Understanding Cigars
Not knowing your cigars or bourbon is like trying to jet ski with no experience or knowledge. You might get lucky but you’re more likely to end up crashing into the water very quickly. Cigars come in various shapes, sizes, and strengths, each offering a unique profile of flavours from chocolaty richness to spicy overtones. Whether it’s a robusto, churchill, or toro that takes your fancy, choosing the right cigar is a crucial step towards a harmonious pairing.
For Australian aficionados, exploring tobaccos from different regions like the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, and Honduras offers a world of variety. We’re talking the wrapper, binder, and filler of a cigar are all a good start. Know these and you’ll know their composition and, consequently, their taste.
Selecting the Perfect Bourbon
You also can’t choose a bourbon at random because there are so many differences between them. From the sweet vanilla tones of Kentucky straight bourbon to the bold flavors of Tennessee whiskey, the choice of bourbon plays a pivotal role in enhancing the cigar experience. Just as Benchmark Whisky exemplifies a refined and distinct bourbon, each selection brings its own character, influencing and complementing the nuances of the cigar.
Bourbons range from small-batch crafts with intensely unique profiles to well-aged, single malt-like bourbons in Australia. When pairing, consider the body, smokiness, and sweetness of the bourbon in contrast with the cigar. Go for a light-bodied cigar and you’ll probably want a more delicate bourbon (and vice versa!).
Preparing for the Experience
You also need to think about freshness with your cigar because this will affect the overall tasting experience. Ensuring proper storage in a humidor at the appropriate humidity level guarantees the integrity of the cigar’s construction and flavour. As for the bourbon, some may argue that a splash of room-temperature water is all it needs to open up its bouquet.
Setting the scene with the right ambiance is key. Luxurious glassware for your bourbon, comfortable seating, perhaps some jazz music softly playing in the background, all contribute to the overall enjoyment.
Savouring the Flavour
Swinging a baseball bat needs technique as does successfully swimming 100m quickly. The same is true of tasting when you select a top-shelf bourbon. As you carefully sip your drink, breathe in the aromas and let the flavours dance on your palate. Take note of the sweet, smoky, or spicy notes, and how they resonate with the cigar.
What heightens the experience is the synchronicity between each draw of the cigar and sip of bourbon—slow and deliberate, allowing flavours to meld and your senses to be fully engaged. A pairing is only as good as its execution, and the finesse with which you enjoy each element will define the quality of the experience.
For a memorable evening, take heed of these guidelines, but remember that the joy is in the journey. The truth is that there isn’t a bourbon police around the corner waiting to shout at you for getting it wrong. So play around with combos and you’ll soon find some that you love!