S5 E29 Conasteros 21 year old rum and an Opus X 20th

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Sticks-n-Stonez

Brent Elrod

243 episodes

1 week ago

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.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/sticks-n-stonez--5910792/support.

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S5 E29 Conasteros 21 year old rum and an Opus X 20th

Sticks-n-Stonez

30 minutes

2 weeks ago

S5 E29 Conasteros 21 year old rum and an Opus X 20th

🥃🍂 Pairing Review

Canasteros 21 Year Old Rum × Arturo Fuente Opus X 20th Anniversary

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Spirit: Canasteros 21 Year Old Rum

Origin: Colombia
Aging: Solera system, up to 21 years
Style: Aged molasses-based rum

Production & Character
• Long solera aging lends layered oak influence without excessive heat
• Naturally sweet profile balanced by seasoned wood and gentle spice
• Designed for sipping rather than mixing

Nose
• Vanilla bean
• Toffee and caramelized sugar
• Toasted oak
• Soft dried fruit (fig, raisin)

Palate
• Caramel and brown sugar up front
• Vanilla cream and baking spice mid-palate
• Light nuttiness and polished oak
• Smooth, slightly dry finish with lingering sweetness

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Cigar: Arturo Fuente Opus X 20th Anniversary

Vitola: Toro (varies by release)
Wrapper: Dominican Rosado (Opus X grown)
Binder/Filler: Dominican Republic

Visual
• Reddish rosado wrapper with natural oils
• Firm pack, minimal veins
• Immaculate construction consistent with anniversary releases

Nose (Pre-Light)
• Cedar and fresh hay
• Sweet tobacco
• Subtle spice and cocoa

Cold Draw
• Sweet cedar
• Light pepper
• Touch of dried fruit

Palate / Smoking Experience
• Opening: bold cedar, red pepper spice, dry earth
• Mid-section: leather, cocoa, roasted coffee bean
• Final third: intensified spice with dark chocolate and mineral notes
• Full-bodied, complex, and unmistakably Opus X

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Pairing Notes
• The rum’s caramel and vanilla soften the Opus X’s spice, creating balance rather than competition
• Oak from the rum mirrors the cigar’s cedar core
• Sweetness highlights cocoa and leather notes in the mid-palate
• Best enjoyed with small sips between draws to maintain harmony

⸻

Overall Impression

This pairing is about contrast and refinement. The Opus X 20th Anniversary brings signature Dominican power — spice-forward, structured, and unapologetically bold — while the Canasteros 21 answers with elegance, sweetness, and rounded oak. The rum doesn’t try to overpower the cigar; instead, it smooths sharp edges and amplifies depth. Together, they create a luxurious, slow-burning experience suited for a special occasion and an unhurried evening.

Pairing Score: (9.5 /10)

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/sticks-n-stonez--5910792/support.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/sticks-n-stonez--5910792/support