Black Plague
New Member
- Joined
- May 11, 2006
- Messages
- 539
For some reason, I get really anal retentive about what to pair Cohibas with. Maybe it's the price tag thing. Usually, I play it safe and just drink coffee (usually something espresso-based or cafe con leche). Had mixed results before with Spanish brandy and cognac. Tried Chartreuse once with a Lancero, a buddy swore it was the perfect pairing...and though they did match flavors pretty well, Chartreuse is waaaay too strong, in alcohol (55% ABV) and taste, and just tended to numb my mouth and overpowering any of the cigar's flavors.
I tried a pairing last night that turned out very well! I had a 2001 Cohiba Lancero with a nice glass of Balvenie 1993 PortWood and it was excellent! For the first third or so, the whisky overwhelmed it a bit, so would just take a sip of it, then a sip of ice water, and then smoke. But once the Lancero reached around 2/3 to 1/2 and the body intensified, it was absolutely perfect! The grassy vanilla of the Lancero and the oaky, fruity port influence blended very well and seemed to make each other taste even better.
I've heard others opine that sherry-influenced scotches like Aberlour and Macallan go well with Cohibas, and my experience with port-influenced scotch turned out well. I'll have to try it next with my pre-name-change bottle of Glenmorangie Port Wood Finish (before it became La Quinta Ruban and doubled in price
), if I can get the heart to crack the seal.
So what beverages do you guys like with Cohibas? More specifically, do you pair different things with the different lines (Linea Clasica, Linea 1492, and the new Maduro) or sizes?
I tried a pairing last night that turned out very well! I had a 2001 Cohiba Lancero with a nice glass of Balvenie 1993 PortWood and it was excellent! For the first third or so, the whisky overwhelmed it a bit, so would just take a sip of it, then a sip of ice water, and then smoke. But once the Lancero reached around 2/3 to 1/2 and the body intensified, it was absolutely perfect! The grassy vanilla of the Lancero and the oaky, fruity port influence blended very well and seemed to make each other taste even better.
I've heard others opine that sherry-influenced scotches like Aberlour and Macallan go well with Cohibas, and my experience with port-influenced scotch turned out well. I'll have to try it next with my pre-name-change bottle of Glenmorangie Port Wood Finish (before it became La Quinta Ruban and doubled in price
), if I can get the heart to crack the seal.So what beverages do you guys like with Cohibas? More specifically, do you pair different things with the different lines (Linea Clasica, Linea 1492, and the new Maduro) or sizes?
