Many members have inquired about the pairing of scotch and cigars.  I myself enjoy the combination, and while I could stand on a pulpit and declare that what I like to sip and puff is what everyone should sip and puff, I will be asking for other members to share their experiences and opinions on the pairing along with my own contribution.  So, without further ado...

I have a saying... "A scotch will make a cigar taste better, but a cigar won't make a scotch taste better."  Now, a cigar added to a dram of scotch does, in my opinion, add to the overall enjoyment of sitting around and avoiding whatever it is I should be doing rather that drinking and smoking.  I believe a scotch nicely cleans the palate between puffs and gives the jealous left hand something of a consolation task if the right hand is manning the cigar.  With a cigar that is a little dry or has an overly easy draw, slightly wetting the cigar (mouth end) allows for a better pace, a more humid smoke, and a damn fine flavor.  Returning to my motto, I believe that a cigar (especially Maduros) drop kicks all off the subtlety that we love in many of the finest single-malts.  Gentle malts, like a Rosebank will have their finer notes completely overpowered and will become "just another scotch".  Even the strongest malts are not going to shine in their full glory with the taste of tobacco in your mouth.  For this reason, I keep my best bottles in the cupboard when I smoke and bring out the feisty young guns.  In order to compete with a cigar a bold malt is needed, and I've found the peatier the better.  The peaty Islays are often described as smoky to begin with, so an additional  mouth-cloud of fumes does little to change things.  Laphroaig 10 and Finlaggan ($17 at Trader Joe's) have always served me well.  If you ever have the opportunity, I recommend the cigar/Laphroaig/campfire triumvirate of smoke.  It will take a lifetime to forget and a week to air out of your jacket.  Also, be wary of any "cigar malt"... you should decide what goes best with your stogie, not some marketer.

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