Finding the perfect combination of whiskey and cigar is a glorious discovery and one that can provide the ideal luxurious evening with a friend, family member, or partner. Let the smoky flavor of the cigar fill your mouth and compliment the taste of the whiskey as it warms your stomach.
This is the ultimate in class and sophistication and the ideal way to celebrate a big occasion, or to bond with a friend. Alternatively, it can be a great way to relax and muse, or the perfect accompaniment for a good book.
So how do you go about finding this ideal combination? Well, we’ve got one here for you that hits hard and really makes an impact. It’s the Fuente Fuente Opus X Lost City, matched with a 1792 Full Proof.
Why This Combination
A great combo like this is always more than the sum of its parts, but of course, it still makes sense to start by looking at precisely what each element brings to the table.
So first up, let’s talk about that whiskey.
1792 is one of the best known and most sought-after brands around when it comes to whiskey. This is a bourbon that was previously known as the Ridgewood Reserve 1792. It comes from Bardstown, Kentucky, and in fact, the name itself is a reference to the year that Kentucky first became a State! It is owned by the Sazerac Company and is aimed at the ‘higher end’ market of whiskey enthusiasts. It has won countless awards owing to its superior quality and great taste, which makes it a perfect choice for anyone looking for a whiskey that is not just a drink, but a whole ‘experience.’
1792 make a range of different whiskeys, but of course, the Full Proof is a stronger variant. It comes in at 125 proof (or 62.5%abv), which gives it a robust flavor and makes it intoxicating in the best kind of way. This is definitely a whiskey to be enjoyed slowly, which ideally suits the long smoke of the Lost City.
The Bourbon also has some other unique features to it. It goes through a unique filtration system for instance, rather than the usual chill filtration. This helps to maintain more of the robust flavors. This is more than a match for a stronger type of cigar.
There is, of course, a debate as to whether a bourbon or a Scotch is the ideal combination to pair with cigars. The answer is obviously going to be a matter of personal preference: but with that said, we strongly prefer the bourbon in this context. That’s thanks to its slightly more flavorsome nature (which makes it more interesting to match with a wide variety of different cigars) as well as a lot of the romantic notions surrounding bourbon. This is the drink of the wild west – and thus is the perfect choice to match with a big fat cigar!
Speaking of which, how about that cigar? So, what we’re looking at here is a cigar made with Fuente estate grown tobacco (hence the name), that has been aged five years before production. It has a beautiful, oily wrapper and a Dominican filler that provides the rich and creamy smoke.
It is full of robust, earthy flavors and also has a cedar aroma. It’s a strong and impactful cigar that makes a big statement and then sticks around long after the fact. This is what makes it such an ideal match for the full proof – because it is actually strong enough for you to pick it up!
You could say that matching the Lost City with full proof is foolproof.
The cigar is full strength and has a Toro 6 ¾ x 48 design. Its price is somewhat mid-range at $30 – enough to be a treat but without being prohibitively expensive.
Try this combination, really savor it, and we guarantee you’ll be impressed!
Cigar Terminology
In a review of another combination, we went over some of the more popular whiskey terminology. This is important not only to help you make more informed decisions when purchasing and enjoying whiskey but also so that you can avoid feeling foolish in a group by not knowing what everyone is talking about!
Now we have some cigar terminology to provide the very same service! Here are some useful terms that you should keep in mind if you’re new to the world of cigars and whiskey. Smoke like a pro!
Aging
Aging refers to the amount of time that cigars are left in a humidity controlled environment. These areas are usually called ‘aging rooms,’ and in here, they will be left undisturbed so that they can evolve and mature. Many cigar aficionados believe that aging a cigar for longer can help to bring out the best characteristics more strongly.
Aroma
Like whiskey, you can refer to a cigar’s aroma which will have a big impact on your experience of smoking it.
Band
The band is the label that you will find around the center of the cigar.
Bulk
This is a pile of tobacco leaves that are left to generate heat. This process is referred to as sweating.
Binder
The binder is the leaf on the cigar that holds the whole thing together. This will be chosen due to its durability, and it will usually come from a coarse leaf at the top of the tobacco plant.
Cap
This is the small piece of wrapper leaf that you will find attached to the head of the cigar. The purpose of this cap is to secure the wrapper in place.
Churchill
Churchill, of course, was the prime minister in England during WW2. He was also well-known for smoking cigars, which is why there is now a cigar shape named after him. That would be a long, straight cigar with a medium-to-thick body shape.
Corona
Another cigar shape. This one is a thick cigar with a straight body.
Culebra
This is a cigar that has a braided or twisted body.
Draw
When you draw, you breathe in through the cigar – pulling in air and filtering it through the tobacco leaves. The way you draw your cigar is important: it should be smooth and easy. If it draws too quickly, then the air will be much hotter and won’t taste good. This is the mark of a poorly crafted cigar. On the other hand, if the draw is slower and the air that comes in is cool and tasty, then it is well made.
That said, if the cigar is too hard to draw on, then this isn’t good either. You might likewise find that it goes out multiple times during your smoke. That means it has been wrapped too tightly.
Filler
These are the leaves inside the binder which make up the body of the cigar.
Flavor
Of course, a cigar has a flavor. There are also a number of terms you might commonly use to describe the flavor of a cigar, which can include: spicy, sweet, earthy, cedar, oak, fruity, leathery, roasted, nutty, cocoa. If you want to impress friends when smoking cigars, then learn some of these terms!
Foot
The foot is the end of the cigar that you will light. You will find that this end tends to be pre-cut, unlike the head. This is how you know which end to draw from!
Head
This is the closed end of the cigar and the end you are meant to put in your mouth. Usually, this will need to be cut by the user. You should use a cigar cutter to do this and should clip your cigar about 1/16 to 1/8 of an inch down (roughly equivalent to 2-3 millimeters). Do this before lighting the foot.
Hot
If the cigar has a quick draw, then you can describe it as being ‘hot.’
Plugged
Conversely, a cigar that is difficult to draw is referred to as being ‘plugged.’
Tunneling
Worse than a hot or plugged cigar, is a cigar that tunnels. Tunneling means that the cigar burns unevenly. The solution is to try and carefully turn the cigar as you are smoking it.
Vintage
This term is used to refer to the year the tobacco was harvested.
Wrapper
The wrapper is the cigar leaf that is wrapped around the filler and the binder. This should have no wrinkles, spots, veins or tears.
Wrapping Up
And with that, we are also ready to wrap up. Hopefully, this article has woken you up to another great cigar and whiskey combination. Give it a try and keep in mind these tips for understanding your cigars to enjoy it to the very fullest. You should find that this is a combination that is punchy, powerful, and readily able to stick in your mind.
And of course, if you want more recommendations, be sure to check the rest of this site and our other pairing ideas.
