This is an experiment I have been very anxious to play with: lighting multiple cigars of different strengths and styles, and testing them with multiple whiskies all at once. Normally when I do a tasting the focus is one cigar to one or more whiskies, but this way I was able to experience the subtle differences that come alive when you are comparing flavor notes moment by moment, rather than from an hour or day ago.

The opportunity to do this was born after meeting The Glenrothes ambassador, Ross Hendry, who challenged me to test out how cigars pair with three selections of Glenrothes whiskies. Instead of experimenting on my own and featuring a single cigar and whisky pairing, this time I wanted to include you in the adventure.

As for the cigars, after a special event at Santa Barbara Cigars in Houston which headlined special guest, Lissette Perez-Carrillo of EP Carrillo Cigars- I knew exactly what I was going to be pairing with my whiskies. I adore the Carrillo family and have a great respect for their history in the industry as well as their passion for making the perfect and balanced blend. In the video below, I had the honor of talking to Lissette and learning more about their family, their cigars, and how the two are one and the same.

If you have explored your own cigar and whisky pairings, I would love to hear your results! Taste is subjective, and we all have our own preferences- but there are enough of us out there with common tasting profiles that if you share, someone is bound to discover something new to enjoy.

Cigar and Whiskies featured in this video:

EP Carrillo New Wave Connecticut:
Wrapper: Ecuador (Connecticut)
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Dominican Republic, Nicaragua

EP Carrillo Core Line:
Wrapper: Ecuador (Sumatra)
Binder:Nicaragua
Filler: Dominican Republic, Nicaragua

EP Carrillo Maduro:
Wrapper: Connecticut (Broadleaf)
Binder: Ecuador
Filler: Dominican Republic, Nicaragua

The Glenrothes Select Reserve, The Glenrothes Vintage 1998, and The Glenrothes Vintage 1994

This pairing takes the smoking experience to the next level. Beyond the combination of textures and tastes, when combined each of the components stand out individually and enhance the cigar’s natural characteristics. I’m very impressed with this one, and I believe that this scotch was made for this cigar!

The San Cristobal Elegancia features an Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper, Nicaraguan binder and fillers and is a mild plus to medium bodied cigar. On its own, I taste notes of cedar, nuts, and earthy qualities along with a pleasant spice through the nose. The smoke is very creamy and is very rich in flavor.

Now, when you introduce the different elements from the pairing- magical things happen!

With the introduction of the walnuts, a subtle sweetness became more pronounced as did the natural flavor of the walnuts in the cigar. The spice faded more into the background, until you take a bite of the dried fig. Wow, with the dried figs the spice becomes very prominent! I find that the body of the cigar with the fig tastes more on the fuller medium bodied side as well. Taking another bite of the walnuts mellowed out the spice yet again and made for a lovely comparison of flavor notes. I found my attention bouncing between the tastes that were becoming more noticeable.

Then enter the scotch- beautiful! Everything really comes through when all of these items are brought together, it’s amazing. The scotch both separated and brought all the flavors together at the same time. Each flavor was very definite, but all were equally prominent. This enhancement of the taste along with the texture of the smoke made for a great experience of the senses. The tongue being coated with the previous flavors of the walnuts and figs, then the scotch was the perfect set up for the smoke.

The experience became more personal as now I have a direct connection with each of the components involved, and how they interact with one another. I highly recommend you enjoy this tasting at home and especially during the next Ashton event at your local cigar shop. It’s nice to be able to enjoy a tasting with other cigar smokers in your community.

Take your time with each of the ingredients and see how your taste transitions from one to the next. Change up the order, experiment, and have fun with this pairing.

This is an unexpected double pairing review. Once I found the interesting difference of flavor profiles in the cigar when paired with two very different drinks I knew I would have to share the discovery with you!

Lancaster from Winston Churchill, made by Davidoff:

4 1/2 x 46 Belicoso
Wrapper: Ecuador Special Sun Grown
Binder: Pelo de Oro
Filler: Jalapa Especial Seco, Piloto Seco, San Vicente Ligero, Criollo Seco

This is a medium bodied cigar with very woody/oak flavor characteristics. I taste notes of grass or hay as well as an earthy quality that rounds out the tastes nicely. There is a subtle sweetness and hint of spice present in the finish. For someone looking to take the next step from a mild or mild plus cigar, this may be a great transition for you.

I have been into short smokes lately as they are perfect for the travel time I spend in my car between destinations, or as a quick relaxing smoke when I get home. The flavor profile is satisfying and great on its own- or as your first cigar to start the day/evening or after dinner dessert (so to speak).

The first pairing to be discussed was the one I intended on reviewing the cigar with. This is a 12 year old single malt Scotch whisky from Glenmorangie that has been finished in a Burgundy wood cask. I adore the flavor or Burgundy, though it may be an acquired taste. I know for instance, for example, that personally I just don’t like Sherry Casks. If it is balanced well enough I’m alright with it, but too much and all I taste is sulfur. It goes back to subjective personal tastes- which is why the one you like is all that matters!

When I pair the Lancaster with the Burgundy finished Glenmorangie the characteristics of the smoke become richer and more complex. I taste notes of coffee, some vanilla, and more hints of spice that the scotch is bringing out. I love how the characteristics of a scotch and a cigar can compliment each other and bring out certain notes.

Next up, is the unexpected pairing: A Last Word Cocktail.

This was an unexpected pairing because I tend to hesitate when it comes to acidic qualities in a beverage being paired with a cigar. Because of that I tend to pair my cigars with cocktails that are stirred rather than shaken (quick note: if a cocktail is shaken there is probably some lemon, lime, or grapefruit juice involved! Otherwise the drink can be stirred to perfection).

Last Word:

3/4 oz Gin
3/4 oz Green Chartreuse
3/4 oz Lime Juice
3/4 oz Maraschino Liqueur

I adore this cocktail. You have some interesting flavor components involved but they balance out together in perfect harmony. I find this to be a very refreshing and calming drink. This is the reason I was having it the night of the accidental pairing. It was so hot outside I wanted something refreshing and elegant, but still very interesting. And that is exactly what I got- out of both the drink as well as the cigar.

I found that the cigar took a unique change, still medium in bodied but somewhat smoother in a perhaps more crisp clean sense of flavor instead of the lingering heavier richness which occurred when paired with the Scotch. I love that depending on my mood I know I can experience this same cigar in three different ways. It’s also great if you have friends with you who want to each go their own direction as far as taste is concerned with the cigar.

I love enjoying a pair of classics together, and this Fuente Hemingway Short Story with a Vieux Carre makes for a perfect cigar and cocktail pairing. I love the combination of complimenting flavors and characteristics. Both are just the right amount of smoke and drink to finish off the evening. This is a great way to relax at the end of the day.

Vieux Carre:

1/2 oz rye whiskey
1/2oz Cognac
1/2 oz sweet vermouth
1/2 teaspoon Bénédictine D.O.M.
1 dash Peychaud’s Bitters
1 dash Angostura Bitters

I enjoy the classics, but also appreciate trying new styles. I think the classics give an inspiration to the new, and the new takes those traditions and pushes them to a different level. In the end it is all great for us.

Do you find you smoke more “classics” or more new cigars? Hopefully a comfortable amount of both! The same goes with cocktails- do you enjoy to traditional styles or do you like to invent some of your own? Share recipes if you do, this could be fun.

Vieux Carre

Once the preferred smoke of Americans (so much it was even known as American Market Selection), the Candela wrapper is something we don’t see a lot of right now. You certainly can’t miss it on the shelf with its green color. Yes- it is green. Not because of dyes but because of the process the leaf goes through while being cured that maintains the chlorophyll and thus the green color.

Normally when I think of a candela I think of a mild blend being involved. The hl from Illusione is certainly not a mild blend which excited me when I saw that there was now an hl with a candela wrapper. I have been very excited to see how the candela plays into the complexity of the hl.

Because this is a green cigar, I thought I would have a little fun and make it into a pairing with one of my favorite green liqueurs: Green Chartreuse. Chartreuse is a French liqueur and is composed of distilled alcohol aged with 130 herbal extracts. It was made by the Carthusian Monks at their Grande Chartreuse monastery in the Chartreuse Mountains- where it gets its name. Green Chartreuse gets its flavor from the extracts of 132 plants which is where the chlorophyll comes in giving it a green color. It is also 110 proof- so be warned a drink can go a long way.

I noticed a beautiful silky smoothness in the smoke of the cigar right away from lighting it- not to mention an incredible aroma. I had some spice notes hit me up front, then again at the end with a softness between each note. A very lovely smoke! I can see myself enjoying this cigar on its own quite often, but this being the only one I have on hand I had to take the opportunity for a pairing. Sometimes, certain spirits make me think of certain leaves, and in this case I think they make a nice combination.

The cocktail I had this evening is the Bijou:

Stir in mixing glass with ice & strain:

3/4 oz Green Chartreuse
3/4 oz Gin
3/4 oz Sweet Vermouth
1 dash orange bitters

I would recommend trying other Chartreuse drinks and having fun with your pairings. Introducing a new libation to an everyday smoke can bring a new life into your cigar and into your evening.

Thank you, Dion, for this incredible smoke! I appreciate you giving me the opportunity to taste this limited release, I hope to see this become a part of your regular line.

In case you missed it- be sure to watch my interview with Dion from IPCPR 2010: Interview With Dion Giolitto of Illusione Cigars

Illusione hl Cigar

When I’m looking to relax and bring the evening to an end, I love pairing a fine spirit with a cigar. Sometimes one will inspire the other, such as a tawny port making me want a padron anniversary. In this case, it is more about the spirit and how it works so well with most any medium to full bodied cigar. I think a solid medium works beautifully here.

As far as rum is concerned, I’ve fallen for the “Z’s”: Zacapa, Zaya, and as seen here in this video, Zafra. Zafra has become a favorite of mine. It is finished in a bourbon cask, has a beautiful complexity in the taste and a nice smooth finish. I’m having a glass tonight with a Winston Churchill spitfire and am enjoying the combination very much. If you haven’t tried Zafra before, definitely give it a taste and let me know your thoughts. I know I am enjoying it.

What are your go-to spirits? As far as rum is concerned, Zafra is now my go to rum.

A Padron Anniversary paired with a lovely port makes for a great experience every time. It can be great for either relaxing at the end of the day or for celebrating a special occasion, especially if you have a special aged port to match. It also makes for a great after dinner treat.

Something to consider is aging a Padron Anniversary of your choice in your humidor for a few years along with a bottle of port in your home, and bringing the two together when the moment is right. Beautiful!

Today was a casual afternoon that was so gorgeous I had to take a moment and enjoy this pairing. I went to Vintropolis, a wine bar, and although you cannot smoke inside they offer a great patio area with a fountain and heaters for the cooler nights. With the sun out, the weather was just perfect for a late afternoon smoke.  Even though you cannot smoke inside, it is always nice to see a humidor with cigars near the bar.

Padron makes very beautiful cigars that are full of flavor and perfect for any palate. I think they have a characteristic that everyone can appreciate. The wrapper has a slight rough look to it, and though it may not be perfectly silky smooth you can be certain the smoke absolutely is. The 1964 Anniversary tends to be more of my go to whereas the 1926 Anniversary and 45 are more for special occasions.

With its rich flavor and medium to full body, this cigar tastes lovely accompanied by a tawny port. Ports are a wonderful dessert wine that tend to be heavier in texture and range in flavors and dryness or sweetness. I like sweet- but it has to be balanced. Too much can be overpowering, of anything. I think in this case the tawny notes from being aged in wooden barrels compliments the cigar and makes for an elegant pairing.

What are some of your favorite pairings?

I love a nice Belgian ale, and with the holiday season I think now is the best time to take advantage of the Christmas ales for cigar pairings. The Oliva Serie V is a favorite of mine that I will often get a craving for. It’s smooth full bodied flavor with espresso, dark chocolate, and a great balance of spice allows for great pairing options.

In this tasting, I am pairing my cigar with the St. Bernardus Christmas Ale. The pairing made for an interesting balance and really made the subtle notes of the cigar stand out.

I’d be curious to try this pairing again after aging a bottle of the ale- beers from Belgium do well with aging and would be nice to age with cigars. Definitely something to consider!

Oliva Serie V

Wrapper: Habano Sun Grown

Binder: Nicaraguan

Filler: Jalapa Valley Ligero

 

This is a very nutty and creamy smoke that is complimented and intensified when paired with dark chocolate.

This is a pairing shown to me by Jared Biocca of Ashton Cigars. For a treat, try this tasting at home or with a group of friends and see for yourself how the chocolate compliments the Ashton Aged Maduro so beautifully. I love to incorporate food and wine pairings with my cigar, and this one is fantastic!

This particular cigar is the Ashton Aged Maduro #20, a corona sized cigar which is an ideal size to consider for new smokers. It is also a great size to consider when tasting a new style of cigar for the very first time.

Another thing to be aware of with cigars is that the color of the wrapper has no relation to the strength of the cigar. This is a great example, as the wrapper may be very dark in color, it is quite mild and smooth in taste. By no means is darker to be interpreted as stronger.

And this is one yummy smoke to consider!

The wrapper is a limited Connecticut broad leaf and has a natural sweetness that balances with the nutty richness of the cigar. The style is medium bodied, though on the lighter side near mild. It is a very smooth smoke and quite enjoyable at any time of the day.

If you are new to cigars or just want to continue exploring your palate, this is an excellent choice you may end up craving again and again.