the flavors concentrated. Finish Long, warm, and oak-driven, with caramel and baking spice lingering alongside rye pepper. The Cigar — Aging Room Nicaragua Origin: Nicaragua Wrapper: Nicaraguan Sumatra Binder: Nicaraguan Filler: Nicaraguan Profile: Medium-to-Full / Full The Aging Room Quattro Nicaragua is a Nicaraguan puro blended by Rafael Nodal and AJ Fernandez. The official profile highlights white pepper, nuts, spice, earth, espresso, and tobacco sweetness. Construction & Burn Expect a firm, well-constructed cigar with substantial smoke production and a dense, flavorful profile. The box-pressed versions of the Quattro Nicaragua are particularly suited to a slow, deliberate pairing session. Cigar Nose Earth, cedar, roasted tobacco, and a peppery sweetness with hints of espresso. Cold Draw Pepper, dry cedar, roasted nuts, and a touch of coffee. First Third The cigar opens with white pepper and roasted tobacco before espresso and earth begin to build. There is a subtle sweetness underneath the spice that keeps the opening from becoming one-dimensional. Pairing — Initial Experience The Old Grand-Dad immediately brings caramel and brown sugar to the table. Those sweeter bourbon notes soften the cigar's pepper while the rye spice reinforces the cigar's own Nicaraguan character. The interesting part is the contrast: the bourbon adds sweetness while the cigar adds savory depth. Initial pairing impression: Excellent. Second Third The cigar begins to deepen. Espresso and dark roasted flavors move forward while earth becomes more pronounced. Pepper remains present but becomes more integrated into the overall profile. Pairing — Mid-Session Evolution This is where the 114-proof bourbon really earns its place. The rye spice mirrors the cigar's pepper, while caramel and vanilla provide a sweet counterpoint to the espresso and earth. The oak from the bourbon also begins connecting with the cigar's roasted tobacco character. The pairing starts moving from simple contrast into actual harmony. Mid-session impression: Complex and increasingly balanced. Final Third The cigar becomes darker and more concentrated. Espresso, earth, roasted nuts, pepper, and tobacco dominate, with the finish becoming increasingly powerful. Pairing — Final Impression Old Grand-Dad 114 Single Barrel has enough proof and structure to stay with the cigar all the way to the end. The bourbon's caramel and vanilla keep the final third from becoming overly dry or aggressively peppery, while its oak and rye spice reinforce the cigar's darker character. Rather than trying to tame the cigar, the bourbon meets it at the same level of intensity. Final pairing impression: Bold, cohesive, and memorable. Wrapper Impact Note The Nicaraguan Sumatra wrapper contributes much of the cigar's pepper, spice, and aromatic intensity, giving the high-rye bourbon something substantial to interact with. The bourbon's caramel and vanilla provide the sweetness that keeps that intensity balanced. Overall Pairing Experience This is a pairing built around strength, spice, and contrast. Old Grand-Dad 114 Single Barrel brings caramel, vanilla, brown sugar, oak, and rye spice. The Aging Room Nicaragua brings white pepper, espresso, earth, roasted nuts, and tobacco sweetness. The magic happens in the middle: bourbon sweetness rounds off the cigar's sharper edges, while the cigar's roasted and peppery character prevents the high-proof bourbon from becoming overly hot or one-dimensional. Neither component overwhelms the other. This is a pairing for someone who wants both the bourbon and the cigar to remain front and center. Final Verdict Individual Scores Spirit Quality: 9.3 / 10 Cigar Quality: 9.2 / 10 Pairing Harmony: 9.5 / 10 Pairing Evolution: 9.4 / 10 Overall Experience: 9.4 / 10 Final Pairing Score: 9.4 / 10 A powerful pairing that actually gets better as it develops. The high-rye spice of Old Grand-Dad 114 Single Barrel locks naturally into the pepper and roasted character of the Aging Room Nicaragua, while caramel, vanilla, and brown sugar provide the sweetness needed to keep the cigar's intensity in check. If you enjoy bold bourbon and full-flavored Nicaraguan cigars, this is a combination worth putting together. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/sticks-n-stonez--5910792/support. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/sticks-n-stonez--5910792/support

    S6 E19 Old Grand-Dad 114 Single Barrel + Aging Room Nicaragua

  6. Sep 8

    S6 E18 El Dorado 12 Rum vs. Perdomo Legacy Connecticut Does It Work

    What happens when a rich, dark Demerara rum meets a Connecticut cigar built from a decade of aged tobacco? Welcome back to Sticks-n-Stonez. Today we’re putting El Dorado 12, a rich Guyanese Demerara rum, against the Perdomo Legacy Father & Son Connecticut Gran Figurado—a cigar built around rare, heavily aged tobacco and a unique 6×60 figurado shape. On paper, this looks like a pairing of richness versus refinement. But the real question is whether the rum’s dark fruit, caramel, and spice can reveal another dimension in this exceptionally creamy Connecticut. Let’s light it up and find out. THE SPIRIT El Dorado 12 Year Country: Guyana Style: Aged Demerara Rum Age: 12 Years Proof: 80 / 40% ABV Mash Bill / Production Base Unlike whiskey, rum doesn't have a traditional grain mash bill. Base: Sugar-cane molasses. El Dorado 12 is produced by Demerara Distillers Limited using a combination of traditional stills, contributing to the expression's distinctive richness and complexity. The Demerara molasses foundation and varied distillation methods help produce the dark sugar, caramel, dried-fruit, tropical-fruit and spice characteristics that make El Dorado 12 particularly interesting alongside tobacco. Nose Dark caramel Dried fruit Molasses Brown sugar Tropical fruit Baking spice Palate Rich and rounded, with caramelized sugar, dark fruit, vanilla and warming spice. Finish Longer than expected for an 80-proof rum, with lingering brown sugar, fruit and gentle spice. T HE CIGAR Perdomo Legacy Father & Son Connecticut Gran Figurado This is where this cigar gets really interesting. The Father & Son series is a limited project developed by Nick Perdomo Jr. and Nicholas Perdomo III, with the Connecticut blend jointly developed by father and son. Vitola Gran Figurado — 6×60 More precisely, this is an unusual 6-inch box-pressed figurado with a 48/60/52 ring-gauge progression. The changing dimensions are intentional and are designed to create flavor evolution throughout the smoke. Tobacco Breakdown Wrapper: Ecuadorian Connecticut Binder: Nicaraguan Shade Grown Filler: Cuban-seed Nicaraguan tobacco from Perdomo's farms in Estelí, Condega and Jalapa. The Connecticut wrapper is reported by Perdomo as 10 years aged, while the Father & Son series utilizes rare tobacco lots aged roughly 10–15 years. Wrapper Impact Note The aged Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper is the foundation of the cigar's creaminess, sweetness and refinement, while the Nicaraguan core provides enough tobacco depth to keep the cigar from becoming one-dimensional. ONSTRUCTION & BURN Great construction, minimal to moderate veining, tight almost invisible seams CIGAR NOSE Hay Cedar Dried fruit Natural tobacco Subtle sweetness COLD DRAW Cedar Cream Dried fruit Light sweetness Nutty tobacco FIRST THIRD Cigar Experience The opening should establish the Connecticut's softer side. Expect a combination of: Cream • Cedar • Hay • Nuts • Honey/Sweetness The cigar's aged tobacco should give the profile considerably more depth than the typical Connecticut. Pairing Experience Now introduce El Dorado 12. The first sip brings a completely different type of sweetness. The rum's dark sugar and caramel should amplify the cigar's natural sweetness, while its fruit character adds another dimension to the creamy Connecticut. “Is this making the cigar sweeter—or is it actually making it more complex?” That's a strong moment to pause and let your palate decide. SECOND THIRD Cigar Experience As the cigar reaches the larger portion of its unique Gran Figurado profile, the tobacco ratio changes. This is where we're looking for: Toasted nuts Coffee Cedar Cream Sweet earth Pepper The unusual 48/60/52 configuration is specifically part of the Father & Son experience, rather than simply being a large-ring-gauge cigar. Pairing Experience This could be the sweet spot of the pairing. El Dorado 12's caramel and dried-fruit character can mirror the cigar's sweetness, while the rum's spice provides contrast against the creamy tobacco. The goal isn't for the rum to simply make the cigar taste sweeter. It's whether the rum adds another layer. FINAL THIRD Cigar Experience As the cigar tapers down, expect the tobacco to become more concentrated. Potential progression: Cream → cedar → nuts → coffee → earth → pepper This is also where the cigar's medium-bodied character should become more apparent. Perdomo describes the Connecticut as medium-bodied, while retail descriptions generally place it in the mild-to-medium range. OVERALL  EXPERIENCE This pairing is built around contrast that can become harmony. El Dorado 12 brings dark, rich, fruit-driven sweetness, while the Perdomo brings cream, cedar, nuts and exceptionally aged tobacco. FINAL VERDICT Pairing Rating: 9/10 Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/sticks-n-stonez--5910792/support. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/sticks-n-stonez--5910792/support

    S6 E18 El Dorado 12 Rum vs. Perdomo Legacy Connecticut Does It Work

  7. Aug 31

    S6 E17 Penelope Straight Rye + Rocky Patel LB1

    Opening Monologue Welcome back to Sticks-n-Stonez. Today we're putting a high-rye whiskey against a medium-bodied cigar that brings earth, coffee, toast, and a little spice of its own. Penelope Straight Rye brings bright mint, citrus, caramelized sugar and cracked pepper, while the Rocky Patel LB1 brings Ecuadorian Habano richness with Honduran and Nicaraguan tobacco underneath. This isn't a battle of two heavyweights—it's about seeing how rye spice and earthy tobacco can meet in the middle and create something more complex than either one delivers alone. Let's light it up and pour it neat. THE SPIRIT — PENELOPE STRAIGHT RYE Type: Straight Rye Whiskey Proof: 92 Mash Bill: 93% Rye / 7% Barley Malt Penelope describes this as an approachable rye built around spice and depth. The unusually high rye percentage gives us plenty of spice while the malted barley helps round the edges. Mash Bill Impact 93% rye is the engine of this whiskey. Rye spice Cracked black pepper Herbal/minty character Citrus brightness A caramelized-sugar sweetness That combination is particularly interesting with the LB1 because the whiskey has enough brightness to lift the cigar's earth and coffee while its caramel sweetness softens the cigar's pepper. Nose Bright spearmint and citrus zest immediately stand out, followed by baking spice and lightly toasted oak. Palate Rye spice and cracked pepper arrive first, followed by caramelized sugar, cool herbal mint and subtle citrus. Finish Lingering spice gives way to almond, polished oak and a surprisingly pleasant mint-caramel fade. THE CIGAR — ROCKY PATEL LB1 Origin: Honduras Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano Binder: Honduran Filler: Honduran & Nicaraguan Strength: Medium to medium-full depending on source/size The LB1 blend combines an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper with Honduran and Nicaraguan tobaccos, including Ligero from Honduras' Jamastrán Valley. Tobacco Breakdown Filler — Honduran & Nicaraguan: Binder — Honduran: Wrapper — Ecuadorian Habano: Construction & Burn The LB1's Robusto is 5½ x 50, while Toro and larger formats are also available. The blend is hand-rolled in Honduras and is generally described as medium-bodied. Expected performance: Firm but open draw, substantial smoke, steady burn and a progressively richer profile as the cigar heats up. Cigar Nose Earth, cedar, toasted tobacco and a subtle coffee note. Cold Draw Dry earth, cedar, light pepper and a faint roasted-coffee sweetness. FIRST THIRD The LB1 opens with earth and toasted wood, followed quickly by coffee and a light pepper bite. The Ecuadorian Habano wrapper keeps the profile from becoming overly heavy. Pairing Experience This is where Penelope Straight Rye immediately makes sense. The rye's mint and citrus lift brighten the LB1's earthiness, while the whiskey's caramelized sugar provides a soft counterpoint to the cigar's toast and coffee. The result is less "sweet whiskey + cigar" and more bright rye cutting through roasted tobacco. Pairing dynamic: Mint + Earth Citrus + Coffee Caramel + Toast SECOND THIRD The cigar settles into a deeper combination of coffee, cedar, earth and leather, with pepper becoming more noticeable. Pairing Experience The LB1's pepper begins to synchronize with Penelope's 93% rye spice and cracked pepper. Instead of amplifying each other into harshness, the whiskey's caramel and mint provide enough cooling sweetness to keep the spice controlled. The citrus note also becomes surprisingly important—it keeps the middle third from becoming too dark or monotonous. Pairing dynamic: Rye spice + Pepper Coffee + Caramel Cedar + Polished Oak FINAL THIRD The LB1 becomes more intense, bringing darker earth, roasted coffee, leather and deeper tobacco character. Pairing Experience Penelope's polished oak and caramel become increasingly useful here. The whiskey doesn't overpower the cigar. Instead, it resets the palate between draws, allowing the darker tobacco flavors to remain enjoyable rather than becoming heavy. The mint note from the rye provides an especially interesting contrast against the cigar's roasted coffee and leather. This is where the pairing shows its real personality. WRAPPER IMPACT NOTE The Ecuadorian Habano wrapper gives the LB1 enough richness and toast to stand up to Penelope's 93% rye, while its earthy and coffee-driven character gives the whiskey's mint, citrus and caramel something to lift and contrast against. OVERALL PAIRING EXPERIENCE This is a contrast-and-complement pairing rather than a pure harmony pairing. The LB1 brings: Earth • Coffee • Toast • Leather • Pepper Penelope brings: Rye Spice • Mint • Citrus • Caramel • Oak The magic happens where those profiles overlap: Coffee + Caramel Pepper + Rye Spice Earth + Oak Mint + Roasted Tobacco Citrus + Toast Neither side completely dominates. That's exactly what makes this pairing work. FINAL VERDICT PAIRING RATING: 9.1 / 10 Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/sticks-n-stonez--5910792/support. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/sticks-n-stonez--5910792/support

    S6 E17 Penelope Straight Rye + Rocky Patel LB1

  8. Aug 24

    S6 E16 Tullamore D.E.W. XO Caribbean Rum Cask Finish + Rocky Patel ITC

    🎤 Opening Monologue Welcome back to Sticks-n-Stonez. Today we're pairing the smooth Irish character of Tullamore D.E.W. XO Caribbean Rum Cask Finish with the bold, full-bodied profile of the Rocky Patel ITC. This is a matchup built around contrast—tropical sweetness meeting dark cocoa, earth, leather, and pepper. The question is whether that rum-cask sweetness can tame the ITC without getting overwhelmed. Let's fire it up. 🥃 THE SPIRIT Tullamore D.E.W. XO Caribbean Rum Cask Finish Proof: 86 (43% ABV) Style: Irish Whiskey — Triple Distilled 🌾 Mash Bill Tullamore D.E.W. uses a combination of malted and unmalted barley, with grain whiskey contributing to its characteristic blend. Mash Bill Impact: The grain component and triple distillation give the whiskey its famously smooth, approachable foundation. The Caribbean rum-cask finish then adds layers of tropical fruit, vanilla, caramel and gentle spice—exactly the kind of sweetness that can interact beautifully with a Maduro cigar. 👃 Nose Tropical fruit, vanilla, honey, light oak and toasted coconut. 👅 Palate Pineapple, mango, vanilla, butterscotch and gentle spice with a creamy mouthfeel. 🏁 Finish Smooth and medium-length, with lingering caramel, light oak and warm spice. 🚬 THE CIGAR Rocky Patel ITC — Indian Tabac Collection Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf Binder: Nicaraguan Filler: Nicaraguan The ITC brings a bold, full-bodied profile, with the Broadleaf wrapper providing substantial richness while the Nicaraguan core supplies spice, earth and intensity. 🔥 Construction & Burn Solid construction, consistent draw, even burn, thick smoke production and good ash retention. 👃 Cigar Nose Dark cocoa, earth, leather, black pepper and roasted nuts. ❄️ Cold Draw Cocoa, cedar, espresso and a touch of natural sweetness. 🌗 FIRST THIRD 🚬 Cigar The opening immediately brings rich cocoa, earth and roasted nuts, followed by a touch of black pepper on the retrohale. The Broadleaf gives the smoke a dark, chewy character. 🤝 Pairing — Initial Impressions This is where the XO starts making its case. The whiskey's tropical fruit and vanilla soften the ITC's earth and pepper, while the rum-cask sweetness amplifies the cigar's natural cocoa sweetness. Instead of competing with the cigar, the whiskey initially acts almost like a sweet counterpoint. First-third takeaway: 🍍 Tropical fruit + 🍫 dark cocoa = surprisingly smooth opening. 🌘 SECOND THIRD 🚬 Cigar The earth becomes deeper and the chocolate darker. Pepper begins building, while leather starts becoming more prominent. 🤝 Pairing — Mid-Session Evolution This is probably the strongest section of the pairing. The whiskey's caramel and tropical-fruit character meet the cigar's dark chocolate and roasted-nut notes. The rum-cask influence adds a subtle molasses-like sweetness that fills out the middle without making it syrupy. The result is a nice sweet-versus-dark dynamic: the cigar gets richer while the XO keeps the palate refreshed. Mid-session takeaway: 🥃 Caramel + 🌴 tropical fruit + 🍫 dark chocolate = the pairing really clicks. 🌑 FINAL THIRD 🚬 Cigar The ITC moves firmly into full-bodied territory. Dark chocolate, espresso, leather and black pepper dominate, with the smoke becoming considerably more intense. 🤝 Pairing — Final Impression The XO's greatest contribution now becomes balance. Its sweetness takes some of the edge off the cigar's pepper while the whiskey's oak and warm spice provide enough structure to keep pace with the ITC. The cigar ultimately remains the dominant partner—but the XO never disappears. Final-third takeaway: 🔥 Full-bodied cigar + 🥃 sweet rum-cask whiskey = bold, rich and surprisingly controlled. 🍂 WRAPPER IMPACT NOTE The Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper is the engine behind the ITC's deep cocoa, earth and natural sweetness. That richness is exactly what allows the Caribbean rum-cask sweetness of the XO to work so well—the two share a dark-sweet foundation while the whiskey supplies tropical brightness. 🧠 OVERALL PAIRING EXPERIENCE This is a harmony-of-contrast pairing. The ITC brings the muscle: cocoa, earth, leather and pepper. The Tullamore XO brings the counterbalance: tropical fruit, vanilla, caramel and gentle oak. Most importantly, neither completely overwhelms the other. The cigar remains the star, but every sip of the XO adds another layer to the experience. ⭐ Final Verdict Pairing Rating: 9.1 / 10 Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/sticks-n-stonez--5910792/support. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/sticks-n-stonez--5910792/support

    S6 E16 Tullamore D.E.W. XO Caribbean Rum Cask Finish + Rocky Patel ITC
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About

Sticks-n-Stonez is a weekly podcast that pairs fine cigars with premium spirits. Each week a premium hand rolled cigar is paired with just the right spirit to enhance the palate and profile of each offering. During the episode Brent, the host, will share details about each offering and then present his opinion on the visual aspects, nose, and palate of the cigar and spirit and detail his opinion and rating of the pairing. He will also sprinkle in some of his own offbrand humor. Between each episode you can catch Brent on Instagram at @sticksnstonez1. The show's Insta account is approaching 20,000 followers so you should really jump in now. Brent is a retired combat veteran with deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. He picked up cigars while deployed to Baghdad, Iraq, in 2004 and has been developing his nose and palate ever since. With two decades of experience in cigars and 3 decades in fine spirits his senses are acutely tuned to provide the best possible advice. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/sticks-n-stonez--5910792/support.

Information

  • Creator
    Brent Elrod
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    289
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright Brent Elrod
  • Show Website
    Sticks-n-Stonez