Indian, Omar, and El Baton - Part 3

The temperature outside suddenly began dropping from what must have been record high 90s last week. Considering that I rarely have an opportunity to smoke in the comfort of an air-conditioned environment like Nicky Blaine's in Indianapolis, I thought I should take advantage of the conditions outside tonight. I stopped in the fabled Garage Brewery at the original New Albanian Brewing Company location off of Grant Line Road in New Albany, Indiana, to see what brewer Jared Williamson had on the brewer's tap. The eight barrel system at this location still serves as the primary brewery while the downtown Bank Street construction is being completed. When the new brewery is complete, the original location will continue to operate and will serve as the pilot brewery for experimental batches, small production releases, and seasonal offerings.

In the back there are two unmarked tap handles that are occasionally connected to a tank or a keg of something special. I grabbed a growler (a 1/2 gallon glass jug used for carry-out) and opened a tap. The beer poured in dark and smelled of malt and maybe a hint of sourness. "It must be Phoenix", I thought. Phoenix is a Kentucky Common Ale modeled after the sour mash ales that were common to Louisville brewpubs in the late 1800s to early 1900s, and a great companion to the cigar.

Later, at home on the deck, I poured the dark, caramel-colored beer into a big glass, fired up the laptop, and prepared to light the El Baton that Ed Roszczynski of Churchill Cigars had recommended. I took a big drink fully expecting the sour funk of Phoenix to gracefully assault my pallet. What I found instead was a strong, malty brew, hot with alcohol, and more characteristic of a savory cognac than a beer. It could only be Malcolm's Old Setter's Ale, a special brew by Jesse Williams, part of the Brewer's Best Friend Series.

I hadn't had a Malcolm's in over a year and was quite surprised to be tasting it again (and quite pleased). I only pulled a couple of pints before the keg blew, about half a growler. Yep, I finished it off, but with a great cigar.

Here's what The Daily page in Madison, Wisconsin, had to say about Malcolm's:

"Among the real ales creating a buzz were Tea Bagged Furious from Surly Brewing (Minneapolis), with aggressive bitter flavors; and Malcolm’s Old Settlers Ale from New Albanian Brewing (New Albany, Ind.), whose smooth caramel flavors and warmth make it the kind of beer that cries out for a moonlit-evening bonfire..."

You can read the full article here:
The 2007 Great Taste of the Midwest delivers in Madison

If you'd like to read even more, here's what Drew from Mattingly Brewing Company has to say about it in: Drew's Favorites Volume One

So, what about the cigar? The El Baton turned out to be the best damn smoke I've had all week. It was as spicy as promised and as luscious as you can imagine a $7.50 smoke can be. It was worth going over my budget and I'll do it again the next time I'm in Madison (I haven't seen that label around here, but it might be available closer to home).

According to Leaf & Ale, "El Baton is the newest cigar from J.C. Newman Cigar Company. This is the first premium cigar in a box that J.C. Newman has offered that is NOT made by A. Fuente y Cia. This cigar is made in Nicaragua by a very small factory that does not make any other cigars for any manufacturer. They only make El Baton, and only in very small batches. El Baton features a blend of Nicaraguan tobaccos that Bobby and Eric Newman have kept a closely guarded secret. This cigar is medium to medium to full bodied, with a long, deep finish. This is a cigar lovers cigar, and priced right!"

I have been learning a lot about cigars lately and have been wanting to try a cigar with a Corojo wrapper. I was especially excited to discover that this cigar was a Nicauraguan puro with a 100% Corojo wrapper.


El Baton
Vitola: 6.25" x 56
Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Corojo
Filler: Nicaraguan
Binder: Nicaraguan
Strength: Medium
Body: Full
Purchased: Churchill Cigar, Madison, IN
Price: $7.45 +tax
Drink: New Albanian Brewing Co. Malcolm's Old Setter's Ale


I found the El Baton to be a full-bodied cigar with complex flavors of mocha, sweet toffee, and nuttiness mingling with mild spices, black pepper, leather, and wood. Despite the complexity, it was still a rather mellow cigar and, for that reason, even more pleasant. I can't wait to have another.