Notsocleaver Posted October 23, 2015 Posted October 23, 2015 I'm looking for a bottle of port, sherry or whatever to go with my favorite H Upmanns. What do I reach for? Something ~$30 USD hopefully. If it helps, when it comes to Scotch (what I know best), I tend to lean towards less assertive or complex bottles when pairing with my cigars. The assertive ones, especially smokey, over power my cigars. The complex ones tend to get washed out by the cigar.
Troels Posted October 23, 2015 Posted October 23, 2015 A ten year tawny could fit the bill - 20 is a little too pricey in my country
Randolph Posted October 23, 2015 Posted October 23, 2015 What a wonderful question. I like to reserve the fortified wines for Christmas. Have always enjoyed a small glass of sherry (Amontilado) before a meal. However in Australia I've found a lovely little tipple that goes a treat with a hearty medium to full bodied cigar. It's a little sweet and probably not something to drink in excess but whether you have a fine smooth cigar or one with a few teeth it does tend to smooth over any rough edges. Barbadillo La Cilla Pedro Ximenez is the name. $38 for 750ml at Dan Murphy. I can't recommend it enough. Alternatively, nearly as good is Barbadillo Pedro Ximinez. Available in 750ml (for about $24) or 375ml for ($10). I tend to buy two bottles of the later as it's cheaper and also you benefit from half of keeping well. Also very nice if you further fortify it with a little cognac. Try it and would love to hear your opinion. Far nicer than port in my opinion, the flavour really does tickle a cigars fancy. 1
garbandz Posted October 23, 2015 Posted October 23, 2015 Late Bottled Vintage Port.........usually 25.00 or less. 95 % of the experience of Vintage Port,at 1/5 the price.My Favorite........... Croft,Taylor,Dow,Ferreira,Graham,are all excellent. Sandeman is a bit thin,Warres is a bit hot.Smith-Woodhouse is a good buy if you can find it. All of the above make a Tawney as well,these are in your price range unless you reach for the 15 year or older. Tawney is dry,nutty and may take some getting used to.The older ranges (20 to 40) get VERY intense....... Sherry..........Start with Amontillado,it is in the middle between dry and sweet..............However some houses make a sweet Amontillado,so ask your shopkeeper for a recommendation...... My fave is Lustau,I seldom buy other brands.............
Colt45 Posted October 23, 2015 Posted October 23, 2015 Your question, for me, is quite interesting in that you seem to seek something kind of middle of the road. So in my mind I'm curious as to why - just something different to drink, etc? Regardless, I might consider a good fino sherry. Lean and complex ( I enjoy the nutty aspect ), but I feel easily able to stand up to most cigars.
Notsocleaver Posted October 24, 2015 Author Posted October 24, 2015 Your question, for me, is quite interesting in that you seem to seek something kind of middle of the road. So in my mind I'm curious as to why - just something different to drink, etc? Regardless, I might consider a good fino sherry. Lean and complex ( I enjoy the nutty aspect ), but I feel easily able to stand up to most cigars. I'm looking for something to drink with cigars that is a little less boozy than straight hard liquor. I just polished off a bottle of Lustau East India sherry, and while I liked it, I was curious if there was anything out there that might be a better buy for pairing with cigars. For me, the drink more often overwhelms the cigar rather than the other way around. When I pair, I want the cigar to take center stage, so I usually stay away from the big flavor bombs.
Colt45 Posted October 24, 2015 Posted October 24, 2015 When I pair, I want the cigar to take center stage, so I usually stay away from the big flavor bombs. Perhaps fortified wines are not the way to go then. The richness, especially of many ports, seems to be exactly what you're trying to avoid. 1
Notsocleaver Posted October 24, 2015 Author Posted October 24, 2015 Perhaps fortified wines are not the way to go then. The richness, especially of many ports, seems to be exactly what you're trying to avoid. That's kinda what I figured, but I thought I would check the collective wisdom here.
Elvis Posted October 24, 2015 Posted October 24, 2015 If you want the cigar to take center stage, mineral water is probably the best choice. My second choice would be Guinness, but that's just me. As for fortified wines, I do enjoy a nice port now and again. I think the Taylor Fladgate Tawney is very nice and also enjoy Whisker's Blake, an Australian Tawney. A number of good recommendations have been made by previous posters. If I'm fortunate to have enough like minded friends over for dinner, a vintage port (e.g. Grahams, Warres, etc) paired with an after dinner cigar always provides an acceptable level of ecstasy. As you are a scotch drinker, I'm guessing you're pairing single malts -- neat with your cigar. A blended scotch w/ ice or water might be a better choice. 1
Randolph Posted October 25, 2015 Posted October 25, 2015 If you enjoy a more spiritual adventure with your cigar how about a drop of Stroh Overproof rum as a cleanser. I have a very nice Hoochery Rum that's about 58%vol that does go very well with a full bodied cigar.
jwr0201 Posted December 31, 2015 Posted December 31, 2015 Agree with Randolph - a nice oloroso sherry is superb!
NapaNolan Posted December 31, 2015 Posted December 31, 2015 For port, I really like the Noval Black. It's a non-vintage bottling but lies somewhere in between an LBV and a Vintage Port in its style. Has tannin and acid like a good year Vintage but is very drinkable and not overly sweet. Runs ~$20 when I see it.
bwgan Posted January 1, 2016 Posted January 1, 2016 I think your looking for something like buckfast https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=http://m.youtube.com/watch%3Fv%3DSNv8hjLHyx8&ved=0ahUKEwiLuoiJsYfKAhXE_g4KHTUpBMcQtwIILTAG&usg=AFQjCNGoQf89TXW1b1CZUenXdR6yQaqx_w&sig2=HYATsG4ZtRgSWpHcs7rn7A
Pixa Posted January 1, 2016 Posted January 1, 2016 https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=http://m.youtube.com/watch%3Fv%3DSNv8hjLHyx8&ved=0ahUKEwiLuoiJsYfKAhXE_g4KHTUpBMcQtwIILTAG&usg=AFQjCNGoQf89TXW1b1CZUenXdR6yQaqx_w&sig2=HYATsG4ZtRgSWpHcs7rn7A Best selling fortified wine in the UK. Though I would not touch it even with deanos
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now