Rum And Cigars - A Match Made In Heaven

[Smokin Joe]

On 04/08/2017 at 11:57 AM, Chaki said:

No mention of Santiago de Cuba?

It's also well worth trying, although the 11-years is difficult to find outside of Cuba. 

The 20 and 25-years are difficult to find even in Cuba.

 

 

The Santigo de Cuba 25 was pretty extraordinary. I only ever saw it in Havana but if you can get your hands on a bottle you won't regret it.

[Darkenskies]

34 minutes ago, ElJefe said:

I prefer my rum a bit on the dry rather than sweet side of the spectrum. That being said, Flor De Cana 7 has been a go to for me. It's a Dominican rum that can be had for about $28/bottle. I've tried the Flor De Cana 12 as well, which has a lot more complexity and subtle nuances so it's more of a sipper.

Ron Zacapo XO - the older bottling was some seriously good stuff. I picked up a bottle of the new offering and I suspect it's not just the bottle that has changed. It's tastes less viscous, flat and with a much shorter finish. A bottle will set you back about $80.

I've also tried the Kirk and Sweeney - 18 or 23 can't remember which exactly. This is a Guatemalan rum and you can definitely taste the difference - you notice the forwardness and base of molasses (from pure sugar cane), a medley of assorted spices and a very distinctive tobacco note on the finish. I think price wise this is in the $40/bottle price range

Zaya 12 and Ron Zacapa 23 - it's just a matter of moderate sweet or definitely sweet. Price wise I believe you're looking in the $40/bottle range.

I can't get any of these here where I'm at but I'm definitely on the hunt for Eldorado, Diplomatico and Plantation XO.

Hope this helps.

 

 

Took a screen shot of your recommendations and will look for these tomorrow at the liquor store. I'll probably pick up 3 or 4 bottles to sample and pair with different cigars.  

[ElJefe]

2 hours ago, Darkenskies said:

Took a screen shot of your recommendations and will look for these tomorrow at the liquor store. I'll probably pick up 3 or 4 bottles to sample and pair with different cigars.  

Sweet - Happy to help out Brother :).

[Jersey Devil]

On 4/13/2017 at 8:29 PM, Kbb said:

Apparently, Skittles. At least with cigars.  I would say chocolate (dark or salted caramel) with rum.

http://www.friendsofhabanos.com/forum/topic/130736-odd-pairings-cigars-skittles/

An amazing pairing is a couple of slices of a Terry's Dark Chocolate Orange ball. It's orange-infused dark chocolate. Pair that with a Sherried single malt (Macallan 18 or 12, preferably) and a Monte 2 and it's heaven on earth. But the Scotch will definitely overpower the cigar, so that's the downside.

21 hours ago, Darkenskies said:

I'm from the US.  I've always paired my cigars with scotch but want to try some rum.  Wish I could get some Cuban rum but that seems a lot harder to get than Cuban cigars.  Going to visit the liquor store tomorrow.  Any suggestions to purchase that can be found in the US? 

Forget the Cuban rum, although if you happen to visit Canada you can get a bottle of HC 7YO for about $25-30. If not, it's not a huge problem. The ones I mentioned earlier are, in my opinion, far better: Mount Gay 1703, Zafra 21YO and Zacapa 23 or XO (that last one's a bit pricey but worth it). These are sipping rums. I wouldn't dare mix any of those with Coke or anything else. Not even ice. Most rums you see in the corner liquor store are best for mixing. They have extra sugar added and are quite disgusting IMHO. Captain Morgan, I'm looking right at you, matey, Arrrrrr. And Bacardi (all but the 8YO) is in the same boat. Some are quite good when mixed with a soft drink of choice, but they mostly don't work as sipping rums.

There's an app I downloaded on my phone called Rum Ratings (in the Google Play store). A great go-to reference IMHO.

 

[Habana Mike]

20 hours ago, ElJefe said:

I prefer my rum a bit on the dry rather than sweet side of the spectrum. That being said, Flor De Cana 7 has been a go to for me. It's a Dominican rum that can be had for about $28/bottle. I've tried the Flor De Cana 12 as well, which has a lot more complexity and subtle nuances so it's more of a sipper.

Flor de Cana is actually a Nicaraguan rum. Agree there are many good ones in the line. The 18 and 25 are fantastic!

 

[Ken Gargett]

Just now, Habana Mike said:

Flor de Cana is actually a Nicaraguan rum. Agree there are many good ones in the line. The 18 and 25 are fantastic!

 

one of my faves.

the 7 and 12 are also really good. perfectly acceptable for sipping, especially the 12.

[ElJefe]

You Gents are absolutely correct - Flor De Cana is a Nicaraguan rum. Meant to say that but somehow had DR on my mind lol. Might have to do with perusing the packing for DR trip thread lol.

Good to know that I'm not the only one on the Flor De Cana band wagon. I haven't had the opportunity to try or buy the 18 or 25 year old versions but they are definitely on my look out for list.

[Aardwolf]

Uh oh, found another good rum IMO.  Well priced too.  Give Bacoo 8 year a try if you spot it.

[Aardwolf]

Like the above 8 year Bacoo, the 12 is only a few dollars more and quite good:

[SOFLO88]

When I just need a quick grab, I always go with Capt Morgan Private Stock. I see everyone else go with the more expensive stuff but I drink rum regularly so I always have that on hand. I have the Zacapa 23 as well as a discontinued Oronoco Rum that I have yet to pair with my cigars. Im just used to the private stock. Anyone try the Oronoco pairing with a cigar?