The art of cigar pairing

Many cigar aficionados like to enjoy their cigars with a drink. Far from distorting the aromatic palette of a cigar, this type of pairing can enhance and amplify your tasting experience when done correctly. In this article, we give you a few keys to successful pairing.

What is a pairing?

The art of pairing consists in seeking a perfect union between two distinct worlds. Just as there are wines capable of sublimating your dishes, a drink can bring out the aromas of your cigar, and vice versa. The key to a successful pairing is to find a balanced combination that enhances the respective aromatic profiles of your cigar and your beverage, without either dominating the other.

Bear in mind, however, that pairing a cigar with a beverage remains a matter of taste, and that the most important thing is to find a pairing that truly pleases you. So take the time to experiment as much as you can to find the pairing that suits you.

Traditional rules for successful pairing

There are some basic rules on how to pair a cigar with a drink. These rules are intended to guide you in creating your pairings, but should not be interpreted as absolute truths.

1. The analog method

The first step to a successful pairing is to match the strength of your cigar to that of your drink. As a reminder, cigar strength refers to the power of a cigar. A powerful, expressive cigar will thus be described as full-bodied, while a light, delicate cigar will be described as mild. In practice, this means pairing a full-bodied cigar with a full-bodied beverage, and a mild cigar with a light beverage. It's important to maintain this balance, so that no one flavor overwhelms the others.

The same logic can be applied to aromas. In cooking, the more molecules foods have in common, the more successful the pairing will be. In the same way, pairing a cigar with a beverage that shares common aromatic notes will intensify your tasting experience. For example, you can pair a full-bodied cigar with coffee notes with a roasted coffee to amplify the perception of this aroma.

2. The complementary method

The complementary method involves finding a drink that contrasts in body and flavor with your cigar, to accentuate the nuances of each. This type of pairing involves combining different aromatic notes, capable of bringing out the best in each. Sweet aromas, such as nuts and honey, can help reduce the bitterness of a cigar and enhance the perception of its savory flavors. An old molasses rum can also bring out the dark chocolate and spice notes in your cigar.

3. Mistakes to avoid

• Overload your taste buds: Avoid pairing a cigar with a beverage with strong sweet or salty notes.
  
• Soak your cigar in a liqueur Contrary to popular belief, this practice does not increase the intensity of your cigar's aromatic panel. On the contrary, it risks damaging its structure and altering its organoleptic qualities.
  
• Smoking too fast and drinking too much: Enjoying your pairing means taking your time with every puff of your cigar and sip of your drink. Smoking too fast and drinking too much can anaesthetize your palate and detract from your tasting experience.

The association between cigars and soft drinks

Cigar and coffee

Coffee and cigars share many organoleptic characteristics due to their geographical origin and the way they are processed. It's a combination that generally works very well. To make your pairing a success, we advise you to proceed as follows:

• Pair a mild cigar with a light to medium-bodied roasted coffee.
• Pair a medium- to full-bodied cigar with a medium- to full-bodied roasted coffee.
• Pair a full-bodied cigar with a strong roast coffee.

Cigar and tea

As with coffee, it's advisable to match the strength of your cigar with that of your tea. A green tea, for example, goes very well with a mild cigar with floral accents. A black tea such as Darjeeling will tend to go better with full-bodied cigars.

The association between cigars and alcoholic beverages

While many of the molecules in your cigars are not soluble in water, and therefore not soluble in your saliva, they generally dissolve well in water.alcohol. By pairing your module with a glass of wine orbrandyIn this way, you increase the intensity of your cigar's aromatic perceptions.

Cigar and whisky

Due to its organoleptic similarities with tobacco, the whisky is one of the brandies that goes best with cigars. Certain aromas, such as leather, spices and nuts, are often present in the flavour profile of cigars.

Here are a few examples of pairings that work well with whisky:

Visit Ramon Allones Specially Selected and the Romeo Y Julieta Cedros de Luxe No. 3 with a glass of bourbon.

Visit Bolivar Belicosos Finos 30 Aniversario Jar and the Cohiba Siglo 1 SLB with a glass of peated whisky.

L'Hoyo De Monterrey Epicure No. 2 SLB and the Flor De Rafael González Panetelas Extra with a glass of Irish whiskey.

Cigar and gin

Made from the alcoholic fermentation of malt and juniper berry aromas, gin offers refreshing properties ideal for cigar enjoyment. In addition to purifying your palate, its aromas blend perfectly with the taste of cigars. Their lemony, spicy and fruity notes are a perfect match for the intensity of a cigar's taste, creating a unique tasting experience.

Cigar and rum

Rum and tobacco are generally produced in the same countries and are both subject to different ageing processes relatively long. These similarities in aroma and complexity are ideal for creating perfect pairings. A cigar with notes of earth and leather, for example, will pair admirably with a spiced rum. A rum with fruity notes, on the other hand, is ideal for a cigar with a sweet flavor profile.

To make your pairing a success, don't hesitate to choose Rum and a cigar that have been aged for the same number of years. Their roundness and complexity will create an ideal balance of flavors that will only enhance your enjoyment.

Cigar and wine

Pairing a wine with a cigar is often more complex than with a brandy, and this is even truer for red wines. The tannins present in your wine can add harshness to your cigar's aromas. A wine that is too acidic can also cancel out some of your vitola's subtle notes. For a successful pairing, it's best to match the strength of your wine to that of your cigar. For example, you could pair a dry Riesling with a mild cigar, or a Malbec with a cigar with a bold aromatic profile. Opt for wines that have been aged for a few years. This will reduce their acidity and tannins, bringing more roundness to the tasting experience.

Cigar and cognac

Cognac and cigars share many similarities and generally complement each other very well. Generally speaking, it's best to avoid drinking cognac too young with a Havana. The ardor of the alcohol could neutralize the olfactory impressions of the smoke and harm your tasting experience. Instead, choose cognacs aged for a minimum of 10 years in oak barrels. This type of ageing adds finesse to your brandy and gives it a long finish capable of withstanding the power of the cuban cigars.