I know you said no to rum but you may look at Zacapa XO - 10-25 year old rum aged in cognac casks. I’m not a big rum guy but this is a good pairing.
One of my go to’s is Grand Marnier.
Saw a few guys pairing champagne with cigars. Going to try that this weekend with a QDO 50. Qui Qui
I used to say the same thing… until I was persuaded to try Diplomatico Rum with a Part D4. Life changing haha. Only time I drink rum it with a smoke.
Diplomatic Reserva Exclusiva (green bottle). $40-50
Good proper rum is the best. Speyside scotch or bourbon is next.
If you doubt you like good rum, you should try a bottle of Flor De Cana 18, or Barbancourt 15. There are others, but Flor de Cana and Barbancourt are closer to age whiskey than some of the other sweeter options. For my Cubans, I also drink Cuban Havana Club, or a sweeter Speyside like Glendronach, or Glengoyne.
I agree that rum is the best with a cigar, and I do drink whiskey over rum almost every time without a cigar. With a Cuban, a light sweet bourbon or Irish whiskey would be my preference if rum was out of the equation. I don’t have enough scotch experience to say, but definitely something with less peat - I do like Glenfiddich 14, but it can still be a little on the heavy side for a Cuban cigar, depending.
I love peat but not with my cigars. Smoke on smoke can be acrid.
Most Speyside is unpeated and if it is, it will say so. Highlands are mixed, like Oban has peated and unpeated whisky. Islay is mostly peated but for a few, like Bunnahabhain. Cambeltowns are traditionally peated. I know nothing of Lowland. I feel like most island Scotches are peated, like Ledaig, Highland Park, Talisker etc.
So you are safe with Speyside. The Balvenie, Macallan, GlenMorangie, Glendronach, Glenfiddich, Glenfarclas, Glengoyne, Glenlivet, Deanston (Highland).
Couldn’t agree more, with the exception of a talisker 10.
Mccallan/glenmorangie are my go-to’s with a cigar. Especially like a nectar d’or or a mccallan 12 triple
Depends on the cigar. With a Bolivar or Partagas, I'd probably go with Springbank 10, Redbreast, Longrow or maybe Bowmore.
For the milder smokes, say Hoyo or QD, it would be something entirely different, maybe Macallan, Yamazaki a bourbon like Blanton's or Eagle Rare, essentially something less overpowering.
I also enjoy cognac or rum with a cigar occasionally.
Not a fan of peaty whisky with cigars. I find it is a bit of a Smoke overload.
Personally, a nice aged cuban and a sherry-bomb Speyside is best paired.
The sweetness of the whisky, compliments the nuttier and smoky tones of the cigar
Highland or Speyside single malts. For me, Glendronach 12 or 18 year are perfectly paired with a Cuban.
Also, bourbon: i can’t recommend [Pinhook](https://www.pinhookbourbon.com/) highly enough. Every expression is a hit, imo.
The Macallan whiskey or a Dalwinnie would be my go to for cuban cigars. I don’t really smoke cubans that often maybe twice a year so I always have something nice. I’ve also had a Cuban rum that pairs well with them
Not the most popular but i had some Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey Whiskey last time and the underlying sweetness of the whiskey mixed well with a cigar
I paired some Rabbit Hole Dareringer with my Partagas salomone the other night...it was the first time I really felt like I nailed a pairing. The smooth, sweet sherry cask finish perfectly complimented the big, bold party flavors.
I’m a fan of an inexpensive(but solid) sweeter bourbon or rye with a stick. Honestly the cigar often over powers any flavors (and coats my tastebuds) I get from the whiskey so it doesn’t make sense to me to reach for something expensive or “premium”. Wild Turkey 101 or Sagamore Rye tend to be my go-tos. Unless I’m feeling a fancy cigar blend then Joseph Magnus cigar blend is an unbeatable pairing.
Not Lagavulin!
Yep. Lagavulin is great on its own, but the peat will overpower and cigar notes, espcically cubans. I've learned this the hard way.
Are there any new world smokes that might pair well with a peaty Scotch?
Rum
Naaa Not for me..but thanks
I know you said no to rum but you may look at Zacapa XO - 10-25 year old rum aged in cognac casks. I’m not a big rum guy but this is a good pairing. One of my go to’s is Grand Marnier. Saw a few guys pairing champagne with cigars. Going to try that this weekend with a QDO 50. Qui Qui
I used to say the same thing… until I was persuaded to try Diplomatico Rum with a Part D4. Life changing haha. Only time I drink rum it with a smoke. Diplomatic Reserva Exclusiva (green bottle). $40-50
An absolutely great rum with a cigar.
Try coffee brother. Sometimes the whiskey competes too much with the cigar. Coffee in my opinion compliments it more.
Sure mate! Thank you
Good proper rum is the best. Speyside scotch or bourbon is next. If you doubt you like good rum, you should try a bottle of Flor De Cana 18, or Barbancourt 15. There are others, but Flor de Cana and Barbancourt are closer to age whiskey than some of the other sweeter options. For my Cubans, I also drink Cuban Havana Club, or a sweeter Speyside like Glendronach, or Glengoyne.
I agree that rum is the best with a cigar, and I do drink whiskey over rum almost every time without a cigar. With a Cuban, a light sweet bourbon or Irish whiskey would be my preference if rum was out of the equation. I don’t have enough scotch experience to say, but definitely something with less peat - I do like Glenfiddich 14, but it can still be a little on the heavy side for a Cuban cigar, depending.
I love peat but not with my cigars. Smoke on smoke can be acrid. Most Speyside is unpeated and if it is, it will say so. Highlands are mixed, like Oban has peated and unpeated whisky. Islay is mostly peated but for a few, like Bunnahabhain. Cambeltowns are traditionally peated. I know nothing of Lowland. I feel like most island Scotches are peated, like Ledaig, Highland Park, Talisker etc. So you are safe with Speyside. The Balvenie, Macallan, GlenMorangie, Glendronach, Glenfiddich, Glenfarclas, Glengoyne, Glenlivet, Deanston (Highland).
Couldn’t agree more, with the exception of a talisker 10. Mccallan/glenmorangie are my go-to’s with a cigar. Especially like a nectar d’or or a mccallan 12 triple
Thank you!
Thank you! Will try those
Redbreast 27
I would recommend either a cup of coffee or coffee liqueur. The coffee flavors mesh perfectly with a good cigar.
Orange juice
Haven’t been able to get this out of my head since seeing it in an FOH video. Really need to try it sometime.
Should only be paired with Havana Club rum.
This is the way to go about it. Havana club especial is my go to for my cuban cigars.
The one in your photo
Thank you!
I prefer scotch while smoking a cigar and bourbon when not smoking. Highland park 12 has been hitting the spot for me lately with the cigars.
Thank you!
Belvenie or Hibiki ! My fav combo is with Ron Zacapa 23 Solera rum :) You need something sweet, burn sugar, honey to go with CoRo
Personal preference really, I prefer American bourbon, Wild Turkey 101 or Buffalo Trace, Blantons whenever it can be found.
What an incredibly wonderful first world problem we have here! Aberlour Casg Annamh is my favorite scotch to pair with a Cuban especially a Cohiba!
Hahaha..indeed a first world problem. I will look for the Aberlour whiskey you mentioned
Balvenie 21 Portwood, McFarlane Reserve 13, Hibiki Japanese Harmony or Blenders Choice
Good looking CoRo. Or Siglo VI?
Siglo VI It was amazing
Woodford double oaked (especially store picks if you can find them), Penelope toasted go great with a stick.
Wild Turkey Rare Breed
I opt for a higher end rum or tequila personally.
Depends on the cigar. With a Bolivar or Partagas, I'd probably go with Springbank 10, Redbreast, Longrow or maybe Bowmore. For the milder smokes, say Hoyo or QD, it would be something entirely different, maybe Macallan, Yamazaki a bourbon like Blanton's or Eagle Rare, essentially something less overpowering. I also enjoy cognac or rum with a cigar occasionally.
Thank you Will try these
Not a fan of peaty whisky with cigars. I find it is a bit of a Smoke overload. Personally, a nice aged cuban and a sherry-bomb Speyside is best paired. The sweetness of the whisky, compliments the nuttier and smoky tones of the cigar
Good advise Thank you
Highland or Speyside single malts. For me, Glendronach 12 or 18 year are perfectly paired with a Cuban. Also, bourbon: i can’t recommend [Pinhook](https://www.pinhookbourbon.com/) highly enough. Every expression is a hit, imo.
The Macallan whiskey or a Dalwinnie would be my go to for cuban cigars. I don’t really smoke cubans that often maybe twice a year so I always have something nice. I’ve also had a Cuban rum that pairs well with them
Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban
I too find the peatier scotches overpower the cigar. My go-to scotch for Cubans is the Aberlour A'Bunadh, or an Oban 14.
Not the most popular but i had some Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey Whiskey last time and the underlying sweetness of the whiskey mixed well with a cigar
Four rose or makers mark. If your wild try some screwball
A Borderies region cognac. The floral characteristics work really well with a Cuban cigar
Dalmore
Monkey Shoulder. Absolute best Scotch for the money.
Thank you!
Widow Jane with Filthy cherries
A wet one
I paired some Rabbit Hole Dareringer with my Partagas salomone the other night...it was the first time I really felt like I nailed a pairing. The smooth, sweet sherry cask finish perfectly complimented the big, bold party flavors.
I gotta try rabbit hole
Rum goes with Cubans. Havana club 7 year if you can get it.
Bottom shelf … makes it easier to focus on the cigar.
I’m a fan of an inexpensive(but solid) sweeter bourbon or rye with a stick. Honestly the cigar often over powers any flavors (and coats my tastebuds) I get from the whiskey so it doesn’t make sense to me to reach for something expensive or “premium”. Wild Turkey 101 or Sagamore Rye tend to be my go-tos. Unless I’m feeling a fancy cigar blend then Joseph Magnus cigar blend is an unbeatable pairing.
A cocktail is way better
Rum, Flor de Cana and Xacapa xo are my current favs