S5 E19 Willett Straight Rye with Oliva Serie V

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Bourbon Profile: Willett Straight Rye

Distillery: Willett Family Estate, Bardstown, KY
Mash Bill: Undisclosed (high rye content; typically 74% rye, 11% corn, 15% malted barley in sourced versions)
Proof: 110 – 115 (Barrel Strength)
Appearance: Deep golden amber with copper highlights
Aroma: Bold rye spice upfront—cracked black pepper, cinnamon, and a touch of eucalyptus. Beneath the spice lies brown sugar, caramelized oak, and faint mint.
Palate: Warm and assertive. Layers of toffee, rye grain, vanilla, and citrus peel unfold over toasted oak. The mid-palate shows a peppercorn bite that lingers into a long, dry finish.
Finish: Lingering spice, charred oak, and a subtle honey sweetness that fades into a crisp herbal note.
📝 Overall impression: Willett Straight Rye is unapologetically bold—its peppery energy and oak structure demand a cigar with enough backbone to match, yet enough finesse not to compete.

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Cigar Profile: Oliva Serie V

Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano Sun Grown
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Aged Nicaraguan Jalapa Valley ligero tobaccos
Body: Medium-to-Full
Construction: Firmly packed, box-pressed with an oily sheen and immaculate seams.
Cold Draw: Sweet cedar, cocoa powder, and a hint of espresso.
Aroma (Unlit): Earth, sweet hay, and light spice.
Flavor Notes:
1st Third: Espresso, cocoa, and a touch of white pepper; silky smoke with an even burn.
2nd Third: Strength builds with leather, toasted oak, and baking spice.
Final Third: Rich espresso and dark chocolate deepen, leaving a satisfying, pepper-sweet finish.
Burn/Ash: Razor-sharp lines and firm ash that holds for nearly two inches.
📝 Overall impression: The Serie V delivers robust flavors without harshness—a hallmark of Oliva craftsmanship. It’s refined, flavorful, and exceptionally balanced for the price (typically $10–$14).

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Pairing Notes: Willett Straight Rye × Oliva Serie V

First Sip & Light: The cigar’s creamy espresso and cedar tones mellow Willett’s initial pepper hit, rounding off the whiskey’s edges and allowing subtle vanilla and orange peel notes to emerge.
Mid-Pairing: As the Serie V moves into its spicy, leathery heart, it aligns beautifully with Willett’s mid-palate rye spice and oak. The rye’s caramel sweetness enhances the cigar’s chocolate undertones, while its high proof cuts through the dense smoke effortlessly.
Final Stretch: In the last third, both intensify—Willett’s warm spice and lingering oak complement the cigar’s espresso-chocolate crescendo. The pairing finishes long and balanced, with a sweet-smoky echo that lingers on the tongue.
This pairing is a conversation between discipline and indulgence. Willett Straight Rye’s assertive grain spice and oak backbone find a worthy partner in the Oliva Serie V’s espresso-cocoa richness. The cigar softens the rye’s sharpness, while the whiskey elevates the cigar’s sweetness and depth.

If you enjoy a pairing that walks the line between bold and refined, this duo is a masterclass in controlled power—a perfect close to a long day or the centerpiece of an evening ritual.