A good cigar is even better with the right drink beside it. The two play off each other — the drink refreshes your palate, the cigar deepens the flavor of the pour. You don't need to be an expert to get it right; you just need a couple of simple guidelines. Here's how to match your smoke to your glass.
The golden rule: match the intensity
The one principle that never fails: pair like with like. A mild cigar wants a lighter drink so it doesn't get overpowered; a bold, full-bodied cigar can stand up to a strong, rich pour. Mismatch the intensity and one will bully the other. Get it balanced and they lift each other up.
Classic pairings that work
- Whiskey — the classic. Bourbon's sweetness plays beautifully with a medium cigar; a peaty scotch matches a fuller, richer smoke.
- Rum — aged rum's caramel and vanilla notes are a natural, mellow match, especially for milder cigars.
- Coffee — a morning-round favorite. The roasty bitterness pairs with almost any cigar and won't get you buzzed at 9 a.m.
- Cold beer — underrated on the course. A malty amber or a stout complements a cigar nicely, and it's refreshing in the heat. Skip a hoppy IPA, though — the bitterness clashes.
On the course
For golf, practicality matters. A cigar with a cold beer or a Transfusion is easygoing and refreshing for a warm round. Save the cigar-and-whiskey ritual for the clubhouse afterward, when you can actually slow down and savor both without a tee time waiting.
Match the intensity, reach for whiskey, rum, coffee, or a malty beer, and keep a water handy. Do that and your cigar and your glass will each taste better than they would alone — which is the whole point of a good pairing.