The problem with finding a drink to pair with a cigar is that most people cannot look beyond whiskies, specifically single malts. It is imperative to choose a proper drink to accompany a fine cigar, especially the medium and full flavoured ones, after all a strong cigar will overpower a light drink, such as a margarita or a light beer.
Coffee
Restaurants and coffee shops are full of options for those who like their regular fix of caffeine. There are splendid alcoholic variants too apart from the usual Cappuccino, Cafe Mocha, Cafe con Leche, and Cuban Coffee. Try pairing a good Filter Coffee with a mild cigar. Elevate the experience by making Filter Coffee with Baileys. There’s no need to add sugar or milk; you have a perfectly brewed alcoholic concoction that works wonders with the cigar. While on the topic of coffee, how can one leave out Kahlua? As with coffee drinks, there are many variations, such as the Black Russian, Mud Slide and Nutty Irishman that are Kahlua-fuelled cocktails.
Beer
Beer drinkers tend to pair a mild cigar with their favourite draught but do little else to experiment with flavours. Try an Indian Pale Ale with a full-bodied cigar. Very few beers can stand up to a cigar and are not overwhelmed; the bitter hops in an IPA can shine brightly with a cigar. Those with refined palates can even pair a good Trappist Beer like Chimay or Duvel with a medium to full flavoured cigar. Guinness works like a charm by pairing coffee flavours and stout characters.
Port wine
Regardless of the brand, the Late Bottled Vintage range of port wine is great with cigars. Vintage porto is more expensive and will not last long after opened. It must be properly decanted before serving. Porto is a fortified red wine (contains brandy), and is made in Portugal (contrary to the Indian notion that it’s from a Goan port). It has a sweet taste that makes for a great dessert drink and a better companion to a fine cigar.
Cocktails
Try the Stinger, a mixture of creme de menthe and brandy. One variation of the recipe uses vodka instead of brandy but it’s the brandy that actually brings a distinct personality to the drink that stands up well against the cigar. Even martinis works very well with full flavoured cigars. Why? Because they have a generous dose of alcohol and are usually quite flavourful.
— Nathan is a mixologist
