Why I drink whiskey with cigars: a newbie perspective.

[BostonMark]

Its a beautiful day here in Tranås. After three days of rain and a twenty four hour wind storm yesterday, things have finally cleared up. The sun is out and warming the area to a cozy fifty degrees, and I decided it was time for a smoke. I have been itching for one the last few weeks, but had no opportunity due to Sweden's winter weather, so this was well received and much appreciated.

I sat down with a Padilla Hybrid, punched it, and lit up - but thats not what this post is about. The post is about whiskey. Now I am a newbie and don't claim to have copious experience with different combinations, but I have sampled my fair share of drinks with stogies (everything from coffee, tea, coke, beer, cognac, sprite, you name it) and noticed that every one of these drinks left a taste in my mouth that flavored the cigar smoke, sometimes negatively, sometimes positively depending on what I am smoking. While I was smoking today, however, I realized exactly why my drink of choice with a cigar has been and will always be whiskey - because the whiskey doesn't flavor the cigar, but the cigar flavors the whiskey. I find that not only does it cleanse my palate after every couple puffs, but it gives me another chance to explore the flavors of the cigar. For instance - the Padilla Hybrid has a nice sweet chocolate tone to it that, when I take a sip, sweetens the whiskey just a bit and smooths it out to compliment exactly the tone and flavor profile of the cigar. I have found that with many cigars this is the case - that the whiskey takes on a very similar and compatible flavor profile as whatever I am smoking, and that is why it is my drink of choice.

-Mark

(By the way - I was drinking Johnny Walker Black Label, if you were wondering.)

[Cadillac]

I agree, whiskey is a very good pairing with cigars. My only problem is, I find I drink too much when combining the two. My next step is to try port with cigars. So many choices, not enough time.

[Volt]

I'm 100% with you. Mine is Evan Williams 10 yr old single barrell. It has a great peppery finish that compliments most cigars. My fallback is Maker's Mark. On the rocks with a lime wedge to make it classy

[AriesOpusX]

Whiskey is one of the best combinations, I also love Grey Goose La Vanille with certain smokes and for the non-alchohol occassions, Dr Pepper.

[Bax]

It's all about what you like. I don't really like booze with stogies but I also can't drink beer and eat pizza. I'll eat pizza then drink a beer but the 2 together I can't stand. Weird, huh?

I like Dr.Pepper also or a nice creme soda with my cigars.

[Munkey]

I read an article early on in my cigar research that said people new to cigars should drink the same thing with every cigar they smoke or they would not truly learn what cigars they like. So, that would seem to verify what you are saying about the beverage changing the flavor of the cigar.

I too drink whiskey, but I'm more of a single-malt kind of guy. Balvenie 21-yr old Portwood aged. I had a very nice cigar last night, and midway through decided to have a tiny sample of whiskey with it. It was nice, but I can't decide if the whiskey diminished the cigar or not or brought out more of the richness. I'm surfing reviews of the cigar today to see if I can find when the profile changes and if that matches my experience regardless of whiskey.

It should be noted that many purists believe the only thing you should drink with a cigar is water.

[havana_lover]

glad you enjoyed your smoke and drink.. nothing better then that in my book..

oh and I know about the weather, I was in stockholm for a couple of days the other week..

[Bear]

Originally Posted by Cadillac

I agree, whiskey is a very good pairing with cigars. My only problem is, I find I drink too much when combining the two. My next step is to try port with cigars. So many choices, not enough time.

Porto is a great pairing for an after dinner cigar. Especially if it follows either a pasta or red meat meal that was accompanied with red wine.
If only this nagging cold would go away I'd know exactly what my dinner plans were for tonight!

[BostonMark]

Originally Posted by Munkey

I too drink whiskey, but I'm more of a single-malt kind of guy. Balvenie 21-yr old Portwood aged.

I do love single malt, but my budget is very slim, especially when I am working overseas, so blended has to suffice.

[drhalle]

It's the enjoyment of a great smoke. Whatever enhances your experience I think is great. After all, Live and Let Live isn't just a saying it's what the good old US of A is all about. (I know things have changed)
If you like whiskey....go for it.
Have a great time,just keep on keeping on.
Sounds like all the old songs from the sixties, don't it.

[Munkey]

Originally Posted by BostonMark

I do love single malt, but my budget is very slim, especially when I am working overseas, so blended has to suffice.

Oh, I wasn't trying to imply I don't like the Black Label. It's actually better than the Blue in my opinion. I have found that the more I pay for a bottle, the more stretch I get from it. Much less apt to slurp it up. Rather I find I end up taking smaller sips and savoring what is on my palate. Anyone else do this?

[duhman]

#1 Whiskey
#2 A malty beer
#3 Brandy or Cognac
I like Jack Danials but I also like most any whiskey.

[mdtaggart]

Originally Posted by Munkey

Oh, I wasn't trying to imply I don't like the Black Label. It's actually better than the Blue in my opinion. I have found that the more I pay for a bottle, the more stretch I get from it. Much less apt to slurp it up. Rather I find I end up taking smaller sips and savoring what is on my palate. Anyone else do this?

Nah. I just slurp it up. In fact I slurp up the good stuff even more.

[Bobb]

I love the way cognac accompanies the flavor of a nice cigar. I love a good tawny porto as well, but I think it takes a certain cigar to make that work. A nice Earthy maduro to match the figgy-ness of the port would be good IMO

Whiskey is probably my #3 choice. I need to try it some more though; my experiences with whiskey are slightly limited.

[SilverFox]

Originally Posted by Munkey

It should be noted that many purists believe the only thing you should drink with a cigar is water.

I didn't know this............does that make me a purist ugghhh sounds as bad as an elitist. I love a nice cold glass of water with most of my cigars.

A hot cup of coffee.

When I am at the local B&M the owner usually treats me to a nice glass of Cuban Rum........could be he does that because I am putting his kids through college

I say whatever you drink with it and like go for it, whether you sip it or pound it, its your smoke enjoy it