A SYMPHONY OF SIPS AND PUFFS
If there’s any truth in the adage “what grows together comes together”, then rum is a superb complement to a fine cigar. In fact, we dare say that rum is the best match to a cigar – but we might be biassed…
The shared origins of sugarcane and cigar tobacco in the hot and humid climates of the tropics create a natural synergy. It's no coincidence that the Caribbean is renowned for both its exceptional rum-making traditions and some of the world's finest cigars, Cuba’s Habanos being a standout example. The parallel cultivation environments give rise to flavours and nuances in both rum and cigars that harmonise exceptionally well, making the combination a delightful sensory experience.
Due to the pervasive effect of cigar smoke on the senses however, not all rums are ideal companions for cigars. Even for the most seasoned cigar enthusiasts, a truly harmonious pairing involves liquids that can stand up to the robust impact of a quality smoke.
The very nature of House of Rum's bottling’s makes them the perfect cigar companions. Our rums are selected with a deliberate focus on character, complexity, and full flavour, which encourage enthusiasts to savour each sip rather than rushing through it.
What distinguishes our rums, however, is not only their rich character, but their strength too.
Unlike the typical rum bottled at approximately 40% abv, our rums are all bottled at cask strength. This means that they rarely dip below 55% abv, with some reaching the vicinity of 65% abv. The cask strength of House of Rum's expressions serves a dual purpose. Firstly, it enables drinkers to appreciate the rum in its purest form, as it’s drawn from the cask. Secondly, it empowers these layered liquids to reveal their complete potential, supporting their complex character so that, when paired to a cigar, our rums can withstand and enhance a prolonged, pleasurable smoking experience.
Venezuela 2005 x Partagás Lusitania 7
Our Venezuela 2005 boasts richness and complexity, making it an ideal match for a full-flavoured and equally nuanced cigar. With its distinctive richness, depth, and earthiness, the Partagás Lusitania 7 (5/8” x 49 ring gauge) is a perfect complement to this rum. The cigar's flavours of black pepper, roasted coffee, and leather harmonise seamlessly with the rum's spicy nature and caramelly, dark chocolatey profile. This is a cigar with great personality that pays full respect to the exceptional rarity of our rum. A pairing fit for special occasions.
Dominican 2000 x Cohiba Maduro 5 Magicos
A relatively smaller yet medium-to-full flavoured cigar would make for a better match to House of Rum’s Dominican 2000, for instance a Cohiba Maduro 5 Magicos (4½” x 52 ring gauge). The maduro wrapper leaf introduces a nuanced sugariness to the smoke that aligns well with the rum's subtle sweetness, with its notes of dried fruits counterbalanced by dark chocolate and a bit of spiciness. Moreover, the cigar's extra complexity and smoothness – which derives from the fermentation conducted on the Seco and Ligero leaves in cedar barrels – are well-equipped to withstand this long-aged rum. This smoke is the ideal complement to the oldest of our rums, an experience meant to be savoured with a mindful investment of time and thoughtful contemplation.
Barbados 2010 x Romeo Y Julieta Wide Churchill
Meanwhile, House of Rum's Barbados 2010 provides the perfect opportunity for a versatile pairing suitable for a range of occasions – whether it's a leisurely sip and puff after a meal or a gathering with friends. Barbados 2010 harmoniously blends the characteristic smoothness, rich fruitiness, and elegance of a Bajan rum, with an intricately layered personality resulting from extensive ageing, all supported by a substantial 60.5% abv.
A well-suited companion to this liquid is the Romeo Y Julieta Wide Churchill (5¼” x 55 ring gauge). Despite being part of one of the most renowned families of Habanos, this cigar is relatively new, launched in the same year the rum was distilled (2010).
The Romeo Y Julieta Wide Churchill possesses enough strength to withstand the high-proof nature of the rum, yet it remains delicate enough to allow the liquid’s unique qualities to shine. Its floral and fruity notes complement the Barbados 2010's array of tropical fruits, creating a well-balanced pairing that extends into the rum's long, spicy finish.
Trinidad 2012 x Hoyo de Monterrey Le Hoyo de Rio Seco
With an abv of 64.3%, Trinidad 2012 is the strongest bottling within the House of Rum range. Its strength however, doesn't necessarily mandate a pairing with a full-flavoured, robust cigar. The rum is, in fact, remarkably smooth and exhibits exuberant fruitiness rather than a dominant woody or spicy profile. An excellent match for this rum is the Hoyo de Monterrey Le Hoyo de Rio Seco (5½” x 56 ring gauge). It offers a slightly fuller-flavoured interpretation of the classic Hoyo de Monterrey that complements the high-proof nature of the rum, while remaining true to the overall elegant style of the brand. This creates a pairing that allows the liquid to shine.
Creating the ideal pairing of rum and cigars is an art that involves a meticulous consideration of the distinct characteristics of both the cigar and the rum. It can also take the form of a profoundly personal endeavour, informed by individual preferences, emotions, and moods. Whatever the chosen approach to cigar and rum matching, however, a focus on great rums and equally premium cigars is central to combinations that elevate the tasting experience. Combinations that must transcend simple juxtaposition of flavours, birthing a symphony of aromas where every sip and puff is an ode to indulgence, and moments that linger on the palate and in the memory.