Whiskey & Cigar Pairings

Whiskey & Cigar Pairings - Spec's Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods

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:

 

Romeo Julietta Reserva Royale

Pair It With: Whiskey, Rye Whiskey, Scotch

 

Rocky Patel Vintage 1992

Pairs well with: a Scotch or Peated Whiskey

 

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

 

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.

 

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

 

Expert Recommended Pairings

Laranja Reserva Corona Gerda Paired with Scotch

 

Montecristo Espada Ricasso Paired with Scotch

 

 

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