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While selecting the 3 Best Whiskeys To Pair With Cigars, it quickly became apparent that by whittling recommendations down to only three bottles we’d be leaving a lot of amazing options on the proverbial table (bartop?).
With so many outstanding choices available, this follow-up article was inevitable. So, in the interest of expanding your pairing horizons to the fullest, here are four more excellent whiskeys for pairing with cigars:
With its full-bodied, clean, and intense flavors, Booker’s Bourbon from Jim Beam’s Small Batch collection will simply overpower a mellow cigar. However, when matched with a formidable smoke like the H. Upmann Herman’s Batch, the 63% ABV Booker’s woody and spicy character with subtle notes of cherry, vanilla, & mocha creates a delicious synergy that’s hard to beat. This bold bourbon comes to you uncut, unfiltered, and straight from the barrel for a particularly potent pairing option.
Uncommonly smooth for a 100-proof rye whiskey, Whistle Pig Straight is aged 10 years in new American oak and finished in used bourbon barrels to achieve its unique complexity and wood-heavy finish. Sourced from Alberta, Canada and bottled at the company’s farm in Vermont, WhistlePig is substantially sweeter, more rounded, and less dry than the typical Canadian rye. This rebellious rye serves up tones of butterscotch, cinnamon, and smoky vanilla that meld awesomely with an earthy and spicy cigar profile like that of the all-Nicaraguan Tatuaje Havana VI.
A sophisticated, sweet, and classic Kentucky Bourbon bottled at 90.2 proof, the “Very Old”, “Very Small Batch” Jefferson’s Reserve makes a stunning partner for mellower cigars. Produced in the bourbon mecca that is Bardstown, KY, Jefferson’s syrupy succession of raw oak, burnt caramel, and baking spices serves as a beautiful backdrop for a smooth, woody, and easygoing smoke like the legendary Romeo Y Julieta 1875.
While the aging period for Dad’s Hat Pennsylvania Rye is relatively short at just 9 months, its process of spending six months in charred, new-oak quarter casks and three months in California vermouth barrels is unmatched in the industry. So is its taste, poignantly marked with complex spices and hints of sweet citrus and mint. This Bristol, PA-born rye is made in an old-school Pennsylvania style – 80% grain, 20% malt, no corn, and a sweet mash recipe. Pair this unique 90 proof whiskey with a spicy-sweet smoke like the medium-full-bodied Hoyo De Monterrey La Amistad Dark Sumatra for an explosive flavor experience.
Add any of these four amazing libations to your personal pairing arsenal and be better off than you are. Or, stop by and sample them at the Best Cigar Pub, if you’re so inclined.