On Pairing Cigars and Coffee (with Delicia Silva)

The anticipation and excitement generally kicks in after a quick whiff of some very familiar and pleasurable aromatics:

The opening of a bag of coffee beans. The grinding of coffee beans. The percolating of hot liquid. A freshly brewed, steaming cup.

The opening of a Spanish cedar-lined humidor full of cigars. The removal of a cigar from its cellophane packaging. The toasting of the foot with a flame. The first few puffs of a freshly-lit cigar.

When enjoyed at the same time, a cigar and coffee make for a heavenly match.

With a little help from Delicia Silva, aka, The Cigar Vixen, in this piece we will explain why coffee and cigars work so well togther and will also spill the beans on how to pair the right cigar with the right coffee. Delicia, who just so happens to have her very own line of coffees called TAZAS Specialty Coffee by Delicia, is also one of our Leading Ladies Of The Leaf, and certainly knows a thing or two about coffee and cigars.

Delicia, aka The Coffee-Loving Cigar Vixen

Coffee and Cigars: Why They Work So Well

The Aromatics

As previously mentioned, cigars and coffee both deliver a highly pleasurable olfactory sensory experience. Simply put, they both smell great, and when enjoyed together, it’s double the pleasure.

On the nose and the palate, both cigar and coffee exhibit so many similar, overlapping notes and nuances, and sometimes smell and taste like one another.

Many cigars have notes of coffee and many coffees have notes of tobacco, and thus, it’s no surprise that they jive together so damn well.

The ‘Anytime’ Options

Ok, ok, I know it’s 5 o’clock somewhere.

Despite this, I can confidently say that most of us choose not to have bourbon after breakfast, and definitely not on a daily basis. Whisk(e)y, rum, beer, wine – these all pair exceptionally well with a cigar. However, due to their associated alcohol content, these particular libations do not make for an ‘anytime option’ (unless you’re that guy).

Coffee however, is a totally different ordeal, and can generally be enjoyed without scrutiny anytime, day in, day out. Much like a cigar.

Besides, no state trooper is ever going to pull you over and throw in handcuffs for blowing way over on the ol’ ‘caffeine breathalyzer’.

Breakfast cigar? Yes please.

The Origins

The so-called ‘Bean Belt’ is located around the equator between the Tropic of Capricorn and the Tropic of Cancer and is where coffee is said to grow best. Sure, there are some exceptions, but for the most part, the Bean Belt is where we generally believe good coffee beans originate

This is largely due to the soil, climate and altitude of the region – which interestingly enough – also happens to be the ideal geographical zone for growing the world’s best tobacco (again, yes, there are some exceptions).

The Geographical ‘Bean Belt’

Nicaraguan Arabica coffee with a Nicaraguan Puro cigar perhaps? Or maybe an Ethiopian Yirgacheffe coffee might tickle your fancy alongside a spicy Cameroon-wrapper cigar?

You get the point: Mother Earth has set things up so these two offerings can grow and thrive within overlapping areas of the globe, and then compliment each other when enjoyed within a pairing.

The Perks

Let’s not forget the obvious: cigars and coffee are stimulants.

PHYSIOLOGY 101 ALERT: The nicotine found in a cigar is broken down in saliva and absorbed in the mouth. This results in a discharge of epinephrine from the adrenal cortex that creates a temporary euphoric feeling within the smoker. Similarly, once ingested, the caffeine found in a cup of coffee stimulates activity in the brain and nervous system, resulting in the increased circulation of adrenaline which leaves one feeling temporarily refreshed and alert.

Put the two together, and well, you get the picture: it’s welcome to Happy Town, Population: You.  

‘The Cigar Vixen’ Delicia Silva On Cigars and Coffee

TGF: Delicia, how exactly would you describe the ‘feeling’ of having a coffee with a cigar?

DS: For me, pairing coffee and cigars has always felt very natural. Seeing how both are grown – in most cases in similar terrain – the flavors always made sense in a pairing. For anyone who has never tried the two together, I strongly recommend it!

TGF: What factors should someone keep in mind when choosing a cigar and a coffee to pair together?

DS: I would say to try and match the overall body of the coffee to the body of the cigar, similar to how we often pair spirits and cigars. Think of your coffee and cigar as the perfect relationship: you never want one to overpower the other, but rather to have both bring out the best characteristics in the each other and create an ideal balance. 

TGF: What’s you ultimate cigar to enjoy with a coffee? 

DS: I have A LOT! However, most recently I have been absolutely hooked on Steve Saka’s Sobremesa Brulee and my own Tazas Daydrinker. I would be perfectly happy to be cast away on an island with that pairing! [laughs]

TGF: Ok then, if you could be magically whisked away to somewhere in the world to enjoy a coffee and a cigar right now, where would it be and what would you be smoking/sipping? Would you be alone or with company?

DS: Aqua Wellness Resort in Tola, Nicaragua, sitting with a front row view of the ocean, a Joya Cabinetta Lancero and freshly roasted coffee in hand, monkeys in the trees nearby. I would start the day alone – until the caffeine kicked in – then I would definitely enjoy a group of friends to spend the day boatside, cigars and ice cold Toña beer in hand to celebrate one hell of a year!

Tantilizing trifecta: Delicia, a coffee and a cigar. [Photo credit Del Lau]

DS: They are not my favorite. However on occasion I will enjoy a Java or Tabak with a black cup of coffee, especially if I am in the mood for a ‘dessert-like’ experience.

TGF: In your opinion, among your Tazas Specialty Coffee Blends, which pair best with what kind of cigar?

DS: All three offerings, Daydrinker [Guatemalan], Hopping Goat [Ethiopian Yirgacheffe] and the Jefe [Espresso] have been specifically chosen and roasted with the idea of pairing cigars with them. Aside from the bean, it also depends on the brew method in my opinion as to what cigar goes best. I mentioned that I currently love the Sobremesa Brulee and the Daydrinker in a pour over. The Daydrinker is an easy, smooth coffee that pairs really well with a variety of medium bodied cigars. I love the Yirgacheffe with anything that is Cameroon or Sumatra wrapped, as both seem to go well with the unlacing floral bright notes of the coffee.

The Jefe Espresso is excellent with maduros! 

Oh, And One Last Thing…

Just a few more things to keep in mind when pairing a cigar with a coffee:

1. Coffees that are lighter roasts are generally stronger in caffeine with a milder body. Coffees that are darker roasts are generally lower in caffeine with a more robust body. This is because the roasting process roasts away caffeine from the bean the longer it goes on. Keep this in mind when pairing with a cigar.
2. Cigars that utilize darker, more fermented tobacco (like habano or maduro for example), are stronger in nicotine with a more robust body. Cigars that utilize lighter shades of tobacco (like candela or Connecticut for example), exhibit lower amounts of nicotine with a milder body. Keep this in mind when pairing with coffee.
3. The addition of milk (like in lattes or cappuccinos) changes the body of a coffee toward being more mild. Keep this in mind when pairing with a cigar.
4. The utmost important rule to strictly adhere to is this my friend: there really are are no rules. If it feels right to you, then it’s the right pairing for you and is ultimately the right thing to do. Enjoy.

– Kurt Bradley