Texas is known for doing everything BIG.  Even the weather can do things is a big way.  The Saying in Texas is if you wait long enough you can experience all 4 seasons in one day.  Let me tell friends that statement has held true for the last 2 weeks.  The weather has gone from subzero temperatures with freezing ice and rain, to flat out nonstop rain. This has made it difficult to enjoy a good stick and drink on my patio in the back yard.  Low and behold we caught a break in every changing weather last night and I had to take advantage of the cool and damp weather.  With that I sat down with a Crownedhead Yellow Rose and Josh Cellars Merlot.  

It was only befitting that I enjoyed the Texas winter weather with the made for Texas.  Crownedhead has had a history of producing cigars for a specific region.  The Tennesse-exclusive Tennessee Waltz and the Hawaii-exclusive Paniolo Especiale 2015 released its third state exclusive, a boxed pressed 6 ¼ x 54 torpedo for Texas and named it Yellow Rose (Emily Morgan a slave was nicknamed Yellow Rose).  Constructed with a Connecticut broadleaf wrapper covering a Nicaraguan bind and filler tobacco; this cigar provided flavor as big as the state of Texas.  

The cold draw had hints of leather, oak, pepper, baker’s spices, and a hint of earthiness.  To complement the leather and earthiness of the cold draw I decided to pour a glass of Josh Cellars Merlot.  Velvety and soft texture, packed with plum, blackberries, and cherries; amplified with strong carrying notes of a cocoa power finish; counter balanced both the leather and the earthiness of the Yellow Rose.  

Going with a V-cut the 1st third had undertones of a black pepper finish, bitter espresso, dark chocolate and leather on the retro-hale.  6 puffs in a began to drink the Merlot and the semi sweetness of the cherries balanced out the black pepper and leather to give it a smooth the creamy finish.  

As the 1st third finished off with earthly flavors notes it blended well into the second third and started to bring in hints of smoky mesquite.  Bring the BIG Texas flavors.  Washing this down with the Merlot almost too brought mind eating a half inch Rib Eye cooked medium well over an open flame seasoned to perfection all drinking a good Red Wine (Merlot). Dense white smoke reminiscent of mesquite wood on smoker gave it a bold yet shuttle smell with a medium flavor overall.  

The last third did not hold back. Blending the mesquite from the second third and rolling notes of earthiness, espresso, dark cocoa, grass, and cedar all being tamed by a creamy leather flavor finishing it off brings flavors only big enough to represent Texas.  

Crownedhead did not disappoint with the Texas represented Yellow Rose. Big on flavor yet smooth from start to finish. This stick complemented with the Josh Cellars Merlot were a Perfect Pairing.........