What to drink for a noob

[kzoo11]

I've been smoking cigars since I was 18 and since I just turned 21 I wanted to get a nice bottle of something alcoholic to go with my nicer Padrons, Davidoffs, and Cohibas. I was thinking about getting a bourbon, whiskey or cognac. Any suggestions on specific drinks to try out with these cigars? Since I don't know what I might like, I'm hoping not to break the bank on this.

[Troels]

Being sort of noob myself I would suggest a mild rum that doesnt drown the taste of the cigar

[Hazza]

Although I'm a bit of a noob too, I can't speak highly enough of Ron Zacapa Solera 23 rum. I've never really liked straight liquor but this has changed me. Bit pricey at around the $100 mark, but worth every cent.

As far as bourbons that wont break the bank go, I like Makers Mark.

[winelover]

For a noob friendly scotch try Glenfiddich 12yo or Glenlivet 12yo. Cognacs can be great with scotch too and noob friendly quality at a good pp try Remy Martin VSOP ideally drink from a snifter without ice.

[Jeremy Festa]

Mate! Since it's your 21st. Get a nice cognac! Hennessy VSOP is not over the top, price wise!

[markmurase]

Zacapa 23 is a great smooth rum. Drink it straight. The sweetness of rum goes beautifully with cigars.

If you prefer whisky, Glenfiddich 15yr old, 40% alcohol is very smooth also. I much prefer it to the Glenfiddich 12yr old.

Cheers,

Mark

[GottaBeKD]

Only way to find out what you will like is to sample away. Find a nice lounge or cigar friendly bar patio and try a few.

Happy sipping and puffing.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2

[Lotusguy]

Honestly, when I was in my 20s I couldn't really appreciate straight hard liquor (shots to get drunk, but not for taste) - I would recommend a nice 10Y Tawny Port Wine instead.

[Troels]

Honestly, when I was in my 20s I couldn't really appreciate straight hard liquor (shots to get drunk, but not for taste) - I would recommend a nice 10Y Tawny Port Wine instead.

+1 tawny works very well with a partagas

[Surucipe]

Honestly, when I was in my 20s I couldn't really appreciate straight hard liquor (shots to get drunk, but not for taste) - I would recommend a nice 10Y Tawny Port Wine instead.

Fully agree, nicely aged tawny and cigars are great match!

[Tino]

For discovering whisky it's hard to go wrong with the classic malts: Dalwhinnie, Glenkinchie, Cragganmore, Talisker, Oban and Lagavulin. You might not like them all, but tasting them is a great way to look at the various regions and styles of Scotland. You could try them in bars, but the best way is to buy miniatures and taste them side by side. They also make 3x20cl gift sets (google Classic Malt Gift Sets)

[Colt45]

Another rum fan here. The Zacapa is a nice suggestion - I also like Gosling's and Cruzan amber for relatively inexpensive, good quality rums. I typically drink the Zacapa with just a little ice, the Gosling's and Cruzan with some cola and a squeeze of lime (though I also sip them straight from time to time).

I also like a crisp white wine, still or fizzy, and beer which is not overly hoppy. Happy trails!

[Skyfall]

My 2 cents for a newbie:

Wine: Tawny Port

Bourbon: Buffalo Trace

Rum for beginner: Zaya - straight up

Scotch: Balvenie 15 or Glenfiddich 15 - easy drinkers and won't break the bank

Cocktail: Original Hemingway Lime Daiquiri on the rocks

[Roanoke]

For whisky, you're well off starting with something like Johnnie Walker Black. Cheap enough to be affordable (~$35) but complex enough to warrant your attention while smoking.

I can also second the tawny port suggestions!

Lastly, rum & coffee are a classic Cuban accompaniment to a cigar. Get really good coffee (no Folgers! Grind your own damn beans and use a French Press) and dose it with a decent rum - something unspiced and NOT super dark, to my preference. Happy birthday!

[Random]

Another rum fan here. The Zacapa is a nice suggestion - I also like Gosling's and Cruzan amber for relatively inexpensive, good quality rums. I typically drink the Zacapa with just a little ice, the Gosling's and Cruzan with some cola and a squeeze of lime (though I also sip them straight from time to time).

I also like a crisp white wine, still or fizzy, and beer which is not overly hoppy. Happy trails!

x2 on Gosling's

Gosling's Black Seal is a quality and affordable drink.

[dangolf18]

Maker's Mark 46 or JW Black.

[hiball99]

If you want to try some Bourbon

Elijah Craig 12 year old and relatively inexpensive

Elmer T Lee

Blantons

Rip Van Winkle 10 year old

[fokker4me]

Honestly the best drink with a cigar is whatever you normally like to drink. You can broaden your horizons with something new however if you like beer have a beer. If you like rum try a few with it and so on. Sometimes it's just coffee or water. I tend to change it up a bit. I've been on a rum kick as of late, but enjoy a good rye or Bourbon as well. Just try and enjoy.

Cheers

Joe

[CanuckSARTech]

Another rum fan here. The Zacapa is a nice suggestion - I also like Gosling's and Cruzan amber for relatively inexpensive, good quality rums. I typically drink the Zacapa with just a little ice, the Gosling's and Cruzan with some cola and a squeeze of lime (though I also sip them straight from time to time).

I also like a crisp white wine, still or fizzy, and beer which is not overly hoppy. Happy trails!

Nice one, Ross. I concur - my wife's wine tastes are to the sweeter variety, and I've come over the years to enjoy a highly chilled, almost frozen, glass of gewurtztraminer or riesling with my cigars now and then. Definitely something that goes to the wayside with cigar-pairing suggestions, white wine that is.

[Bill Hayes]

If the Padrons have Maduro wrappers, a port or a rum would work well I think. I reckon Cohiba would go better with with Scotch. I prefer Lagavulin but it's pricey. I'm not much of a fan of Cognac but that's just a personal thing. My palate changes all the time now and seems to be seasonal. Last summer I found myself drinking Rose', after I came off a year of drinking Chardonnay (Aussie chards have improved a lot), now it's winter I'm drinking a lot of Pinot Noir from the Mornington Peninsula in Melbourne, Australia which I enjoyed yesterday with an Upmann Magnum 50. But you could mix it up a little - Champagne, Sparkling Moscato Asti or a German Wheat Beer for the Cohiba. Although, when you're young the alcohol can effect you more if you're not used to drinking so I would look towards something a little lighter so you don't get too drunk and miss out on enjoying the cigar. Sometimes, just a nice wheat beer can work. All the best.

[Jefferson]

My 2 cents for a newbie:

Wine: Tawny Port

Bourbon: Buffalo Trace

Rum for beginner: Zaya - straight up

Scotch: Balvenie 15 or Glenfiddich 15 - easy drinkers and won't break the bank

Cocktail: Original Hemingway Lime Daiquiri on the rocks

Nice. Buffalo Trace has to be the biggest bargain in whiskey. Goes great with a good smoke.

[ptrthgr8]

Although I'm a bit of a noob too, I can't speak highly enough of Ron Zacapa Solera 23 rum. I've never really liked straight liquor but this has changed me. Bit pricey at around the $100 mark, but worth every cent.

Where do you live that you're paying $100 per bottle for the Ron Zacapa Sistema Solera 23? For the 750ml bottle? Just last night I picked up another bottle (enjoying some with a nice VR Unicos as I type) for $41 here in town. That's the normal price here in North Dakota. Are you paying that much in taxes?

Cheers,

Greg

Sent from my DROID RAZR MAXX HD

[marty922]

Well, I'm in Oz and I'm paying $90 for Solera 23. Would love to be able to get it for sub $50.

[baragh]

Well, I'm in Oz and I'm paying $90 for Solera 23. Would love to be able to get it for sub $50.

Outrageous what we're paying in aus

I picked up a litre in singapore duty free for 66 sgd ( under 55 aud )

[marty922]

Outrageous what we're paying in aus

I picked up a litre in singapore duty free for 66 sgd ( under 55 aud )

I need to travel more