Cigars with port

[ario]

Hi,
The only times I've had cigars so far is at a cigar bar in the middle of london somewhere & a few times by buying a few corona tubos at airports then flying 10 hours and smoking them at the other end with a few mates (fun but not as brilliant).

I have no idea what I had in the cigar bar as it's been a long while now.. but whatever it was it went amazingly well with the glass of port I had.

What cigars would you recommend with a good glass of port?
And are there still cigar bars about in the middle of london & can anyone point me to one if there is? :smile: thanks

[nicwing]

Ario
There are very few places in London where you can smoke.

If you go to the site for my Cigar Walk there is a list of places you can drink and smoke in central London.

http://www.citiesinsound.com/shopWebSite/php/infoPage.php?page=20

Of all the places I personally recommend Boisdale near Victoria and Franco's in Jermyn street right opposite Davidoff. You just have to go in to meet Edward Sahakian the store owner, and tell him who sent you. He's a really great guy and will help you with your initial selection.

[daverave999]

I recently had my first glass of port (Cockburns) with a Ramon Allones Specially Selected. They seemed to go well together to my taste.

[whisky77]

Late Bottle Vintage port (LBV) goes nice with any cigars IMO, and Marks & Spencer do a nice little bottle which is not too expensive.

If you can splash out, then some of the older LBV found in some of the better wine merchants are great with your favourite smoke.

[Robusto]

I enjoy port with cigars but have never looked into special or recommended ports.

All names dropped in these windows will be slurped over time.

I'm inclined to enjoy sweet drinks, so port suits me far better than whisky with a cigar.

[Major_Tom]

Robusto - you tried a nice sweet malt like Macallan 10yo sherry cask? Well worth it.

Personally I find port's sweetness a tad overpowering for cigars. But I can imagine it going with something really rich and flavourful quite well -I'm thinking R&J Escudos LE 07 or similar. Wow did I love that cigar!

[Robusto]

Major T - No. I haven't tried that, Sir, but I will now. Thank you.

Your avatar is cool, by the way. Who is that?

[Major_Tom]

That is me! On a pub herf of my own with a few friends.

[Robusto]

Fantastic!

I might have believed it was a WW2 epic where cigar-toting Yanks meet pipe-puffing Brits amongst the Spitfires on an airfield somewhere in Surrey.

[ario]

Ario
There are very few places in London where you can smoke.

If you go to the site for my Cigar Walk there is a list of places you can drink and smoke in central London.

http://www.citiesinsound.com/shopWebSite/php/infoPage.php?page=20

Of all the places I personally recommend Boisdale near Victoria and Franco's in Jermyn street right opposite Davidoff. You just have to go in to meet Edward Sahakian the store owner, and tell him who sent you. He's a really great guy and will help you with your initial selection.

Wow Thanks!
I will try to check it out the next time I'm up there. (probably this weekend)

[Pantomimehorse]

I was given a bottle of Port for my birthday last year, its still sealed, I've never actually tried Port before, not sure why but I get the feeling it will be wasted on me.

[Major_Tom]

Fantastic!

I might have believed it was a WW2 epic where cigar-toting Yanks meet pipe-puffing Brits amongst the Spitfires on an airfield somewhere in Surrey.

Well, I would cut a dashing picture in some airforce blues, don'tcha know...

*twirls moustache*

[ario]

I usually drink a lot of port during glastonbury festival since it doesn't need cooling/ice and doesn't hammer me as quickly as a spirit.

This year I'm looking to take a few cheap cigars take aswell. So I ordered a box of JLP Cazadores to share, hopefully they won't be that horrible even though they'll have had pretty much no time in the humidor.

So just in case I thought I might take a couple cigars recommended from here :cool:

[Major_Tom]

Glastonbury? Make sure you bring a waterproof humi for your sticks! :P And an anchor for when they make a spirited attempt to float away...

"Cigar Caddy" for aforementionned purpose can be had from the US for a handful of dollars and I can't fault them.

[ario]

hmm a cigar caddy eh? Do you know how long it'll take to ship?
The festival is in the couple weeks.. so due to the time constraints I was planning on using a ziplock type box with something to keep them humidified. Not sure on what though..

[Major_Tom]

Yeah that sounds alright. You can buy a few bits and pieces for humidifying small numbers of cigars, namely humidisticks, humidipuck and travel humidfiers, as well as pouches etc. Cgars Ltd have a good range and excellent service:

http://www.cgarsltd.co.uk/cigar-humidors-hygrometers-humidifiers-c-320_157_208.html

My caddy took about 2 weeks to get to me (from ebay). Holds 15 48g cigars on nice secure foam and cost about £25 all told. As well as being pretty darn bulletproof it can keep your cigars fresh whilst deep-sea diving and also used as a liferaft.
The humidifier is very small and would need to be refilled often if any sticks took up permanent residence in it, but is fine for weekends and the like.

[nicwing]

I can't believe there are so many Port virgins around.

It's a great drink but unless you have very deep pockets getting into good cigars and vintage port is going to be an expensive business.

I have about 10 bottles of very good port under the stairs and have a great source for Old Crusted.

The main problem these days is that I tend to drink it like wine, I always had a really good system for not getting pished and I generally know when I have had enough.....except when I drink port.

Dangerous stuff.

[whisky77]

I can't believe there are so many Port virgins around.

It's a great drink but unless you have very deep pockets getting into good cigars and vintage port is going to be an expensive business.

I have about 10 bottles of very good port under the stairs and have a great source for Old Crusted.

The main problem these days is that I tend to drink it like wine, I always had a really good system for not getting pished and I generally know when I have had enough.....except when I drink port.

Dangerous stuff.

Interesting Nic, I will normally have one small glass with my cigar and that will be it, and I never drink port unless I have a cigar.

Wish i could say the same about the whisky.:p

[Major_Tom]

We had freeflowing vintage Taylor's a few year ago when my sister got married. A colossal cheesboard and unlimited port, I was in heaven! Alongside cheese is where Port spiritually belongs, in my book.

If anyone is looking at trying some for the first time its worth buying something nice; as with most drinks the cheap stuff can be foul but the premium ranges are really excellent.

[daverave999]

Just been down the road to M&S and invested in a bottle of that LBV port that whisky77 recommended. I wasn't going to smoke tonight, but I may end up doing so now...


You can buy a few bits and pieces for humidifying small numbers of cigars, namely humidisticks, humidipuck and travel humidfiers, as well as pouches etc. Cgars Ltd have a good range and excellent service:

http://www.cgarsltd.co.uk/cigar-humidors-hygrometers-humidifiers-c-320_157_208.html
I used one of the humidifying pouches when I first started on the cigars, and they work fine. Might want some kind of hard case around it to protect them from impact if possible.

[yankeefan]

hmmmmmmmmmmm you guys are giving me ideas here. the wife and i are going out thursday to our fave restaurant. my birthday.:41: i liketo have an after dinner drink, and this discussin on port does dound good.:smoke: thanks men

[Deano]

I absolutely love port. In the winter you'll often find me devouring a bottle and a large slice of brie, stilton, or similar.

However, I'm not sure it'll go great with cigars. It's a bit strong. I prefer a weaker tipple, or at least a strong one with some watering down.

For instance, I certainly can't have a cigar with coffee - has to be an Earl Grey or something.

Having said that, I'm currently having a Monte PE with the usual coke and 7 year old Havana Club. What do I know.

[daverave999]

Deano, try it with a RASS :eyebrows:

[Stevieboy]

I love port too...all varieties but esp. a 10 YO Tawny...mmmm

Whilst in Spain I few years ago, I tried chilled port for the first time...utterly amazing and felt totally different on the palate...a bit thicker and sweeter...I went through a phase for a year or two after of only drinking it chilled. Recommended!!!!

[nicwing]

Hey Stevieboy, are you talking about white port or the traditional red?

[Stevieboy]

Hey Stevieboy, are you talking about white port or the traditional red?

Sorry Nic...should have said: Porto Rouge!! Excellent stuff. Even cheap stuff tastes excellent after a few hours dans le frigo :)

[nicwing]

Interesting, I have had chilled red wine but never red port, so many things to try and so little time.

I tried white port at room temperature and it was bloody awful, only to be told you had to drink it well chilled.

[Stevieboy]

I tried white port at room temperature and it was bloody awful, only to be told you had to drink it well chilled.

LOL!!! I've done that too but thought it tasted not bad :tongue:

[Robusto]

Because of this thread, I bought a £20 selection box of five 20cl bottles of different ports on the P&O home yesterday afternoon.

Graham's Fine White Port
Graham's Fine Ruby Port
Graham's Late Bottled Vintage Port
Graham's Six Grapes Port
Graham's 10 Year Old Port

I hate buying selection boxes of anything because I think they are a bit gay. A single bottle of any of the above was on sale for around a tenner, so this is a real rip-off.

I don't know if Graham's is the gnat's piss make of port, but I'm taking a toke glass down to my smoke shack and am going to try the different ports out with different Havanas.

I have a feeling I'm going to be very happy for a while down there. Indeed, I'm about to pair a JL No2 with a glass or two of 10 Year Old Port on a beautiful afternoon. Pig in shit comes to mind. :smoke:

[whisky77]

Because of this thread, I bought a £20 selection box of five 20cl bottles of different ports on the P&O home yesterday afternoon.

Graham's Fine White Port
Graham's Fine Ruby Port
Graham's Late Bottled Vintage Port
Graham's Six Grapes Port
Graham's 10 Year Old Port

I hate buying selection boxes of anything because I think they are a bit gay. A single bottle of any of the above was on sale for around a tenner, so this is a real rip-off.

I don't know if Graham's is the gnat's piss make of port, but I'm taking a toke glass down to my smoke shack and am going to try the different ports out with different Havanas.

I have a feeling I'm going to be very happy for a while down there. Indeed, I'm about to pair a JL No2 with a glass or two of 10 Year Old Port on a beautiful afternoon. Pig in shit comes to mind. :smoke:

Good choice Robusto, Graham`s is quality stuff indeed.I have tried their Ruby and 10YO and they are both good , but the Graham`s LBV takes a bit of beating IMO.

[celsis]

Ah, Port. Reminds me of a time a few years ago when I'd just come back from Paris. A mate had a few tickets for the opening of a new club and I decided to wear the new sand coloured suit that I'd bought in France. It was a semi formal type 'do' so my mate had impressed upon me the need to remain sober. I told him it would be no problem as all I'd be drinking was port!

To cut a long a lond story short, the evening was a disaster. I hadn't eaten all day and got to the club and started drinking Port. Half way through the evening, it started to get to me and I ended up dancing with this beautiful woman with a large glass of Port in my hand. Suffice to say that the Port ended up all over my new suit! Stains rather badly, it does!

So, there I was at this 'do', drunk as a skunk and covered in Port! You could say I created a negative impression!

[Robusto]

lol celsis!

I have a problem.

I think alcohol blots out the cigar tobaco taste. I took modest quaffs of port with my JLNo2 yesterday and couldn't taste the cigar half as much. This is why I cannot drink whisky with a cigar.

Should I pour it all down the toilet?

[Mr Omneo]

down the toilet!?! good grief NO!!

If you don't like it with a cigar, keep it with some cheese, a stick or two of celery and perhaps a few ripe grapes...

I have to admit I drink port like wine i.e. from a wine glass rather than my dinky little port glasses, which only get used when i have company, I find i just can't sip it as slowly as I should...

[daverave999]

I'll only have a sip every 5 to 10 minutes. More as a complement to the cigar. Not 'with' it, if that makes any sense. The cigar flavour seeps back in as the drink taste ebbs away.

Though I seem to enjoy them far less when drunk, and I've found Sprite to go well with cigars.

[Stevieboy]

I thought something along the same lines!! Great pic...reminded me of a 50's US pilot with fur-lined collar and all LOL


Fantastic!

I might have believed it was a WW2 epic where cigar-toting Yanks meet pipe-puffing Brits amongst the Spitfires on an airfield somewhere in Surrey.

[HabanoSy]

As the in-laws were thru today i opened a Fonseca Guimaraens Vintage Port 1978 to have with the cigars after dinner (Monte Edmundos).

I have to say it WOW!!! IMHO they paired together perfectly...

[cesara valverde]

Well here's my 2p: Though I've never been a big port fan I do still ahve most of a case of '85 Fonseca which I have drunk with cigars on a couple of occasions.

Firstly no cigar is going to match the rich sweetness of port so a 'complimentary' rich sweet cigar (bolivar RCs, Juan Lopez, any LE/Maduro) isn't going to work well. Rather I'd go for something equally brash but that will contradict the sweetness with dry or salty flavours.

Cigars I'd consider would be: Sancho Panzas a Romeo y Julieta Churchill or any of the Cuabas, some of the stronger 1492 Cohiba's might work too (I'm thinking maybe a Lancero). The Cuaba Diadema is, IMHO, Cuba's most under-rated cigar.

Finally, and most impostantly: don't go for anything with what you would call 'vintage' age on it (10yrs+) beacuse it will just get blown away.

Bear in mind that all tis advice is from someone who has doen his fair share of drinking and smoking in his time... so my palate is probably completely bollixed, and my opinions near-worthless.