What Cigar Pairs With Cognac?
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Cognac is one of the best beverages to pair with cigars. The complexity of its distilling process, barrel-aging, and storage make it a complete spirit that is a perfect complement for a well-selected premium cigar.
Cognac can transform your smoking experience and take it several notches higher. Not only does it offer a great taste on its own, it beautifully enhances the notes and flavor of the cigar. In this guide, we have provided a list of recommendations for some of the best cigars you can pair with cognac.
What Cigar Pairs With Cognac?
What is Cognac?
Cognac is a unique variation of brandy that is made from filtered white wine. The distillation process is done twice, and the beverage is then aged in barrels made of French oak for at least two years.
Typically, the distillation of cognac runs from the 1st of October through the 31st of March, five months. Some producers, however, don’t distill their cognac for that long.
The process of distillation can only begin after the harvesting of grapes, and then production commences. Therefore, actual distillation does not start until around November. The primary reason why the distillation season ends in March is that, according to regulations, producers of cognac cannot make cognac with wine that contains sulfites.
Therefore, as the weather gets warmer after winter, the freshly produced wine, which does not contain sulfites, won’t conserve its quality as it awaits distillation.
Types of Cigars That Pair With Cognac
Plasencia Alma Fuerte & Hennessy X.O. cognac/Hine’s Rare V.S.O.P
The Nicaraguan Plasencia Alma Fuerte is a perfect balance of flavors that depict the source. The cigar contains notes of coffee beans, leather, cinnamon, and anise. Overall, the premium cigar gives a potent effect that a well-aged cognac requires.
The Hennessy X. O. cognac is the perfect beverage to pair with the Plasencia Alma Fuerte. The cognac will perfectly unify the various flavors in the cigar and overall give a gentle vanilla finish. As an alternative, the Hine’s Rare V.S.O.P. begins with a subtle aroma of leather that develops quickly into sweet citrus notes and a slight hint of spice.
Oliva Serie V Melanio Maduro & Hardy V.S.O.P. Organic Cognac / Hennessy Master Blender’s Selection No. 3
Oliva Serie V Melanio Maduro is another beautiful Nicaraguan cigar made from a luxurious San Andrés wrapper.
The cigar offers a beautiful smoking experience with bold notes of cream and coffee. It is the perfect accomplice for a well-selected cognac such as the Hardy V.S.O.P
The Hardy V.S.O.P cognac is an adventurous cognac with a vanilla and mocha personality.
On the other hand, Hennessy Master Blender’s Selection No. 3 is a fruity cognac that is also an excellent balance for the burst of flavors in the Oliva Serie V Melanio Maduro.
Mombacho Tierra Volcán & Martell Cordon Bleu Cognac / Rémy Martin Accord Royal 1738
Another exquisite Nicaragua creation is the Mombacho Tierra Volcán, a combination of Jalapa trimmings and Condega tobacco. The cigar features beautiful bold notes that are soft yet spirited. If you want to tone the cigar flavors down a step, the best cognac for you is the Remy Martin Accord Royal 1738. It is a soft cognac beverage that will perfectly complement the bold cigar notes.
However, if you prefer a more vibrant drink, you should opt for the Martell Cordon Bleu, a mix of fruit and spices and a perfect choice for the Mombacho Tierra Volcán cigar.
Bottom Line
There are several options to choose from when it comes to cigar and cognac; however, we have given you some of the best pairings that you will not regret trying. With these options, you can never go wrong with your choice of cigar and cognac. Hopefully, for your next pairing experience, you will be trying one of these.
I have been smoking cigars for 30 years and counting, I started at 18 years old with mild Cubans and worked my way up to medium and now bold. I own 4 humidors, that I try to keep stocked at all times.
