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Alcohol and Cigar recommendations
wwhwang
Posts: 2,878 ✭✭✭
I'm usually a Captain Morgan Private Stock/Jagermeister/Absolut kinda guy, but after reading and watching review videos on scotch, whiskey, cigar infusion, and the finer liquors, it's got me thinking that I'm really missing out.
I've never had a bottle of Johnnie Walker before, but it really has me interested, reading about it the Johnnie Walker Green Label. Can anyone give me recommendations on what they usually pair their cigars with or infuse their cigars with?
Also, what kind of cigars do you use for infusion? What flavor and aroma notes do you usually get from your alcohol of choice?
I've never had a bottle of Johnnie Walker before, but it really has me interested, reading about it the Johnnie Walker Green Label. Can anyone give me recommendations on what they usually pair their cigars with or infuse their cigars with?
Also, what kind of cigars do you use for infusion? What flavor and aroma notes do you usually get from your alcohol of choice?
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This is not to say that you should limit your options to these, but I find that these spirits tend to pair well with my cigars.
Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban with Illusione (any size, as the black cherry note goes well with the port finish)
Flor de Cana 7 year or older with AB Tempus, MOW Ruination, or Diesel, or any other PA BL wrapped stick
I like lighter, fruitier Scotches, like Glenlivet 12 with a medium stick, like the basic Padron line or the regular Fuente line.
A super peaty Scotch like Laphroaig or Lagavulin goes great with Pepin's powerhouses.
I also like having a heavy stout, like Old Rasputin, with a good maduro that has a lot of cocoa and coffee.
It is a stronger scotch so it can wash out some of the milder smokes out there and make you lose out on their complexity. Sometimes the wash-out is fine if I want to just sit back and pass the time, not caring much about complexity.
Pick a booze that you want to work with - Captain's Private Stock is ok, but there are better rums out there for the same price or slightly more. Try to find the notes in the booze and pair them with a cigar that those should work well with. Also, be careful with the infusion process, as alcohol can dry out cigars by causing water to evaporate. My last thought, though I haven't tried it yet, was to soak a sponge in the alcohol and allow it to air dry a few times so that the sponge soaks up the flavor of the alcohol and allows the alcohol itself to evaporate. Once the sponge smells like the booze, re-hydrate with distilled water and use that as a water pillow in a tupperware container or small, dedicated humi. The other option is to put the booze in a wide sauce pan and ignite it, thus cooking off the alcohol (don't do this if you don't cook with alcohol often and aren't familiar with the technique). What you'll be left with will be a sugar-based syrup resembling the booze - add some water and use that as your humidifying element.
You're gonna want to let this sit as long as possible - 3 months or more. Even still, don't expect a very strong flavor from the infusion. It will give off notes with the resting burn and hints on the draw but will not taste like a cheap flavored cigar.
Good luck!