What do you like with your bourbon?

[smokinson]

I've predominatly been a cigar smoker, that and working in a package store got me into bourbon. A nice bourbon can really enhance a nice cigar and vice-versa. I have found that matching up the bourbon with the cigar can be pretty vital. Meaning that when you match up the flavors of the cigar with the flavor of the bourbon it can turn out fantastic, ie spicy smokes with spicy bourbon, mild with mild and so on. Do any of you guys have a favorite matche you can recomend?

[Whiskey Willie]

I generally do not drink alcohol when smoking a cigar. I usually prefer a good cup of coffee. However, I did have Weller Antique 107 with a JR Ultimate petit corona last weekend...Not bad. A107 would have overwhelmed any mild cigar.

[Lapianoman]

I've found a new favorite in Arturo Fuente's 8-5-8, but have yet to pair it with a nice pour.

Most of my cigar choices have been maduros, which I have paired with a light scotch, like a Glenlivet 12 (or my Archive 21) or Glendronach 15 (very sherried.)

Once the weather cools down in Florida, I'll be on my back porch trying some bourbon/cigar combos. Until then, I look forward to any suggestions posted here.

[jonholl]

I think for me the Thomas B Handy rye watered down to ~ 105/110 proof is the best "bourbon" pour for me with a "special" cigar. I had this rye with a Cuban Hoyo Epicure #2 aged 8/9 years (last one in the box) & an aged JR Ultimate President (another last in the box) & both were great combos. I then tried an inexpensive, but good, Dominican & it also went well with the rye, although the cigar was somewhat mild for the rye. FYI - I didn't smoke all 3 cigars with the rye at one sitting :grin: .

I usually prefer Lagavulin single malt with a "special" cigar, but the Handy is just as good to my taste, different but just as enjoyable.

I'll usually drink Four Roses with any good mild/medium or medium bodied cigar, usually a "good fit" in my experience.

[MurphyDawg]

I have found that the big trick with cigar whiskey pairings is to make sure that the bourbon doesnt overpower the cigar. These days I have been pairing La Flor Dominicana Chiselitos with Rare Breed Turkey to great effect.

TomC

[whiskeyhatch]

I have not been able to find a good bourbon/cigar pairing. Most of the cigars I have tried have gone very well with coffee. I will be monitoring this thread in hopes that it will set me up for the upcoming back porch cigar smoking season.

[mgilbertva]

I've had mixed results overall. I haven't had any bad combinations, although I find rye mashbills seem to pair better on average.

One bourbon I have had especially good luck with is Wathen's SB, in particular with several different cubans I've tried (Partagas, R&J, Cohiba).

Just to show every rule has an exception, my favorite combination by far was BTAC's WLW '06 and Gurkha Royal Salute. It was utterly amazing.

[TnSquire]

More bourbon.....

and a bowl of Yenice Agonya

[Mashface]

I recently went down to my local cigar bar and had a 1964 Padron Exclusivo with a PVW20. Quite expensive. I smoke a lot at home (when the weather fairs well in the East) and the latest smoke I had was an Olivia V Double Robusto with WR. I enjoyed both experiences immensely.

[Mike R]

Rarely smoke anymore. But a few weeks ago tried a Bucannero Salsa with GTS 07. The combo was very intense and enjoyable. Will have to keep this in mind next time Iam able to light one up.

Mike

[Tennessee Dave]

a bowl of Haddo's Delight and two fingers of Van Winkle Lot B or Old Weller Antique.

[Slob]

Beautiful women.

[whiskeyhatch]

I think I may have found a good bourbon/cigar pairing. Awhile back, when I was doing some dusty hunting, I foolishly bought a bunch of Cabin Still. It had 'Louiville, Ky.' on the label so I figured it was S-W distlillate. Whatever it was it tasted really bad. I thought I'd try it in cocktails but nothing could mask that overwhelming earth taste. So I 'Gilmanized' it with some EC 18 and some OO rye. That did the trick. It seems that the deep char of the EC 18 and the grainy spiciness of the OO brought out what little good there was available in the CS. Now, this concoction won't stand up to a WTRB or a perfectly diluted GTS '06, but it has saved me from pouring a lot of whiskey down the drain. Anyway, I thought that the same deep-spicy char flavor may go well with a cigar so... the other day I matched it up with a Punch Rare Corojo and they got along very well. I know that CS is not readily available in most areas (which is probably a good thing), but I think that a vatting of the other two would actually taste better, as well as match better with a cigar. Again, my favorite beverages to accompany a cigar have been a mug of ice water and a cup of espresso grind Cafe Bustelo coffee. But I think I'm onto something here. I'll get to try it next with a La Flor Dominicana Ligero. We'll see how it goes...

[mgilbertva]

I had a rather nice combination: GTS '06 and Frog Morton. I wouldn't say it's the best combo possible, maybe a 7 out of 10, but one I will definitely return to.

[OscarV]

Beautiful women.

yeah, I can't argue here.

[fishnbowljoe]

A Swisher, BlackStone Cherry Pipe Tobacco Tipped Cigarillo.:hot: Joe

[cigarnv]

I have found that in most cases I enjoy the cigar and bourbon less when I have them togeather. Typically with a good cigar I prefer coffee, either hot or in the summer iced.

[wildcatdon]

Try 20 yr old Pappy and a Hyde Park Maduro...very nice..

also 10 yr old 90 proof ORVW and a Antony and Cleopatra...pretty good also..

[DoubleT]

We know about the Maker's Mark cigar, which I don't love, but I do like. Well, it turns our that Kahlua has a ciger as well. I recently found a tin of 10 cigarillos at my favorite local casino gift shop and decided to try them.

They are, much like MM, a Dominican ciger of Cuban seed. It is all leaf and smokes very evenly. It also has a smooth, sweet flavor without being overly sweet. The aroma, more than the taste, says Kahlua, but there is a touch in the flavor.

What I liked about it was smoking it while sipping bourbon. The combination of the sweet slight Kahlua-tobacco flavor against the taste of bourbon I found to be a wonderful combination. The two off-set each other in a way I really enjoyed.

I did find that while it is a good smoke on its own when having one with bourbon it is best to avoid wheaters. Its the contrast that makes this work for me. The most I enjoyed this was while sipping on Buffalo Trace straight up.

All tastes being different some may enjoy this and some may not but it is worth the try. And here a tin of these cigers goes for about $14, so it doesn't cost too much to enjoy once a week or so.**

** $14 for these + the price of a bottle of BT...I'm a cop, that's a months bourbon budget for me so I enjoy it slowly. We do what we have to.

[spun_cookie]

Hanging out with other bourbon drinkers. I find smokes of anytime reduce my ability to taste the bourbon's complexity.

A little smoked cheese is good sometimes, but usually I just drink the bourbon by itself like I do my wines.

[swampguy]

glass!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Attila]

I like ice and mineral water with my bourbon

[cigarnv]

I do not often pair bourbon and a cigar as I tend to find they self cancel each others flavor nuances. When I do pair bourbon and a cigar I try to choose an offering of each that are are big and spicey. As of late I have found the Partagas offerings fit well with WT RB.