Cigars and mead?

[farace]

Like I really needed another umm, hobby . . .

Today I bought my second cigar. (Oddly enough, nothing that had been recommended was in the shop, which was not lacking for stock across the whole price spectrum; I ended up with a Gloria Cubana.) The drinks I've seen recommended to consume along with the combustibles have tended toward Scotch and ports. I don't like Scotch, and have no port on hand, but I do have some mead. Does this seem appropriate as a companion to a cigar? It is somewhat strongly flavored, if a bit on the sweet side.

I'm still in the "curiosity about cigars" stage, and I don't expect this to become a frequent activity, but I have to say it's nice to sit out late at night on the front porch after everyone else is asleep, relax, watch the traffic, and chase the mosquitoes away.

While I'm asking cigar questions, let me ask this: I've read that larger cigars are stronger than smaller, and that in general darker cigars are stronger than lighter. For a beginner, then, would a small, dark cigar be similar on the enjoyable/tolerability scale to a large, milder cigar?

[jazzman]

I'm still in the curiosity about mead stage.

As for color and size, my experience has been more complicated than what you've heard. A larger ring (thickness) generally provides more complexity because more types of leaves can be used. A longer cigar generally smokes cooler (temperature-wise) than a shorter one. Strong and mild cigars come in all sizes. As for darker wrappers, again it depends. The dark wrappers classified as maduro can be fairly mild. They add a distinct flavor to the filler leaves, but the filler usually determines strength. I've had very strong--and very mild--cigars with light and dark wrappers. Your best bet is to find a good store where your questions can be answered, and to read Cigar Aficianado or good books on the subject.

[Newfie]

snip....While I'm asking cigar questions, let me ask this: I've read that larger cigars are stronger than smaller, and that in general darker cigars are stronger than lighter. For a beginner, then, would a small, dark cigar be similar on the enjoyable/tolerability scale to a large, milder cigar?

Larger cigars have usually a "fuller" taste profile, but to say that as a rule, they're stronger is false. As for the colour of the wrapper, it's more of a different taste profile, not necessarily more or less. Darker cigar wrappers such as Oscuro (black) or Maduro (very dark brown) are at times very sought after smokes for their "dark & deep" taste, and I get a certain sweetness out of them. Wrappers such as Corojo are generally more spicy in flavour.

As for a beginner smoke, there's dozens out there that would qualify. I'd recommend something good quality with a lower end price like Arturo Fuente Chateau Fuente (Robusto) or the Double Chateau Fuente (More of a Churchill size). They can both be had for less than $5 each, and both are available in both Natural wrappers and Maduro, so you can compare the tastes yourself.

Good luck, and enjoy!!!

EDIT:

Oh yeah, I don't even know what Mead is, but I much prefer a Port or a Sherry to a Scotch any day when paired with a cigar.

[farace]

Oh yeah, I don't even know what Mead is, but I much prefer a Port or a Sherry to a Scotch any day when paired with a cigar.

Mead is fermented honey. My wife's sister is a chef, and her sous chef made some. She brought it to me at Christmastime. It doesn't really taste like brandy, but something in the aftertaste somehow reminds me of brandy.

[Newfie]

Mead is fermented honey. My wife's sister is a chef, and her sous chef made some. She brought it to me at Christmastime. It doesn't really taste like brandy, but something in the aftertaste somehow reminds me of brandy.

WOW, never heard of that!!

[KWE]

Nice choice. La Gloria Cubana is an excellent cigar!

The only way to know for sure is to try the combo. Going by the mead I've tried, I don't think they would go well together, but the mead I've tried really wasn't that good by itself.

Steve and Jim did a great job of answering your size/wrapper question. The filler tobacco is what really determines the strength of a cigar. If you don't like 'em strong, then stay away from anything the mentions ligero.

Let us know how it goes.

[Iceman]

As for color and size, my experience has been more complicated than what you've heard. A larger ring (thickness) generally provides more complexity because more types of leaves can be used. A longer cigar generally smokes cooler (temperature-wise) than a shorter one. Strong and mild cigars come in all sizes. As for darker wrappers, again it depends. The dark wrappers classified as maduro can be fairly mild. They add a distinct flavor to the filler leaves, but the filler usually determines strength. I've had very strong--and very mild--cigars with light and dark wrappers. Your best bet is to find a good store where your questions can be answered, and to read Cigar Aficianado or good books on the subject.

+1

The old rules about cigar strength can pretty much be tossed out the window. Many dark wrappers are smooth and sweet tasting. Many light brown shade grown wrappers are on the cigars that can blow the top of your head off. IMO, length of a cigar has nothing to do with strength. The length of a cigar is more about how long you want to smoke. 20-30 minutes... go with a petite corona, 45-50 minutes... try a robusto or corona... more than an hour... go with the big guys, churchill or double corona. Ring size will not only influence flavor but also how cool the cigar burns. A larger ring will burn cooler than small ring.

As far as having mead... if you like it... go for it. You may find it enhances the enjoyment of some cigars and not for others. There is no right or wrong when it comes to matching cigars and beverages. If you like it... it's right.

[farace]

Let us know how it goes.

It wasn't bad until my wife came home and informed me that, even though I was out on the front porch, I was stinking up the house. There wasn't anyplace else to go with it, and I wasn't going to enjoy the rest of it worrying about what I was going to hear about it later. Half a cigar wasted.

[mano]

L
While I'm asking cigar questions, let me ask this: I've read that larger cigars are stronger than smaller, and that in general darker cigars are stronger than lighter. For a beginner, then, would a small, dark cigar be similar on the enjoyable/tolerability scale to a large, milder cigar?

Check out this thread:

http://www.badgerandblade.com/vb/sho...ghlight=primer

[Bucnak]

Farace,
Glad to hear that you enjoyed "half a cigar", you should have sent your wife to her parents... Only kidding, you can enjoy it today doing either yardwork or even a nice stroll outdoors.
Happy Smoking, and a good Sunday to you.

John

It wasn't bad until my wife came home and informed me that, even though I was out on the front porch, I was stinking up the house. There wasn't anyplace else to go with it, and I wasn't going to enjoy the rest of it worrying about what I was going to hear about it later. Half a cigar wasted.

[KWE]

Half a cigar is better than no cigar at all. Glad to hear you enjoyed the combo.

[mparker762]

Most store-bought meads are pretty bad. I prefer making my own with orange, ginger, and coriander. 1 gal honey + 4 gal water + 2 multivitamins + a packet of champagne yeast. Let it age for about 9 months. I make it on new years and it's ready by the time the leaves turn.

However, my favorite libation with cigars is lemonade.

[Lynchmeister]

Larger cigars have usually a "fuller" taste profile, but to say that as a rule, they're stronger is false. As for the colour of the wrapper, it's more of a different taste profile, not necessarily more or less. Darker cigar wrappers such as Oscuro (black) or Maduro (very dark brown) are at times very sought after smokes for their "dark & deep" taste, and I get a certain sweetness out of them. Wrappers such as Corojo are generally more spicy in flavour.

As for a beginner smoke, there's dozens out there that would qualify. I'd recommend something good quality with a lower end price like Arturo Fuente Chateau Fuente (Robusto) or the Double Chateau Fuente (More of a Churchill size). They can both be had for less than $5 each, and both are available in both Natural wrappers and Maduro, so you can compare the tastes yourself.

Good luck, and enjoy!!!

EDIT:

Oh yeah, I don't even know what Mead is, but I much prefer a Port or a Sherry to a Scotch any day when paired with a cigar.

Agreed. My first maduro was a Perdomo Fresco and I was expecting my head to blow up. I was shocked at how smooth and rich it was. A week later, I stopped in to the shop and sat down with the same cigar, but in a natural wrapper. I was expecting it to be "weaker" than the maduro. Exact opposite. Spicy and strong...but still good.

[PZBarber]

We drink a fair amount of mead down here in Cornwall UK. In fact it is the local traditional beverage. There are a number of meaderys around which are great fun. A meadery basically serves half fried chicken and chips (fries) served with pitchers of cold mead. The meaderys are sort of medieval styled and dark which is easy down here as most places are made out of granite with tiny windows and thick walls. You tend not to get cutlery, just eat with your fingers, throw the bones on the floor and wipe you hands on a towel. They are very raucous places where bone throwing and heavy drinking are the norm.

It's a Cornish thing

Here's to 'ee. If I hadna' met 'ee,I shouldn'a know'd 'ee, and' now that I know 'ee,I can't abide'ee.

Drink up me 'andsomes n ave ee a stagger.

Arse uppards

Mat