Bad cigar + libation pairing - your experience?

[griller]

Fellow smokers,

I nearly ruined one of the most sublime Monte Especial #2s I've ever had the good fortune to enjoy. Got the box about 3 weeks ago (LTO FEB 20) and decided to light one up to get a gauge of where they are right now. Earlier in the evening, the family enjoyed a birthday meal at a fantastic restaurant, so I decided against a beer instead opting for a neat Old Forrester 1920 Prohibition as a drink pairing. 

Well, this bourbon solo is fantastic if you like an old school, full bodied flavor, with a nose of Red Man chewing tobacco. However, it nearly overpowered the delicate subtleties of the Monte. This cigar smoked like it had 10 yrs of age on it, and commanded my full attention in an effort to savor the gentle flavor changes. It was a gorgeous rendition of mild chocolate, whole cream, general sweetness,, and "twang" that was present from light up to nub. About 10 minutes into the cigar I recognized my pairing mistake, and promptly grabbed a bottled water to quell my thirst when the urge arose. I'd rate this cigar a 93-94, and I would have missed it's complexities had I stuck with the 1920.

So, has this ever happened to you, and do you have some libations you know make a poor pairing with a Havana? I learned of one here, and would welcome any advice for pairing with the Especial #2.

[smbauerllc]

That's actually precisely why I never drink anything, even water, while smoking a Cigar.
Dont want it to alter or overwhelm the taste of the Cigar

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[Ginseng]

I'm the exact opposite. I don't limit my drink except for things that contain a lot of fat (cream) or sugar (e.g., toddies or hot chocolate). They  tend to be tongue coating. The vast majority of the sensory information comes through olfaction so if I give it a few moments after sipping even barrel proof bourbon, there is no issue.

[Digi]

Yep.  Recently made this mistake - cigar was nonexistent next to an 8% stout.  
 

My rules of thumb are nothing too sweet, esp. soda and nothing that carries a lot dry, tannic mouthfeel.

[RDB]

I love red wine, but it’s a terrible match with smoke. Pretty much all dry reds regardless the wine style. Now Port on the other hand is a spectacularly good pairing...

[Ginseng]

16 minutes ago, RDB said:

Now Port on the other hand is a spectacularly good pairing...

Truer words have rarely been said.

[Mickey D]

I'm with the water only crowd. Though I have recently thought about a virgin Bloody Mary. 

[99call]

I think drinks paired with cigars fit into three categories:

1, A drink you love, and you couldn't care less if it pairs poorly with a cigar............Red wine,  Heavily peated whisky's, thick cloying overly sweet, or synthetic drinks

2, A drink you are utilising specifically for it's abilities to cleanse the palate, and keep the smoking experience relatively pure...............coke, coconut water, sparkling water etc

3, Drinks that are actually in step with flavour profiles of cuban cigars.............reposado/anejo tequila,   lowland, or highland whisky,   Irish whisky,   certain sherry's, certain beers

[PigFish]

Some won't let their dinner fork touch their salad. That is not me.

Sometimes I want just the cigar. Other times I want the blended media... It makes no difference!

In the end i would say that I won't marinade my cigar with berry brandy! But if I drank, and wanted the combination of strawberry ripple mixed with Monte #2 then that's what I would do...!

I won't let anyone else tell me what my limits are. Set your own and be happy! -Piggy

[karp]

Lately I’ve found gin and tonics pair well... maybe due to their distinct flavour which is unlike the cigar itself. This lets me cleanse my palate and doesn’t compete with the flavour experience. Just my two cents.

[Ginseng]

I love G&T with cigars. 

I also find highballs to pair nicely because of the palate cleansing action. 

[BeerPimp]

I love IPA's but for some reason the bitter from the hops ruins the flavor of cigars for me.  I would rather drink a good stout.  I usually drink bourbon.  Every once and a while a good tequila goes good with a cigar.

[Ken Gargett]

6 hours ago, RDB said:

I love red wine, but it’s a terrible match with smoke. Pretty much all dry reds regardless the wine style. Now Port on the other hand is a spectacularly good pairing...

100% agree. red wine is a disaster. 

[El Presidente]

6 minutes ago, Ken Gargett said:

100% agree. red wine is a disaster. 

Such a broad statement.  You need to educate yourself a little on the different styles of red wine .

[Ken Gargett]

Just now, El Presidente said:

Such a broad statement.  You need to educate yourself a little on the different styles of red wine .

my apologies. any red wine into which rob has not poured a cupful of sugar. 

[Glass Half Full]

In my opinion, as much as I love a juicy IPA on it's own, they are a horrible pairing with a cigar.  

With cigars, I love a good rum, an awesome bourbon or rye, and a non-peaty Scotch, ...but too many lead to trouble, ...so I more often than not lean towards a lean, malty beer or a coffee, ...though the rum does pair so so well

As to wine, a hardy Spanish red can do well too

[Kevin48438]

If you want a cigar that pairs well with IPAs and cheap pilsner (like Budweiser) I can recommend an NC.  Drew Estate Liga Privada #9 or the variation: Undercrown (original, now called maduro.   I prefer the Corona Viva).  If you are at a graduation party or some outdoor event with a keg of beer they do alright.  Not necessarily compliment and enhance each other, but they don’t conflict and are each as enjoyable as if they were separate.

[Meesterjojo]

3 hours ago, Ken Gargett said:

my apologies. any red wine into which rob has not poured a cupful of sugar. 

Sounds like my sangria. Makes 7.5 liters. Uses 1lb of sugar. Adult Kool aid.

[Edicion]

Did a Sake and Cigar pairing recently - tried 4-5 different Sake ones and must say it was a hit - if you want to try something new I highly recommend it

[HuffnPuffff]

I’ve always thought wheat beers like Hoegarden go pretty well with my smokes, and recently I’ve been doing Bloody Shiraz gin with ice and a splash of soda water. White wines can work quite well for me.

If I want a train wreck pairing I’ll go for red Bordeaux or a zipped up American IPA.




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[Shrimpchips]

18 hours ago, Ginseng said:

I love G&T with cigars. 

I also find highballs to pair nicely because of the palate cleansing action. 

With the warmer weather I’ve been doing highballs too and it pairs too well.  I find Japanese whiskeys in general pair well with cigars, probably because the expressions don’t typically have overpowering notes and tend to be better balanced. 

[Hammer Smokin']

I don't know if Heineken is supposed to go well with Cigars, but it sure does for me!