Cigar and Champagne Pairings: Elevating Your Experience with Five Premium Cigars
The art of pairing cigars with beverages has been a pursuit of aficionados for decades, and when it comes to celebrating with a touch of sophistication, few pairings rival the elegance of cigar and champagne. Both offer complex flavors, refined craftsmanship, and a sense of occasion, making them the perfect companions for life's special moments.
In this blog post, we'll explore how to pair five premium cigars with champagne to enhance the enjoyment of both. From the creamy smoothness of Drew Estate's Undercrown Shade to the bold richness of Zino Platinum's Scepter Series, there’s a pairing for every palate.
1. Drew Estate Undercrown Shade and Bollinger Special Cuvée Brut
Cigar Profile: The Drew Estate Undercrown Shade is a smooth, mellow cigar with a Connecticut Shade wrapper that brings out flavors of cream, nuts, and a touch of sweet hay. The subtle complexity and mild-to-medium body of this cigar make it ideal for those who prefer a smoother smoke with a refined character.
Champagne Pairing: The Bollinger Special Cuvée Brut, with its rich, full-bodied style, is an excellent match for the Undercrown Shade. This champagne has a slight toasty character, with flavors of ripe fruit and a hint of almond. The combination of the champagne’s smooth bubbles and the mild cigar's creamy texture creates a delicate, yet satisfying contrast. The Bollinger’s complexity complements the Undercrown’s flavors without overpowering it, making for a well-balanced and elegant pairing.
Why it works:
The light, creamy profile of the Undercrown Shade pairs wonderfully with the richness and subtlety of Bollinger's Special Cuvée Brut, enhancing the cigar’s more delicate notes without overshadowing them.
2. Alec Bradley Kintsugi and Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label Brut
Cigar Profile: The Alec Bradley Kintsugi is a medium-to-full-bodied cigar with a sophisticated blend of rich flavors, including hints of oak, cocoa, leather, and pepper. The Kintsugi, named after the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with gold, offers a nuanced smoking experience that's both complex and well-balanced.
Champagne Pairing: Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label Brut is a classic choice known for its balance of richness and crisp acidity. This champagne has flavors of citrus, apple, and a hint of brioche, with a slightly toasted finish. The dry, crisp nature of the Veuve Clicquot cuts through the richness of the Kintsugi, creating a harmonious contrast.
Why it works:
The Alec Bradley Kintsugi's bold flavors and slight peppery finish are beautifully complemented by the clean, refreshing acidity of the Veuve Clicquot. The pairing brings out the cigar’s chocolate and oak nuances while the champagne adds a layer of crispness that enhances the overall experience.
3. Macanudo Gold Label and Moët & Chandon Impérial Brut
Cigar Profile: The Macanudo Gold Label is known for its mild-to-medium body and a soft, smooth profile that includes flavors of sweet cream, nuts, and light spice. It’s a cigar that emphasizes elegance and subtlety, making it a fantastic choice for those who enjoy a refined smoking experience.
Champagne Pairing: Moët & Chandon Impérial Brut is a timeless and elegant champagne, offering lively acidity with flavors of green apple, pear, and citrus, balanced by a subtle toasty undertone. Its refreshing profile pairs wonderfully with the Macanudo Gold Label, allowing both the cigar’s delicate sweetness and the champagne’s crispness to shine.
Why it works:
The Moët & Chandon Impérial Brut’s bright, fruity character and crisp acidity lift the light, creamy notes of the Macanudo Gold Label, while the champagne’s subtle yeasty complexity pairs well with the cigar’s mild spice and nutty undertones.
4. Montecristo Original No. 2 Torpedo and Dom Pérignon Vintage
Cigar Profile: The Montecristo Original No. 2 Torpedo is one of the most iconic cigars in the world, known for its medium-to-full body and rich, complex flavors. Expect notes of leather, spice, coffee, and cedar, along with a subtle sweetness that makes it an exceptionally well-rounded cigar.
Champagne Pairing: Dom Pérignon Vintage is the epitome of luxury, with its deep, complex profile. The champagne is known for its richness, with flavors of brioche, lemon zest, and honey, all balanced by a crisp minerality and long finish. This prestigious champagne is the perfect complement to the Montecristo No. 2’s deep, robust flavors, adding layers of sophistication to the experience.
Why it works:
Dom Pérignon’s complexity and elegant finish mirror the Montecristo’s bold, rich flavors, allowing the chocolatey, leathery notes of the cigar to interact beautifully with the champagne’s subtle fruitiness and toasted bread notes. It’s a pairing that elevates both the cigar and the champagne, enhancing each with a sense of occasion.
5. Zino Platinum Scepter Series and Krug Grande Cuvée Brut
Cigar Profile: The Zino Platinum Scepter Series is a medium-bodied cigar known for its refined blend of creamy, nutty, and slightly spicy flavors. It’s a luxurious smoke that presents a soft profile with just enough depth to intrigue even seasoned cigar enthusiasts.
Champagne Pairing: Krug Grande Cuvée Brut is one of the finest non-vintage champagnes on the market, renowned for its complexity and richness. With notes of baked bread, honey, and dried fruit, the Krug is both opulent and precise, offering a layered experience that pairs beautifully with the Zino Platinum’s smooth and sophisticated flavors.
Why it works:
The Krug Grande Cuvée’s exceptional depth and texture complement the Zino Platinum’s soft, nutty profile while providing a harmonious contrast to the cigar's slight spiciness. The champagne’s complexity highlights the cigar’s nuances, creating a balanced pairing that showcases the best of both.
Final Thoughts: Pairing Cigars and Champagne
Cigar and champagne pairings are a celebration of both flavors and craftsmanship, where every puff and sip invites you to savor the finer things in life. Whether you’re enjoying the smoothness of a Drew Estate Undercrown Shade or the boldness of a Zino Platinum Scepter, the right champagne can elevate your smoking experience.
The key to a successful pairing is balance: lighter cigars pair best with champagnes that have a bright, crisp acidity, while richer, bolder cigars are complemented by champagnes that offer depth and complexity. Whatever your choice of cigar, there's a champagne to match, enhancing the experience and creating a memorable, luxurious occasion.
So next time you're celebrating, why not light up one of these premium cigars and pop a bottle of champagne? It’s a pairing made for moments of indulgence and enjoyment.