Combinations of cigars and spirits

The combination of cigars and alcohol provides additional, incomparable pleasure to the smoker. It is caused by the part of substances from tobacco smoke; it does not dissolve in saliva, but dissolves in spirit. As a result of it smoking cigar in combination with alcohol the bouquet is enriched, new aromas are added.
However, taking alcoholic drinks, it is necessary to observe the certain balance since the alcohol dulls the smell. For having the maximal pleasure from the combination of cigar and spirit it is advisable to drink it with small gulps, savoring the drink and smoke slowly, trying to feel each nuance presented by the harmonious union.
The alcohol and cigar can be chosen by the following rules:

- The cigar and spirit should be equal enough on strength and be in harmony in flavouring and aromatic qualities:
- With cigar are badly combined:
- Drinks which do not have "bouquet" (for example, young wine);
- White alcohol: vodka, gin, tequila;
- Drinks with significant sweet and drinks with strongly pronounced
sour taste;
- Drinks with strength more than 43 C as they suppress its bouquet;
- Light drinks (the strength less 8 C ) as they are lost on the background of cigar.

"Evolution" of cigar in pair with the spirit can be described as follows:
In first third alcohol dominates over the cigar.
In second third of smoking desirable balance is reached.
In last third cigar becomes more aggressive and starts dominating over the alcohol.

The general recommendations on selection "cigar-alcohol" combination:

Wine - good wines become even better if to drink them with soft cigars from Honduras and Nicaragua;

Whiskey – with “Havana” is better combined one-malt whisky, and to Dominican cigars approach more blend-whiskey;

Bourbon is a universal drink for cigars. With it any cigars are good, but the combination bourbon with strong thick cigars is ideal;

Cognac or Brandy - classical drinks with cigar. Wood and flower tones of wine basis perfectly emphasize and shade taste of Honduras, Dominican or Cuban cigars of an average strength;

Porto - ideally in harmony with it are strong cigars with an earthy smell and sweet spicy aroma. Cigars of «robusto» or «figurado» format, which native land is Honduras, Dominican republic or Cuba are especially pertinent;

Rum - soft and medium-strong Dominican or Jamaican cigars good with light rum. The sustained rum is good with strong Dominican, Honduras or the Cuban cigars: is dryish-earthy taste is softened with sweetness of the drink.
As a whole, both the spirit, and cigar, are rather various on the flavouring and aromatic qualities, on unique sensations and surprising finishing.