Pairing a cigar with a tumbler of whiskey can be a delightful experience…as long as you pair the right cigar with the right bourbon. There are a few key things to keep in mind when pairing tobacco and alcohol, but the main thing is to enjoy yourself!
The keys to a good pairing
- You want your cigar and alcohol flavors to be opposing flavors that balance each other and enhance each profile.
- You don’t want to pair similar flavors/notes together, as it can wash out the flavor profile and become a one-note experience.
- Each puff of a cigar & each sip of liquor should be looked at as palette cleansers for each other.
Things to keep in mind and avoid when pairing cigars and alcohol:
- Flavor profiles that are too similar – if you have a smoke forward cigar, do not aim for a smoke-forward spirit.
- Smoking on an empty stomach, especially for stronger bodied cigars
- Nicotine exacerbates the effects of alcohol, so trying to go too fast can make you lightheaded & extremely sick. So, take it slow and enjoy the ride!
Best Pairings for Cigar Beginners
Prodomo Champagne 10th Anniversary
Pair It With: Bourbon that has buttery & vanilla notes:
- Bourbon: MB Roland Standard
- Bourbon: Belle Meade Reserve
Romeo Julietta Reserva Royale
Pair It With: Whiskey, Rye Whiskey, Scotch
- Whiskey: Penderyn Legend (buttery)
- Rye Whiskey: James E Pepper Straight Rye Whiskey
- Scotch: Dewar’s 12 Scotch
Rocky Patel Vintage 1992
Pairs well with: a Scotch or Peated Whiskey
- Whiskey: Penderyn Peated
- Whiskey: Macherie Moor
Best Pairing for a Budget
La Traviata Cigars – Former Top 25 Cigars, and the only cigar marketed for under $5 to make the list. Best paired with a Bourbon with sweet & buttery flavor profiles
- Bourbon: Jim Beam Black
Best Pairings for BIG Flavor and Splurging
Liga Privada #9 or Liga Privada T52 – rarer cigar, produced in smaller batches
#9 has strong earthy notes with a sweet finish while the T52 has notes of cedar, leather, orange peel & acidity. Pair with Bourbon, Tequila, or Rum.
- Bourbon for #9: Crown Royal Black
- Bourbon for T52: Old Forester 1870
Best Paring for BIG Flavor and Feeling Adventurous
Hoyo La Amistad Black Label by AJ Fernandez – “Hits you like a Mack Truck” – NOT for the faint of heart! Combinations of sweet, spice, and bitter notes like pepper, coffee, earth, cedar, & cinnamon. Made with a rare Sumatran Oscuro Wrap made with a close-to-burning process when aging the leaf that produces big, bold, in-your-face flavor.
Pair with Rum, Bourbon, Scotch
- Bourbon: Maker’s Mark
- Scotch: Glenlivet 12 Year Single Malt Scotch Whiskey
Expert Recommended Pairings
Laranja Reserva Corona Gerda Paired with Scotch
Montecristo Espada Ricasso Paired with Scotch
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