Pairing Ginger Root with Cigars

[TonyAccardo]

Alot of cigar smokers talk about pairing cigars with libations such as scotch and such. I have also heard of others eating dark chocolates with cigars with great, synergistic results.

I just started doing this but figured I'd share it with all as the synergy in flavours is absolutely amazing to me. I discovered it when I was eating Gin Gins, a crystalized ginger candy with crystalized sugar cane covering the ginger pieces. At the time I was smoking an H Upmann Petit Corona and the ginger candies coupled with the smoking of the cigar was amazing and made the cigar even more enjoyable than it was. I already think Upmann PC's and even moreso the Regalias, have a touch of ginger spice to them anyways, but the coupling of ginger and the cigar multiplies the spice/ginger flavour making it explode out in spades.

So with this experience, I went to the store the next morning and bought a big, gnarly, bulbous ginger root. I came home and got out my Duble Duck straight razor, which I also use to shave off the heads of my cigars, and proceeded to slice very thin pieces of raw ginger, chew it up and sometimes store it in between chews in between my lip and gum, like a dip of tobacco, and smoked my cigar along with a hot coffee. Absolutely excellent flavours, as the ginger stays with your palate long after the physical piece of ginger has been chewed and swallowed.

Now some will say "What a cretin! Are you f'ing serious?!?" And that's fine too. But for those who don't drink alcohol, like me, and are looking for other options to increase the enjoyment and flavor you get out of your cigars, I cannot recommend this highly enough. Especially with cigars that have that ginger root/ginger snap/ginger bread taste/aroma to them, like alot of them do, this just magnifies that attribute and also brings out other spice-like aromas and flavors out of the cigars. It's a little habit I've taken to doing now whenever I smoke and it also makes most Nicaraguan cigars much more enjoyable also.

If anyone else has a practice similar to this, I'd like to know about it. Thanks for reading.

[Cornell]

Interesting.

[jacksfull]

I can see it. I love spicy ginger myself and regularly keep Chimes Ginger Chews on-hand... not to mention the thin slices of ginger root that are served with sushi.

But the perfect cigar pairing may be a strong golden ginger ale (or ginger beer). My favorite is Red Rock Ginger Ale. That's an old-time soda that used to be common in the Southeast US. Still made, though hard to find these days. So strong and spicy, sometimes I'd swear they must add habanero peppers... but it's really just the natural spciness of ginger. Do not confuse this with typical pale ginger ale mixers. Not even close to being the same animal.

[tmac77]

I have not tried eating any form of ginger while smoking cigars but I often have green tea with ginger, a bit of mint and honey to accompany a cigar. Pairs very nicely.

[TonyAccardo]

I have not tried eating any form of ginger while smoking cigars but I often have green tea with ginger, a bit of mint and honey to accompany a cigar. Pairs very nicely.

Although technically, you're eating it, I wouldn't classify it as I'm"eating" per say. I slice very thin, translucent slices of the root and chew it just enough to release that hot, spiciness and then tuck it or swallow it if all of the usefulness is chewed out of it.

Yes, you're right, to each his own, but for as long as I've been smoking cigars and trying different things, this struck me as reallly magnifying my enjoyment of a cigar.

[manelson05]

I like Abita root beer with a cigar in the evenings as well as a nice cream soda.

[jfive]

I love this idea! I'm going to try it. I think cigars can be further enjoyed w a nice piece of chocolate, cream soda, root beer or coffee. I gave up booze years ago so this is a good one to try.

[avaldes]

I like ginger too. I think that a Reed's Ginger Beer goes well with a cigar. We also have a boutique lemonade made here on the central coast of California. It is made with local lemons and ginger. They also make a lavender lemonade that is very unique. These have been my go-to drinks as the weather warms up.

[ksblazer]

I like Reed's ginger beer as well. Haven't paired it with a cigar though. I bet would like the combo though.

May take some ginger candy to enjoy with a cigar and see how that works.

[RickHendeson]

My personal opinion is that for me the spice of the root would overpower/dull my taste buds, making the cigar somewhat of a waste. If you can't enjoy every nuance then why spend the $ on the cigar. Thoughts for myself anyway.

[Boosted]

But the perfect cigar pairing may be a strong golden ginger ale (or ginger beer). My favorite is Red Rock Ginger Ale. That's an old-time soda that used to be common in the Southeast US. Still made, though hard to find these days. So strong and spicy, sometimes I'd swear they must add habanero peppers... but it's really just the natural spciness of ginger. Do not confuse this with typical pale ginger ale mixers. Not even close to being the same animal.

Have you ever tried Buffalo Rock Ginger Ale? It is bottled here in Birmingham, and it too is really spicy. I don't usually drink it because I am more used to the sweeter Canada Dry. I usually only see Red Rock when I am going to Atlanta.

Back on topic, I will have to try a Buffalo Rock Ginger Ale as a drink pairing next time instead of my usual Dr, Pepper, Coke, or Boylans Root Beer.

[raymond5737]

Now this is exciting. I'll look to see what is available in Minnesota and try it out. I like all kinds offices from India and will report back as I try them. Im thinking a stronger cigar profile will create a good pairing.

[jacksfull]

Have you ever tried Buffalo Rock Ginger Ale? It is bottled here in Birmingham, and it too is really spicy.

Yep, very good. I've tried just about every golden ginger ale I run across, particularly when trveling since they do tend to be regional oferrings. Buffalo Rock is certainly in the top echelon. But, I grew up on Red Rock and it still remains the most perfect one to me.

[leftimatic]

Huh. Well I guess I'm gonna have to try this one. I do make a hot apple cider vinegar with honey an ginger drink through the winter months that always went well with a cigar. A ginger lemonade sounds real good right about now.

[Notsocleaver]

I gave this a shot yesterday. Sliced ginger root and sparkling water with a Mag 50. I ate a slice and washed it down with water every 1/2 inch or so. I found it kinda woke up my palate and kept the flavors of the cigar distinct through out the smoke. Ginger root is pretty cheap around here, so I think I'm going to have start keeping some on hand from now on.