Rum and Cigar Pairings

[Seminole]

I am new to the rum and cigar pairings. I am a big rum fan, and enjoy smoking cigars, but haven't really gotten to know cigars very much. I know there are some seasoned vets on these boards (Hank) and am looking for some advice for a couple of rums in my collection. I do know that everyone's tastes are different, but you have to start somewhere. I also know that this has been a revisited question on the forums, but nothing really new out there. I asked the local Cigar shop for some recommendations for pairings, but they are clueless when it comes to drinking rums. So here it is...

What are some recommendations for pairings with the following rums? What are you guys currently enjoying with these rums?

MGXO
Zacapa Centario Solera 23
ED15
Cruzan Single Barrel

These bottles are a couple in my collection that are open and I would like to start working on finishing off, what better way than with a fine cigar...

[Matusalem]

What are some recommendations for pairings with the following rums? What are you guys currently enjoying with these rums?

MGXO
Zacapa Centario Solera 23
ED15
Cruzan Single Barrel

These bottles are a couple in my collection that are open and I would like to start working on finishing off, what better way than with a fine cigar...What cigars do you regularly smoke / have on hand?

My personal opinion, but the Mount Gay XO and El Dorado 15 both work well with a wide variety of cigars.

Cruzan SB I've had less success pairing but would be curious how others think it currently stacks up as a cigar companion. A couple of times attempting to pair, I experienced flavors I really didn't like which made me shy away from further attempts years back.

[Hank Koestner]

Mat is correct, it would help to know what you smoke. ED 15 and MGXO does go with a variety of cigars. Let us know what you like to smoke, and we'll take it from there.

[Seminole]

That's the thing, I'm not sure what I like to smoke yet and don't have but a couple on hand (Montecristo). I do enjoy the smoothness of a Dominican over the harshness of the Cuban, I like Robusto's vs. Churchill's, but I really haven't experimented much with the blends of cigars, different wrappers, etc., especially while drinking rum. I am looking at some decent go to cigars to purchase, maybe a couple different types to start experimenting, and was wondering what everyone is smoking on these days as a good reference point. I looked through a lot of the previous posts and have noticed numerous suggestions as far as pairings go, but was kind of curious what the current trend for cigars is.

I tried a Rocky Patel Autumn blend the other day with the MGXO and wasn't overly impressed, but it wasn't bad. My friend swears by Gurhka's, Patel's, and CAO's, but I have little experience with these. He's bringing me a couple to try. I guess the best bet is to get a couple brand sampler's and formulate my own opinions.

[joergen]

Regarding your taste in cigars, which seems to match mine...

I would pair the Zacapa with Zino Platinum from the Scepter Series. The Chubby is mighty nice.

Hank recommended me a Davidoff from the Millennium Blend which should work excellent as well. (Haven't tried it with the Zacapa yet.) cigar.gif

[Seminole]

Thanks for the feedback joergen, I will have to try them sometime, but you guys have got a taste for some expensive cigars. But then again, can you put a pricetag on a great product. I wouldn't blink at spending a little extra for a good bottle of rum or wine, why worry about it with a cigar.

Last night I sat down with a NUb Cameroon 358 and it was quite tastee paired with the MGXO and some ED15. If you haven't tried the NUb's, I would recommend them. For such a short cigar, it had a lot of flavor and burns very slowly. It was a good 45 minute smoke. I swear the ash held on until I tapped it off and it was at the band, at least 2 inches worth. For a less than 4 inch cigar, that was impressive. It had a smooth, easy draw and was a pleasure to smoke.

[joergen]

Thanks for the feedback joergen, I will have to try them sometime, but you guys have got a taste for some expensive cigars.

Sorry about that. I don't smoke that often so the price is acceptable. However I'd love to find a less pricy cigar in the same league of taste. :D If possible...

Last night I sat down with a NUb Cameroon 358 and it was quite tastee paired with the MGXO and some ED15. If you haven't tried the NUb's, I would recommend them. For such a short cigar, it had a lot of flavor and burns very slowly. It was a good 45 minute smoke. I swear the ash held on until I tapped it off and it was at the band, at least 2 inches worth. For a less than 4 inch cigar, that was impressive. It had a smooth, easy draw and was a pleasure to smoke.

Sounds interesting. I'll have to see if I can find them around here. Thanks for the tip. glass.gif

[Torpnubber]

The Cameroon leaf pairs well with most rums because of it's sweetness.

Now the Corojo leaf, which I favor, is a little more difficult to pair.
I seem to have better luck with drier rums with corojo.
Of course, your taste buds might think otherwise cheers.gif

[Maui]

Zacapa 23 with a Ramone Allones Special Selection or a Boliver Bellicosa. You'll be in heaven.cigar.gif

[Sylbaris]

Seminole:

See my response to What makes a cigar great. When it comes to pairings, you must discover your perfect "Cigarum". My rum choices like yours start with ED15, Vizcaya, Smith & Cross and of course Bally next time I find a bottle, paired with Hatuey Cigars 24/7. Enjoy!

Sylbaris

[Anjanettea]

New Year's Eve, I had the LFD Box Press I with Ron Zacapa Centenario...that was a nice pairing. As the night went on, I had the new Fuente Rosado with the rum. To me, the rum was too strong for the Fuente.

Another pairing I would avoid, the RP Summer Collection 2008 with Flor de Cana. I had that pairing last summer, and the citrus in the the RP and the rum really clashed. I can't remember what the 2nd cigar I had I had that evening, but it went better with Flor de Cana.

Right now, I'm enjoying the Gurkha Empire Series VI and it seems to be holding its on with the Ron Zacapa. Btmup.gif