5 Spirits To Wonderfully Compliment A Cigar

Given that our individual palates, preferences and options are all different, there are no universally-agreed-upon spirits to pair with a cigar.

However having said that, there are certainly a few current standout cigar pairings that seem to deeply resonate with many cigar enthusiasts, with some of such expressions having even been created for the sole intention of being an enjoyed with a cigar.

Here are a five to try, as well as a recommended cigar pairing for each expression:

5 Spirits To Wonderfully Compliment a Cigar

5.

Jean Filloux Cigar Club (Cognac)

Grand Champagne Region, France / 40% abv

A renowned cognac family that dates back to 1880, the Jean Filloux House is perfectly situated within the centre of the ‘Golden Triangle’ within the Grand Champagne Cognac region of France.

Jean Filloux ages this rich, full-bodied expression in French Limosin oak. Known as ‘loose grained casks’, Limosin oak allows for certain characteristics of the oak to seep heavily into the cognac, resulting in a wonderfully complex cognac that delivers notes of unlit cigars, sweet honey, raisin, marzipan, spices and of course, oak.

The finish is long, sweet and spicy.

Recommended Cigar Pairing: Fuente Opus X Lost City (Dominican Republic)

4.

Chairman’s Reserve 1931 (Rum)

Roseau, St. Lucia / 46% abv

Using a twin column Coffey still and three copper pot stills, The St. Lucia Distillers utilize a diverse blend of rums that are aged between 6 and 11 years in port and bourbon casks. The rums used in the blend include primarily molasses-derived rums as well as a pinch of a single sugar cane-derived rum that provides a slight hint of grassy and vegetal notes.

At first sip, notes of cocoa and tobacco smoke leap forward, which are then accompanied by raisins, crème brûlée and tannic oak. A touch of leather, vanilla sweetness and slight grass appear on a long, mouthwarming finish.

Together, the tobacco and slight grassy notes from the sugar cane rum component within the blend work exceptionally well to compliment similar notes found within many cigars.

Recommended Cigar Pairing: Oliva Serie V Melanio (Nicaragua)

3.

Wild Turkey Rare Breed (Bourbon)

Lawrenceburg, Kentucky / 56.5% abv (113 proof)

A barrel-proof whiskey uncut with water resulting in a very bold, yet very balanced and approachable Kentucky bourbon.

With tones of sweet tobacco and hints of oranges and red apple, Wild Turkey Rare Breed is a NAS (Non Age Statement) bourbon containing what is believed to be a blend of bourbons aged between 6-12 years. Caramel, cinnamon, oak, mint and hickory smoke round out the palate with a fruity and spicy medium finish that pairs exceptionally well with a Kentucky Fire Cured Fat Molly cigar.

Recommended Cigar Pairing: Kentucky Fire Cured Fat Molly (Nicaragua)

2.

Hine Cigar Reserve XO (Cognac)

Jarnac, Grand Champagne Region, France / 40% abv 

A deep amber liquid with grapes sourced from the three French Cognac regions of Grande Champagne, Petite Champagne and Fins Bois. Having aged for 10 years in the Jarnac cellars of Hine Cognac, the end result is a well balanced bouquet of spice, tobacco, honey and roasted almonds.

A rich, robust and spicy cognac that was crafted by Bernard Hine in collaboration with Nicolas Freeman of the cigar purveyors Hunter and Frankau.

Hine Cognac was a favorite of Prime Minster Winston Churchill – a seriously devoted cigar smoker who unquestionably liked to pair the two.

Pair it with a Romeo y Julieta Wide Churchill as a proper homage to Sir Winston himself.

Recommended Cigar Pairing: Romeo y Julieta Wide Churchill (Cuba)

1.

The Dalmore Cigar Malt (Single Malt Scotch Whisky)

Alness, The Highlands, Scotland, UK / 44% abv

Our numbero uno pairs perfectly with big, bold peppery Cubans like the Partagas Serie D No. 4 or Trinidad Vigia.

Matured in ex-bourbon casks, then 10 year old Matusalem sherry butts and then finished in cabernet sauvignon wine barriques, The Dalmore Cigar Malt is deep amber in color and offers up dark fruit, chocolate and burnt brown sugar on the nose.

A medium-to-full bodied expression, the palate is very mouthcoating, with cinnamon, vanilla, toffee, chocolate, oak and raisins with a lingering, dark fruit and chocolate finish – perfect sensory accompaniments to a big robust cigar.

Recommended Cigar Pairing: Partagas Serie D No. 4 (Cuba)

And So….

It’s exciting to know that there are wonderful new spirit expressions hitting the market daily that can work their way into our ever-evolving collections.

Though we encourage you to seek out and try these 5 wonderful options, we also encourage you to continually explore to uncover new ones that will offer yet another sublime compliment to your next exquisite cigar.

-Kurt Bradley