The Best Cigar and Bourbon Pairings for Fall

Fall is the best time of year for a cigar and a pour. It’s cool enough to sit on the patio in a jacket, and it’s bourbon weather.

If you’ve never paired the two on purpose, don’t overthink it. There’s one simple rule that gets you most of the way there.

The rule: match the strength

A mild cigar with a big, hot bourbon means you’ll only taste the bourbon. A full-bodied cigar with something light means the cigar runs over the drink. You want them roughly even.

Mild cigars (usually a light tan Connecticut wrapper) are creamy, smooth and a little nutty. Pair them with a softer, sweeter bourbon. Wheated bourbons work great here.

Medium cigars (often Habano or Nicaraguan wrappers) bring some spice and wood. This is the sweet spot for a classic, everyday bourbon. You can’t go too wrong in this range.

Full-bodied cigars (a dark maduro wrapper) mean chocolate, coffee, and a little sweetness with more punch. Stand up to them with a higher-proof bourbon or a rye.

A few tips from behind the bar

• Taste the cigar first. Take a couple of draws, then sip. You’ll notice how each one changes the other.
• Too hot? Add a drop of water or one ice cube. A high-proof pour can burn out your palate, and a little water opens it up.
• Keep water on the table. A sip between rounds resets your taste.
• It doesn’t have to be bourbon. Rum, rye, a good stout or even coffee all pair well. Bourbon just happens to be the favorite.

Try it at Smoke Rings

You don’t need to build a collection at home to figure out what you like. That’s what we’re here for.

We’re 3,000 square feet in Hazleton with a full bar, a walk-in humidor, leather lounge chairs and an outdoor patio. Tell the bartender what you usually drink, pick a cigar from the humidor, and we’ll help you find a match. Grab a patio seat while fall weather lasts.

We also run poker nights, ladies’ nights and live music, so check our events page to see what’s coming up.

Smoke Rings Cigar Bar, Hazleton, PA. 21+ only, please bring ID.