Pairing Review: Four Roses Single Barrel (OESO) & Perdomo Lot 23 Maduro

The Pour: Four Roses Single Barrel – Recipe OESO
• Distillery: Four Roses Distillery, Lawrenceburg, KY
• Mash Bill: 75% Corn, 20% Rye, 5% Malted Barley
• Yeast Strain: O – Fruity (Delicate Fruit Esters)
• Barrel Strength: ~100 proof (varies by single barrel)
• Appearance: Deep copper with amber highlights
• Aroma: Candied orange peel, ripe red fruits, vanilla bean, and soft baking spice from the rye. There’s a touch of floral honey and toasted oak rounding it out.
• Palate: Medium to full-bodied with notes of caramelized sugar, dark cherry, light cinnamon, and a warm wave of butterscotch. The OESO yeast gives it that signature fruit-forward sweetness balanced by a dry, peppery rye finish.
• Finish: Long and elegant — sweet fruit transitions into oak spice, leather, and faint cocoa dust.

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The Smoke: Perdomo Lot 23 Maduro Toro
• Origin: Nicaragua
• Wrapper: Nicaraguan Maduro
• Binder: Nicaraguan
• Filler: Nicaraguan Estelí & Jalapa
• Construction: Solid and even, double-capped with a rich, oily sheen. Draw is smooth with just the right resistance.
• Appearance: Dark espresso brown wrapper with minimal veins and a slightly toothy texture.
• Pre-light Aroma: Earth, cocoa, and sweet tobacco with a faint raisin note.
• Flavor Profile: Medium to full-bodied. Opens with roasted espresso, bittersweet chocolate, and toasted cedar. Mid-smoke brings a nutty sweetness — like toasted almonds and molasses — while the final third deepens into earthy spice and a trace of black pepper.
• Burn & Ash: Razor-straight burn, tight ash, and consistent performance — classic Perdomo craftsmanship.

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Pairing Notes

This pairing balances fruit-driven bourbon elegance with the earthy sweetness of a classic Maduro cigar.
• First Third: The OESO’s soft fruit and vanilla amplify the cigar’s natural cocoa sweetness. The bourbon’s rye spice teases out subtle pepper notes on the retrohale, while the cigar adds a creamy texture to each sip.
• Middle Third: As the cigar warms, nutty molasses and espresso notes emerge, complementing the Four Roses’ cherry and brown sugar tones. The two meet beautifully at mid-palate — a rich harmony of sweet oak and dark chocolate.
• Final Third: The cigar deepens into a dark roast and peppery finish, while the bourbon evolves with oak, clove, and caramelized fruit. Together they leave a lingering warmth of charred oak, dark chocolate, and spiced fruit preserves.

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Pairing Summary
• Balance: 9/10
• Complexity: 9/10
• Body Match: Excellent — both medium-to-full
• Overall Experience: Refined and rewarding

Why It Works:
The Four Roses OESO’s fruit-forward sweetness and elegant rye spice align perfectly with the Maduro’s earthy espresso and cocoa tones. The pairing delivers contrast and cohesion — bourbon lightens the cigar’s richness while the smoke adds depth and dimension to the whiskey’s fruit.

A sophisticated pairing that showcases the craftsmanship of both brands — the perfect slow-sipping match for those who appreciate subtlety wrapped in strength.

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