Pairing Cigars with Coffee.
Cigars pair perfectly with coffee, espresso, and lattes.
Kai Beluso - 2024
Blue Label Cigar Lounge (BLCL) proudly serve Julius Meinl coffee in their cafe.
Cigars are not necessarily limited to well-known pairings like whiskeys and wines. Most people in the regions where our prized tobacco is grown and rolled enjoy coffee with their cigars. But finally, the coffee, cigar relationship is catching on in the US. Below, I will cover three premium cigars from the Blue Label Cigar Lounge humidor that pair perfectly with various styles of coffee.
First, we need to cover the principle of pairing other items with cigars, and that is to start with profiles you enjoy personally. Generally speaking, but not always, the two items should be more alike than dis-alike in flavor profiles. Take, for example, a serious dark roast coffee. These beans have been roasted longer to caramelize flavors and produce a more toasted, nutty chocolate flavor. The cigar for this pairing should be a darker cured variant, say an oscuro, but ultimately cigar you understand and have enjoyed previously. When beginning to build your pairings, it is always best to start with known variables before exploring other options.
Understanding the primary flavor profiles of a cigar and the roasting profile of a coffee can bring out subtle flavors and highlights in both.
AJ Fernandez: Aging Room Sonata Maestro & Drip Coffee
Wrapper: Nicaragua / Binder: Nicaragua / Filler: Nicaragua / Factory: Tabacalera AJ Fernandez Cigars De Nicaragua S.A.
An Aging Room Sonata cigar and Julius Meinl Poesia drip coffee makes a perfect pair.
Our first pairing will cover what is arguably the most enjoyed beverage on the planet: the drip or pour-over coffee. As I looked into the various cigars that stood out, I remembered back to one of the first cigars my father turned me onto, the Aging Room Quattro Sonata Maestro by AJ Fernandez. This cigar has a high rating from Cigar Aficionado and has stood as a benchmark for AJ for some time. The Sonata’s robust yet medium profile pairs perfectly with medium to medium-full roasted drip coffees. When enjoyed black, there are more revealing notes of the earth in the coffee. When sugar and cream are mixed, the flavor profile develops nuts, spices, and cocoa flavors. This flavor rich and easily sourced cigar is an ideal pairing for drip or pour-over coffee enthusiasts.
2) Casa 1910: Cuchillo As De Oro & Double Espresso
Wrapper: Ecuador (Habano) / Binder: Mexico (San Andres) / Filler: Nicaragua (Esteli, Jalapa, Ometepe) / Factory: Undisclosed
The Casa 1910 As De Oro cigar with it's nutty and slight spice pairs perfectly with a full bodied espresso.
The bold flavors and slight spice of the Casa 1910 As De Oro complements the rich profile of an espresso. If one shot is not enough for you, consider adding two single espresso shots. In the barista world, it is frowned upon to pull a longer shot (Longo) as it is said that composition changes too much and becomes “toxic.” Another item to look into is a soda or mineral water to clean the palate as you smoke. The rich, oily espresso beans, when done correctly, brings out flavors of nuts, banana, cocoa. While the cigar balances with notes of molasses, cedar, and leather. It's an excellent duo in the lounge and is enjoyed by many of us here.
3) Padron: Damaso #15 & Cafe Latte
Wrapper: Connecticut / Binder: Nicaragua / Filler: Nicaragua / Factory: Tabacos Cubanica S.A.
The cream we all seek. The Padron Damaso with Julius Meinl Poesia cafe latte pair wonderfully.
The silky and delicate flavors of the Padron Damaso are perfect for enjoying with coffee and steamed milk. While Padron is usually regarded as more of full bodied line, the highlight of the Damaso is the creaminess of the blend. This cigar complements the nutty and creamy tones of most espresso and milk coffee drinks. Cedar and mild spices blend in the background, enhancing the more subtle flavors in the coffee. The combination is splendid when sipped and smoked together, delivering a smooth and sweet experience overall.
Coffee flavor, tasting, and aroma wheel.
To help along the way, I thought it would be nice to include a comprehensive flavor wheel. The listed sections and subsections can be applied to coffee, cigars, and even whiskeys. With some time and experimenting, you will be able to translate some of these listed flavors into your own personal vernacular, like one of Will’s favorite descriptions - “It’s like an old gym sock dipped in seawater.”
I hope these choices make their way into your next cigar experience. When given the opportunity, coffee paired with the right cigar can captivate your senses and awaken a new world of possibilities outside the more talked-about whiskey pairings. After all, most of us are not able to have whiskey for breakfast. Besides, I would not get much work completed if I started the day this way. The owner, Will, and I often treat ourselves to a perfect Julius Meinl latte and cigar on mornings at the lounge when we have a long day ahead of us. It really makes for a memorable, relaxing moment before the chaos starts.
Until the next blog post, we look forward to welcoming you to the lounge.
Kai-
