Beer Forum

Before the cigar Session several weeks ago, I could count on one hand the number of cigars I've had in my life. I enjoyed that show much more than I thought I would, and I've subsequently purchased a small humidor and filled it with a sampling from both CAO and Tatuaje.

I finally broke into this small stash last night, and I thoroughly enjoyed a CAO Gold Robusto. Other than being "mild"--in a good way--I don't really have a vocabulary or palette to describe what I tasted. There were moments when I picked up some of the vanilla and toasted nut that I'd seen describing this cigar online, but it was mostly just a pleasant mix of earth and spice and, well, tobacco.

So here are my questions for any experienced cigar aficionados in the BN Army.

1. Given that I really liked this mild CAO Gold, any recommendations of other brands I might like?

2. Beer pairing. Since I was already drinking my homebrewed Mild last night, I started with that. Not surprisingly, even this mild cigar overwhelmed my Mild beer, although the beer has enough body to still have been a good palate cleanser. I then poured a small sample of my aged English IPA (with Brett C. and Hungarian oak). On its own, this beer has some earthy tobacco-like character, so I always thought it might pair well with a cigar. Rather than enhancing that character, though, the cigar seemed to cancel it out, but it a good way that really enhanced the beer's tropical fruitiness.

Any other pairing suggestions, for this aged IPA or for my bottles of doppelbock and oak-aged Brown Shugga clone? Do you have any go-to beers that you like to drink with a cigar, whether a mild cigar or something stronger?

I'm a big cigar fan. I don't get to enjoy it as much as I would like to. When I do, I really enjoy Rocky Patel cigars. especially the Honduran classic and the Vintage series. Some of my other favorites are 5 Vegas Gold, Oliva V series, Padron, Alec Bradley, CAO, Ashton, Partagas.

I enjoy paring the big toothy cigars such as, Oliva V and the Honduran classic with a stout or porter.
The Vintage series goes well with English brown ales. and the spicy cigars such as the Partagas go well with Rye IPA's
Drew Estate has the Tabak Especial. This is a coffee infused cigar. This definitely goes well with a stout, porter or brown ale.

Cigars, like beer, are very subjective. you need to be the one to make the decision as to what you enjoy.I hope some of these brands and parings help you out.

you should also check out cigar.com or famous-smoke.com both are great online resources for information, along with awesome customer service and shipping.

Thanks, Hot Rod!

IPA's are not the first beers I grab when pairing with Cigars. Love big beers though. Stouts, porters, big ambers etc. Something with some great mouth feel to help coat the throat and mouth from the burn of the cigar. Just had some Jubelale with my Cuban on the golf course last week. Now the weather has turned, so 8 months of rain..........