There is something comforting about this pairing. The Pawn of Prophecy by David Eddings is a book that I’ve read and re-read since my youth, Drew Estate’s Liga Privada T52 is my fall back cigar when I don’t have any particular cravings, and Gentleman Jack is an unobtrusive drink that’s easy to knock back on a hot afternoon.
The Pawn of Prophecy is Book 1 of the Belgariad and as such is heavy on the exposition to introduce the reader to the world and some of the main characters. Likewise, the T52 is a heavy hitter with its introduction of the main flavors of earthiness, sweetness, and pepper. To balance these two, the Gentleman Jack is a drink of vanillas and charred oak.
The T52 is mellow through the middle, becoming creamier and sweeter, better complimenting the Gentleman Jack. I feel equally mellow these days about the characters within the Pawn of Prophecy, as they consist of known cast of the sly thief, the huge warrior, the powerful sorceress, the wise wizard, and the orphaned farm boy as the chosen one. However, there is enough flavor to each of these, with extensive background and motivations, that even if they don’t feel fresh any more they are still old and welcome friends.
The book is full changes, as Garion, the farm boy, is taken from the farm and out into the wide world where he runs into many wondrous seeming things. The T52 also takes you from the smoother second half into the wondrously bold flavors, though they are not new but a return of the earthiness, the cedar, and pepper from the first third. The transition is a smooth one, just as the Gentleman Jack is a smooth whiskey, consistent in it’s flavor and quick in its finish.
The book also ends quickly, with the encouragement to move into the second book to find answers to all the questions left hanging from book one. The cigar ends a little hotly but enough ash on the end settles that so that it is still nub-able.
Ultimately, the book is an excellent introduction to the realm of fantasy for the younger reader. The book is not challenging and neither is the Gentleman Jack. These two paired well together for the easiness with which they are consumed. The cigar was also easily consumed but I would advise it for the more advanced palate, perhaps just a step or three ahead of the book and drink. Even so, I found it a pleasant complement to my reading and drinking. Next time though, I think perhaps a Hoyo De Monterrey Petit Robusto, a lighter cigar with milder flavors that evolve progressively and might better match the slower progression of the first book.