Cigars and Cognac

There is perhaps no greater gift to mankind than time spent with a good cigar and a tasty beverage. There is a certain excitement that propels us onward from the time we ask ourselves “Is there a cigar store near me” to the time we are settled into a comfy cigar place with a beverage in hand and when that excitement has morphed into pure relaxation.

While each cigar enthusiast has their own favored libation to pair with their cigars, there is one spirit that trumps all with style, complexity and pure gratification: Cognac.

Along with its cousin Armagnac, Cognac and cigars have always seemed to go hand in hand and, although challenged by Scotch whisky as the favorite cigar-pairing spirit, Cognac still reigns as a cigar’s premiere partner. With flavors from each often melding into perfect harmony, there is indeed something about a snifter of Cognac and a cigar that just works.

There truly is not anything quite like that sensual sensory experience of tobacco and Brandy aromas fluttering in the air, that stunning visual of Cuban cigar bands resting next to a beautiful glass Cognac decanter. With such a grand experience awaiting and with so many fine Cognacs and Armagnacs available for cigar pairing, where do we start?

A brief look at cigar pairing favorites may help to shed light on the pairing possibilities that abound.

The three most well-known French Brandies in the US of course are Remy Martin, Hennessy and Courvoisier.

Courvoisier is an old standby for many everyday aficionados, with the Courvoisier VSOP a grand choice for casual enthusiasts, as is the XO for those wanting more complexity. Both are found at cigar bars and lounges across the land.

Another popular choice amongst cigar lovers is Hennessey. With a broad spectrum of Cognacs there is truly something for everyone here. The Hennessey VS is a great cigar-pairing Cognac that won’t necessarily break the bank.

And the superior Hennessy Paradis is a rare Cognac that superbly partners with the best Cuban cigars, such as a Saint Luis Rey Lonsdale, for a uniquely invigorating experience.

And Remy Martin showcases as varied a selection of Cognacs as any, delivering many great cigar pairing delights. The Remy Martin VSOP Mature Cask Finish blended from 4 to 12 year aged spirits is a stellar mate to Montecristo cigars.

The Remy Martin XO Excellence uses the finest of Champagne Cognacs to offer a fantastic pairing with a Cuban Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No. 2.

And for those looking for the most extravagant experience possible then pairing a vintage Cuban Partagas Lusitania or a Daniel Marshall 24 kt. gold-leafed Golden Torpedo with the over $20,000 Remy Martin Louis VIII Jeroboam is simply as over-the-top as it gets.

There are a myriad of other outstanding, more down to earth Cognacs, of course, with Martell being a connoisseur favorite. From the fantastic cigar friendly VSOP Medallion to the pairing of a Dominican Avo XO Intermezzo with the sumptuously complex XO Supreme, Martell proves a winning selection every time.

Camus is another Cognac which flies all too low under the radar, as each spirit in the line offers amazing cigar pairing possibilities. The Camus Borderies XO is a full-flavored all-star that will prove a fine match to an equally rich smoke, such as a Cuban Cohiba Maduro 5 Genios or Dominican Fuente Fuente Opus X Super Belicoso.

Prunier Extra Grande Champagne is another opulent Cognac for special occasions that features a plethora of nut and natural tobacco nuances which blend exceedingly well with a great many cigars, including a wide range of Cuban Cohibas.

And then, of course, there is the go-to cigar-pairing Cognac from Hine, the Hine Cigar Reserve.

As a collaboration with famed cigar purveyors Hunter & Frankau, the Hine Cigar Reserve was blended with cigar aficionados in mind and delivers deeply developed flavors that are at once rich, spicy and silky smooth. Pair this beauty with a Cuban Ramon Allones Club Allones or a Dominican Davidoff Millennium Robusto for an astonishing barrage of flavor.

Marquis De Sauval XO is a wondrous example that combines with a Cuban Partagas Serie P No. 2 to deliver succulent spice nuances, as well as a pleasing sweetness to the experience.

Cles Des Ducs XO is another Armagnac primed for cigars, as is the Clos Martin VSOP 8 Year Old Folle Blanche, an exquisite spirit that is also an amazing value that rivals many of its XO counterparts

Delord’s 25 Year Bas Armagnac offers a dark chocolate and sweet caramel notes which form a grand pairing with an Ashton Aged Maduro No.40.

The Baron De Sigognac 50 Year old is a stunner that, when paired with a Cuban Trinidad Robusto Extra, will make for a joyous blending of body, texture and taste.

From the prestige of a fine Cognac to the thick and tasty character of Armagnac, the joining of cigar and French Brandy is a wildly gratifying endeavor that will raise the level of cigar enjoyment to new heights.

No matter the cigar sizes, whether it’s the best Cuban cigar or everyday bundled smokes, Cognac will add sumptuous magic to any cigar smoking interlude.

Cigar pairing is a most subjective journey indeed and so each cigar enthusiasts will have their own unique experiences that may differ greatly than others. And what better way to discuss those differences than over a fine Cognac and a good cigar!

Thanks for reading!