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PAIRING WITH MONTECRISTO Print E-mail
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Los Angeles, October 16 – The pairing of cigars and spirits has been going on for centuries and has generated plenty of discussion and even contests for sommeliers to suggest the best match of a specific cigar with a specific drink.

An eight-member panel of cigar journalists and restauranteurs took the challenge in the latest issue of the British trade magazine, Cigar Buyer, not just to review a single pairing, but to grade which of 11 spirits matched best with the hot-selling Montecristo Edmundo, a 5-inch by 52-ring Cuban-made robusto.

The results showed there’s a reason why the tradition of cigars and Cognac is so strong: the top-ranked pairing was with the Hine Cigar Cognac with 55 points out of a possible 80. Just a point behind was the Glenmorangie Lasanta single-malt Scotch (54), followed by the Armagnac Marquis de Puysegar (52), Mount Gay Rum (52) and the Havana Club Especial and El Dorado 15 Year Old rums at 50 points each.. The accompanying story noted that “To really work with a cigar a spirit should add to the flavour, adding a new dimension to the match” with famed restauranteur Ranald Macdonald of Boisdale noting that the Hine was “Creamy, soft and fruity with loads of caramel [that] sits well with the cigar.”

That tasting was only one of the highlights of the new issue of Cigar Buyer, which offers an insightful look into the British cigar scene. Also of note:

  • The success of the “Specialists in Habanos” designation program instituted in Britain by Habanos distributor Hunters & Frankau, which now has appointed more than 70 shops with that title. Hunters marketing director Simon Chase noted that the recognition is bestowed on shops which meet several requirements: “the number of Habanos brands and sizes they stock; their humidification facilities; staff knowledge determined by at least two members of staff including the proprietor attending Cigar School; high quality service and good product presentation.”

    Hunters also awards its annual “Silver Chaveta” award to the retailer who has made an outstanding contribution to the trade. The latest winner, in 2007, was Robert Emery of J.J. Fox & Robert Lewis Cigar Merchants of London.

  • Naturally, there was also a cigar tasting in this issue, featuring corona-sized cigars and also 13 new releases. The top scores of 10 points were awarded to five cigars:

    > Carlos Torano Reserva Selecta Torpedo (6 x 52 from Honduras);

    > Dunhill Signed Range Corona (5 5/8 x 44 from the Dominican Republic);

    > Montecristo No. 3 (5 5/8 x 42 from Cuba);

    > Partagas Corona (5 5/8 x 42 from Cuba);

    > Rocky Patel Vintage 1990 Perfecto (4 x 48 from Honduras).

    Eight cigars earned near-perfect scores of 9.8:

    > Don Ramos No. 1 (5 1/2 x 42 from Honduras);

    > La Hoyo du Roi (5 5/8 x 42 from Cuba);

    > Por Larranaga Magnificos (6 3/4 x 50 from Cuba), a Edicion Regional selection that’s caused a near-riot in some British shops;

    > Romeo y Julieta Corona (5 5/8 x 42 from Cuba);

    > Santa Damiana Tubulares Extra (5 5/8 x 42 from the Dominican Republic);

    > Santa Damiana Seleccion Especial (5 1/2 x 42 from the Dominican Republic);

    > Te-Amo Aniversario 1999 Churchill maduro (7 x 50 from Mexico);

    > Te-Amo World Selection Nicaragua Corojo Robusto (5 x 54 from Mexico).

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