You might find it odd that I’m writing about cigars instead of my co-worker Dave, but I thought it would be appropriate given the time of year. ย This is the time of year that people look to get the best gift possible for that special someone.ย Even if it’s not for a special someone, a nice gift still wouldn’t hurt. ย Why not a buy a cigar with your next bottle of port, sherry, Madeira or red wine? ย Getting a friend, co-worker or boss a nice bottle of wine is great, but if you happen to know they also smoke a cigar every once in a while, why not make the gift better? ย It doesn’t cost much, and it makes the gift that much nicer.
Pairing a cigar with the right wine is like pairing food with wine, you have to know the characteristics of the cigar (as you must with a dish of food), so that you can complement those characteristics with the appropriate wine. ย There are bold, rich cigars that necessitate a rich wine, while on the contrary there are mild, soft cigars that require a delicate wine.ย There are even aged cigars that should be paired with older wines. ย Ever had a nice Cuban cigar while sipping on a glass of 30yr old port? ย If not, you are missing out… at least that is what I hear. ย It’s true that a good scotch or cognac goes well with cigars, but why do the same old thing when you could try something new. ย Isn’t that what life is about?
Lets get the basic cigar types down in writing. ย 1) Double Claro- The mildest of the cigars. 2) Claro- Mild and slightly spicy. 3) Colorado Claro- Medium brown in color, spicier in style. ย 4) Colorado- Has hues of red in the wrapper. ย 5) Colorado Maduro- Dark brown in color, popular aging cigar. 6) Maduro- Very dark brown, almost black. Bold and robust. 7) Oscuro/Double Maduro- The darkest of the cigars, and a recent popular style. ย Now let us pair the cigars with the appropriate wines.
Double Claro- ย The mildest of the cigars and a rare style, this is a cigar for the greens. ย Easy smoking with delicate characteristics, this is meant be paired with a mild and delicate wine; an aged white Burgundy, fino Sherry should do just fine or a chilled and mildly sweet Moscato d’Asti would be good also.
Claro- ย White pepper notes is prominent in these cigars so it is best paired with all of the mentioned above wines along with a young, vibrant Tokaji or good white Chateaunuef-du-pape.
Colorado- ย With hints of roasted nuts and spices, both pepper and baking spices, pairing this cigar with old port, 20yr and above, old red Chateaunuef-du-pape, old red Bordeaux and old red Burgundies ย would make this a match made in heaven.
Colorado Maduro- ย Some fruit notes, alongside wild flowers make this cigar a perfect pairing for most types of Pinot Noir and traditional Chianti.
Maduro- Leather, chocolate, and raisin are unmistakable in this cigar style so a modern Chianti, 10yr Tawny port, right-bank Bordeaux, Priorat, GOOD Syrah, Cotes-du-rhone, and many more reds would do well paired with this cigar style.
Oscuro- Like so many other things, the bigger the better. The Oscuro cigar is the boldest cigar style with the capacity to age unlike the rest. ย Young, this cigar should be paired with left-bank Bordeaux, California Cab Sauv, Shiraz from Australia, Super Tuscans, Malbecs from Argentina, and a few other wines since the resemblance between the cigar and the wine is uncanny. ย Let both the cigar and mentioned wines age and the pairing is almost magical.
Hopefully this is not only educational but also helpful. ย Enjoy!
