BDSpiritual1 Posted October 3, 2018 Posted October 3, 2018 To all my SOTL and BOTL out there, good morning/afternoon/evening!! Unfortunately, I'm not experienced enough to truly contribute to my own post but I'd love to hear about all of your successful spirit + cigar pairing stories!! For all of you who enjoy a nice drink along side of your cigar, what remmeberable experiences have you had? For example, in general, I've seemed to enjoy a maduro cigars along side some good Bourbon. I find the sweet characteristics presented with maduro cigars pair very nicely with a nice bourbon! Recently, I've had the chance to try a Partagas Maduro cigar along side some W.L. Weller Antique 107 and it was wonderful! How about you? Please share your success stories!!!
CubanConnoisseur Posted October 3, 2018 Posted October 3, 2018 My alcoholic beverage of choice when it comes to pairing with cigars is rum. Here are some of my favourites: Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva (sweeter) El Dorado 12 year Ron Zacapa 23 Plantation 20th Anniversary XO Havana Club Selección de Maestros for fuller bodied cigars (I could only find this in Cuba) Baron Samedi spiced rum - more on the budget side; as a stand-alone sipped straight its pretty decent, pair it with a cigar however and it just comes alive. 2
BDSpiritual1 Posted October 3, 2018 Author Posted October 3, 2018 While I might not have much experience with cigars as yet, I know my spirits! In terms of Rum... based on what you've mentioned, you should try a pairing with the Venezuelan rum Ron Diplomatico Exclusivo! ** just realized you mentioned Diplomatico above! My bad.. **
Ken Gargett Posted October 3, 2018 Posted October 3, 2018 34 minutes ago, Jequan_sparxxx said: While I might not have much experience with cigars as yet, I know my spirits! In terms of Rum... based on what you've mentioned, you should try a pairing with the Venezuelan rum Ron Diplomatico Exclusivo! matching cigars and drinks, not just spirits, is basically what Kenfessions is for. and by chance, although i do not believe it has been posted as yet, a future one does feature that exact rum.
BDSpiritual1 Posted October 3, 2018 Author Posted October 3, 2018 Oh wow! "Kenfessions"!? I didn't even know what that was but it seems there is a website dedicated to it - interesting. I just thought I'd ask and hear about people's success stories and what they've liked to pair. Nonetheless, I'll keep an eye out for more articles on there. Thanks @Ken Gargett
99call Posted October 3, 2018 Posted October 3, 2018 High quality Anejo or Reposado tequila is fabulous with cigars. Many still have a very limited exposure or appreciation of tequila, thinking it just a spirit Spring breakers slam. Anejo or Reposado Tequila can offer notes of cedar, hay, honey, vanilla etc etc. In many respects it's actually more finely tuned to cigars than many other spirits. Just my opinion
BDSpiritual1 Posted October 3, 2018 Author Posted October 3, 2018 Agreed - lot of people don't have that appreciation for "true" tequila whether that be blanco/plata, reposado, anejo or extra anejo. Unfortunately, when most people think of tequila, by default they refer to mixto (i.e. spring break, bottom shelf, shoot it down and burn your chest stuff). Another great expression is mezcal if you can get your hands on it as it's also made from agave but not specifically the blue agave which is the requirement of tequila. I've had a few good tequilas that I'd love to try with a nice cigar. So far, I've tried Corralejo Reposado with an Oscuro wrapped cigar and they went very nicely together. However, I've never had a chance to pair any with a Cuban yet!
99call Posted October 3, 2018 Posted October 3, 2018 11 minutes ago, Jequan_sparxxx said: Agreed - lot of people don't have that appreciation for "true" tequila whether that be blanco/plata, reposado, anejo or extra anejo. Unfortunately, when most people think of tequila, by default they refer to mixto (i.e. spring break, bottom shelf, shoot it down and burn your chest stuff). Another great expression is mezcal if you can get your hands on it as it's also made from agave but not specifically the blue agave which is the requirement of tequila. I've had a few good tequilas that I'd love to try with a nice cigar. So far, I've tried Corralejo Reposado with an Oscuro wrapped cigar and they went very nicely together. However, I've never had a chance to pair any with a Cuban yet! Try an nice Arette 'Gran Class' or Jose Cuervo '1800 Anejo' with a Quai D'Orsay Corona. or PL Picadores, Upmann Connie 1, Cohiba Medio Siglo will pair nicely too. I tend to find tequila pairs better with lighter body cubans. Enjoy. I will defo look up the Corralejo Reposado.
BDSpiritual1 Posted October 3, 2018 Author Posted October 3, 2018 Nice - thanks for the suggestions! Okay I'll look into them. Another tequila brand that I've really liked is Casamigos. George Clooney used to own part of the company but recently sold his shares I believe. Anyhow, all the expressions are very nice but I personally enjoyed the reposado and more specifically the anejo the most! My top tequila so far has been Clase Azul Reposado - I'd love to try this with a nice cigar - although it is now SUPER expensive... but just so delicious!
mike74 Posted October 3, 2018 Posted October 3, 2018 Sorry, but nothing beats a good Scotch. Or brandy with sweeter/milder cigars. Fact.
99call Posted October 3, 2018 Posted October 3, 2018 1 hour ago, mike74 said: Sorry, but nothing beats a good Scotch. Or brandy with sweeter/milder cigars. Fact. Sorry but "fact" for you, 'your opinion' to everybody else. Personally I find the flavour spectrum of 70% Whisky to be complete odds with cigar pairing. Much like people enjoying red wine with cigars. It doesn't go. They simply just enjoy those two things massively. Not fact. Just my opinion ?? 1
Ken Gargett Posted October 3, 2018 Posted October 3, 2018 10 minutes ago, 99call said: Sorry but "fact" for you, 'your opinion' to everybody else. Personally I find the flavour spectrum of 70% Whisky to be complete odds with cigar pairing. Much like people enjoying red wine with cigars. It doesn't go. They simply just enjoy those two things massively. Not fact. Just my opinion ?? yes, agreed. what is a fact is that that was an opinion, not a fact. that said, red wine clashing with cigars is about as close as a fact as one can get - but i acknowledge that there are a few people that enjoy the match.
mike74 Posted October 3, 2018 Posted October 3, 2018 1 hour ago, 99call said: Sorry but "fact" for you, 'your opinion' to everybody else. Personally I find the flavour spectrum of 70% Whisky to be complete odds with cigar pairing. Much like people enjoying red wine with cigars. It doesn't go. They simply just enjoy those two things massively. Not fact. Just my opinion ?? No, it is a fact! ? But with you on red wine..
mike74 Posted October 3, 2018 Posted October 3, 2018 1 hour ago, Ken Gargett said: yes, agreed. what is a fact is that that was an opinion, not a fact. Was only kidding, Ken!
oliverdst Posted October 3, 2018 Posted October 3, 2018 I am not a fan of spirits like whisky, tequila, cachaça or, yes, rum with cigars. I tend to have a Porto, Madera, beer or just ice tea. 1
BDSpiritual1 Posted October 3, 2018 Author Posted October 3, 2018 For rums, has anyone tried Ron Cartavio XO? It's very nice as well! I've recently tried beer with a cigar but I'm not sure how to pair or choose them as yet (i.e. what to pair with pilsner/lager, ale, stout, etc.). As for ice coffee, I never thought of that!
99call Posted October 3, 2018 Posted October 3, 2018 5 hours ago, db13 said: As for pairing tequila and cigars that doesn’t sound very good but I’ll give it a try one of these days. If you think about it, Good quality tequilas flavour notes are generally great deal more like Cuban Cigars than all other options: herbaceousness, caramel, dry fruits, grassiness, honey, vanilla, woodiness, hay, marzipan...........more importantly however, Tequila unlike many spirits possesses that sweet humidor like cedar smell/taste. I never got that kind of woody note from any other drink. We all have our own preferences, but I would strongly recommend giving a high quality Anejo Tequila a go, in a little tumbler class with cube of ice.
99call Posted October 3, 2018 Posted October 3, 2018 5 hours ago, Ken Gargett said: yes, agreed. what is a fact is that that was an opinion, not a fact. that said, red wine clashing with cigars is about as close as a fact as one can get - but i acknowledge that there are a few people that enjoy the match. Ken, Would be really interested to hear your thoughts on how a 'cloying' nature, can negatively the potential of a drink for pairing with cigars? I often find rums, port, brandy, etc to be a bit overly sweet, thick and cloying, Drinks I find to physically linger on the palette, often results in a slightly confused vying between the finish of the cigar and the drink respectively. Do you incorporate water when pairing drinks and cigars? if you do, would cloying be a negative factor if you didn't have the water?
Colt45 Posted October 3, 2018 Posted October 3, 2018 I like beverages that maintain their characters and aren't negatively impacted by cigar smoke. For me, rum, crisp white wines, sparkling white or rosé wines, some fortifieds, many beers. I try to stay away from anything I find tannic or astringent, as I've found these to be the most negatively affected.
BrightonCorgi Posted October 3, 2018 Posted October 3, 2018 If I have a spirit with a cigar, my favorites (no order) Dark Rum Reposado Tequila Kirsch
99call Posted October 3, 2018 Posted October 3, 2018 2 minutes ago, BrightonCorgi said: Kirsch with R&J specifically, or just any cigar?
BrightonCorgi Posted October 3, 2018 Posted October 3, 2018 35 minutes ago, 99call said: with R&J specifically, or just any cigar? Pretty much any cigar. I don't really pair beverages to cigar in a thoughtful sense. Pour what I like to drink and pick a cigar... Most cigars I smoke or beverages I drink are very casual. Not taking note, nor thinking about what I taste for more than a NY minute. The R&J would be a targeted pick with the berry flavors of many of their cigars. Been smoking a lot R&J's recently too. Reminds me to buy another bottle Kirsch; it's fondue season. 1
joshhooper7 Posted October 3, 2018 Posted October 3, 2018 I love a good tequila. Don Juio 1942, Jose Cuervo Reserva de la Familia, hell, even Don Julio blanco is excellent. Making me thirsty! If only the US Navy was like other Navy's and we could drink on these long open water deployments! 1
Ken Gargett Posted October 3, 2018 Posted October 3, 2018 5 hours ago, 99call said: Ken, Would be really interested to hear your thoughts on how a 'cloying' nature, can negatively the potential of a drink for pairing with cigars? I often find rums, port, brandy, etc to be a bit overly sweet, thick and cloying, Drinks I find to physically linger on the palette, often results in a slightly confused vying between the finish of the cigar and the drink respectively. Do you incorporate water when pairing drinks and cigars? if you do, would cloying be a negative factor if you didn't have the water? away for a couple of days - try and jot down some thoughts when back. 1
TNT009 Posted October 3, 2018 Posted October 3, 2018 Wide range for me, but if it do or die time.... Give me- A Tawny Port BA Stout Single Malt (peatier the better)!
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