I am often asked what whiskey I prefer with a good cigar. My answer is it depends upon the cigar. I always can depend upon Four Roses Yellow Label Bourbon for a good whiskey and cigar pairing, but is it the perfect pairing? I thought I would look at this question today.
First of all, I am looking for a whiskey that brings out flavors in the smoke while the smoke brings out flavors in the whiskey. If the cigar is rich in tobacco flavor with some cedar spice, I like the Henry McKenna single barrel bonded Bourbon. If the cigar has notes of dried fruit and vanilla, I like Michter’s Rye whiskey. If the cigar is rich in vanilla and chocolate flavors, I like a good wheat recipe Bourbon like Maker’s Mark Cellar Aged Bourbon. These whiskeys can vary from time to time but you get my gist of a good pairing.
Recently, in the past few years I should say, there have been some “cigar blend” whiskeys released. I have tried several cigar blend whiskeys such as Old Elk, Buzzard’s Roost and Joseph Magnus, and found them very good with a cigar, but not as good as some other whiskeys. These cigar blends usually cost quite a bit more than other whiskeys and I have a hard time justifying the extra cost.
So the question is, “what is the perfect cigar and whiskey pairing?” To answer this question, I have to say that taste is very ephemeral and it depends on a lot of factors. But the best whiskey and cigar pairing is a good cigar and a good whiskey while enjoying the company of good friends who also enjoy a good cigar and whiskey. I have a lot of good whiskey and I will let my friends pick the whiskey and we will often discuss the pairing and try more than one whiskey at the sitting. To me, this makes the perfect cigar and whiskey pairing.
Photos Courtesy of Rosemary Miller
January 23, 2026 at 9:31 am
Dear Mr Veach
It’s funny and interesting you talk about pairing cigars and whisk(e)s. I once wrote an article on the same topic (https://legbeforewicket.nl/2019/01/11/cigars-and-the-whisky-year-2018/) and after reading your story I was wondering if geographic areas (US / Europe) matter?
Regards
Fred Blans
January 23, 2026 at 7:31 pm
Hello Fred, I too am a Mr. Veach. The older brother of the author.
Your article was about mostly European whiskies, where as Mike is addressing whiskies from the other side of the pond. Some Scotch already has enough of a smokie flavor so, I would say geography has a pretty big impact.
Mike writes about Henry McKenna and “natural tasting” cigars and I agree and add that HM is a mild and neutral bourbon that IMHO, would pair well with most cigars. Enhancing rather than muting.
But,as Mike says the (in a round about way) ‘ it’s the company and situation ‘ that do the real work.