December Perfect Pairings
Autumn is in full swing, crispy leaves, and for some, snow, cover the ground, and the holidays are coming up quick. At this time of year, it is hard to find something more pleasant and fitting than sipping and smoking by a fire.
To celebrate the changing seasons, the Cigars.com team has created 5 excellent Sippin’ by the Fire Pairings to keep you cozy and warm!
Kentucky Owl Confiscated & Hererra Esteli Miami
Inspired by distillery founder C.M. Dedman having his bourbon barrels confiscated ahead of prohibition, Kentucky Owl Confiscated is a full-bodied proofed bourbon with deeply rich notes of oak, caramel, cinnamon, and a spicy finish.
We found that the rich medium-full-bodied flavors of Herrera Esteli Miami cigars from Drew Estate make an excellent pairing with Kentucky Owl Confiscated. Crafted at El Titan de Bronze in Miami, Herrera Esteli Miami features Dominican and Nicaraguan fillers, an Ecuadorian Sumatra binder, and a dusky Ecuadorian Habano Oscuro wrapper.
Its hearty flavors of cinnamon, espresso, leather, and caramel stand up and complement the bold notes from Kentucky Owl Confiscated, making it a perfect pairing for enjoying during an evening by a fire.
Woodford Reserve Batch Proof & AJ Fernandez Bellas Artes Maduro
Woodford Reserve Batch Proof is bottled straight from the barrel, offering a stronger and more intense experience with an exceptional 125 proof, offering satisfying notes of oak, vanilla, spices, and nuttiness, and perfect for warming up near a toasty fire.
Bellas Artes Maduro by AJ Fernandez and its zesty Maduro wrapper makes an excellent pairing with a glass of Woodford Reserve Batch Proof. Made with a richly aged Nicaraguan core and a gorgeous Brazilian Mata Fina wrapper, its medium-full-bodied flavors of pepper, chocolate, earth, and cinnamon will enhance the oaky vanilla flavors of the Woodford Reserve Batch Proof.
Heaven’s Door 8 Years & Sobremesa
Made with 30% small grains and aged to perfection, Heaven’s Door 8 Years is a fine choice to warm you up by a fire. Its sweet flavors of caramel, vanilla, toasted bread, and hints of peppery spice will make any late autumn night better.
Named after the time after a meal when family and friends stay at the table after a meal, Sobremesa is one of the first and one of the best cigars made by Steve Saka and Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust. Boasting Nicaraguan and Pennsylvanian long-fillers, a San Andres Negro binder, and a spicy Ecuadorian Habano wrapper, Sobremesa delivers a rich experience fit for a connoisseur.
With complex medium-full-bodied notes of dark spices, chocolate, cedar, coffee, and creamy sweetness, Sobremesa is a match made in heaven to pair with the sweetness of Heaven’s Door 8 Years.
Kentucky Peerless Double Oak & Four Kicks Capa Especial
Kentucky Peerless Double Oak lives up to its name with a double-aged bourbon that kicks with flavor, making it an excellent complement to the Four Kicks Capa Especial from Crowned Heads.
Created with the help of famous cigar maker Ernesto Perez-Carrillo Jr., Four Kicks Capa Especial features a top-quality Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper over a Nicaraguan binder and a choice of Dominican and Nicaraguan long fillers.
Four Kicks Capa Especial and its balanced medium-bodied flavors of dark roasted coffee, cinnamon, earth, sweet spices, and hints of floral tones are peerless when it comes to pairing with the rich oak, chocolate, baking spices, and sweetness found in Kentucky Peerless Double Oak.
Knob Creek 18 Year & Don Pepin Blue
Given double the aging compared to this brand’s flagship bourbon, Knob Creek 18 Year is a culmination Knob Creek’s effort, time, and commitment to making the perfect bourbon. Brimming with flavors of caramelized oak, baking spices, brown sugar, and tobacco, Knob Creek 18 Year is meant to be savored.
Don Pepin Garcia Blue cigars are also meant to be savored. This top-shelf blend from legendary cigar maker Jose “Don Pepin” Garcia is made entirely with finely aged Nicaraguan tobaccos, leading to a full-bodied smoke brimming with notes of earth, leather, and espresso over layers of spices and pepper, lending itself to be a perfect pairing with Knob Creek 18 Year for sippin’ and smokin’ by the fire.
