Big Mike

Cigars and Alcohol

The traditional match for a good cigar is often a strong spirit - perhaps the subtle sweetness of an aged rum or brandy, or the heady, smoky nose of a fine single malt Scotch or whiskey are faithful and true cigar companions. But what about the often overlooked cigar pairing - beer?

Pairing any strongly flavored comestibles isn't easy, and there are of course both good and bad choices to be made. You probably wouldn't enjoy a cigar with a crisp Hefeweizen any more than you might drink a tannic red Chianti wine with raw oysters in lemon vinaigrette. Give me that refreshing pale Hefeweizen with those oysters and that's a good match. And if you want to drink that young Chianti, fire up the pasta pot and load on the Bolognese sauce. A hearty Italian dinner would also be a fine time to pop a rich deep stout with the strength to carry its own weight under the load of acidic tomatoes and savory, spicy chunks of sausage.

The average non-beer drinker may not know the difference between, say, a lambic, a wheat beer and a smoked porter, and wouldn't have a clue what foods or what other beers they would and wouldn't pair well with. "Beer's beer, and it all tastes like Budweiser, right?" Similarly, the average non-cigar smoker can't make heads or tells of taste differences between, say, an earthy Mexican puro, a smoky-sweet Honduran maduro or the rich and complex savor of a classic Cuban. Of course, there are distinct differences, but it can take time to educate your palate enough to be able to taste and appreciate the flavors and aromas. They do exist, and they are appreciated by cigar lovers in much the same way that the different flavor profiles of various beers can be enjoyed. Pairing them together is a feat that takes some thinking about which flavors and textures will best complement the others. Of course, to some a cigar will simply taste like a burning leaf. And to others, a beer will always taste like a Bud, and nothing more. But there is a lot more to beer, and a lot more to cigars, as fans of either will happily tell you.

The immediate effect of a cigar on your taste buds is potent. If you plan to eat or drink during or immediately after smoking a cigar, your choices need to be made carefully to avoid a mismatch. The smoky, cedary bouquet of a strong cigar can linger on your palate for hours, and it will continue to contribute to whatever you are eating or drinking. Paired properly with the right food and beverage, say a dark barley wine or a peaty single malt scotch, this match may be made in heaven. The peaty-rich nose and the finish of perfectly ripe apricots offered by a barley wine, in combination with a cigar's potent contribution of a creamy smooth taste with hints of cedar and spice, can be a wonderful combination.

The bottom line is that you can match cigars with beer, wine, food or spirits - all you have to know is what combinations you do and don't enjoy, which is simply knowledge gained through experimentation. It goes without saying that your own taste buds are the final arbiter of what is right on your table.

- Big Mike

www.bigmikescigars.com