what to have with a talisman?

[finecigar]

Also had a 1983 Ch. Suduiraut with an older BCG, which was a wonderful balance of the two flavor profiles

[oliverdst]

sparkle water.

[CaptainQuintero]

Famous Grouse used to do a lovely FG liqueur that was mixed with honey, mandarin, ginger, cloves, cardamon etc. I'mn not sure if it's available there but for an evening in with one it might be a lovely pairing

[Buck14]

Cask strength single malt scotch and/or bourbon (minimum 100 proof, 120 better).  Served neat, no goddamned water “to brighten it up” (what a load of BS). NO rocks. Still water or sparkling water ON THE SIDE - you can throw your rocks in there.

[Westside Threat]

Malmsey madeira.  Sweet, acidic and complex.  Will pair wonderfully

[GavLew79]

4 hours ago, oliverdst said:

sparkle water.

Is this full of glitter? Is it what Unicorns drink? ?

[rguinn]

Bourbon is the only beverage that crossed my mind here...

[Elvis]

I'm really looking forward to the Talisman review! There's been a lot of excellent suggestions but my two favorites so far are sparkling water and/or Champagne.

I don't think you can go wrong with either!

[Buck14]

BTW, I smoked a pre-release, unbanded Cohiba Talisman in November when I was up in Toronto at a wonderful establishment.  The cigar was gifted to me by a wonderful BOTL that I met up there. What a great gentleman! I smoked mine with several glasses of Knob Creek Special Reserve Bourbon 120 proof.  Smoking time was 2 hours. Cigar was incredible!

Enjoy, Ken!

[PapaDisco]

Another vote for bourbon here.  Pappy's 12 year if you can find it.  Blanton's, Four Roses or Angel's Envy if you can't.  The little bit of sweet in Bourbon, rather than Scotch, is helpful in keeping the tasting focus on the cigar.  If you go Scotch I'd aim for one of those odd Glenmorangie's that are aged in sherry barrels (or port or bourbon barrels), rather than a purist's super peaty malt.  

And if El Jefe de Cigaro absolutely must have a red, then the sure thing is Opus 1, though I expect you would find it too predictable for you.

 

[oliverdst]

2 hours ago, GavLew79 said:

Is this full of glitter? Is it what Unicorns drink? ?

lol

sparkling

[havanaclub]

Try with Laguvulin 12 or Diplimatico Reserva Rum


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[shadowACE]

Either a traditional Sazerac cocktail or a Vieux Curre.

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[Ken Gargett]

20 hours ago, gweilgi said:

Since beer is a no-no (strange fellow) and there is no calvados in the house (another strange fellow), what about some cider?  

nice thought but like whipcrack would know the difference beer and cider.

guys, love heaps of these suggestions. there is one that has twigged nicely with what i was thinking. no spoilers, however...

[westg]

Sip on some rum...sure you have all sorts...enjoy...

[Ken Gargett]

sadly, not happening. see other post!

[Wertman]

Wait so Ken the review didn't happen?

[Ken Gargett]

21 minutes ago, Wertman said:

Wait so Ken the review didn't happen?

not yet - detailed elsewhere.

[Bill Hayes]

I found Chandon sparkling pinot noir chardonnay seems to go well with Cohiba. But for a top shelf cigar why not go my favourite, Dom.

[Ken Gargett]

bill - just did a great long post which this stinking technological black hole swallowed and i'm not doing it again but very briefly. i know dom has done the testing. riichard geoffroy, chef de cave opened a 64 for us at the abbey and told me he would have it with a partagas D4.

[GotaCohiba]

On 12/15/2017 at 6:39 AM, Fugu said:

Stay with water / coffee / tea (Darj., Chinese green) / or perhaps a mojito if the weather fits - really keen in your thoughts of the cigar, not the drink, boys. Sorry for the ascetic proposal.

Water indeed. No need to muddle the flavor

[grizzlee]

A dram or two of Oban with a sparkling water back...

[99call]

On 15/12/2017 at 7:12 AM, Ken Gargett said:

 i am still waiting for rob to arrive with the promised talismans to review.

Is the Talisman review and secret beverage back on the cards now El Pres has returned, and in good health?

[Doctorossi]

Since you ask, I now have to sound like a boring fuddy-duddy: I always drink something with very mild and minimal flavor (iced tea, coconut water) with a cigar (especially one the likes of which I've never before smoked) because I find that anything else interferes with/distorts the tasting process too much.

[Westside Threat]

Coconut water, interesting idea.  Love how coconut porters pair