Cigar Pairing Guide: What to Drink with Your Smoke

A great cigar on its own is satisfying. A great cigar paired with the right drink is an experience that sticks with you. The principle behind pairing is straightforward: you want the drink to complement or contrast the cigar without overpowering it or being overpowered. Match intensity with intensity, and look for flavor bridges between the two.

Pairing with Whiskey and Bourbon

Whiskey is the classic cigar pairing for a reason.

The caramel, vanilla, and oak notes in bourbon and scotch overlap naturally with the cedar, leather, and toast flavors found in most cigars.

For mild cigars (Connecticut Shade wrappers, Dominican blends), pair with a smooth bourbon like Woodford Reserve or Buffalo Trace. The sweetness of the bourbon matches the creaminess of the cigar without overwhelming it.

For medium-bodied cigars, a rye whiskey like Bulleit Rye or Rittenhouse adds a spicy counterpoint that complements the cigar's pepper notes.

The rye spice and the cigar pepper play off each other nicely.

For full-bodied maduros and Nicaraguan puros, peated scotch (Lagavulin 16, Ardbeg 10) or cask-strength bourbon (Booker's, Stagg Jr.) can stand up to the intensity. The smoky, rich flavors of these spirits match the power of a full-bodied cigar without either one getting lost.

Pairing with Coffee and Espresso

Coffee and cigars might be an even better pairing than whiskey and cigars, especially for morning or afternoon sessions.

The bitterness of coffee cuts through the richness of cigar smoke and resets your palate between puffs.

Light roast coffee pairs well with mild cigars. The bright acidity and floral notes complement Connecticut Shade wrappers without competing for attention. Try a single-origin Ethiopian or Kenyan light roast.

Medium roast with a medium cigar is the default pairing that almost always works.

The chocolate and nut notes in a medium roast overlap perfectly with the cocoa and cedar flavors in cigars like the Oliva Serie V Melanio or the Padron 3000.

Espresso or dark roast with a full-bodied cigar creates a bold, intense combination that serious cigar smokers gravitate toward. The espresso bitterness balances the richness of a maduro wrapper, and the lingering coffee flavor extends the cigar finish.

Pairing with Beer

Beer pairings are underrated in the cigar world. The carbonation in beer cleanses the palate between draws, and the huge variety of beer styles means there is a match for every cigar strength.

• Mild cigars + Belgian witbier or hefeweizen: The wheat and citrus notes in these light beers complement Connecticut Shade wrappers beautifully.
• Medium cigars + amber ale or brown ale: The malt sweetness in amber ales bridges naturally with the toast and cedar notes in medium-bodied cigars.
• Full-bodied cigars + stout or porter: The roasted malt, chocolate, and coffee flavors in a stout are the beer equivalent of pairing with espresso.

A Guinness Extra Stout or a local craft porter works well with any maduro.

Pairing with Rum and Cognac

Aged rum is arguably the most natural cigar pairing because cigars and rum come from the same tropical origins.

A sipping rum like Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva, Zacapa 23, or Appleton Estate 12 Year brings caramel, vanilla, and tropical fruit notes that wrap around cigar flavors seamlessly.

Cognac works similarly. The grape-based spirit adds dried fruit and floral notes that complement mild to medium cigars particularly well. Remy Martin VSOP or Hennessy VS are solid starting points at reasonable prices.

Save the XO bottles for your most special cigars since the complexity of an aged cognac can get lost against a powerful smoke.

Non-Alcoholic Pairing Options

Not every cigar session involves alcohol. Sparkling water with a squeeze of lemon is the simplest palate cleanser and works with any cigar. The carbonation and citrus cut through smoke residue and keep your palate fresh throughout the session.

Sweet tea pairs surprisingly well with medium to full-bodied cigars, especially in warm weather. The sugar and tannins in black tea mirror some of the same flavor compounds found in tobacco.

Hot chocolate or Mexican-style drinking chocolate with a maduro is an indulgent combination that works particularly well in cold weather. The chocolate in the drink and the cocoa notes in the maduro wrapper amplify each other.