Quarantine

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                                      Quarantine

In these times of crisis we have no choice but to stay home, trying to keep ourselves busy however possible.  Just by staying home we are helping our communities.  But staying home can also create problems between couples, so it is a good idea to escape to the terrace every now and then to be alone with a glass of rum or a simple cocktail and a cigar.  If the relationship is going well, perhaps a short format cigar with a smoking time below 30 minutes would be perfect, but if there is friction with the spouse/partner, then a longer break may be in order!  If such is the case, then a Julieta or Prominente would be in order, with a smoking time well over 60 minutes, giving a perfect break from stress during this quarantine.

For this pairing I selected a Magnum 50 from H Upmann from Cuba, known as a Gran Robusto.  It measures 160mm x 50, it is classified as having a low-to-medium intensity, but in my experience it has been medium intensity all around.As far as the cocktail and given the precarious situation we are living through, I wanted something simple, with ingredients found in typical homes.  Given how much spiced rum is consumed worldwide, I decided to include one in the cocktail.  

The recipe is very simple and quick to make:

  • 2 oz. Ron Pampero Aniversario
  • 1 oz. Bacardi Oakheart Rum
  • orange peel

The preparation is, as I mentioned earlier, exceedingly simple.  Add ice cubes to a rocks glass and pour the rums, then press the orange peel such that you release the oils into the glass.  Couldn’t be simpler, right?

I accompanied the cocktail with a glass of carbonated water, even added a bit of it to the cocktail to freshen it up and it worked very well, I recommend it.

The cocktail features strong notes of caramel and vanilla, but its smoothness allows the medium intensity of the cigar to fit in perfectly.  Neither the cigar nor the cocktail take a dominant role, there is a perfect balance that allows for all the flavors to come through, as expected, but with a long-lasting finish.

I hope this situation comes to pass shortly, I hope its impact –despite being a pandemic- is not extreme.  Stay home, drink rum and smoke cigars while you save lives!

Philip Ili Barake

#GRCigarPairing