Alcohols

When it comes to alcoholic beverages, five types are most often enjoyed with a cigar.

The beer

A strong beer goes perfectly with a subtle cigar. On the other hand, a good cigar requires certain types of beer, although everyone has their own tastes. Indeed, certain types of beer (first choice) do not give the desired result when accompanied by a cigar. However, beer and cigars are tasted and enjoyed in the same way: their taste, color and strength vary according to their composition and fermentation time. That's why it's not uncommon to pair dark beers with cigars, or even amber beers.

The wines

Sweet wines are also a good accompaniment to cigar smoking. Natural sweet wines have a sugar and alcohol content that softens the bitterness of certain cigars. In this way, we speak of complementary pairings. For example, some 15-year-old Maury wines have toasty, toasted, roasted and sometimes musky aromas that are a perfect match for the similar aromas found in some rich, powerful Cuban cigars.

In addition to natural sweet wines, we can also mention Port wines, which perfectly complement the aromas and flavours present in the finest cigars.

In 2013, Fabrice Sommier, winner of the Habanos Sommelier competition, also presented a Château Yquem paired with a cigar (Château d'Yquem 1998 and a Cohiba Behike 56), arguing that the 1998 vintage was powerful and fresh enough to match the Cohiba Behike 56.

Rum

There's nothing like a good rum (white, amber or dark) to accompany a cigar, especially old rums. Rums are especially sought-after, as they often come from the same terroir as the cigar. Their sweet, sometimes subtle, vanilla taste blends wonderfully with the cigar's aroma. Cigar aficionados who have taken a trip to Cuba and found themselves sipping a Mojito with their best cigar reproduce this pairing when they return home to the monotony of everyday life and the sweetness of their vacation memories!

Cognac and Armagnac

Old cognacs, armagnac and cigars also form a very good alliance, especially if both beverages have woody flavors. These eaux-de-vie pair perfectly with a cigar, offering a flavor that is both subtle and refined.

Whisky

Whisky should be pure and free of ice to best accompany the cigar. Also, bourbons and Scotch malts are best with a mild cigar in moderate dosage. Peaty Islay whiskies are remarkably well suited to strong cigars, revealing their full aromas.

Remember, too, that cold is a hindrance. In other words, if you want a whisky "on the rocks", i.e. with several ice cubes, the cold will "break" the whisky's aromas, so that it won't be able to express all its complexity if it comes from noble terroirs.

Gin

Gin is not immediately associated with cigars, but the two combine perfectly for a unique taste experience. A good Gin Tonic refreshes the palate and doesn't overpower a Habano when it comes to taste. It's worth noting that Habanos and gin go very well together from a gustatory point of view. The taste of a cigar like that of gin can be described as spicy, aromatic, natural or with a touch of lemon, and so on.