Today’s review will be on the Padilla Obsidian and Sam Adams Double Bock (Imperial Series).

Cigar Facts:
Vitola: Belicoso (6 x 54)
Price: Free (part of a bomb from BradInBuffalo)
Wrapper: Nicaraguan
Binder: Honduran
Filler: Nicaraguan and Honduran Blend

Beer Facts:
Brewer: Boston Beer Company
Alc/Vol: 9.5%
Type: Doppelbock
Availability: Year-round
Price: $10 a 4-pack

The Beer
The Sam Adams Double Bock is part of a relatively new series of beers that

“will offer beer lovers’ an intense version of some of their favorite traditional beer styles by boosting the ingredients and testing the limits of each traditional style…”, according to a press release from the company. “With more robust flavors and nearly twice the alcohol by volume of your average beer, each style in the Imperial Series is intended to be savored and appreciated like a fine wine.”

After pouring the Double Bock, the head is almost non-existent. Color is a deep amber, slightly transparent, with a little amount of carbonation. Initial aroma from this beer is a lot of malts with some caramel mixed in. Also, at 9.5% abv I am not surprised to detect a hint of the alcohol in this beer. Initial flavor matches nicely with what the aroma contained – heavy malts with some caramel. This beer tastes relatively sweet, and I can detect the alcohol but not as strong as expected. The mouth feel is very smooth with this beer, and definitely on the fuller side. Drinkability-wise, I would say most people wouldn’t want more than one of these because it is on the heavier side (plus the high ABV could kick your ass).

Overall, a very nice beer from Sam Adams!

The Cigar
Initial inspection of the Padilla Obsidian reveals a dark, slightly oily Maduro wrapper. There are quite a few thin veins throughout, and looking at the foot I notice a “C” shaped bunch of darker tobacco within the cigar. Initial aromas off this cigar are fairly mild, and are mainly earthy. There are a few soft spots on this cigar, but overall it feels well compacted with tobacco. Pre-light draw is absolutely perfect, after clipping just the very tip of the cigar.

Beer and Cigar Experience
Initial impressions of this cigar start out very well. Immediately off the bat I am getting a very nice sweetness and coffee, which I am enjoying immensely. For some reason sweetness is one of my favorite characteristics in a smoke, and this has plenty of it. Medium-bodied, this cigar is putting out a moderate volume of smoke. Draw remains perfect throughout the first third, and the burn line is wavering here and there but always corrects itself before it gets out of control.

Pairing this will my Double Bock, I find the sweetness in the first third pairs nicely with the caramel-hints in this malty beverage. The higher abv of this beer makes me more inclined to sip at a slower rate than I typically do, which is perfect while enjoying a cigar. So far, the pairing is working well.

Into the second third, the sweetness disappears and is replaced with stronger notes of coffee and earthiness. Body shifts from medium to medium-full, and burn line remains fairly straight. The ash is a light gray, and in my best Yoda impersonation “the ash is strong with this one”. The change in flavor profile is a welcome change, because despite my enjoyment of the initial sweetness, there can be too much of a good thing. The beer still pairs nicely with the cigar, and I am ready to get into the final third.

I find the final third’s flavor profile has a bit more spice, but remains very similar to the 2nd third. In fact, just about the only thing that changes is the burn behavior of this cigar. Shortly after removing the band, I begin to find it very difficult to keep this cigar lit without having to puff every 20 seconds. After relighting several times, I decide to finish my beer and call it a review.

Overall, I really liked this cigar. The first third was definitely my favorite, as the sweetness combined with the coffee was delicious. Looking at prices online, this is a very affordable smoke, especially if bought in bundles. And this is definitely a cigar I would have no problem buying a bundle of. The Sam Adams Double Bock was a great beer, and at $10 a 4 pack the price isn’t too steep (especially at 9.5% abv). If you enjoy full flavored beers with a little extra kick, definitely seek this beer out.