Port & Cigars

[Andy Velebil]

I too only have a handful of cigars with Port a year. Here's my stab at your questions, but there are MANY more here (Alex R. where are you) that have far more experience and can answer this better than I. (I'll answer them in the order you posted them)

#1: I have no idea, but I'm not a fan of cigars with VP's or Ruby Ports. Those are just too fruity and for me, don't have enough acidity to counter the strong nature of a cigar. Now an older Colheita (30+ years or older) or 30-40 year tawny does work quite well for me. I think that has more to do with the higher acidity, nuts, vanilla, and tobacco that those older Colheitas and Tawnys tend to show. Which are also some flavors I get in a really good Cuban. I think you need that higher acidity to cut through the cigar and balance out its massive palate presence.

#2: I would say no, but then again I don't drink much hard alcohol. All I can say is most my friends that smoke cigars do so mainly with Scotch. But they are also big Scotch drinkers too, so that probably accounts for it.

#3: See post #1 above.

#4: Again see post #1. Although I have had one slightly older white colheita with a really good Cuban and it paired relatively well. Not as good as a really old Colheita or tawny, but the citrus notes in the white colheita also helped cut through the cigar and give it a very interesting (but pleasant) palate presence.

[Garrick M.]

Roy I will attempt to answer some of your questions, but please consider that I am new to port, but have been smoking cigars for a period of time.

I have found that the best cigars to smoke with port are Dominican puros such as a Fuente Opus X or a La Flor Dominica LG Diaz cigar. I have found that heft of the port along with sweetness balances the peppery flavor of these puros. I tend to frequently drink ruby, ruby reserve ports and Taylor LBV (which can be picked up in a supermarket) and stay away from tawanys.

I found that I get the most enjoyment from smoking cigars while drinking ruby reserves. When in LV recently I frequented a cigar lounge in the Paris hotel where they had Taylor flights of 10, 20 and 30 year tawnys. I think my wife and I went through four flights and I went through two cigars before the evening was through. I think that a young VP/SQVP and ruby/ruby reserve provide more enjoyment for me, because I tend to smoke full bodied cigars. These types of ports can stand up better than a tawny like port.

I cannot speak for the rest of the world, but I do not believe that port is the most popular drink for cigar smokers in the US. I know a lot of people enjoy pairing cigars with rum. Beer is also very popular. Nonetheless, all of my serious cigar smoking friends all have a bottle or two of port available. I think most cigar smokers enjoy port, but it may not be their drink of choice with a cigar for a variety reasons. My cigar smoking friends range from ages of late 20s to early 60s.

I would venture to say a complex cigar such as an aged Cuban Trinidad may best be enjoyed with an 20 to 30 year tawny. A young Cuban Partagas cigar would go well with a bold young VP or SQVP (such as a 2005 quinta do vesuvio).

Again, I guess the answer to your question, what are the top ten ports to pair with cigars...it depends (the classic lawyer answer) on what cigars you are smoking. A light bodied cigar goes well with a light bodied port.

I hope this has been somewhat helpful.

[Richard Henderson]

I have never thought too much about which cigars go best with port.
While I like a cigar with port occasionally, I think cognac and other brandies go best with cigars. The tradition is to dip the cigar ( the unlit end of course! ) in the brandy and puff the cigar which really releases the flavors of good cognac.
I like scotch, especailly good single malts but do not prefer them with cigars.

[Harry Trac]

I also prefer Dominican cigars as I find Cubans to be too strong ( I dont smoke cigarerrets)

It seems to me that a port enhances a cigar because the sweet taste of Port highlights the hidden flavors of a cigar like chocolate, caramel, vanilla and cane. Also the dry tannins in port compliment the leathery and sometimes bitter flavors found in the smoke. They help minimize the contrast in flavors and make them work more in concert.

I normally will drink an LBV or Colheita with a cigar because I tend to drink these ports more often. I also find that a younger port seems to be a better match because more fruit is still present which replenishes the palate for your next drag of smoke.

I enjoy a Vintage Port with a cigar as well but I think at that point the combination is more ceremonial as I am normally celebrating something with friends and family when drinking a VP.

[Alex R]

Why do cigars and ports pair so well?
In my short experience with port and cigars, I have not found a vintage port (to fragile) that can hang with a bold Cuban cigar. The cigars always seem to over power the port. It lacking the necessary acid to cut thru the smoke of a bold cigar, like a Madeira or Cognac

Are port wines the most popular spirit to drink with cigars?
No, Cognac, Madeira, Spanish Brandy, Scotch and Armagnac are spirits that I would prefer over VP

Which are the top 10 ports you would recommend to drink with cigars, and why?
Any 10yr Tawny or young Colheita. The younger the better!

Speaking about cigars? Andy have checked on your humidor lately?

[Moses Botbol]

Why do cigars and ports pair so well?

Port coats the throat well and the sipping size is ideal in between puffs of the cigar. Port has enough flavor to enjoy, but does not compete.

Are port wines the most popular spirit to drink with cigars?

No, scotch & bourbon would be first, followed port and then perhaps rum.

Which are the top 10 ports you would recommend to drink with cigars, and why?

Any 10 or 20 year tawny is my first pick. Colheitas work well too. As for my top ten’s, there’s probably the same as most people’s picks for Tawny; Sandeman, Ferreira, Ramos Pinto, Taylor… Vintage port is not an ideal match, yet is still enjoyable. Vintage port can compete with a cigar for me as I have to concentrate on the port; taking me away from the cigar. Madeira is the best match for cigars. The dryness on the finish just cleans the palette so well, yet the flavor just carries along superb with a cigar. Bual is my ideal cigar pairing.

Do certain ports bring out certain flavors of cigars? Which ports and which flavors?

Ports brings out the sweetness within the cigar perhaps adding to the floral notes too. My favorite cigar brands to match with port are Quay d’Orsay, El Rey de Mundo, & La Gloria Cubana. Some of the stronger brands like Bolivar or Upmann are better suited to whiskey. A cigars length and progression make a nice accompaniment to port, rather than the other way around.