This time of year is perfect for cigar and liquor pairings. There are many seasonal varieties that are released around the holidays that can help keep you warm. So, in the spirit of the season, we at Cigars.com have decided to pair some of our favorite cigars with some of our favorite hard ciders.
H.Upmann by AJ Fernandez and Stella Artois Cidre
This year saw the release of one of the best H. Upmanns I have had the pleasure of smoking. With Upmann combining with the tobaccos and skills of AJ Fernandez, this blend was destined to be a hit. It is smooth, yet flavorful with dashes of pepper, cedar and a little sweet spice. This makes it a perfect partner for one of the finest European ciders, the Stella Artois Cidre. It is a smooth and refreshing beverage using hand-picked Belgian apples.
La Gloria Cubana Colleccion Reserva by E.P. Carillo and the Standard Cider True Believer
The Coleccion Reserva saw legendary blender E.P. Carrillo return to his beloved origins with La Gloria Cubana. It uses rich, aged Nicaraguan tobacco along with an oily Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper. With this much flavor, it was an easy choice to go with the Standard Cider True Believer. This New York-based Dry Cider is bursting with rich, bold flavor, and mills their apples right before fermentation, for an even fresher taste.
Caldwell Eastern Standard Dark Connecticut and Citizen Cider Dirty Mayor
This pairing works out even better than anticipated. It is the combination of two colorful characters from two different worlds. On the one hand, you have Robert Caldwell, one of the most intriguing members of the cigar community. His Eastern Standard Dark Connecticut uses a hybrid Connecticut wrapper and a secret blend of filler and binder tobaccos that give it a smooth, creamy, and robust profile. On the other hand, you have the non-official mayor of Fort Ethan Allen, Vermont. This brand from Citizen Cider takes its name from Ric Cengeri, the so-called mascot of America's largest non-town. The added notes of ginger make this a flavorful and unique cider for you to enjoy.
Avo Syncro Nicaragua and Shacksbury Semi-Dry
The Avo Syncro Nicaragua is a very special line indeed. It was Avo's first box-pressed cigar, one of the first to use Nicaraguan tobaccos and was one of the last new blends created during the lifetime of the great Avo Uvezian. It is a bold, spicy, smooth, but with that signature Avo smooth and creamy aroma. The Nicaraguan tobacco gives it a good amount of spice, while the dash of Peruvian gives it a slight sweetness. The Shacksbury Semi-Dry uses a variety of fresh apples including ones from the legendary Dragon Orchard in England. It is robust and very fruity, making it a great companion for the Syncro.
Kristoff Sumatra and Sonoma Cider the Anvil
This pairing brings two hand-crafted and exceptionally bold items together for a flavor blast unlike any other. The 93-rated Kristoff Sumatra uses a bold Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper and rich, flavorful Dominican and Nicaraguan filler tobaccos. It has notes of floral, roasted nuts, and cinnamon keeping your taste buds guessing. The Anvil is an exquisite mix of fresh hard cider from the Pacific Northwest as well as barrel-proofed bourbon flavor. It is immensely flavorful with strong bourbon notes as well as a crisp fruity finish.