Pairing Method

For today’s particular pairing I went with the tried and true “shooting from the hip method”. This technique involved me choosing the Laphroaig 10 year and the Headley Grange Drumstick on a whim. I walked into my liquor cabinet and saw the bottle and grabbed it. Then I walked over to my humidor and saw the box of HG’s sitting there and knew that’s what I wanted to smoke. It was that simple! I was eager to do a pairing. It had a been quite a while so I thought what better time that now. So let’s hop into this cigar pairing and see what sort of flavors we can find!

First Third

Experience

Right from the start I really enjoyed this pairing. This whisky has quickly become a favorite of mine. It’s incredibly easy to drink. It’s at an affordable price, why not reach for it even more often? The cigar starts a little slow it takes some time getting the foot lit. Which is surprising given that it’s a lancero, you think it should light relatively quickly. Once I got it going it was fine though.

Flavors

The flavor combination coming off of this pairing was delicious. It starts with a bit of smoke and some sweetness. Then the pepper from the cigar begins to build. It creates this nice smokey, spicy chocolate note. It’s very harmonious right now and nothing combative is going on. It’s leaving a nice smokey coffee bean flavor on the back of my tongue as well.

Second Third

Experience

Carrying through to the 2nd third this pairing continues to work well together. I’m having a little bit of an issue with the Drumstick though. It has gone out on me once. Not a big deal, but a little frustrating. Overall still enjoying the pairing. The flavors are keeping on my toes.

Flavors

The spice from the HG Drumstick has began building even more during this third. It’s really taken over as the dominate note during this section. The Laphroaig 10 year is certainly the backbone of the pairing staying consistent, while letting the cigar dance around with it’s unique flavors. A great pairing thus far. Nothing has really been combative. The flavors are working very well together. I’m loving some of the flavor combinations that it’s producing.

Final Third

Experience

This is the part of the pairing that really took off in terms of the experience. The cigar began to open up as the whisky stayed consistent. I’m beginning to understand why so many people drink Scotch with their cigars. It’s just incredibly enjoyable combination. I’ve always been a huge bourbon fan, but this Laphroaig 10 is turning me into a believer.

Flavors

The flavors that come through on this final third of the pairing really set it apart. The combination of the spice and sweetness return. I’m getting a similar note from the 1st third. It’s like drinking spicy chocolate milk. Which might not sound appealing to many, but trust me, it’s fantastic. After that note hits up front it swells to a nice nutty savoriness on the finish leaving you wanting more.

Towards the very end of this cigar a unique herbal note develops on the retrohale. That note completely changes the dynamic of the pairing. It didn’t create any unique flavor combinations that I could pinpoint, but the cigar was definitely showing it’s true character towards the end.

Conclusion

Overall I really enjoyed this pairing. The Scotch was consistent all the way through which made it easy to notice the changes in flavors on the cigar. I love how the HG Drumstick changed it’s flavors throughout. It definitely made the pairing more interesting along the way. I would easily pair these two again. It combined two of my favorite notes. I got a lot of the spice and sweetness that combined to create that spicy chocolate milk note that was just fantastic. So, if you have both of these laying around somewhere light ’em up and pair them. I doubt you’ll be disappointed!