Match the body of the smoke with the body of the drink. That’s where you start with cigar and spirits pairing. But an even better place to start is at BOLD Cigar Bar and Lounge in Grand Rapids, Michigan, with owners Al and Kate Casimiro. BOLD is known for its premium cigars and Al and Kate were kind enough to share with us their top cigar picks to pair with Joseph Magnus spirits in the blog below. Try a few pairings this summer and tell us on social media why drink and tobacco make such a good pair.
Joseph Magnus Bourbon
Cigars go well with whiskey because they contain similar flavors: smokiness, sweetness, and a little bit of spice. Joseph Magnus Bourbon – our triple cask finished bourbon – pairs well with Rocky Patel SIXTY. This medium-bodied cigar tastes like chocolate and apple, with a black pepper spice. Both the spice and the earthiness pair well with the white oak and sherry notes found in the spirit. Enjoy this cigar with a neat pour or with a Ginger Julep:
Ginger Julep
- 1.5 oz Joseph Magnus Bourbon
- 8 mint leaves
- .25 oz simple syrup
- ½” knob of ginger
- Mint stalk, garnish
In a shaker tin, add mint leaves, simple syrup and ginger knob, and muddle. Add Joseph Magnus Bourbon and ice and stir vigorously. Strain mixture into a julep tin with crushed ice and garnish with mint stalk.
Murray Hill Club Bourbon
Al Casimiro describes Rocky Patel White Label as “creamy and silky on the palate,” a perfect complement to our Murray Hill Club Bourbon. The cigar has notes of mild cocoa and wood, leading into baking spices and with a subtle hint of black pepper. It’s a luxurious choice to pair with the baking spices, pepper, and toasted finish found in Murray Hill Club Bourbon.
Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend Bourbon Batch #92
For a special Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend Bourbon batch, you must have a special cigar. Al chose The Judge by My Father for Cigar Blend Bourbon Batch #92. He said,“The strength of this cigar screams BOLD!” and so it pairs well with the dark notes of this 130th anniversary edition. The Judge is full-bodied with high octane tobacco, married with red pepper spice and nuts. Both are equally strong & complex… and not for the faint of heart!
Vigilant District Dry Gin
Gin isn’t paired with cigars as often as whiskey, but it can be done with a medium to full body cigar that stands on its own against the complexities of a gin. BOLD chose Arturo Fuente’s Double Chateau to pair with Joseph Magnus’ Vigilant District Dry Gin. This is a mild-medium bodied cigar with a slight spiciness, complemented by a soft sweetness and light cedar undertones. The fresh earth tones of this smoke work well with the gin straight or in a cocktail.
Vigilant Navy Strength Gin
Kate Casimiro paired Padron 1964 Anniversary with our boozy Vigilant Navy Strength Gin. It’s an incredibly smooth cigar, but with a decent punch of cedar, cayenne, and cinnamon. Hints of cocoa emerge halfway through, as well as soft earth tones and leather. Pair this cigar with a classic Negroni or Hanky Panky.
Ready try these pairings? BOLD Cigar Bar and Lounge has all the cigars mentioned above available in their humidor in downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Which cigar and spirits pairing are you choosing? Let us know on social using #josamagnus. Find our award-winning Joseph Magnus spirits at a retailer near you. Join our mailing list or follow us on Facebook and Instagram to stay up to date with the latest from Jos. A. Magnus.
