Beverage Pairings With Cigars

[jwr0201]

Everyone certainly has their favorite beverage / drink to go with cigars. No doubt that most popular are plain water and coffee of some variety. Coffee is a natural pairing, since it has similar flavor notes to many cigars. The flavor of coffee generally does not generally compete with that of most cigars, but tend to enhance the tastes. Many people like sodas, with the sweeter twist. Tea, both iced and hot is also popular. Moving to the stronger libations, Wines, brandy and after dinner drinks like Port and cognac have their followers. Moving up are the connisseurs of fine scotches, bourbons, whiskeys, rums and a few other spirits. All of these tend to pair well and enhance, rather than compete with the taste of a fine cigar. Then there is beer & ale. Many beers and ales pair well, but others can easily overshadow a fine cigar's complex flavors and render it mundane. Beers with high IBU, or bitterness are not really an ideal match for your favorite stogie. IPA's, double IPA's and Imperial IPA's are for hopheads and are somewhat popular styles now. The extreme bitterness tends to go with much more definite flavors like Mexican, Pizza, grilled foods, salty and fried foods. Maybe not so much so for a cigar where one is looking for the complexity to unfold and be able to enjoy the subtle changes that come. I know that there are cigar enthusiasts that go for the most bitter of American IPA's and will wholeheartedly disagree. Personally, I prefer balance and reach for a nice deep stout, porter or Scottish ale with their usual sweeter, low bitterness and bolder body. A good strong cafe con leche is nice, as are good island rums, fine bourbons scotches. Just my 2c.

[NSXCIGAR]

This one's had extensive coverage:

http://www.friendsofhabanos.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=125063&hl=coffee#entry647369

[Wrangler]

I love my scotch with my smokes Tobermory and Tomatin some of my favorites.

[stogieluver]

Cuba Libre's exclusively.

[Paul3]

I haven't dedicated as much time to pairing as I'd like to, coffee and a cigar is my norm, but recently, with the help of our fantastic host, found a match that I simply can't stay away from. Ron Zacapa and a RnJ Ex. No. 4. The compliment of this rum to the sweet dark cherry flavors of the Exhibition No. 4 can't be overstated IMHO.

I'd hoped to keep my box of these cigars hiding out in my humi for the next few years, but since being introduced to this wonderful partnership I simply can not keep my hands off of them. I will admit that the flavors, as delicious as they are, take a back seat to the memories of the fantastic afternoon with Rob and Di after Havanathon 15 when I was introduced to this particular pairing. Cigars, drinks, and great friends....is there a better pairing than that?

Cheers

[stigmata]

The Romeo y julieta e4 were ready to smoke as soon as they were born. Depends on whether you like acute blackforest cake cherry or sweeter .

Either way you can't regret it

Rum scotch brandy didn't matter

[earthson]

While it's classically been water for me (since I don't want to miss any of the flavors throughout a stick) I've begun a slow foray into what pairs well.

A dry rum like Barbancourt complements most sticks. I'll take a well-watered bourbon with some sticks sometimes; have been liking wheated bourbons like Weller or Fitzgerald when I want to accentuate the creamy notes in certain cigars.

[BMWBen]

Usually rum or beer. If its rum I think Zaya 12 pairs with a lot of cigars nicely and beer I'll go for Guinness

[MrGTO]

I like a white russian every now and then.

[jwr0201]

Usually rum or beer. If its rum I think Zaya 12 pairs with a lot of cigars nicely and beer I'll go for Guinness

I hear you! Zaya and Guinness are two of my favorites as well!