Cigars & Good Whiskey

nhughes100

Lately when having a tipple of some good Whiskey I'm getting an urge to smoke, now I've never smoked in my life but I do admit to liking the smell of cigars and pipe tobacco.

I've noticed that they sell cigars in the Celtic Whiskey shop and wonder does anyone else have the occassional smoke with their tipple?

Are the cigars in there any good? Are they expensive and what would be good for a non-smoker to have occassionally? I know there's a few specialist cigar shops but I'd rather try something easy before I move on to Cubans etc.

BeerNut

Smoking forum?

Romeo y Julieta No. 2 is a good entry-level cigar: easy smoking and nicely sized. Five years later and I'm still contentedly puffing away at entry-level

Or get down to Petersen's and get a pipe and some Deluxe blend. We pipe smokers need to keep our numbers up. Stupid gum cancer...

Mr Magnolia

Want this moved to the smoking forum?

Brockagh

nhughes100 wrote: »

Lately when having a tipple of some good Whiskey I'm getting an urge to smoke, now I've never smoked in my life but I do admit to liking the smell of cigars and pipe tobacco.

I've noticed that they sell cigars in the Celtic Whiskey shop and wonder does anyone else have the occassional smoke with their tipple?

Are the cigars in there any good? Are they expensive and what would be good for a non-smoker to have occassionally? I know there's a few specialist cigar shops but I'd rather try something easy before I move on to Cubans etc.

JJ Fox's, opposite Trinity College, is now a whisky shop as well as a cigar shop. Maybe they'd be able to recommend a cigar for a particular whisky.

Several whiskies are designed to go with a cigar, like the Dalmore Cigar Malt. Also, Auchentoshan Three Wood is supposed to go well with a cigar. It won some competition for the same.

BeerNut

Brockagh wrote: »

JJ Fox's

Though they can be very snooty if you don't look like their sort of person. I think the OP would be better off making enquiries in Celtic Whiskey.

nhughes100

Apologies but I didn't realise there was a smokers forum, I found the giving up smoking forum but I didn't think I should post this here lol. Anyway it only happens when I drink good Whiskey and I know there's lots of whiskey drinkers here hence the post.

I actually love the smell of pipe tobacco but haven't the nerve to buy one at my tender age. Think I'll give a romeo y julieta a whirl first.

nhughes100

Brockagh wrote: »

JJ Fox's, opposite Trinity College, is now a whisky shop as well as a cigar shop. Maybe they'd be able to recommend a cigar for a particular whisky.

Several whiskies are designed to go with a cigar, like the Dalmore Cigar Malt. Also, Auchentoshan Three Wood is supposed to go well with a cigar. It won some competition for the same.

What's their prices and selection like compared to the CWS?

Brockagh

I think the Celtic Whiskey Shop might stock their shelves, so the prices are the same.

I don't know much about them, really, as I'm not a smoker. I don't know how good the service is.

Dexterm99

nhughes100 wrote: »

Apologies but I didn't realise there was a smokers forum, I found the giving up smoking forum but I didn't think I should post this here lol. Anyway it only happens when I drink good Whiskey and I know there's lots of whiskey drinkers here hence the post.

I actually love the smell of pipe tobacco but haven't the nerve to buy one at my tender age. Think I'll give a romeo y julieta a whirl first.

I have the occasional pipe after my wife bought me one for my birthday a couple of years ago. Most people love the smell of a pipe so you won't hear many complaints from passive smokers!

Anyway, Peterson's are well used to novices like me wanting a pipe but not having a clue what to go for. They'll set you up with a starter kit (pipe, tobacco, piping tool & pipe cleaners for about 60 quid - depending on pipe). They'll tell you how to get started as you will probably need to score the inside of it so that carbon builds up which gives it a better taste over time.

I'd prefer a pipe over a cigar anytime. There are just so many types of tobacco and pipes that there are endless flavors and tastes which may make it a better accompaniment to a good whiskey than a cigar.

the beer revolu

Ahhh a good cigar and a seven year old rum:)
Preferably in Havana!!

Melange

If I were looking to buy cigars, I'd definitely go to the Decent Cigar Emporium on Grafton Street. The selection's excellent, the staff are knowledgeable, and the cigars are much more likely to be stored in prime conditions than in the Celtic Whisky Shop (temperature, humidity).

If you're looking for a smooth, mild cigar to go with your whisky, then I'd recommend the Ashton Monarch. It's Dominican, pretty large and long-lasting. Sells for roughly 15 euro iirc.

BeerNut

Melange wrote: »

pretty large and long-lasting.

I don't see that as a benefit -- with big cigars I always find myself thinking "I've had enough, now what do I do?" But then I'm a total amateur.

MediaTank

I'm just back from a trip to Havana. 20 year old rum and a custom rolled Havana = heaven.

If you want to try a cigar with whisk(e)y then you neen to make sure that one doesn't overpower the other. Balance is everything. With that in mind I'd go for an Irish malt (unpeated) and a 'reference' cigar such as the Montecristo No. 4. The No. 4 is not to big a cigar, packs a lot of flavour and is a decent introduction to Havanas.

At the Habanos Sommelier competion last week, I spoke to the winner (Felix from the Burj Al Arab hotel), his ideal pairing is the Montecristo Petit Edmundo with 20 year old Anejo Padron Tequila. The cigar delivers flavour from the get go and pairs very nicely with the fruitiness of the tequila.

CSC

Melange wrote: »

If I were looking to buy cigars, I'd definitely go to the Decent Cigar Emporium on Grafton Street. The selection's excellent, the staff are knowledgeable, and the cigars are much more likely to be stored in prime conditions than in the Celtic Whisky Shop (temperature, humidity).

If you're looking for a smooth, mild cigar to go with your whisky, then I'd recommend the Ashton Monarch. It's Dominican, pretty large and long-lasting. Sells for roughly 15 euro iirc.

I would agree; the staff in the Decent Cigar Emprium are great. I'm more a Brandy and Cigar man though.

MediaTank

the beer revolu wrote: »

Ahhh a good cigar and a seven year old rum:)
Preferably in Havana!!

20 year old is better, and definately in La Habana

johnnyskeleton

nhughes100 wrote: »

What's their prices and selection like compared to the CWS?

Best place price wise is the internet:

http://www.my-cuban-cigars.com/Romeo-Y-Julieta-cigars-Short-Churchills-Box-Of-10.html

Those puppies are good, with free delivery. Would set you back about €20 if bought individually in an Irish shop.

Also go to the Decent Cigar Emporium on Grafton Street. That's probably the best place to buy cigars in Dublin.

IrishWhiskeyCha

Not a big cigar nut but have a few habanas in reserve for the right moment. Usually a sunny afternoon after a nice dinner in my back garden with a whiskey but those are few a far between :rolleyes:

Anyway as mentioned earlier balance is the key so avoid peated whiskies.

In relation to whiskey and smoking you are looking for a whiskey which is Rich, Sweet and smooth. According to the experts heavily sherried whiskies seems to be the way to go. I find American/bourbon whiskey goes well with cigars and a lump of ice does not do it any harm either though I would never usually put ice in my whiskey otherwise.

StealthRolex

It appears this discussion has been dead for some time so apologies for restarting anthing. Should this be in the (or a ) smoking forum?

Anyways - a few words to the wise.

When it comes to Scotch Single Malts it's very much personal preference so for me the more medicinal, iodine, salt and smoke the better - if I'm drinking Scotch I want to know it is Scotch.
That I guess puts Laphroaig top of the list, especially their Quarter Cask offering.

As for cigars to go with it - must be Cuban and the spicier the better!

Now the words to the wise. No matter what the sales person in whatever your favourite store is if you are interested in proper cigar smoking avoid like the plague the Montecristo "Open" range.

They are best left to movie prop guys who need to provide for non-smoking actors.

Just my 2.5p worth after receiving a Master and a Regata as Christmas gifts.

That said they may server some purpose:

Master - for movie prop guys who want something that produces loads of smoke. Easy to light, self correcting burn. No flavour.

Regata - for doctors who want to look like they are smoking but are looking after their health. Produces some flavour so they can appreciate why their patients smoke but has a ridiculous draw.

Sarky

StealthRolex wrote: »

When it comes to Scotch Single Malts it's very much personal preference so for me the more medicinal, iodine, salt and smoke the better - if I'm drinking Scotch I want to know it is Scotch.
That I guess puts Laphroaig top of the list, especially their Quarter Cask offering.

The very reason I went out and bought myself a bottle of Laphraoig was having my first sip in Edinburgh and immediately thinking "Oh, this would be perfect with a cigar". Everyone else I know says it tastes like really bad medicine.

I only combine the two very rarely, but I do like to enjoy it when I do. Personal taste accounts for so much in both cigar and tipple, you're better off experimenting until you find a combination you like.

IrishWhiskeyCha

StealthRolex wrote: »

When it comes to Scotch Single Malts it's very much personal preference so for me the more medicinal, iodine, salt and smoke the better - if I'm drinking Scotch I want to know it is Scotch.
That I guess puts Laphroaig top of the list, especially their Quarter Cask offering.

Personal choice is definitely one to go with all right and no one should tell you different.

I totally agree that Laph QC is top notch. There is a nice sweetness to the QC so that may lend itself to go with a cigar. However as a major Laphroaig fan I still don't get the urge to drink a heavily peated whiskey with a cigar. Basically the cigar smoke will mask alot of the lovely peatiness of the whisky. But each to their own.

MediaTank

StealthRolex wrote: »

I
Now the words to the wise. No matter what the sales person in whatever your favourite store is if you are interested in proper cigar smoking avoid like the plague the Montecristo "Open" range.

I was lucky (or maybe unlucky) to be in Havana for the launch of the Open range in February last year. At the time. the general consensus was that they are flavourless cigars (possibly made with the US market in mind). They have improved the blend since, but they are still not very good compared to most other Havanas.

MT

MediaTank

IrishWhiskeyCha wrote: »

Anyway as mentioned earlier balance is the key so avoid peated whiskies.

In relation to whiskey and smoking you are looking for a whiskey which is Rich, Sweet and smooth. According to the experts heavily sherried whiskies seems to be the way to go. I find American/bourbon whiskey goes well with cigars and a lump of ice does not do it any harm either though I would never usually put ice in my whiskey otherwise.

Interesting, I prefer peated whiskies to unpeasted, so something from Islay works well for me with a cigar.

IrishWhiskeyCha

MediaTank wrote: »

Interesting, I prefer peated whiskies to unpeasted, so something from Islay works well for me with a cigar.

All the better for you there should never be a right way of a wrong way anyway. It's all good.