Cigar Pairing with Beer

Spend any time around cigar fanatics or lurking on stogie-related internet forums and the discussion will inevitably turn to favorite beverage pairings. Tradition dictates that heated debate over the merits of whiskey vs. coffee will start 1.4 seconds after the question is raised until cooler heads prevail and agree that whiskey in the coffee is a good compromise. There will be some confusion over whether pairing with wine is ever possible, plain or sparkling water will make a surprisingly strong showing, Dr. Pepper will be mentioned, and then there will be that one guy who insists that milk is the best smoking accompaniment ever and you won’t be quite sure if he’s pulling your leg or not.

With all these choices, however, comes the additional task of trying to figure out which type of cigar pairs best with what drink. Does Bourbon go better with Nicaraguan or Dominican cigars? Should I smoke a Maduro when I drink black coffee and a shade-grown when I add cream? Is a Habano wrapper the best choice if I am drinking rum and cola or should I light up a spicy Cameroon? What if I only have milk in the fridge and a Candela in my humidor, is the world about to end?

It comes as no shock that some pairings just don’t work. There’s a previous review of mine where a bitter, hoppy pale ale so conflicted with the cigar’s profile it nearly derailed the whole thing. That was not an isolated event, either. With the explosion of craft breweries and the near-overwhelming variety of ales and lagers to choose from, I have had to be more careful when pairing a fine handmade with beer. Such is why I found the Perdomo Craft series so intriguing. Please correct me if I am wrong, but I can’t recall any other cigar being blended for a specific beverage, and here we have three styles made specifically to go with my favorite, yet most difficult to pair with, sudsy beverage.

I was wary at the same time, however. If you read Perdomo’s ad copy for each of the cigars, it seems as though the main criteria for pairing is choosing beer that is the closest in color to the cigar. A light-colored beer like lagers and Belgian Witbier go with the shade-covered Pilsner, the ruddy Amber cigar is best for darker Märzens and IPAs, while the Maduro-coated Stout is recommended for, well, stouts. It smacks of a gimmick. Then, while noticing a Perdomo Stout resting happily in my humidor and wondering what to do with it, I happened across a 9.6% ABV imperial chocolate stout from Foothills Brewing at my local growler filling station. It was then that I decided for the sake of science and the enlightenment of you wise readers, the time had come to test Nick Perdomo’s claim.

The cigar itself presents all the hallmarks of quality for which Perdomo is well known. Solidly constructed and carrying the scent of leather and fine tobacco, the cold draw offers the promise of a nice draw and tastes of baker’s cocoa powder, which contrasts perfectly with the exploratory sip of the viscous, dark, and rather sweet liquid in my goblet. Lighting easily, I take slow pulls off the stick to gauge the profile before taking another taste of the ale. My first impression is of a tart sourness which worries me at first, but I’m pleased to report this very soon turns into a delicious sourdough toast flavor on exhale. There’s also a wealth of oak, earth, and black pepper, but none of the sweetness commonly ascribed to Maduros. I take this as a good sign. With the beer as syrupy as it is, I am going to need something to keep my palate from becoming overwhelmed.

Time for another drink to see if the Perdomo Stout can compete with such a potent elixir. Wow! OK, so the rich sweetness of the beer is masked by the toastiness of the smoke, turning the chocolate from mild to dark. Almost like a 70% cocoa candy bar. This is exciting. After the quaff, a few more mouthfuls of creamy smoke reveal… hints of vanilla! There’s also some graham cracker goodness that fades slowly on the tongue. Sip…Puff… Sip… Puff… The base malt is starting to shine through from behind the more bitter toasted barley that was used to create the wickedly black color of the beer. The cigar is tempering the sweetness of the beer, while the stout is bringing out the sweetness originally missing from the stogies profile. I am impressed.

I get caught up in the moment, and it seems a long while before the ash reaches an inch, but when it finally does, it is a little precarious, so I tap it off. The strength is a solid medium, and I don’t think the high gravity of the beer is causing me to underestimate it. The profile seems to have settled in, not amazingly complex or ever-changing, but that is good. A lot is going on with the beer, and I do not want a competition, just a steady companion. The burn is somewhat rugged, but I’m blaming a small tear in the wrapper. I will give it a chance to correct before breaking out the lighter.

This pairing seriously works, and it makes me want to smoke and drink, so I’m making the second pour into the glass at the start of the second third of the Perdomo. My insulated stainless growler has kept the ale at draught temperature, which is nice and cool but not so cold that it masks the flavor. Instead, I’m now picking up the distinctive taste of dark cherry in both beer and cigars. How fortuitous since I was beginning to think the profile was finished evolving. As you will notice, the burn does straighten out without my assistance, so add that to the list of positives.

Not much to report for the rest of the delicious experience other than finding another tear in the Perdomo that I think may affect the burning again. I keep my main humidor at 65% humidity, and I think this might be too dry for this particular style. Also, the wrapper does seem thin. The burn does get a bit wonky but works itself out again. As I approach the nub, the robust stout helps fight some late-stage bitterness in the cigar and extends my smoking time by at least 30 minutes. This extra time allows for a nice buzz to develop.

Final verdict: This is a match I would not hesitate to recommend. It was easily one of the most complimentary pairings I have ever found, and that’s saying a lot because smoking and drinking are one of my favorite pastimes. However, I’m skeptical that the Perdomo Stout would be a good fit with the more common Irish stouts like Guinness. However, it’s a fine Maduro regardless of what you are drinking, so feel free to experiment and let me know.

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The working man's elixir. Served in barns, barbecue joints, and boozing establishments across America for hundreds of years. It should always be strong, smoky, and a little sweet. But never too pricey.

Of course, we're talking about bourbon. And rye. And whiskey. And seeking some guidance on the best bottles to be bought for 30 bucks or less, the Cigar Place crew recently solicited six favorites from Rob Stone, the cocktail manager at Slows Bar-B-Q in Detroit.

An expert in the boozy arts with years and years of bar-slinging experience, Mr. Stone previously plied his trade at the now-defunct Talula Restaurant on Miami Beach before moving cross-country to Denver, where he logged time as general manager at Colt & Gray and Ste. Ellie.

On what makes a fine bourbon, Rob says: “Balance. I don't like a bourbon to be too sweet. It needs some spice and other nuances.”

He also insists the strong stuff doesn't need to be expensive to be good. “An older, higher-priced bourbon or rye or whiskey might be a little smoother with some deeper flavors. But that doesn't mean you can't get the same kind of enjoyment out of a lower-priced bottle made by a solid, perhaps lesser-known distiller. It's really easy to overspend. But there's just no reason to drop big money, unless you're a bourbon nerd who's chasing some Colonel Taylor or Pappy Van Winkle.”

In that spirit of saving cash while still drinking well (and often), here are Mr. Stone's best bourbons, ryes, and whiskeys under $30.

Mellow Corn Whiskey: $19

“Fantastic, sweet, fun — this is a bottled-in-bond corn whiskey, which means it's over 100 proof. If you need to sweeten up a bourbon for a cocktail, you can mix in some Mellow Corn. But it's really cool on its own too. And the reason why this bottle makes sense in your bourbon cabinet is because corn is the basis of bourbon. For a bourbon to be a bourbon, its mash has to be at least 51-percent corn. So why not try a corn whiskey? The label is weird, and Mellow Corn might look like rotgut. But it's not. It's the liquid gold that's been sitting in the back of grandpa's liquor cabinet for too long.”

Cigar pairing recommendation: Ashton Symmetry

Old Overholt Rye Whiskey: $19

“For bourbon drinkers who want to try some rye, I really like Old Overholt. It's smooth, it's a bit of a secret, and it will only run you about $12 or $15 a bottle. And it is, in fact, quite easy to drink straight out of the bottle,” Rob jokes.

However, if you prefer enjoying your booze in a somewhat more civilized manner, our expert also adds that “Overholt works really well in cocktails, especially a Sazerac.”

“Sure, there are other great ryes, like Templeton and Rittenhouse, that go for $40 at the liquor store. But they aren't any finer than Old Overholt. It's the rye that every bourbon fan should always have at home.”

Cigar pairing recommendation: Rocky Patel Cigars

George Dickel No. 8 and No. 12 Whiskey: $22 and $25

“If you've got a friend who's just a Jack Daniel's drinker, turn them on to Dickel,” Stone suggests. “It's a fantastic Tennessee whiskey. And you can go with either the No. 8 or No. 12. They're both so smooth and elegant.

“This stuff is just another awesome example of why you don't need to blow a day's pay to get a very good drink.”

Cigar pairing recommendation: Liga Privada Cigars

Sazerac Straight Rye Whiskey: $25

“A little hard to find, because it's from Buffalo Trace and it's in the Sazerac Company portfolio, this rye tends to be allocated to certain liquor stores and restaurants and other buyers. So yes, it is rare. But it isn't expensive.

“The Sazerac is a bottle, unlike the Mellow Corn, that you see and say, 'How classy.' And it's a surprise when you spot the $25 price tag — which might actually lead you away, because you're thinking, Oh, it's just a cool bottle. Like Absolut, it's only marketing.

“But no, on the contrary, this stuff is amazing. Spicy and sweet, it goes great in the traditional Sazerac cocktail. But it's just so exceptional, I feel like it should be sipped straight.”

Cigar pairing recommendation: Oliva Serie V Melanio

Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey: $27

Buffalo Trace bourbon makes an excellent companion for cigars due to its rich and complex flavor profile, which pairs harmoniously with the earthy and smoky characteristics of many cigars. Buffalo Trace has flavors of rich caramel, vanilla, and a subtle oakiness, accompanied by a smooth, slightly sweet finish. Its medium-to-full body and long, slightly spicy finish, with hints of toffee and dried fruit, complement a variety of cigars.

There's lots of bourbons, whiskeys and ryes out there to try and pair with your cigars these days and there are even cigars that are pushing the envelope in terms of innovation in their aging process. We hear all the time about the unique things that liquor distillers are doing to enhance the flavors of their delectable treats, but what about cigar makers? Some are turning to the alcohol industry and buying up used bourbon barrels and are trying their hand at aging their wrapper leaves in those bourbon barrels.

Cigar pairing recommendation: La Aroma De Cuba

Piggyback 100% Rye Whiskey: $29

This whiskey has bold rye spice, rich caramel, and a touch of vanilla. The spice and peppery notes make it a great match for medium to full-bodied cigars with similar profiles.

Cigar pairing recommendations:

Arturo Fuente Don Carlos – A medium-full bodied cigar with flavors of cedar, nuts, and coffee, balancing out the spice in the whiskey.

Padron 1964 Anniversary Series Maduro – The rich cocoa and coffee notes with hints of spice complement the rye's caramel sweetness and peppery finish.

Oliva Serie V – Rich, full-bodied, with coffee and dark chocolate notes, perfect for balancing the whiskey's sweetness.

Maker’s Mark Bourbon: $23

Cigar pairing recommendations:

Cohiba cigars, whether Cuban or Dominican, are an excellent match with Maker's Mark. The creamy, cocoa, and leather notes of a Cohiba cigar balance the sweetness and oaky finish of the bourbon. The refined complexity of both the cigar and the bourbon creates a harmonious balance between sweet and savory flavors, offering a luxurious pairing experience.

Chillin' Moose cigars, known for their earthy and mellow notes, also pair well with Maker’s Mark. The cigar’s bold but smooth nature complements the rich caramel and vanilla undertones of the bourbon, creating a satisfying combination that doesn’t overwhelm the palate.

For those who enjoy Arturo Fuente Hemingway cigars, the slightly sweet and cedar notes mesh well with the spicy and sweet character of Maker’s Mark. This pairing enhances the cigar’s woodsy and peppery undertones, resulting in an elegant combination that’s enjoyable for any occasion.

For a fuller-bodied cigar experience, Oliva Serie V is a bold choice. Its peppery spice complements Maker’s Mark's subtle spice and rich sweetness. This pairing offers an intense, flavorful experience, ideal for those who enjoy a robust combination of flavors.

Thank you for visiting our online cigar shop!

It is our mission to provide you with the best prices, discounts and deals for cigars, humidifiers, lighters, cutters, gifts and other cigar accessories. Shop and browse one of the largest collections of premium cigar brands and samplers.