
Cigar & Rum Pairing
I had a pairing in mind for this month, but I also had an arduous work week and was unable to see it to fruition. Instead, I carried out a simple pairing to remember my trips to rum festivals.
The bottle I selected for this pairing was one that was gifted to all judges who participated in the Berlin Rum Festival. This is a 500 mL bottle, signed by Don Pancho, famous master blender who, in recent years, has been producing premium rums in Panama.

This is not just a bottle from someone I know and appreciate, it is also a numbered bottle, limited edition, with age statement and bottled at a cask strength of 51.1% ABV. When we say that a product is bottled straight from the barrel, we understand that the strength will be above the typical concentration of 37.5%-40% found in most products in the market. This is because rums are aged at a higher alcohol concentration, which allows for a higher extraction rate of barrel components. It is also a better yielding product when it reaches consumers, since the high-quality water needed to proof it down (if needed) can be added then, rather than being shipped inside the bottle from the start.
As far as the cigar, I had been talking with my friend, the one who created his own brand of cigars from the Dominican Republic. His brand is gaining momentum in the market, thanks to his perseverance, I am referring to Fuller Cigars. I have included his cigars in previous pairings and, to be honest, they are excellent in their range of presentations and prices. For this pairing I selected a Fidelio, which is a Robusto, which compared to the Cabo de Hornos, is usually a bit more intense, with marked notes of dark leather and coffee. The one thing I didn’t care for, and I told Carlos Fuller, is the ring band, but all other aspects of the cigar are very good.

I started by sipping the rum neat, adding neither ice nor water. Experiencing the alcohol intensity, with subtle notes of caramel reduction and American oak are enough to carry out the pairing through the entire cigar. Since this is a Robusto, which resulted in a bit less than 30 minutes of smoking, I was able to enjoy two glorious pours of the rum, while enjoying the view of the Strait of Magellan, where I currently am.
This is a pairing that is unlikely to be repeated by most, but the motivation behind it is to search for unique opportunities and then to enjoy them to the fullest extent possible. Even a few minutes after finishing the pairing, I still carry the flavors and aftertaste in my palate. I hope that everyone can find a few special moments to have a similar experience at home, surrounded by the things they love the most, with a bottle of rum that is reserved for special moments and, of course, a great cigar.
Cheers!
Philip Ili Barake
#GRCigarPairing
