Cigar Pairings with Scotch and Red Wine
BillieBLVD
Everyone, Registered Users Posts: 17
In your humble opinion, what is the best way to pair a medium to full cigar with a spirit? I have found that Red Wine is easier than Scotch (unless its an Islay Scotch which can be difficult due to peat concentration and smokiness). Lastly, Cognac is pretty dam good and close to a Scotch when it comes to the production and aging process. Visti PuroMaduro.com or the PuroMaduroChannel on youtube. I have also found that beer is too acidic and white wine is too thin.
Comments
If you want to go beer, I tend to gravitate towards darker beers anyway but the only beers that really don't pair for me are pales and IPAs. The bitterness from the hops takes over just like the tannins in red wine and I end up losing the cigar. Stouts and Porters (especially barrel aged) go well with a maduro or a spicier, full-bodied cigar.
When I go Scotch, Islay is too overpowering and completely dominates the pallet. I go Speyside, Highland, even Lowland. They tend to offer fruitier, softer and even floral notes that I find can compliment a range of cigars. Outside Scotland, some Irish Whisky will pair well, as will American Whiskey (Bourbon or Rye).
Cognac can work well, as can many Brandies. VS and VSOP varieties tend to be more fruit forward and young, where XOs are heavier, oakier and slightly more refined. Look for some of my other posts regarding Cognac recommendations and lessons on the spirit.
If you haven't explored Rum yet, it's time you do. Rum is such a natural pair with cigars due to the fact that they're both made in the same regions. Look for good aged rums: Ron Zacapa, Zaya, Plantation 20th, El Dorado 12 or 15. Stay away from mixing rums if you're planning on sipping.
Feel free to ask me if you have any questions on any alcohol related info or pairings. Cheers!
-Rob
Whatever you do don't try to pair a cigar with a dirty martini. The olive will totally ruin your palate.
I'm not much of a wine guy but from what I've discovered, as I continue to refine my still noobish palate, is that I do not enjoy many dark reds with cigars. I've only found 2 dark reds (Cabs) & cigar combos that I really enjoyed. All of the other combos, one element was too overpowering - either the wine was too much for the cigar, or if I tried to find a fuller body cigar I'd overdo it and the cigar would overtake the wine.
I've enjoyed trying various "pairings" but I've had more "misses" than "hits."
I've found that Shiraz (or Syrahs) are much more "versatile" and I've had more success pairing them with a wider range of cigars - I've enjoyed Shirazes with a variety of cigars - anything from the CCOM American Label to a JDN Antano.
And I rarely drink whites, unless it's summer time - but whenever I'm drinking a white I always seem to reach for a mild, Conni-wrapped cigar.
(Most) IPAs will go great with a range of cigars, as long as you like "hoppy beers." Get too bitter though, or into double (Imperial) IPAs territory and you have to stick with a fuller body cigar or else the bitterness will overpower the cigar's flavors, IMHO.
Which Magic Hat IPA do you go for - Hi.P.A? Encore?
I've been getting into Imperial Reds the past couple month, like them with medium-full body cigars.
Had a coffee stout a couple months ago and I'm currently working my way through some milk stout - still trying to figure out what cigar goes best with these kinds of beers.
And for hard liquor, I usually don't get too into it - but if I do I'll usually go for the Apple Pie moonshine when the weather's cooler or a Cuban Mojito when the weather's warmer. The slight sweetness of both these drinks seems to go well with a wide range of smokes.
Introduce yourself and learn the site. Make some friends. Do some trades if you want. Treat it like you would a cigar shop in person. Introduce yourself, listen more than you talk at first, get to know people.
A very nice pairing I've recently discovered was a Pinolero toro with an Elijah Craig 12 year bourbon. Those two really complimented each other well.
The subject line asked about 3 cigars I would like to try. I would like to try those 3 cigars. What's the issue with that. Please elaborate.
I have heard that those cigars are wonderful.
The issue is no introduction but you ask for 3 very expensive cigars before anyone knows you. We try to be a family. A very large, sometimes dysfuncitonal, family. Family takes care of themselves. When you joined the site were you wanting to join the family or just share your thoughts on cigars?
If you just want to share your thoughts on cigars why ask for some? If you want to join and meet good people, share cigars and friendship, you missed the introduction and virtual handshake. Just a small detail that differentiates the herf brother(sister) to the magazine sitting on the table.
I have posted in that thread hoping to find someone with the cigars I have wished for. Then I work out a trade or acceptable arraingement to get them. I have also sent quite a few top 3 requests out without asking anything in return. People have been using this thread for that exact purpose for years.
As for the topic at hand, I like scotch but I haven't paired it with cigars yet. I typically drink scotch at home, but I smoke either at a local park or at the local cigar bar (and I don't like to buy scotch at bar prices). I do look forward to having a new house next year when I can relax on the back deck with a glass of Highland Park and a nice Padron.