What Is The Best Whiskey To Match With Your Cigar?

A crash course to cigars and their flavour profile

There are many different styles of cigars, and each one has its own unique flavour profile. While we don't have time to cover cigars in full, here are some of the most common styles of cigars and their respective flavour profiles:

1. Maduro: Maduro cigars are made with dark, sun-ripened tobacco leaves. They have a rich and full-bodied flavour, with notes of chocolate, coffee, and spices.
2. Habano: Habano cigars are made with Cuban-seed tobacco grown in Nicaragua. They have a medium-bodied flavour, with notes of pepper, leather, and earth.
3. Connecticut: Connecticut cigars are made with tobacco grown in the Connecticut River Valley. They have a mild and smooth flavour, with notes of cream, wood, and nuts.
4. Corojo: Corojo cigars are made with tobacco grown in the Vuelta Abajo region of Cuba. They have a medium-bodied flavour, with notes of cedar, nuts, and spices.
5. Sumatra: Sumatra cigars are made with tobacco grown in the Sumatra region of Indonesia. They have a medium-bodied flavour, with notes of pepper, earth, and spice.

Pairing drinks with cigars

Pairing drinks with cigars goes back as far as, well, as far as drinks and cigars. It really is a classic evening pairing, particularly after dinner.

Many different drinks can be paired with cigars. Popular options for pairing cigars with drinks include whiskey, brandy, and rum. These spirits are often considered to be a good match for cigars because they can help to enhance the flavours of the cigar.

But, cigar pairings aren't limited to spirits alone. Other options for pairing cigars with drinks include coffee, tea, and even beer. Some people also enjoy pairing cigars with dessert wines, such as port or sherry, as these can help to complement the sweetness of the cigar.

In the midst of these pairings, understanding how to choose a cigar that complements your chosen beverage is key. The art of selection is not just about size or shape; it's about the intricacies of the cigar's flavour profile and strength. Whether you're a novice or an aficionado, taking the time to learn about the nuances of each cigar type ensures the best possible pairing experience.

All things said, spirits do go particularly well with cigars. The flavours in spirits can help to enhance the character of a cigar, creating a more enjoyable smoking experience, bringing out the rich, complex notes of tobacco. Spirits can also help to smooth out any harsh or bitter notes in the cigar. And finally, the alcohol in spirits can help to cleanse the palate, allowing you to fully appreciate the flavours of the cigar.

What single malt scotch goes well with cigars?

When pairing a single malt whisky with a cigar, it is important to consider the flavours and characteristics of both the whisky and the cigar. Here are some suggestions for single malt whiskies that would pair well with a cigar:

• The Glenlivet 12 Year Old: This single malt whisky is light and fruity, with flavours of citrus, apple, and vanilla. It would pair well with a milder cigar, such as a Macanudo or a Ashton.
• The Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old: This single malt whisky is aged in both bourbon and sherry casks, which gives it notes of honey, vanilla, and oak. It would pair well with a medium-bodied cigar, such as a Punch or a Hoyo de Monterrey.
• Oban 14 Year Old: This single malt whisky is medium-bodied and well-balanced, with flavours of dried fruit, honey, and spices. It would pair well with a medium-bodied cigar, such as a Cohiba or a Davidoff.
• Old Perth Cask Strength: This single malt whisky is aged in sherry casks, which gives it notes of dried fruit, honey, and spices. It would pair well with a medium-bodied cigar, such as a Romeo y Julieta or a H. Upmann.
• Mac-Talla Mara: This cask strength Islay single malt whisky is a taste of a sea-swept coast line, with salty spray, a minerality, gentle smoke, and a hint of citrus. It would pair well with a robust and full-bodied cigar, such as a Partagas or a Montecristo.

What bourbon whiskey goes best with cigars?

Let's look beyond single malts. What about the best bourbons to pair with cigars? Here are a few suggestions:

• Buffalo Trace: An entry level bourbon is medium-bodied and well-balanced, with notes of oak, vanilla, and spices. It would pair well with a medium-bodied cigar, such as a Romeo y Julieta or a H. Upmann.
• Elijah Craig Small Batch: This bourbon is full-bodied and rich, with flavours of oak, vanilla, and caramel. It would pair well with a robust and full-bodied cigar, such as a Partagas or a Montecristo.
• Four Roses Single Barrel: This bourbon is full-bodied and rich, with flavours of oak, vanilla, and caramel. It would pair well with a robust and full-bodied cigar, such as a Partagas or a Montecristo.
• Heroes & Heretics Stateside 10 Year Old: A single barrel George Dickel 10 Year Old, rather special with notes burnished butter, honeyed oak, fresh spice and vanilla pods. It would pair well with a robust and full-bodied cigar, such as a Partagas or a Montecristo.
• Swell de Spirits Indiana Straight Rye: A wild card rye whiskey, to slot into the bourbon list. This has notes of rum-dipped bananas, fruit jellies, milk chocolate, honey and oak. It would pair well with a medium-bodied cigar, such as a Romeo y Julieta or a H. Upmann.

How about pairing cigars with a smoother Irish whiskey?

Irish whiskey may be a less obvious cigar pairing than single malt scotch or bourbon, but can work equally well. Here are some recommendations:

• Jameson 18 Year Old: This Irish whiskey is full-bodied and rich, with flavours of oak, vanilla, and caramel. It would pair well with a robust and full-bodied cigar, such as a Partagas or a Montecristo.
• Redbreast 12 Year Old: This Irish whiskey is medium-bodied and well-balanced, with flavours of oak, vanilla, and spices. It would pair well with a medium-bodied cigar, such as a Romeo y Julieta or a H. Upmann.
• Sailor's Home Caravelle: This is a small batch Irish whiskey finished in Martinique Rhum Agricole casks and bottled at 46%. With notes of toffee, sugar cane, blood orange, liquorice, it would pair well with a robust and full-bodied cigar, such as a Partagas or a Montecristo.
• Midleton Barry Crockett Legacy: This Irish whiskey is full-bodied and rich, with flavours of oak, vanilla, and caramel. It would pair well with a robust and full-bodied cigar, such as a Partagas or a Montecristo.
• Bushmills 21 Year Old: This Irish whiskey is full-bodied and rich, with flavours of oak, vanilla, and caramel. It would pair well with a robust and full-bodied cigar, such as a Partagas or a Montecristo.

Matching cigars with whisky cocktail

If you're looking for something slightly larger than a dram, why not go for a whisky cocktail? Here are some whisky cocktails that go well with cigars:

• Old Fashioned: This classic cocktail is made with whisky, sugar, bitters, and a twist of citrus. It pairs well with a medium-bodied cigar, such as a Romeo y Julieta or a H. Upmann.
• Manhattan: This classic cocktail is made with whisky, sweet vermouth, and bitters. It pairs well with a medium-bodied cigar, such as a Romeo y Julieta or a H. Upmann.
• Whisky Sour: This refreshing cocktail is made with whisky, lemon juice, sugar, and egg white. It pairs well with a milder cigar, such as a Macanudo or an Ashton.
• Rob Roy: This classic cocktail is made with whisky, sweet vermouth, and bitters. It pairs well with a medium-bodied cigar, such as a Romeo y Julieta or a H. Upmann.
• Blood and Sand: This classic cocktail is made with whisky, cherry liqueur, orange juice, and sweet vermouth. It pairs well with a medium-bodied cigar, such as a Romeo y Julieta or a H. Upmann.
• Rusty Nail: This classic cocktail is made with whisky and Drambuie (a liqueur made with whisky, honey, and herbs). It pairs well with a medium-bodied cigar, such as a Romeo y Julieta or a H. Upmann.
• Sazerac: This classic cocktail is made with whisky, absinthe, sugar, and bitters. It pairs well with a robust and full-bodied cigar, such as a Partagas or a Montecristo.
• Irish Coffee: This classic cocktail is made with whisky, coffee, sugar, and cream. It pairs well with a milder cigar, such as a Macanudo or an Ashton.
• Mint Julep: This refreshing cocktail is made with whisky, sugar, mint, and ice. It pairs well with a milder cigar, such as a Macanudo or an Ashton.
• Whisky Smash: This refreshing cocktail is made with whisky, lemon juice, sugar, and mint. It pairs well with a milder cigar, such as a Macanudo or an Ashton.