The Perfect Pair

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Few things spark more elegance and sophistication than sitting in a leather chair with a cigar in one hand and a crystal wine glass in the other. However, in order for that pairing to be pleasurable, you need to match your beverage and cigar perfectly. They need to complement each other in every way and yield perfect palate satisfaction.

So, how do you know which wine or cocktail to pair with your favorite cigar? We’re ready to share some of our best sips and secrets with you. But first, in order to create your perfect pair, you first need to understand the basics of matching the two.

Sweet and Bitter

Let’s take a walk on the sweet side. One popular combination involves mixing and matching two popular flavors: sweet and bitter. This makes sense because the contrast between the two really makes the flavors pop. For example, you can go for a sweet-tasting cigar like a Romeo Y Julieta Wide Churchill. Some describe the flavor of these cigars as mellow, sweet, and even creamy. They have a bit of a cedar note as well, which only enhances the sweetness. Pairing one with a bitter drink, like coffee that hasn’t been sweetened with sugar and cream or even a drink like a whisky sour or negroni (both of which have bitter notes), will nicely contrast the sweetness of this exquisite cigar.

You can choose to go the other way, as well, with a bitter-tasting cigar paired with an oh-so-sweet drink. A My Father La Opulencia is redolent of black coffee, making it taste bitter in a delectable way. Other options, like Oliva Connecticut Reserve cigars, have a peppery flavor that adds a little spice and bitterness to the palette. In order to contrast this, mix yourself a sweeter drink, like an espresso martini or a white Russian. A glass of a sweet wine, like Marco Negri Moscato would work nicely as well.

The Classics

Who doesn’t love the classics? There are three classic sipping drinks that don’t require any mixers. They are brandy, rum, and bourbon. A glass of one of the three also goes well with cigars of various flavors. A full-bodied cigar, especially one with a nutty flavor, pairs perfectly with various types of rum. Consider enjoying your glass alongside a La Aroma de Cuba Mi Amor, an Ashton Classic, or the leather tones of a Padron 1926 Series.

Brandy, on the other hand, has a unique flavor all its own. This slightly sweet, subtly fruit-flavored drink needs a cigar that complements it perfectly. Options, like the Ashton Aged Maduro, have a maple taste with a little bit of spice which goes well with brandy. Also, if you want to discuss cognac, brandy’s spicier cousin, you’re going to need to know which cigar to reach for. One of the many choices, like the Arturo Fuente Anejo, has a wrapper that’s been aged in a cognac barrel, resulting in that ideal flavor matching profile.

Let’s not forget about bourbon! This sweet and smoky drink tends to have a vanilla-ish flavor profile, which you’ll need to balance out with a full-bodied cigar. Consider pairing it with a La Aroma de Cuba Mi Amor Reserva or a San Cristobal Ovation for a bold hickory flavor that complements the bourbon, or, if you prefer a slightly lighter cigar, a Montecristo or a Padron 1964 Anniversary will go along nicely.

What About Wine?

You can never go wrong with wine. If you’re looking for a cigar that pairs perfectly with a glass of wine, the only question that needs to be asked is: white or red wine? Both have different flavor profiles, and similar to choosing the best option for your steak or fish dinner, you need to have a cigar that complements it. These pairings are also good for those who are new to the cigar world, as they are lighter in flavor and don’t have the harshness of a full-bodied cigar.

Consider the Villiger Export Pressed Cigar. It has a slightly full flavor, albeit a lighter one than a standard full-bodied option, meaning that it goes well with white wines. A glass of Valravn Chardonnay or Jermann Pinot Grigio will have notes that pair perfectly with the cigar. Another option, the El Rey Del Mondo La Reina has a more delicate flavor, making it a wonderful partner for red wines. For example, the unforgettable Buehler Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon and the Jospeh Phelps Freestone Pinot Noir complement this cigar beautifully. You’ll definitely enjoy sipping on your wine with one of these cigars in your hand.

For Those Who Like Spice

Let’s get spicy for a moment, shall we? Spicy cigars are those that have notes of poblano and jalapeno peppers, or even straight table pepper, like black, white, and cayenne. Balancing those out are notes of leather and wood, preventing the spice from being too overpowering. However, for those that want a truly spicy cigar, smoking the Fuente Fuente Opus X is a luxurious experience you’ll never forget.

Wondering what you pair with your spicy cigars? An equally spicy drink, of course. Choose a Reposado or Blanco tequila, or even a Jägermeister or Ancho Reyes Chile Liqueur. Others, like Michelada, spicy rum, a Bloody Maria, or Fireball Cinnamon Whisky will also work. Many of these drinks have the same spicy notes as your cigars, so you won’t be stuck with a less than ideal pairing. The goal here is to match spice with spice, without it becoming extremely overpowering. If you love to spice up your evenings, then this is your ideal pairing.

What Not to Pair with Your Cigar

In the world of pairings, there are always a few no-nos. Unfortunately, some things simply don’t go together. Drinks like vodka on the rocks or a glass of gin are too fragile to pair with a cigar. Mixed drinks with these types of alcohol are fine because the mixers add flavor, but on their own, the cigar will overpower the drink, and you will miss out on the delectable flavors you know and love.

Choosing Your Perfect Pair

The wonder and magic of pairings is real. We know there’s nothing like wrapping up your evening with a cigar and cocktail in hand. Whether you prefer coffee or an alcoholic delight, there’s a cigar pairing that you don’t want to miss out on. Simply stick to the flavor pairings you enjoy, whether they’re sweet and bitter, classic, wine-based, or even spicy, and you’re sure to tantalize your palate in many ways. And the best part? You’ll end your evening of elegance on a tasty and enjoyable note that is sure to be repeated.

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