Vacation Times
I am constantly thinking about my past vacations or making plans for future ones. During my last trip, to the 5th Annual Caribbean Rum and Beer Festival, I brought back with me some rums that, whenever I look at, remind me of that famous beach in St. Maarten where the planes make their landing approaches very close to people on the beach, close to the Sonesta Hotel, where the event was taking place. The first couple of nights, a fellow judge and I stayed at a different hotel, and making our journey to the Sonesta was an adventure, but that’s a story for another time!
One of the rums I brought back from the festival was one produced locally in St. Maarten, this bottle is Republic Rum, 8 years old, with an old man prominently displayed on the label. I’m told it is a tradition to drink this rum during the Christmas season. The rum looked attractive and honest for the Caribbean nation, and there were other offerings within its portfolio, mainly flavored rums, which I could not envision using for a cigar pairing.
For the cigar, I selected one from Bahia, Brazil, produced by Damatta. The format was a “Graduado” measuring 162 mm in length and with a ring size of 52, with a decorative ring displaying the year 2006. From what I know about Damatta, they employ Sumatra and Mata Fina for the inside, and Mata Fina Madura exclusively for the wrapper. The cigar was rolled by hand, and my particular specimen had a vein that was larger than I’m used to seeing, but its presence was purely esthetic, without affecting its overall quality.
To bring the pairing together, using a cigar from Brazil and a rum from St. Maarten, I had to do something that was reminiscent of the climate of both countries, so I opted for a cocktail.
Since the first third of the cigar is always the smoothest, with tobacco notes that remind me of tanned leather, I decided for a cocktail that would also be smooth and refreshing. I named the cocktail “First Time”:
First Time
2 oz Republic Rum 8 Years Old
2 ½ oz Tonic Water
The Juice of 1 ½ Limes, Freshly Squeezed
Poured straight into the serving glass
The pairing fell short a bit, the cigar was leading the charge without much concern for the cocktail, while the cocktail was simply being true to its ingredients, providing refreshment but being dominated by the citric notes from the lime.
As I continued to smoke, the cigar kept fluctuating between good and poor draws, burning unevenly at first. Once the first chunk of ashes fell off its tip, I saw that it was, indeed, rolled correctly.
For my second cocktail, I had to adjust the proportions a bit, thus giving birth to the “Second Time”:
Second Time
2 ½ oz Republic Rum 8 Years Old
2 oz Tonic Water
The Juice of 2 Limes, Freshly Squeezed
Poured straight into the serving glass
Lime wedges as garnish
Now the rum comes across more deliberately and the cocktail is more balanced. The cigar is also becoming more robust, with potpourri notes that blend better with the freshness and citric notes from the cocktail.
The pairing should be at tempted in a tropical setting, since the aromas and flavors can be enhanced quite a bit by the surroundings. Technically it is not for everyone, but it is a great pairing to enjoy while on a hammock, watching the airplanes fly by.
Cheers!
Philip Ili Barake
#GR CigarPairing
My name is Philip Ili Barake, Sommelier by trade. As a result of working with selected restaurants and wine producers in Chile, I started developing a passion for distilled spirits and cigars. As part of my most recent job, I had the opportunity to visit many Central American countries, as well as, rum distilleries and tobacco growers. But my passion for spirits and cigars did not end there; in 2010 I had the honor of representing Chile at the International Cigar Sommelier Competition, where I won first place, becoming the first South American to ever achieve that feat. Now I face the challenge of impressing the readers of “Got Rum?” with what is perhaps the toughest task for a Sommelier: discussing pairings while being well aware that there are as many individual preferences as there are rums and cigar s in the world. I believe a pairing is an experience that should not be limited to only two products; it is something that can be incorporated into our lives. I hope to help our readers discover and appreciate the pleasure of trying new things (or experiencing known things in new ways).