Would you like to know more about the ideal drink to enjoy your cigar? Do you want to know if a particular alcohol goes perfectly with the flavours of your cigar? Or if there are any non-alcoholic drinks to accompany a cigar?
At Cigare Gentleman, we have the answers to your questions.
In this article you will discover:
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The best alcoholic drinks to enjoy with a cigar
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How to match your drink with your cigar
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The best non-alcoholic drinks to accompany your cigar
You will know exactly which drink to choose, and which to avoid.
Without further ado, let's get to the heart of the matter.
What alcoholic beverage to accompany a cigar ?
It is a question that comes up very often when discussing cigars: "Which drink should you choose to enjoy a cigar? Indeed, certain alcohols can add a lot to the taste of your cigar.
Let's find out now.
Which alcohol to smoke a cigar with?
Let's start at the beginning: Which alcohol should be preferred to enjoy a cigar?
In reality, there is not really a preferred alcohol to enjoy a good cigar. It all depends on your taste. If you are used to drinking whisky, you will certainly opt for a glass of whisky with your cigar.
But nothing prevents you from accompanying it with a beer, wine, rum or cognac. It all depends on your taste. Enjoy trying out new drinks with your cigar, and you'll know what you like and what you don't. You may even be surprised!
White spirits (vodka, gin) are generally avoided as the cigar quickly takes over the drink. The aim is to find a perfect balance between your drink and your cigar: they should enhance each other.
Which whisky to enjoy with a cigar ?
The most common drink to accompany a cigar is obviously whisky. A full-bodied whisky will go well with stronger cigars, and milder whiskies with lighter cigars.
If you have no idea what kind of cigar you are going to smoke, make bourbon your first choice. The typical notes of bourbon (maple syrup, honey, caramel, nuts, burnt wood) will almost always guarantee a perfect harmony with the cigar's aromas.
For stronger cigars, we advise you to turn to smoked and peated whisky. You will need a heavy drink to accompany your toughest cigars.
For lighter cigars, a mild Canadian whisky will go perfectly with your cigar. Irish whiskies, on the other hand, will sublimate slightly stronger cigars.
Which wine for a cigar ?
If you are a wine lover, don't hesitate to mix wine and cigars. You may be surprised at how much a cigar can change the taste of a wine and vice versa.
The most important thing is, again, to find a balance between your wine and your cigar. If one dominates the other, you will either spoil your wine or your cigar. And that's not the point.
White wine or prosecco are wines that are perfectly suited to light-bodied cigars. Conversely, a full-bodied red wine is ideal for a cigar with a stronger taste.
Which Cognac with a cigar ?
Cognac is also an alcohol that goes very well with a cigar. After a good meal, what could be better than a good cognac and a good cigar?
Assume that as long as it is a good cognac, it should go very well with your cigar. But there are one or two little rules to follow.
If your brandy is quite young, choose a lighter cigar. Dominican cigars will fit perfectly with a younger brandy. If your cognac is older, you can combine it with a stronger cigar such as a Cuban cigar.
However, be careful not to spoil an exceptional cognac with a cigar that is too strong. Always try to find a balance between your cigar and your drink.
Which rum should you choose for your cigar ?
If you want to enjoy your cigar with rum, choose one that is light in sugar. The sweeter your rum, the more it will tend to overload your palate and mask the aromas of your cigar.
Cubans generally associate their cigars with old Cuban rums that are not very sweet. A strong cigar will go perfectly with a round and rather fine rum.
But once again, it's all a matter of taste. Don't hesitate to test different combinations of rum and cigar to find the one that suits you best.
Non-alcoholic drinks to enjoy your cigar
And if you don't want to drink alcohol, there are also many non-alcoholic drinks that can accompany your cigars.
Water
If you don't have much on hand, water is still a very popular choice for enjoying a cigar. The advantage of water is that it has a neutral taste, so it will go well with any cigar.
Plain water is a very good drink for someone who is new to cigar smoking. Your taste buds will not be influenced by the aromas of your drink, which will allow you to grasp the flavours of the cigar.
Professionals drink water when they want to judge a cigar without being influenced by a drink.
Alcohol-free beer
We have not mentioned beer in this article, but it is a very good choice. With or without alcohol, a good beer will go perfectly with your cigar.
But it is best to choose quality beer. A cheap beer could spoil your cigar. Dark beers generally go well with all cigars.
Tea
Tea is a versatile drink that can be adapted to almost any cigar. Drink it without milk with your strongest cigars to enhance the rich, earthy tones, and opt for green tea for your mildest cigars.
Tea is the perfect drink to play with flavours. For example, if the cigar tastes nutty, add a little nut milk to the drink, or a spoonful of honey for milder cigars.
If your cigar is spicy, woody or has hints of cocoa, a spiced cinnamon tea will be the perfect partner. In summer, iced or sweet tea can be drunk to add a touch of sweetness to your cigars.
Coffee
Coffee is a very common drink among cigar smokers. If you like to smoke in the morning or after a meal, you should definitely try to accompany your cigars with coffee.
Choose a strong coffee if you are going to enjoy a rather strong cigar. And a light coffee for milder cigars. The spiciest cigars go perfectly with a good iced coffee. Don't hesitate to try out different combinations to find the one you like best.
Taste your cigars like a professional
You now know everything there is to know about the different drinks that can accompany your cigars. Once again, don't hesitate to try out different combinations to find the one that suits your tastes.
And if you want to improve your collection of cigar accessories, let us introduce you to our collection of cigar lighters. From torch lighters to storm lighters, you are bound to find the right one for you.
To access the collection, click on the image below
