Scotch Categories for Cigar Pairing
Speyside (Glenfarclas, Glenfiddich, Macallan): the canonical cigar pairing. Sweet, restrained, oak-aged complexity. Glenfarclas 21 is the matrix three-star recommendation for several Cuban classical cigars.
Highland (Glenmorangie, Dalmore, Oban): floral, citrus-forward, more refined. Pairs with Connecticut shade and Dominican premium.
Islay (Lagavulin, Ardbeg, Laphroaig): peated, smoky, aggressive. The matrix three-star recommendation for full-bodied maduros and aggressive Liga Privada-style cigars.
Lowland (Auchentoshan, Glenkinchie): light, delicate. The matrix recommends these only for the most-restrained Connecticut shade cigars.
Bourbon vs Scotch for Cigars
Bourbon and Scotch are both whisky, but they pair with different cigars. Bourbon's corn-derived caramel is reinforcement for maduros; Scotch's barley-and-peat is more often counterpoint to Cuban-style classical cigars.
For the aficionado choosing between bourbon and Scotch: bourbon for fuller cigars and reinforcement pairings; Scotch for medium-bodied cigars and sophisticated counterpoint pairings.
Specific Cigar-Scotch Pairings
Cohiba Siglo VI + Glenfarclas 21: the matrix three-star pairing. Cuban prestige with Speyside.
Padrón 1964 Anniversary + Lagavulin 16: the matrix three-star pairing for aggressive Nicaraguan with peated Islay.
Davidoff Aniversario No. 3 + Glenmorangie 18: the matrix three-star pairing for Connecticut shade with Highland malt.
Drew Estate Liga Privada No. 9 + Lagavulin 16: matrix three-star, the canonical aggressive-maduro-and-peat pairing.
