Thanksgiving week in the Islands is like anywhere else (weather excluded). It begins with anticipation (wild “oinks” in our dining room) and ends with indigestion and the occasional weak cry of “I can’t eat another bite”. We began our traditional feast with Coquille Saint Jacques a la Nage (Scallops with Cognac ala flambee) a large Turkey with roasted pear and chestnut stuffing, a Provencale potato ragout with green olives, peaches in red wine, several different kinds of wine (the best of which was a Volnay 1997 Denis Boussey) and of course pumpkin pie, pecan pie and a Chocolate Orange Mousse cake. Coffee was Nicaragua Las Termopilas, which is sold by artisan micro roasters (those who sell single-origin coffees). It has just an extraordinary aroma: intense, chocolaty lemon flavors and floral notes that carry into the cup, but are overcome by a sweet intense acidy finish. Definitely a taste sensation.
After dinner and dessert, those of us still able to walk (I believe I slithered) took a seat in our outdoor gazebo that doubles as a dining room, for more coffee 100 year old Grand Marnier and a 75 year old bottle of Napoleon Brandy. As Rodney Dangerfield once said: "I drink too much. The last time I gave a urine sample it had an olive in it." Did I leave out the cigars?
The cigar was the Cohiba Esplendido (vitola is julieta). IMO, other than the Cohiba Siglo VI, this may be the single best Cuban cigar I've ever smoked. Rich, creamy flavors, thick smoke and that spicy aroma; good construction from a quality roll. The stick had an even draw that was consistent throughout. This is a quality two-hour smoke and is terrific after a great holiday meal.
It was late afternoon when we adjourned to the gazebo to sit deep in our cups and admire sunshine, a light breeze coming in from the British Virgin Islands and the simple fact that we were still able to sit upright without help. As Dave Berry liked to say: “Without question, the greatest invention in the history of mankind is beer. Oh, I grant you that the wheel was also a fine invention, but the wheel does not go nearly as well with pizza." I think that said it all for me.
Happy Holidays
(Vince, so glad to see that you are back pecking at the keyboard on the Qtrdeck).
cian
After dinner and dessert, those of us still able to walk (I believe I slithered) took a seat in our outdoor gazebo that doubles as a dining room, for more coffee 100 year old Grand Marnier and a 75 year old bottle of Napoleon Brandy. As Rodney Dangerfield once said: "I drink too much. The last time I gave a urine sample it had an olive in it." Did I leave out the cigars?
The cigar was the Cohiba Esplendido (vitola is julieta). IMO, other than the Cohiba Siglo VI, this may be the single best Cuban cigar I've ever smoked. Rich, creamy flavors, thick smoke and that spicy aroma; good construction from a quality roll. The stick had an even draw that was consistent throughout. This is a quality two-hour smoke and is terrific after a great holiday meal.
It was late afternoon when we adjourned to the gazebo to sit deep in our cups and admire sunshine, a light breeze coming in from the British Virgin Islands and the simple fact that we were still able to sit upright without help. As Dave Berry liked to say: “Without question, the greatest invention in the history of mankind is beer. Oh, I grant you that the wheel was also a fine invention, but the wheel does not go nearly as well with pizza." I think that said it all for me.
Happy Holidays
(Vince, so glad to see that you are back pecking at the keyboard on the Qtrdeck).
cian
