Cigars and Coffee: A Perfect Match

[Jimmy2]

Cigars and Coffee: A Perfect Match

Source: Blogcritics.org

Many months ago we gave you some tips on selecting a spirit to pair with your cigar.

Now I like a stiff drink as much as the next guy, but there are many times when a bourbon, scotch, cognac, port, or rum - the more traditional cigar cocktail pairings - just aren’t appropriate or desirable.

On these occasions, might I suggest you reach for a cup of Joe? Coffee isn’t the most exotic drink. Over half of all Americans consume it every day, with per capita consumption at 1.6 cups daily. But a fine cigar paired with a good brew can transform the average into the exotic.

Coffee and a cigar before noon, in the early afternoon, or after dinner (when a stronger spirit just isn’t possible when you need to drive home) can be delightful.

And the flavors in a good cup of coffee are highly complementary to cigars. Vanilla, mocha, chocolate, and roasted notes, as well as nuttiness and earth, can all be found in both cigars and coffee. In fact, tasting wheels used for coffee tasting would help any cigar smoker identify flavors in his tasty tobacco treat.

But much like bad cigars, people too often think of coffee as bad coffee, akin to the sludge at your workplace. But doing so would be like thinking that all cigars are like Phillies. I fear that, despite the billions of cups of coffee Americans drink every year, many people have never had a really good brew.

I make a pot every morning with my French press coffee maker using freshly ground beans from my manual burr grinder. Some people take it a step further, roasting their own beans from their initial green color to the deep brown we identify with coffee, while others have thousand-dollar fully automatic espresso machines. But such a setup isn’t necessary for good coffee.

Whatever machine you use, try coffee that you grind yourself at the supermarket or local coffee store, as opposed to pre-ground canned coffee. And buy it in small amounts so that it isn’t sitting around getting stale, which can massively change the flavor. (I bought my grinder after noting how much more I enjoyed coffee right after I bought it compared to after it sat around in my kitchen cabinet for a week.)

Finally, try different types of coffee from various countries and companies. Not surprisingly, Cuban coffee pairs excellently with cigars, but so can a good cafe au lait, latte, or espresso.

Like cigars, you need to try a variety to find your favorite. And when you do, you may find that, from time to time, you’ll pass over alcoholic beverages in favor of a good cup of Joe.

[El Presidente]

One of my favourite combinations. A mug of freshly brewed coffee...black...no sugar and a fine Connoisseur No 3 ;-)

[habanablue]

» One of my favourite combinations. A mug of freshly brewed

» coffee...black...no sugar and a fine Connoisseur No 3 ;-)

ALB and I enjoyed the Punch Regional Release last week with Schibello coffee. A great match! Especially as ALB had to drive home and had had a few already!

[Cam]

What's the best coffee machine? My friend has an old Swiss brand I can't even remember the name which makes the best quality coffee i've ever tasted, any ideas?

[Colt45]

Coffee is also my non alcoholic beverage of choice - hot or iced.

Cam, Jura is a Swiss brand of machine - don't know if that helps. But for brewing

regular coffee, it's hard to beat a french press.

[Freefallguy]

After a couple of puffs on the veranda, my 15 yo son assessed that the flavor was coffee. It's a natural.

[wp2]

» A mug of freshly brewed

» coffee...black...no sugar and a ...

The only way to drink it!!!

[Bernard]

Coffee and Cigars are very definately a perfect match. For me, a little Hoyo du Maire or a Monte 5 with a decent coffee is the perfect relaxing break in the day.

[El Rushbo]

I've recently taken a liking to the Montecristo Coffee. The 1935 Havana Roast and the American Breakfast blend are quite different, yet equallly impressive.

I love this coffee with a cigar.

[Curt]

» I've recently taken a liking to the Montecristo Coffee. The 1935 Havana

» Roast and the American Breakfast blend are quite different, yet equallly

» impressive.

»

» I love this coffee with a cigar.

My weekend morning routine is a pot of fresh ground with a Partagas Short...or an El Principe or a Boli CJ or a RASCC or a Divino or...well you get the idea.:-D

[atomross13]

My wonderful Wife found me the perfect coffeemaker last Christmas. It is one that you put the whole beans in a hopper and it grinds them just before the water is pumped over them. Wow what a difference it makes of prepacked coffee. Also agree on the black coffee nothing added.

[crossbow]

» » A mug of freshly brewed

» » coffee...black...no sugar and a ...

»

» The only way to drink it!!!

Its either any partagas with port / sherry(as el presidente recommended)

or

a good Punch PC/H Upmann Sir Winston/ San Cristobal La Punta/ Trinidad Reyes with 2 mugs of coffee. I find that the coffee from one of our members' shop here in FOH is delicious as he roasts them and ships 'em to my door. Freshly roasted (up to one week) and freshly ground coffee makes a whole world of difference!! It complements the taste of the cigar.

Being a brother of the leaf and a member of FOH, he sends me an occasional cigar with the 4 pounds that I order from him. The last one , a Cuaba Exclusivo from 98 went well with the Colombian Cup of Excellence.

[aavkk]

without a doubt my drink of choice with most cigars. growing up in Miami Ive always loved a good espresso. But for those of you who arent interested in the time it takes to make a good cup i would recommenda a nespresso machine although it doesnt make a regular cup, just espresso. This is the easiest and best tasting espresso out there IMO.

[trumpetchris]

Well, a I understand from the Miami guys when I lived there (Padron, El Credito) the guys making the cigars are drinking coffee when they make the blends, so if it's good enough for them, it's good enough for me!

[PartagasIV]

How is Cubita...I've yet to try any. Good, or no?

[anacostiakat]

» One of my favourite combinations. A mug of freshly brewed

» coffee...black...no sugar and a fine Connoisseur No 3 ;-)

Once you go black. . . :cool:

A cafe cubano and a good smoke...

[Ginseng]

I love a good cafe Americain with my cigars. I don't prefer sweet/black but something with a touch of cream really seems to help bring out the best a cigar has to offer. It also makes the experience a bit more forgiving of harshness.

Wilkey

[El Presidente]

» How is Cubita...I've yet to try any. Good, or no?

I have a fondness for Cubita. Not overly complex and it has to be made strong. Hits the spot ;-)

[Loki]

» » » A mug of freshly brewed

» » » coffee...black...no sugar and a ...

» »

» » The only way to drink it!!!

»

» Its either any partagas with port / sherry(as el presidente recommended)

»

» or

»

» a good Punch PC/H Upmann Sir Winston/ San Cristobal La Punta/ Trinidad

» Reyes with 2 mugs of coffee. I find that the coffee from one of our

» members' shop here in FOH is delicious as he roasts them and ships 'em to

» my door. Freshly roasted (up to one week) and freshly ground coffee makes

» a whole world of difference!! It complements the taste of the cigar.

»

» Being a brother of the leaf and a member of FOH, he sends me an occasional

» cigar with the 4 pounds that I order from him. The last one , a Cuaba

» Exclusivo from 98 went well with the Colombian Cup of Excellence.

I also enjoy coffee with my cigars.

The above members personal blends are also quite good.