Sticks-n-Stonez is a weekly podcast that pairs fine cigars with premium spirits. Each week a premium hand rolled cigar is paired with just the right spirit to enhance the palate and profile of each offering. During the episode Brent, the host, will share details about each offering and then present his opinion on the visual aspects, nose, and palate of the cigar and spirit and detail his opinion and rating of the pairing. He will also sprinkle in some of his own offbrand humor. Between each episode you can catch Brent on Instagram at @sticksnstonez1. The show's Insta account is approaching 20,000 followers so you should really jump in now.
Brent is a retired combat veteran with deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. He picked up cigars while deployed to Baghdad, Iraq, in 2004 and has been developing his nose and palate ever since. With two decades of experience in cigars and 3 decades in fine spirits his senses are acutely tuned to provide the best possible advice.
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Sticks-n-Stonez is a weekly podcast that pairs fine cigars with premium spirits. Each week a premium hand rolled cigar is paired with just the right spirit to enhance the palate and profile of each offering. During the episode Brent, the host, will share details about each offering and then present his opinion on the visual aspects, nose, and palate of the cigar and spirit and detail his opinion and rating of the pairing. He will also sprinkle in some of his own offbrand humor. Between each episode you can catch Brent on Instagram at @sticksnstonez1. The show's Insta account is approaching 20,000 followers so you should really jump in now.
Brent is a retired combat veteran with deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. He picked up cigars while deployed to Baghdad, Iraq, in 2004 and has been developing his nose and palate ever since. With two decades of experience in cigars and 3 decades in fine spirits his senses are acutely tuned to provide the best possible advice.
S5 E2 Wild Turkey 101 & Arturo Fuente Sun Grown Cuban A Bold,Balanced Pairing - #onestreamlive
Sticks-n-Stonez
38 minutes
4 months ago
S5 E2 Wild Turkey 101 & Arturo Fuente Sun Grown Cuban A Bold,Balanced Pairing - #onestreamlive
When it comes to marrying spirits and cigars, synergy is everything. You want both the whiskey and the cigar to complement and enhance each other — neither overpowering, neither fading. In the case of Wild Turkey 101 and the Arturo Fuente Sun Grown Cuban Belicoso, you get exactly that: a robust, full-flavored pairing that delivers intensity, structure, and a layered experience for the seasoned palate.
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Wild Turkey 101: A Classic with Backbone
Wild Turkey 101 has earned its place as a go-to bourbon for those who appreciate flavor over flair. Bottled at 101 proof (50.5% ABV), it balances power and depth with surprising smoothness. Crafted primarily from a high-rye mash bill and aged longer than most bourbons in its price range, this Kentucky classic offers: • Nose: Vanilla, brown sugar, baking spices, and oak. • Palate: Caramel, cinnamon, charred oak, and a distinct rye-driven spiciness. • Finish: Lingering warmth with a peppery kick and a hint of orange peel.
This is a whiskey with character — bold but not brash, spicy but not harsh. It thrives when paired with equally expressive cigars.
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Arturo Fuente Sun Grown Cuban Belicoso: A Spiced and Sophisticated Smoke
The Arturo Fuente Sun Grown Cuban Belicoso is a standout in the Fuente portfolio. Rolled in a tapered Belicoso format, this cigar features Dominican binder and filler tobaccos grown at the legendary Fuente farms and wrapped in a sun-grown Ecuadorian leaf. The result is a cigar that brings out: • Appearance: Oily, reddish-brown wrapper with a slight tooth and seamless construction. • Cold Draw: Cedar, spice, and a touch of sweetness. • Flavor Profile: • First Third: Pepper, earth, and cedar take the lead. • Second Third: Toasted nuts, leather, and cinnamon begin to shine. • Final Third: A crescendo of dark wood, espresso, and spice, with a touch of natural sweetness lingering.
Medium to full in body, this cigar is bold enough to stand with a high-proof bourbon but refined enough to reveal evolving complexity throughout the smoke.
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The Pairing: Spice, Sweetness, and Harmony
Pairing Wild Turkey 101 with the Arturo Fuente Sun Grown Cuban Belicoso brings out the best in both. • First Impressions: The spice from the cigar’s sun-grown wrapper echoes the rye-forward warmth of the bourbon. Each puff is followed by a sip that heightens the flavor without overwhelming the palate. • Midpoint Synergy: As the cigar evolves and reveals deeper nutty and leathery notes, Wild Turkey’s caramel and vanilla provide a softening contrast. Together, they create a balanced interplay of sweet and savory. • Finale: Both the whiskey and the cigar finish strong. The cigar’s espresso and char pair beautifully with the bourbon’s oak and peppery finish, creating a satisfying close to a powerful pairing.
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At roughly $25–30 for the bourbon and $8–10 for the cigar, this is a pairing that punches well above its price tag.
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Final Verdict
The pairing of Wild Turkey 101 with the Arturo Fuente Sun Grown Cuban Belicoso is a celebration of American and Dominican craftsmanship. It’s a fusion of strength, spice, and sophistication that delivers big flavor without breaking the bank. Whether you’re winding down the day or enjoying a weekend ritual, this combination offers a memorable sensory experience that proves bold doesn’t have to mean unrefined.
Rating: 85/100
While this was a good pairing of two extremely well crafted offerings I think they did not fit together as well as I expected. The Wild Turkey was a little too spicy or strong and out shown the cigar a little.
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Sticks-n-Stonez
Sticks-n-Stonez is a weekly podcast that pairs fine cigars with premium spirits. Each week a premium hand rolled cigar is paired with just the right spirit to enhance the palate and profile of each offering. During the episode Brent, the host, will share details about each offering and then present his opinion on the visual aspects, nose, and palate of the cigar and spirit and detail his opinion and rating of the pairing. He will also sprinkle in some of his own offbrand humor. Between each episode you can catch Brent on Instagram at @sticksnstonez1. The show's Insta account is approaching 20,000 followers so you should really jump in now.
Brent is a retired combat veteran with deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. He picked up cigars while deployed to Baghdad, Iraq, in 2004 and has been developing his nose and palate ever since. With two decades of experience in cigars and 3 decades in fine spirits his senses are acutely tuned to provide the best possible advice.
