Common Bonds: 16 Cigar And Bourbon Pairings

Mar 25, 2016 | By Jack Bettridge

One of the strongest bonds in the spirits world defines the magic that happens when straight Bourbon meets a curling waft of cigar smoke. We paired two excellent cigars—a toasty, Padrón 1964 Anniversary Series Torpedo and a fuller-bodied Fuente Fuente OpusX Robusto—with 16 fine Bourbons. Our favorite with each whiskey is indicated by asterisks.

Angel's Envy Cask Strength (variable proof, tasted at 119.3, $169): Aged rum is the first impression with molasses, banana and graham cracker. Then comes Port, anise, cinnamon, cloves and cocoa.

Padrón pairing: The whiskey overpowers the cigar a bit, but they make an accord through a like spice character.
*Fuente pairing*: The Port finish explodes with this cigar, and the Bourbon returns graham cracker and other pleasant notes.

Bulleit Frontier Whiskey (90 proof, $27.99): This whiskey is a bit coy about its high-rye recipe, but exudes oak, vanilla and orange peel. Then comes fruit before spices like pepper, cinnamon and anise.

*Padrón*: Bulleit draws sweet marzipan out of the cigar, while the Bourbon's rye spice is shown to better effect.
Fuente: The whiskey's spice resounds and the Fuente becomes rounder. This is a close call.

Eagle Rare Aged 10 Years (90 proof, $29.99): Nose of caramel and vanilla with walnuts. The palate offers molasses, toffee and honey before taking on spice for an indelible finish.

*Padrón*: The Bourbon accentuates the cigar's spice and toast, giving it creamy orange notes, while it shows its own vanilla.
Fuente: A bit of a clash between sweet and earth flavors, but a sweet spot exists in the cigar's leather.

Elijah Craig 23 Aged Years Single Barrel (90 proof, $199.99): Not overly tannic, but creamy, with orange and berry notes as well as cinnamon and licorice.

Padrón: A little too much whiskey for the cigar, but some pleasant connections.
*Fuente*: A better balance of bodies allows the Bourbon's fruit to elicit a bonbon effect.

Four Roses Small Batch (90 proof, $39.99): A Bourbon that bespeaks its name with plenty of floral aspects as well as a spicy bite. A parade of hard candy fruits win the day.

Padrón: The Bourbon's flowers pounce on this pairing, splashing candy on the cigar.
*Fuente*: The cigar shows off its sweetness and the whiskey gets mellow.

Hillrock Solera Aged Bourbon (92.6 proof, $80): A nuanced Cognac nose, with caramel, vanilla, Sherry and spice on the palate.

*Padrón*: The cigar's hearty notes fill out the Hillrock as the Padrón gets sweet and spicier.
Fuente: The Hillrock is less ethereal and unmistakenly Bourbon-like, but without much payback.

Hudson Baby Bourbon (92 proof, $44.99, 375 ml): The pure-corn mash bill makes this whiskey sweet, with herbal, tannic and oily notes.

*Padrón*: A sea change: the cigar smooths the edginess and finds a molasses character.
Fuente: The same effect, but not as chewy.

Jefferson's Reserve Groth Reserve Cask Finish (90.2 proof, $79.99): Projects cinnamon and herbs with an underlying vanilla redolence. Wine notes transform into bigger berry flavors.

*Padrón*: The cigar's toast lends a welcome bite to the Jefferson, and the two waltz around a shared spice.
Fuente: The earthy cigar troubles this pairing, but the bourbon makes the smoke sweeter.

Jim Beam Signature Whole Rolled Oat (90 proof, $49.99 for 375 ml): Very sweet, fruit nose with spice and candy apple. Cherry, toffee, toast, nuts and tangerine on the palate.

Padrón: A sublime balance of soft flavors. The whiskey is rounder and the cigar sweeter.
*Fuente*: You completely forget the oat notion as you're lost in a swirl of caramel and licorice. Another tough choice.

Maker's Mark Cask Strength (variable proof, tasted at 113.2, $39.99): The high alcohol content never masks its citric flavor. Vanilla and maple candy are the second act, followed by cocoa and toffee.

*Padrón*: Any heat on the Bourbon dissipates and the Maker's conjures orange peel in the cigar, which offers toast and marmalade.
*Fuente*: Maple from the Bourbon transforms into a candy bar of chocolate and nuts. These are both winners.

Old Forester 1897 Bottled in Bond (100 Proof, $49.99): A huge nose of caramel and maple, with rye and a hint of candy.

Padrón: Very well-balanced. The whiskey gets richer barrel flavors. The cigar gains maple and spice.
*Fuente: These two find a hearty common ground, with leather and nuts, plus subtler notes like candy and spice.

Old Grand-Dad Bonded (100 proof, $24.99): High-rye recipe mashbill is the first to impress, but candied fruit and flowers fill in. Cinnamon tartness never overshadows the caramel/vanilla, banana, chocolate and cherry notes.

*Padrón*: Tartness on the whiskey backs off to allow more caramel/vanilla. The cigar gets nuttier and creamier.
Fuente: Candy resounds on the cigar. The whiskey is spicier.

Orphan Barrel Rhetoric (90 proof, $85): A floral nose, with leather. On the palate cinnamon, cherries and molasses chime in.

Padrón: The cigar becomes heartier. The whiskey gets only tang in return.
*Fuente*: This smoke's flavor range widens into fruits, cocoa and toast. Berry notes fade, but the spirit is heartier.

Wild Turkey Master's Keep (86.8 proof, $150): Not as woody as 17 years suggest. Complex, with grapes, toast, nuts, tea and light woods. Fruity on the palate.

*Padrón*: Tea and toast are revived for a pretty pairing. There's a synergy of sublime spice.
Fuente: Not as successful. The cigar trades in earth and leather for some fruit.

Woodford Reserve Double Oaked (90.4 proof, $49.99): Beyond the oak, caramel and toffee is a dose of spice including clove.

Padrón: The clove disappears as the whiskey dries a bit, but the cigar gains a toffee note.
*Fuente*: The whiskey's spice is kickstarted as the Fuente becomes subtler and gains some pepper and sweetness.

Wyoming Whiskey (88 proof, $43): A floral nose with some fruit and vanilla. Wheat, fruit and herbs on the palate.