Ok, I’m Ready, but What Should I Pair?

I’m glad I’ve finally convinced you to pair your cigars with a beverage. The next question you’re probably asking is, What should I pair? Well here’s the great thing, that’s totally up to you. I’m going to give you my suggestions and how I go about choosing my pairings.

The Academic Approach

Research the product, formulate a plan and go for it. This is my go to method, because it’s slightly scientific and more so artistic. Let’s get hypothetical for a minute. Let’s say you’re wanting to try a new cigar and a new spirit for this pairing. The next time you go to your cigar shop look around and try to find something that catches your eye. Maybe it’s the latest release from Oliva. If you have a smart phone handy open it up and do a quick search and try to find some reviews on it and see what people have been saying about it. Better yet, ask your store’s tobacconist and see what they say about it. Ask them what flavors they experienced. See if they line up with what the reviewers have to say about it. Buy a couple of them and then head to liquor shop.

Once you’re at your local wine and spirits store tell them you’re looking to try something new. Maybe it’s a new bourbon that’s just hit the shelves that you’ve been reading about. Again, ask the store employees if they’ve sampled it and what flavors they experienced or hopefully you can read some reviews of it online while you’re in the store. This is where it gets fun. Try and pick out something that you personally think would pair really well with the cigar.

Personally, I like to pair opposite flavors. So if my research turned up that the cigar I purchased has a dominant spicy profile, then I’m going to look for a spirit has more of a sweet flavor profile to it. Maybe even something that has a smokey flavor to it so I can get a nice combination of either spicy / sweet or spicy / smokey which usually results in a nice savory flavor combination. I like to think ahead and try to predict what this particular pairing will have to offer and that usually determines what I’m buying. You know what they say, fail to plan and plan to fail. I honestly don’t believe that when it comes to cigar pairings though. Because if I’m getting to smoke a cigar and sip on a distilled spirit I’m usually winning all around. For me it’s part of the journey and part of the fun is taking an educate guess on what will please my palate to the fullest.