Greetings all!

My friend owns a bar and has asked me to do a list of Cuban cigars that pair well with alcoholic drinks. I have my own preferences but am very open to sugestions. Basically the task is any Cuban cigar with any rum, whiskey or martini ect.

thanks in advance and happy smoking!

Have your friend put the Guantanamera Decimos at the top of the list.

They are absolutely fantastic, and pair well with nearly any drink. I've smoked a wide array of Cuban cigars, and until now my mainstays have been Partagas Serie D No 4, Partagas Serie P No 2, Cohiba Siglo VI and Robusto, Montecristo Petit Edmundos, No 2 and No 5, Romeo Churchills, Hoyo Petit Robustos, and a healthy selection of Edicion Limitadas. I don't smoke any of those anymore. I've given my remaining stock away, and all I smoke now are Guantanamera Decimos... without a doubt the finest Habano of all time.

I don't usually pair specific cigars with specific drinks, but this could be an interesting exercise.

I usually like a Cuban coffee, a Belgian beer, port, or water with my cigars.

This really a palate thing.

But it is a good idea to reverse the flavor profile so they are not clashing. For example: a robust cigar with a mild drink, or a mild cigar with a robust drink.

A spicy cigar with a sweet drink, a salty drink with a sweet cigar. Etc...

I tried pairing certain cigars to certain beverages and it just drove me crazy. I usually drink whatever I'm in the mood for when I light up.

coffee, water and lime, wine, rum and coke

For some reason I always lean towards a coffee with my Hoyo DC, and a Guinness with my Bolivar RC. Other than that I seem to like Havana Club 7 or Reserve with Cohiba, and Johnnie Walker Black or Green with Romeo y Julieta (especially Churchills). But a mojito is great with them all. And sometimes they are even great with a Pepsi.
That's just what I find, but heck to each his own.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Dusko007,

I agree that pairing a cigar with a libation is really a matter of personal taste...

there are however some simple rules you can follow:

As Steve said, try to reverse the profile of the 2.. that is a good start..

also, most premium cigars will pair good with brown drinks (whiskey, rum, burbon, brandy, etc...).. just be wary of islay scotches, as they can be quite peaty (smoky) and could overwhelm certain cigars.. on the same note, be wary of certain cognacs, as they can be quite spicey.

here are some of my favourite pairings. I'll try and keep it to popular cigars and drinks.. and BTW, in case you didn't know, I'm biased to Cuban cigars and scotch

medium bodied cigars (CoRo, HdM epi#2, monte #2) with a speyside scotch (Craggenmore double wood, Glenfiddich 18, McAllan 15)

full bodied cigar (BBF, CM5, PSD4) with a higland scotch (Glenmorangie Sherry cask, Dalmore cigar malt, Dalwhinnie 15)

Dalmore Cigar Malt Scotch, higher quality Tequilas such as Don Julio Anejo 80th or HC Rum 7 year, etc.

Yum, getting thirsty just thinking about it!

I like water, espresso, Scotch, bourbon & martinis with my cigars. I've been meaning to mix an Irish coffee with a cigar... think I'll do it this weekend.

Cold drinks numb the taste buds. But who cares?

Most of the stuff I drink numbs my entire body.

Guinness.
Goes with everything.
Cigars, whiskey, breakfast..

Seriously, I have seen tastings on the web, where a group of drinkers and smokers get in a room and vote for their favourite pairing.
Here's some of it, you may be able to find more.
http://www.whiskymag.com/magazine/issue39/12005613.html

Thanks guys, thats exactly what I wanted. Although I would be interested in hearing from the Doc in regards to Matinis and Cuban cigars.

Cheers everyone!

Just so you know, I was joking about the Guantanameras in my post above. They are absolutely horrible.

Correct. I did find it interesting that someone (the first ever to my knowledge) did actually say something positive about them. A guy at a B&M once told me not even beatles will touch them.

quote:

Originally posted by jezz:
Correct. I did find it interesting that someone (the first ever to my knowledge) did actually say something positive about them. A guy at a B&M once told me not even beatles will touch them.

Imagine smoking dirt, dust, insects and pubic hair, swept off the ground and rolled together in cheap, acrid-tasting tobacco.

That is exactly what they taste like.

quote:

Originally posted by Jeebus:
Just so you know, I was joking about the Guantanameras in my post above. They are absolutely horrible.

I would hope so....probably everyone knew that though.