The L’Atelier Surrogates is just one example of a cigar that we’ve enjoyed on many occasions with some type of root beer. Any number of cigars from My Father, Tatuaje or L’Atelier, for example would be perfect options. It may not be the fanciest, but chances are your local shop will have a root beer option or at least the convenience mart next door. The natural root beer flavor has earthy undertones that seem to balance per- fectly with that of the cigar. The root beer seems to accentuate the cocoa, spices and earthy quaties of cigar like salt on food. Loaded with sugar, root beer also helps buffer the heavy body and full strength of the cigar.

There is nothing like a good cigar.  When given the chance, however, pairing it with a beverage can make a good experience great.  Pairing cigars with drinks can sometimes seem like a daunting task of trial an error to find the perfect match for your smoke, but it isn’t as hard as one may think.

FIND WHAT WORKS FOR YOU

If you don’t like Bourbon or coffee, for example, having a cigar with it won’t change your taste.  There is no point in just looking for the traditional matches if it’s not something already enjoy.  It’s not magic.  No matter if you enjoy mild strength, full strength, mild flavor or full flavor cigars, there is a gambit of drinks to choose from.  The best place to start is working with what you already enjoy.

BEYOND ALCOHOL

The first thing that comes to mind when thinking of pairings, is no doubt some type of alcohol. Traditionally it’s just what has always worked.  While it is true that Bourbon, rum and other spirits are amazing pairings, they certainly aren’t the only thing that can work and work well.  Alcohol isn’t always the best choice (for those who don’t like it for breakfast anyway).  Plus, not everyone drinks alcohol.  It certainly won’t lessen the experience by having something else. Whatever the case may be or when alcohol isn’t on the menu, coffee, tea, soda, even sparking water, for example, can be excellent pairings whether to just keep your palate clean or to play off what the cigar offers.

These two are like yin and yang. The beer was sweet with a big malty presence while the cigar had a dominating spicy characteristic. Both had fuller bodies but the flavors and textures are what really made them work well together. The cigar also had a good amount of sweetness but the spiciness of it cut right through the heavy sweet texture of the beer. Again, one added more depth to the other and vice versa, with new layers of flavor and textures added to the overall experience.

KEY THINGS TO LOOK FOR

Obviously, pairing is about finding things that complement each other in some way.  You don’t want to pair a light cigar with something like an IPA beer, big Bordeaux or any heavy, flavorful drink.  It will drown out the delicate notes of something like a Connecticut wrapped, mild cigar.  If I’m going to light up a full flavored, spicy cigar that has a good amount of strength, I’ll try to find something that has some sweetness to play off the spices and balance out the strength of the cigar.  I’ll also try to find something that isn’t super heavy on the palate, to keep fresh.  On the other hand, something like a big stout can also work, as a full flavored cigar can carry through the big flavor that the beer offers.  The same idea holds true when it comes to anything from coffee, soda, wine and liquor.  If I’m going to smoke a cigar with a sweeter character, I may choose a bourbon or rum, something with a little heat and flavor that will play well with what the cigar has to offer.  The main idea is just to find flavors, textures, body and strengths in a cigar/drink pairing that balance each other out and can add new layers of flavor.

THERE REALLY IS NO RIGHT OR WRONG TO PAIR CIGARS

When it really comes down to it, it all depends on what YOU like.  If I’m going to smoke a cigar I want to be able to enjoy everything it has to offer, and that goes for the drink I’m going to pair it with.  I don’t want one to kill the other.  Playing off contrasting flavors and textures in a cigar and drink has always worked for me, but it may not be what you want to get out of it.  Play around with it and go with what works for you.

Want to know what not to pair with your cigars?

Check out Fred’s article on Pairing Cigars with Absolutely the Wrong Drinks here:

https://cigarpress.com/pairing-cigars-with-absolutely-the-wrong-drinks/

For those more interested in non-alcoholic drinks…

Hoplark’s HopTea “The White Tea One” is a cold, carbonated tea brewed with white peony whole leaf tea, Lemondrop and Simcoe hops. This pairing was a little more exciting as both the cigar and the beverage have something interesting to add for flavor and texture. The cigar offered a rich, yet delicate flavor profile with luring aromas that had sweet, earthy notes and mild honey traits. The tea had lingering lemon, citrus and floral flavors with a creamier than expected mouthfeel. The flavor characteristics from the cigar and HopTea were a natural fit. The cigar had a very clean taste and the carbonation from the tea made this a refreshing combination that will keep you light on your feet.

We interviewed Charlie Albanetti of Abbina Craft Sipping Sodas, designed specifically to pair with cigars.  Check it out here:

https://cigarpress.com/charlie-albanetti-abbina-craft/

If cigar pairings still feel like guesswork, these quick answers cover the basics.