Rums that pair well with cigars at large:

[Matusalem]

This concept was encouraged from an existing thread. I thought it might prove interesting (as a reference) if some of us listed rums we thought went well with cigars in general as opposed to commentary of single limited experiences (1 cigar to 1 rum).

For myself I like different styles at different times but I think most often I like what might be described as heavier, sweeter rums with cigars - and most of what I smoke comes from 1 general region. So my take is admittedly skewed to begin with.

The rums I've enjoyed the most, (recently) are:


Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva
El Dorado 15 (the 12 & 21 are great and often paired as well)
Zaya (the Guatemalan)
Centanario XX
Pampero Anerversario
Zacapa 23


More so occasional / mood oriented pours I've enjoy:


Rhum Clement VSOP
Barbancourt 8 or 15
Cadenhead's Green Label
Plantation Grand Reserve
Flor de Cana 12
Depaz Blue Cane
D'Aristi Anejo
Appleton Extra 12
Matusalem Gran Reserva (with preference to the old Lake Alfred bottled blend)

Something else may come to mind that I forgot. This was straight off the top of my head, based on experiences with rums that I can't remember having to pitch either the cigar or pour for conflicting tastes.

[Rum Runner]

Good concept Mat.

I agree in general that the heavier aged rums do match up to cigars well.

With the limited (parochial) selection of rum here my favourites are.

Ron del Barrilito, Two Star and Three Star.

Cruzan Estate Diamond, and Single Barrel.

Matushalem Gran Reserva..with a nod to your preference for the Lake Alfred Bottling.

Ron Barcelo Imperial.

Barcardi 8.

Also, I have enjoyed a mild to medium bodied cigar with a white Rhum Agricole such as Clement. Call me crazy...I find the fresh up front of a white Agricole a nice counterpoint to a smoke.

[Hank Koestner]

These would be my standards:

El Dorado 15 (the 12 and the 21 also)
Mount Gay XO
Rhum JM Reserve Speciale
Appleton 12
Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva
Pusser's 15
Zaya (Guatamala)
La Favorite Rhum Vieux
Centanario XX
Zacapa 23
Botran Solera 1893

The following list is more for medium and/or more mild cigars:
Matusalem Grand Reserva
Ron del Barrilito 3 Star
Zacapa 15
Ron Barcelo Imperial
Ron Abuelo 7

I also find that a white agricole or even a Ti Punch (as long as it made with a little less cane syrup and is not too sweet) can go with certain cigars, like a CAO Cammy(L'anniversaire).

[cigar-aficionado]

Not forgetting those wonderful Cuban rums as well...absolutely made for fine cigars.

Havana Club
Ron Matusalem
Ron Varadero
Ron Vigia
Ron Santiago
Ron Caney
Liberacion

and many more that I am sure are out therecigar.gif

[SuperCorona]

It's too bad my last bottles of Matusalem Anejo Superior and 15yo were destroyed when my house burned down last year. I wish this stuff was still available. I do like Santiago Anejo Superior, HC BP and Varadero 15 with earthy cigars. The Varadero goes well with anything. I'd love to get some Ron Vigia and give it a go sometime.

[Don Piero]

Cracked open the Vigia last night with a few friends. Worth the wait as I bought it back in March on my last trip to Varadero. Very comical at first as the darn rum wouldn't pour. Had to spank the bottle to get it to pour. This is a very smooth enjoyable rum with a mild raisin and chocolate taste.

Had several rums last night and all complimented my HdM Double Corona from 05. First time I ever had this cigar - very smooth and creamy but lacking complexity. This was much lighter than other cigars in the Hoyo line.

Anybody know the age of the Ron Vigia, as it is not stated on the bottle. It was priced at about $55 CUC or about $60 CDN.

[cigar-aficionado]

I was told by a friend in Cuba that it was 15 year old but I have one bottle, an older one, that states on the box that it is 21 year old???

[Hank Koestner]

I forgot to add the Cuban rums to the list. I have not had a chance to sample many, and I have list I want to try, but the Havana Club 7 makes the list easily.

[Lew Barrett]

Hi ya'll. I'm back from my summer's cruise, and smoked plenty of cigars, but drank a bit less than I do in winter. We were underway a lot and unlike iron sailors of the wooden ships, I find it better to be sober when navigating and piloting. We were also limited in how much we could have along with us as we crossed borders.

Anyway Hank, I received a bottle of Santiago 12 from a fellow sailor as a gift. Nice gift. I have about half the bottle left. Delightful ambrosial rum that goes well with cigars. I've said this many times here, but I like sweet, heavy bodied rums with the cigars I enjoy, which make rums like Mateus listed work for me. And I bless you Hank for recommending ED 15 as a staple smoking rum. But the Santiago goes very well with a good smoke. A bit of sweet spice in that rum, and a smooth and long finish. Excellent. Botran Solara or Zacapa 15 might be similar in a readily available spirit.

[RobertBurr]

the sweet, heavy-bodied nature of the Darboussier Rhum Vieux 100 proof from Guadeloupe is among my favorite cigar rums.

[Hank Koestner]

Welcome back Lew! It is good to hear from you. My hope is to someday taste many more Cuban rums.drooling3.gif
Robert, is there a way to aquire that rhum from Guadaloupe? If not, is it going to be available? You know I am an agricole junkie.drooling2.gif

[RobertBurr]

It's coming. The 12 year old as well as a 24 year old, I am told.

[Hank Koestner]

That is good news, Robert. Thanks for keeping us posted. Please let me know where they can be purchased, I have a feeling they won't make Orlando, and I want both of these. To keep the post on track, I can't wait to try these with a cigar.
Cuban rums do pair well with many cigars, as expressed by those of you who have access to them. Based on those recommendations, I have a list of at least a dozen I hope to try. Havana Club 7 is one of those I have tried, and it pairs well with Cuban or Cuban style cigars, well balanced without to much strength and full of flavor.
cigar.gifBtmup.gif

[Lew Barrett]

Welcome back Lew! It is good to hear from you. My hope is to someday taste many more Cuban rums.

So far my tally is one! LOL! I'm not getting around here nearly as much as I used to, but as soon as winter sets in, I'll be back Hank!

[Alan]

As much as I favor Cuban cigars above the rest my taste in rum runs around the globe. I recently had the pleasure of sampling many rums including HC anejo and HC 7during a cigarfest weekend. Only Cuban cigars were smoked and lots of rum bottles emptied but the Cuban bottles didn't get hit as hard as others. Although they were not bad rums the HCs didn't hold a candle to many of the others on the bar.

As I scanned the list of previous posters I have come to the conclusion that most premium rums go well with cigars. It is my favorite drink along with my evening cigar hands down.