Eat, Drink, Love, Smoke

For centuries gentleman have retired to the library or drawing room for post-prandial cigars and full-bodied libations. Why are these three activities so beautifully taken in concert with one another? Obviously as we eat and drink the palate is excited, enthused, and accepting. So why not treat yourself one more time?

In times past a heavy meal, rich with game and pottage, called for a lingering taste experience. The meal, so to speak, is extended on the palate with a rich smoke and drink.

While pairings for cigars and liquor do not tend toward subtlety a thoughtful matching is fun and rewarding. Here are some general suggestions:

Single malt Scotchs, Irish whiskey, single barrel bourbons and small batch whiskeys beg for a Fuente Hemingway, Partagas Black Label, Rocky Patel, Punch, or something with a parallel flavor profile. Blended whiskeys and Scotch dovetail perfectly with Romeo y Julieta, H. Upmann, or Montecristo. For white liquor just have a cigarette… No, I’m just kidding! A Nat Sherman Soave or Ashton Corona are light and smooth, easy smokes to enjoy with a martini.

If you like cigars and whiskey (generic for booze) then just about any combo will satisfy. But for a bit of fun with your indulgence try to match strength to strength, complexity to complexity.

As Bob Davis would say “you’ll thank yourself.”

Tom