When I think about the Kentucky Derby the first thing that comes to mind isn't the million dollar horses rumbling down the backstretch at Churchill Downs, but rather a little green cocktail. It is the mighty mint julep that reigns supreme over the Derby, in my mind anyway.  Maybe it's because of my years of working in the alcohol beverage industry that a cocktail would take precedence over the most popular horse race in the world.

So if a bourbon cocktail is the official drink of the Kentucky Derby, what would be a great cigar choice? There is actually an “official cigar” of the Kentucky Derby.  Ted's Cigars makes this cigar with a Corojo wrapper, Ecuadorian Sumatra binder, and Dominican filler. Although I have never smoked this cigar and never seen it in Florida, here at ABC we do sell one of Ted's other selections, Maker's Mark. It doesn't get more Kentucky Derby than a cigar "aromatically enhanced" by Kentucky’s own Maker's Mark Bourbon. These cigars come in a glass tube which is dipped in their signature red wax, not only adding to the appearance, but also ensuring that the cigar remains properly humidified.

But your Derby smoke choices don't end with the Maker's Mark cigar; there is one other choice that should really pair well with the little green cocktail mentioned earlier. The Rocky Patel Java Mint is an
obvious choice here. This cigar is a collaborative effort between Drew Estate and Rocky Patel. Most are familiar with Drew's ability to produce quality flavor-infused cigars. Please don't confuse these cigars with the .35 cent plastic tips that you can buy on the counter of most convenience stores. The Rocky Patel Java Mint, like all of Drew Estates infused cigars, are high quality, long filler, premium hand rolled cigars.

I recently smoked a Java Mint and let me start by saying that infused or flavored cigars aren't something that I normally smoke. I will enjoy one on occasion as a change of pace, but normally I steer towards the
more traditional cigars.

Visually, the Java Mint is a box-pressed beauty with its dark Brazilian Maduro wrapper. The initial aromas once I removed it from its cellophane sleeve were that of a Girl Scout Thin Mint cookie. This may be the first time a Girl Scout cookie has been used to describe a cigar—but if the shoe fits, wear it. As I toasted the cigar and took my first puffs, I was pleasantly surprised by the peppery, rich dark tobacco flavors that made up the thick creamy smoke that coated my palate. Of course, the chocolate and mint flavorswere also there, but the mint was not just some candy flavoring added to the wrapper for taste. It was more like fresh mint. Something that you would find in a glass of tea from Paula Deen's restaurant, a hand muddled mojito, or a mint julep prepared the traditional way.

As I completed the first third of the cigar, the richness of the tobacco along with the mild pepper notes intensified a bit, but the mint and chocolate were still there. I was surprised at just how balanced the cigar remained throughout the smoke. The mint never overpowered the cigar, but it was always there. Don't get me wrong, there is sweetness to the cigar, but Drew Estate has done a masterful job in controlling it. The late stages of the cigar added some coffee flavors, but the fresh mint never went away.

Most would probably classify this as a medium bodied cigar, but I think that when you smoke it may be a factor in its strength. If you have it for breakfast with your coffee, then I think it leans on the medium side. Smoke it for dessert, after a meal, and I see it as milder. Either way, this cigar should be a great addition to your Kentucky Derby celebration.

Long Ashes,

Chris Gwaltney

ABC Fine Wine & Spirits regional manager in Jacksonville. Follow him on Twitter @chrisgnole