Maker’s 46 + Kristoff Corojo Limitadas
Cigar Details
This is Kristoff’s crowning achievement.
Kristoff is a small boutique brand from the Dominican Republic. And with each cigar you lay your eyes on, you realize what top-notch quality control is. Kristoff is a super-premium cigar that competes with the likes of Arturo Fuente, Davidoff, and Graycliff. The company only employs the most qualified Cuban master blenders, and all of them have generations of experience in cigar making.
Kristoff’s most esteemed creation is a powerful blend comprised of Cuban-seed tobaccos from Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic. The oily Habano wrapper jumps right out of the box and is so oily you can practically see your reflection in it. Finished with the customary Kristoff shaggy foot, the cigar lights up in seconds and delivers flavors of dark chocolate, cedar, and a hearty dose of spice on the finish. Within the first puff of the cigar, you’ll realize that the ’93’ rating it received is well-deserved, but you’d probably be willing to make the argument that it deserved a higher rating than #11 on Cigar Aficionado’s Top 25 list.
Strength: MEDIUM-FULL
Shape: Robusto 5.5” x 54
Wrapper: Corojo
Origin: Dominican Republic
Price: ~$9.50
Bourbon Details
Maker’s Mark has always had a “why mess with what works” kind of attitude when it comes to their bourbon but eventually they did release a premium version in the form of Maker’s 46. Rather than doing a small batch or older version of Maker’s Mark they decided to go the route of finishing with a different wood to add complexity of character. Here is what they have to say about it:
“A collaborative effort between the Maker’s Mark Distillery and Barrel Maker and “Wood Chef” Brad Boswell of Independent Stave Company, Maker’s 46 is a bit stronger and bolder than the original Maker’s Mark, but still soft enough to hold on the tongue, even at 94 proof. Aged longer inside barrels containing seared French oak staves – which create bolder, more complex flavors, while eliminating the bitterness that usually comes with whiskies that are aged longer – 46 delivers a big mouth-watering oaky finish unlike none other.”
Using staves instead of aging in a barrel causes a more intense aging process. Because of this it is only aged an additional few months with the staves in the barrel and they make it only in the winter to slow the aging down.
Tasting Notes
Proof: 94
Color: Golden amber
Nose: Hints of wood staves, caramel and sweetness
Taste: Very intense flavors; a big crescendo of wood blending perfectly with deep, complex and rich notes of vanilla and caramel
Finish: Smooth and subtle
