Re: Madeira - No. 1 Drink for Cigars
 

Give us an update when you try it out!

Re: Madeira - No. 1 Drink for Cigars
 

Rare Wine Company in CA is the biggest online retailer of Madeira in North America.

Re: Madeira - No. 1 Drink for Cigars
 

So yesterday I finally found a place that had a decent selection of Madeiras for sale in my area. With that, I had my first "holy s**t" moment. Mike, the guy working the shop at the time (forgot to ask if he was the owner), had a an open bottle of the Rare Wine Company New York Malmsey for taste.

Holy s**t.

I was not expecting such a complex character from it. In some ways, it reminds me a lot of scotch/whisky, but without the real initial alcohol bite. Lots of flavors of nuts, caramel/butterscotch, and some other stuff I couldn't place.

Alas, it was his only bottle left! I did end up getting the last bottle of the Boston Bual to try instead. But, he does now have me on his list of when the Malmsey comes back in I'm getting one.

Thank you, mosesbotbol, for introducing me to this. It definitely impressed me!

Re: Madeira - No. 1 Drink for Cigars
 

I enjoy the Boston Bual a lot too. Glad you are enjoying the Madeira! I just converted my accountant to Madeira and he's buying it like a mad man.

An awesome one to try is the Broadbent 10 Year Malmsey. It goes for under $50 and is readily available. You may be able to find for under $40, but around $35 is wholesale. Quite impressive stuff.

Re: Madeira - No. 1 Drink for Cigars
 

Thanks to this thread I picked up a bottle of Blandy's Madeira Malmsey 15 year ($34.99) on Thursday.

I haven't had a chance to try it yet but am looking forward to it. :tu

Re: Madeira - No. 1 Drink for Cigars
 

And?

Re: Madeira - No. 1 Drink for Cigars
 

I've onyl ever cooked iwht it. i tried to drink it straight once. didn't appeal to me.what temp do you drink it at?

Re: Madeira - No. 1 Drink for Cigars
 

Just below room temperature. You may have been drinking pretty low level stuff that would be difficult for anyone to really enjoy- if it's just cooking level Madeira.

Re: Madeira - No. 1 Drink for Cigars
 

I haven't cracked it yet...

Re: Madeira - No. 1 Drink for Cigars
 

I am drinking some right now. No cigar accompanying it because I am getting over a cold.

First impressions - "spiced rum" coloring, sweet smell reminds me of creme brulee.

Taste - rich, sweet and it stays with you. Easy to drink.

I will defintely be pairing this with some cigars in the near future. :al

Thanks for the heads up Moses!

Re: Madeira - No. 1 Drink for Cigars
 

Moses,

Ever had good quality Pedro Ximenez with cigars? I would agree that Madeira may be better a choice with cigars than many Portos, but I would also argue that a great PX is probably better still. Any thoughts?

Re: Madeira - No. 1 Drink for Cigars
 

Another convert joins the fold. I know I am staring down a dangerous slope when it comes to Madieras. It meets my taste needs of whisky without it being whisky. Too bad both can be expensive. :D

Re: Madeira - No. 1 Drink for Cigars
 

There's a brand called Nobel or Noel that is good. For me, PX is actually too rich and can only get through a glass or so. It is an excellent choice for the real sippers, but I can not sip that slow :al

Most PX's will state how long they were aged or the Solera they are from; so use that and price as a gauge. I am not a big Sherry expert, but how many PX's are you going to find? Most on the shelf will have a review next to them.

One wine I would like to dig into that seems way under priced is Marsala wine. Been meaning to buy a bottle Florio Marsala, as it is a give away and sounds actually pretty good. Any one had it yet?

Re: Madeira - No. 1 Drink for Cigars
 

As much as I would rather have you all not drinking Madeira and raising the prices at auction, lol... I am glad you are able to find this hidden treasure of the wine world that is just so wonderful a pairing with cigars or just sitting around. It's been America's most beloved style of wine since Jamestown settlement, but in the last 50 years has beem looked over by the masses.

Re: Madeira - No. 1 Drink for Cigars
 

Moses,

See if you can get your hands on a bottle of Toro Albala PX, either a 1961 (pretty expensive of you can find it at all) or 1972 vintage. Yes, sippers, as you stated, but with cigars I do sip (rather than drink, which I do otherwise).

Will pay a visit to Rare Wine Co. and buy some Madeira per your recs.

Re: Madeira - No. 1 Drink for Cigars
 

What's a good low-cost Madeira to start my slide down *that* slope? :r

Re: Madeira - No. 1 Drink for Cigars
 

Broadbent 10 Year Malmsey - my first pick on this list.
Leacock's 15 Year Bual
Blandy's 10 or 15 Year Malmsey
Rare Wine Company's Historic Series "Boston Bual" or "NY Malmsey"