634946 Wed Jul 08 12:49:48 -0700 2009 9 36 Spirits 0 4840425 I work in Iraq and do not access to alcohol. So, I did what any reasonable person would do and started smoking cigars. Now I am headed home for a visit and I have a nice little collection of cigars. What are your favorite drinks to go with a cigar? Do you have any specific pairings? Maybe a great brandy to pair with a Montecristo Media Noche? Maybe a great cane rum to go with that Cuban Cohiba? Or maybe just some generalities. Any info you have that will help me enjoy my cocktails and cigars would be great. Wed Jul 08 12:49:48 -0700 2009 206877 jpc8015 1 4841109 I believe Dalmore makes a single-malt whisky called the "Cigar Malt." That would certainly be one to try. Wed Jul 08 15:55:13 -0700 2009 4840425 23776 DavidT 2 4841114 Link to reviews of the Cigar Malt: http://www99.epinions.com/review/pr-Dalmore_Cigar_Single_Malt_Scotch/content_192350097028 Wed Jul 08 15:56:50 -0700 2009 4841109 23776 DavidT 1 4841157 I was taught a habit 13 years ago in Havana of lightly moistening the outer wrapper of a Cohiba (I have a box of Siglo IV's) with a dab of Havana Club 7 year anejo, and then enjoying the puro and the anejo (neat) together. Cigars and vintage Porto are a natural, as well. A "tweener" is Courvoisier, warmed. Wed Jul 08 16:15:55 -0700 2009 4840425 57170 Veggo 1 4843451 I've found that when smoking a cigar and drinking a spirit, one usually overpowers the other and renders the lesser of the two basically moot, making both experiences less enjoyable. I prefer to imbibe the spirit, then if I'm still in the mood, I will have the cigar. However, I'm far more partial to spirits than cigars, so this could just be my prejudice showing... Thu Jul 09 11:02:13 -0700 2009 4840425 159754 ed1066 2 4846581 Me too, I've never been super happy with any of the pairing so if I do have something with a cigar its usually just some decent bourbon so I don't feel like I"m wasting anything too good. For me tobacco usually gets water, tea, or coffee. I've also found I'm more partial to a pipe than cigars. It takes a little more skill to learn to smoke but there's a huge variety of tobacco flavors available and the price is so much more reasonable. Fri Jul 10 10:22:12 -0700 2009 4843451 254579 Soybomb 1 4845193 for me, depends on time of day as well if afternoon - mint julep or a mint lemonade/bourbon drink with a romeo y julieta is nice single malts (i like oban and macallan 18) with a nice cuban - monte cristos are always cool Thu Jul 09 21:21:49 -0700 2009 4840425 1083314 travelingmansoul 1 4845470 My favorite by a long stretch is a Bolivar Belicoso fino Cabinet selection or a close second is a Trinidad (Living on the Canadian border has it's advantages). I really prefer red wine to spirits or even a glass of Port with some stilton and walnuts. Fri Jul 10 03:55:43 -0700 2009 4840425 253154 Fritter 1 4849453 These are all very interesting suggestions. I will be sure to try a glass of port with the Nub Maduro I've got sitting in my humidor. I made it in late last night and had a 5 Vegas Classic and a Cuba Libra. I know it's not the most classic of pairings but it actually worked surprisingly well. I can't wait to get into the Cuban Montecristos I picked up in Kuwait. They seem to be screaming for a glass Crown Royal. Sat Jul 11 13:29:07 -0700 2009 4840425 206877 jpc8015 1 4863071 I like a San Cristobal de La Habana figurado with about anything.Havana Club 7yrs, Don Anastacio anejo tequila, a Caol Ila scotch, maybe a Cachaca Angelica. Wed Jul 15 23:04:44 -0700 2009 4840425 128722 streetgourmetla