Pairing Cigars and Food

“When the marriage of food and cigar works well, each enhances the other, making the meal greater than if you had consumed them separately. The goal is synergy and balance. The cigar shouldn’t overpower the food, nor should the food overpower the cigar. Think of cigar as if it was a condiment – it should complement the food.” – Cigars Magazine

There really are no strict rules when it comes to pairing food and cigars; it is really all about personal preference. A general rule of thumb is to be sure that the dish and the cigar complement each other. This means that if you are preparing a robust, full-flavored meal such as a hearty steak, you will want a full-bodied cigar that can keep up such as a Los Blancos Nine cigar. Smoking a mellow cigar after a spicy flavorful meal will most likely not be very satisfying.  In general, heavy goes with heavy and light goes with light. A smaller meal such as Caesar salad, chicken, or white pasta would pair nicely with a more mellow smoke.

Cigars are most often smoked after a meal, but again, this is up to your personal preference. Many cigar aficionados enjoy a stogie in between courses. If you prefer to smoke a pre-meal cigar we recommend a small cigar or a cigarillo such as an Ashton Senorita or Romeo y Julieta Mini cigar. A cigar smoked after a meal can be more rich and complex. Pair with a simple desert such as a piece of dark chocolate or fruit.

What are your favorite food and cigar pairings?