A Short Guide To Pairing Beverages With Cigars

If you are a cigar smoker then you probably understand that a good cigar with just the right beverage can be a truly wonderful experience. Cigars have been known to go well with certain coffees, teas, and a variety of alcoholic beverages. Discovering what pairings go best is not an exact science though it does take a bit of hypothesis and a whole lot of experimentation. Like any good scientist, by applying certain principles your experiments are sure to lead you to a number of possible solutions. For more ideas about cigars, click here.

The first principle you can apply to your experiments with cigar and beverage pairings is to consider the intensity of the flavors. Basically, you are going to want to avoid pairings in which one item cancels the other out. For example, you probably would not want to pair a dark roast coffee with a particularly strong flavor with a mild cigar as the flavor of the coffee is almost sure to overpower the subtle tones of the mild cigar. It is always best to try to find pairings where the cigar and the beverage engage in a kind of interchange of flavors, cohabiting rather than canceling the other out.

The next thing you can think about when coming up with pairings is the flavor profiles you are playing with. The basic principle here is to look for beverages with a flavor profile that contrasts with or complements the flavor of your cigar. For instance, if you are smoking a peppery cigar then a sweet beverage like a port wine can be a very good complement. If your cigar is really earthy then you may consider a beverage with lots of smooth caramel flavors to provide a contrast to the boldness of the cigar.

Another thing to consider when experimenting with cigar and beverage pairings is how the items actually feel in your mouth. You can define this as texture or body or think of it as how the cigar makes your mouth actually feel. Cigars with thick smoke have the tendency to coat your palate requiring a heavy beverage to provide refreshment. A lot of cigars can be described as salty tasting and seem to go best with a lighter beverage with a citrus flavor that can cut through the saltiness. For more ideas and details about clearance cigars, click the link.

While you are experimenting, you might want to keep a diary or a journal of pairings that you thought went really well together. You can also ask around at your local cigar shop or adult beverage center for recommendations or ideas for some great pairings you can try. In general most cigars go well with beers including IPA's, stouts and Belgian styles, Single-malt Scotch and bourbon, port wine and rum-based drinks. But there is really no limit to the combinations you can experiment with, so enjoy!