Category: Whisky

Whisky Pairings

Food and Beverage pairings have long been popular with the connoisseurs of the world, for example Champagne with Oysters, and Red Wine with Beef. A lesser known but exquisite treat is pairing a Fine Cigar with Whisky.

Although a cigar can be nicely paired with almost any beverage, for example fresh coffee, rum, even cocktails and beers, most believe that pairing the right cigar with a whisky is the perfect match. By picking up on the various notes and aromas of each cigar you can find the perfect dram to compliment it.

We have a great range of pairings on our site to browse through, so if you already know your favourite whisky and would like to try a cigar to compliment it, or if you have a favourite cigar and are interested in learning what works best with it… take a look at our range today and we may already have the perfect pairing for you!

We offer pairings of single cigars and miniatures, as well as pairings of full size 70cl bottles and a sampler of cigars to match. Read on to view some of our personal favourites and most popular pairings…

Intro To Bourbon Whisky and Cigar Pairing

A classy Bourbon, Bourbon Trace is from the eponymous distillery that has been responsible for some truly outstanding products in recent years. A great whisky, with oodles of vanilla, barrel char and spicy complexity and overall a must-stock for any bar worthy of the name.

Spicy and sweet with caramel, delicious toffee eclairs with a hint of cinnamon, rum spice and cereal sweetness.

The Camacho American Barrel Aged Robusto is an intense smoke that sets the tone for a life without limits. Inspired by the uncompromising craftsmanship of Kentucky bourbon makers, their master builders have blazed new frontiers in complexity. Aging Camacho’s legendary Corojo leaves for six years and then locking them in charred bourbon barrels – a dance with the devil’s cut that leads to rich oaky flavours and sweet bourbon aromas. Wrapped in rare all-American broadleaf, it’s an unforgettable experience that forges the way for infinitely more.

The unique and different flavours these smokes have to offer are paired perfectly with the Buffalo Trace which is sweet yet spicy to intensify and really bring out the flavours of the Connecticut Machitos.

AVO Orchant Seleccion Robusto + Stalla Dhu Speyside Whisky Pairing Sampler

Introducing a new and exclusive whisky to Turmeaus, the Stalla Dhu Islay Whisky. A rare collection of small batch and single cask malts from Scotland’s finest distilleries. Created by Mitchell Orchant and bottled by Stalla Dhu Whiskies.

Stalla Dhu is Scottish Gaeilic for “Black Cliff” and with this exclusive whisky, there are two different regions, this Islay edition and a Speyside offering.

First and second generation members of our family of independent bottlers carefully select the whiskies which show a particular promise.

To begin, the wood is managed and we continue to house the environment and casks which best affect the aging to achieve the unique results which we strive for.

The whiskies are then left until the time is right and then select the correct ABV to bring to you a very special dram.

Paired wonderfully with the AVO Orchant Seleccion Syncro Robusto. Inspired by the cosmopolitan lifestyle of Avo Uvezian, AVO’s Master Blender has ventured to the untamed heart of Central America.

Capturing sweet and spicy flavours from the rich, volcanic soil of Nicaragua and blending them with the soft, creamy notes of the finest Dominican leaves. Resulting in a smooth and balanced box-pressed cigar with unexpected depth and complexity.

 

Tomatin Legacy Scotch Whisky and Barrel Aged Cigar Pairing

This pairing is for aficionados who love to enjoy a scotch whisky with their cigars, the Davidoff Late Hour cigars contain tobacco aged for six months in finest Scotch single malt whisky casks. The perfect pairing!

When Tomatin Distillery was established in 1897, the isolated and idyllic setting of  Tomatin was almost perfect. Time in Bourbon barrels and Virgin Oak casks brings a light sweetness to The Tomatin Legacy, which boasts aromas of vanilla, marshmallow, pineapple and lemon.

On the palate gentle flavours of candy, pine, lemon sherbet, apples and sponge cake emerge ahead of a light, clean finish.

Sir Winston Churchill was not a man to follow convention. When most people were thinking of their beds, Sir Winston found inspiration and creativity in the long dark hours of the night. The dark was where he found his spark.

Davidoff celebrates this facet of the Great Man with a special cigar – The Late Hour. Beautiful, robust flavours of black pepper, dark coffee, sweetness, old leather, wood and spiciness tantalize the palate.

 

Mistakes made with Whisky

Whether it’s what brand to purchase or even being able to tell the difference between whisky and whiskey, there is a lot of knowledge that goes with enjoying a glass of scotch, bourbon or rye. Ewan Gunn, Global Brand Ambassador and Whisky Master for Diageo which produces mass brands like the amazing Johnnie Walker and several others. With 19 years of experience in the industry, Gunn had this to say about what common mistakes people make when they drink whisky and more importantly, how to fix them.

Gunn has said that when people buy a whisky, age can become a bit of an obsession when in reality you should buy based on flavour over age. People tend to have the perception that the older the whisky, the better the whisky which is not always the case and he along with Diageo have produced some stunning whisky’s which focus on flavour and styles as opposed to age.
“You buy a Scotch whisky to drink it, not to look at the label.” – Ewan Gunn.
2.Forget all the 'rules' you think you know Banner
There are certain ‘rules’ that are up in the air when it comes to whisky, such as never adding water or never adding ice or a mixer to whisky being a man’s drink or that you have to be a certain age to enjoy whisky. With all the misconception regarding the rules of drinking whisky, Gunn has stressed that it’s all nonsense and all comes down to the person.

“The people who make it make it for you to enjoy, and they’re not precious about how you enjoy it.” Gunn also said that centuries ago people were drinking whisky in cocktails, combining it with herbs and spices which is something we’re seeing more and more of with scotch becoming a more common feature on cocktail menus.

3.Whisky doesn’t have to be an after-dinner drink, pair it with food
With the Christmas fast approaching, people will undoubtedly be enjoying lots of rich and flavoursome foods and with that, a lot of people are sure to be increasingly enjoying Scotch whisky paired with foods.

While there is a preconceived idea that whisky only works well with heavy food, it doesn’t all have to come down to that. There are a full range of dishes that you can pair your whisky with. “Talisker with oysters is incredible, and Lagavulin paired with blue cheese,” he said. He added that Haig Club and creme brulee is another recommended pairing.

Whiskies in a line

Here at C.Gars we are proud to stock a wide range of the amazing Diageo products so if you’re feeling intrigued to trade age for flavour, take a look at some of fantastic range.

Talisker 10 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky 70cl 45.8% 

Nose: Thick and pungent smoke with notes of kippers, seaweed and apple peels later introducing themselves. Fresh and fragrant.
Palate: Full bodied with huge plumes of smoke and volcanic peppery peat. An overall intense kick.
Finish: Long finish with barley and malt rounding things off.

Haig Club Single Grain Scotch Whisky 70cl 40% 

Nose: Fresh, smooth and fruity with citrus tang.
Palate: Sweet at first before warming to a delicious soft gingerbread and whisky mouth feel.
Finish: Vanilla in the background with hints of burnt wood

Caol Ila 2003 Distillers Edition Single Malt Scotch Whisky 70cl 43%

Nose: Wonderfully concentrated and clean. Peaty, medicinal with rich fruit and spices.
Palate: Sweet maltiness strikes first followed by more peat smoke, intense crisp flavours and cinnamon spice.
Finish: Long, rounded, robust and multi-layered.

Johnnie Walker Blue Label Winter Wonderland Edition Whisky 70cl 40% 

Nose: Fragrant with oak notes, spice and dried fruits as citrus also features.
Palate: Well balanced with rich notes of toffee and chocolate and smoke.
Finish: Of good length. Floral and oak, urged on by a plume of very well-kept, highland style smoke

Dalmore Whisky

The Dalmore has always set the highest standards in whisky craftsmanship.

Dalmore Heritage

The Dalmore’s heritage dates back to 1263. It was in this year that Colin of Kintail, Chief of the Clan Mackenzie, saved King Alexander III from the fury of a charging stag. In recognition of this noble act the King granted the Mackenzie Clan the right to use the 12 pointed Royal stag emblem on their coat of arms.

Exceptional Casks

At The Dalmore, we continue an age old heritage that treasures the sanctity of the cask. Our precious spirit is finessed in exceptional casks, hand selected by Master Distiller, Richard Paterson and sourced from the world’s finest bodegas and exclusive wineries. To create a more complex character, some of our whiskies benefit from an extra flourish in additional casks. Every cask that we source is of impeccable quality and hand-selected to produce our renowned Single Malt Whisky.

Check out the Dalmore Range here