Cigar & Rum Pairing
Little Things
In the most recent pairing I used an Arturo Fuente Churchill cigar which, throughout the whole articles, seems to remain in the background, but not because it was a poor cigar, rather because the cocktail was surprisingly special! Could the pairing have been conducted with a different cigar? Of course it could have, but that pairing was correct, well-balanced and with a long finish. For this pairing, I wanted a different cigar from the same brand, also with a similar cocktail but with a few modifications. As you’ve heard me say before, you should always feel comfortable making adjustments to cocktails, such that they fit your preferences.
Isautier cocktail
For the cocktail I selected Isautier 1845, a 10 year old rum from Reunion island. The rum features aging notes, but not the traditional caramel ones, offering instead a fresh and herbal character that marries perfectly with a Vermouth Rosso when making a Rum Manhattan. And it is now time to add a few personal touches, to give it a unique twist, without masking the rum’s essence.
As you know by now, I am a big fan of coffee, so my personal touch took the form of a concentrated Irish Coffee, very silky and flavorful. You could just as easily add a caramel liquor, a concentrated orange juice or even a few drops of Worcestershire sauce, just make sure that it is a light “touch” and that you don’t end up masking the rum’s identity.
The measurements for my cocktail are as follows, designed to be served using a 7 oz. Martini Glass. Remember to pre-chill the glass with ice and water, to keep the cocktail cold during the smoking.
- 5 oz. Isautier 1845
- 2 oz. Vermouth Rosso
- 1 dash of Concentrated Irish Coffee or Coffee Liqueur
I refreshed the ingredients, meaning that I poured them into a large glass/shaker filled with large ice cubes, then stirred them slowly using a long spoon, to cool down the ingredients and to water them down slightly with chilled water, resulting in a more enjoyable mixture. The cocktail could not be complete without the final touch: a piece of orange peel that is a wonderful addition to most rums, especially in this type of cocktail.
As mentioned earlier in the article, I wanted another Arturo Fuente, so I selected from the same Gran Reserva product line, but this time I opted for a Double Chateau Fuente (6.75 x 50) with a Natural Connecticut wrapper. This is a medium-bodied cigar that is perfect for the pairing; the smoking time could be too long, but this is easily addressed by preparing a second cocktail!
Arturo Fuente Cigar
The combination of coffee with the Vermouth Rosso and the rum results in a well-balanced pairing, very drinkable, surprisingly refreshing with a touch of tannins.
If you end up using a coffee liqueur that is on the sweet side, you may end up masking the rum and having a cocktail that is on too sweet and coffee-centered. A small dash is enough and you’ll realize this as you prepare your own drink.
By using a long format cigar like this one, we are guaranteeing a more even pairing, one that doesn’t change much between the first and second thirds of the smoking, this is perhaps the biggest advantage of these cigars.
I hope that you are able to recreate this pairing at home, personalizing it to your liking. It is often the little things we do that give us the most pleasure in life.
Cheers!
Philip Ili Barake
#GRCigarPairing
