Featured Pairing: Romeo y Julieta Cedros Deluxe No. 3 & Matsui Mizunara Cask

This instalment of our Sip & Smoke Pairings outlines the dynamic between the Cuban Romeo y Julieta Cedros Deluxe No. 3 cigar and the Japanese Matsui Single Malt Mizunara Cask whisky.

Much like all of our published pairing reviews, the highly favorable results were worthy of sharing with our beloved readers.

THE SIP: MATSUI MIZUNARA CASK SINGLE MALT

Aged in Japanese oak known only as Mizunara, this single malt expression is “distilled and rested” in the rich, natural environment of Tottori which sits along the coast of the Sea of Japan.

Touted as being “oaky with hints of Oriental spices, rich mouth feel and toffee-like sweetness”. The Matsui is non-chill filtered and is carefully crafted and brought down to a proof of 48.1% (96.2 proof) with “high-quality natural spring water from Mount Daisen”.

A recent ‘double gold’ winner at the 2019 San Fransisco Spirits Competition, the Matsui is a delicate and floral masterpiece forged entirely in the land of the rising sun. 

Mount Daisen, Tottori Japan

THE SMOKE: ROMEO Y JULIETA CEDROS DELUXE NO. 3 

Made of filler and binder leaves from the lush and magical Vuelta Abajo zone of Cuba, the Cedros Deluxe No. 3 is a medium-bodied, corona vitola cigar with a modest ring gauge of 42″ that comes wrapped in its trademark protective cedar spill.

It’s proclaimed to be a fresh and lighter Cuban number that is not overwhelming in either size, strength or body.

Chosen for its understated subtlety, it should make for a fitting match with the delicate Japanese single malt.

Cuba’s lush Vuelta Abajo Zone

THE PAIRING

Most (but certainly not all) Japanese whiskies are characteristically known for being delicate and light, and the Mizunara is no exception.

Upon visual inspection, its color is a crystal-clear, bright yellowish-gold, and displays a smooth viscosity with silky legs that slowly cascade back down the glass.

On the nose, I quickly catch a whiff of banana-flavored candy, followed by some, coconut, oak, and exotic “oriental” floral notes. My fist sip creates a silky smooth, warming mouth feel and produces banana, tangerine and vanilla.

Nutmeg, cinnamon and brown sugar spring forward from the first few initial puffs from the Romeo, which leaves a pleasant, slight salty tactile taste from the wrapper, which can be characteristic of a Cuban cigar.

With a bright, powdery floral (but not overpowering) perfume and a hint of oak on the nose, sips of Matsui now bring out cinnamon, tangerine, clove and nutmeg. This is a delicate, yet multilayered whisky that reminds me of a Dalwhinnie 15, but without any of the slight damp earth notes I often find in the Scotch classic.

As they session wears on, the heat from the Romeo warms up the floral and spice notes from the Matsui, and the Matsui simultaneously works to refresh my palate between puffs from the Romeo.

A very pleasing synergy no doubt.

The Final Word

Together, these two smooth offerings are unique in their subtle, yet complex nature. Though neither are a powerhouse in terms of body or strength, they are at the same time complex spicy and floral expressions that have multiple layers to be slowly revealed and appreciated, and compliment each other exceptionally well.

-Kurt Bradley