Craft Cider & Cigar Pairings
The tart, effervescent taste of cider creates a crisp, refreshing contrast to the deep and smoky texture of a premium cigar. Although cider’s lower alcohol content may make it less probable for pairing with cigars, cider, like hard seltzer, has been gobbling up shelf space from beer for years. Cider has been around for centuries, since at least 55 BC that we know of. And there are plenty of cigar lovers who’ve traded in their suds for hard cider, which is derived from fermented apple juice. Some cider you can sip hot, too, if you’re tailgating before a football game in the cold. Here are a few good ciders to add to the cooler in your man cave with some cigars to go along.
Woodchuck Amber & New World by AJ Fernandez
Woodchuck beat other ciders to the punchline decades ago when it debuted, and they’ve perfected their formula with innovative ciders, including Granny Smith, Bubbly Pearsecco, and Mimosa. But you can’t go wrong with the original Woodchuck Amber, which shines with a fresh red apple flavor and golden, sparkling color. This iconic drink only tastes better when you’re smoking an ultra-popular New World by AJ Fernandez. An oily Nicaraguan wrapper leaf envelops a complex amalgam of premium Nicaraguan long-fillers. Rich notes of espresso and earth meet with sweet hints of dark chocolate before a smooth and spicy finish resonates.
Wölffer No. 139 Dry Rosé Cider & Nub Connecticut
Wölffer No. 139 Dry Rosé Cider hails from Bridgehampton, New York, and the brand has won numerous awards. Because the Wölffer Estate makes wine, rosé, and cider, you know you’re getting the best of both worlds when you sip their Dry Rosé Cider. Best served chilled with hors d’oeuvres and cheeses, this crisp and elegant cider is both sweet and dry enough without going too far in either direction. The short, chunky shape of Nub Connecticut delivers a luscious profile of cedar, almond, and white pepper that complements Wölffer No. 139 Dry Rosé Cider throughout a creamy, easygoing finish. Nub cigars are handcrafted in the award-winning Oliva factory from vintage Nicaraguan long-fillers and a golden-blond Ecuador Connecticut wrapper.
Angry Orchard Hard Cider & Rocky Patel Decade
Brought to you by the brewers of Samuel Adams, Boston Beer Company also produces Angry Orchard Hard Cider. Their flagship cider is vibrant and bracing, and it goes well with sharp cheeses and spicy appetizers. Plus, the company hosts a whole array of seasonal and limited-edition releases. Pair their original cider with the popular 95-rated profile of Rocky Patel Decade. An oily Ecuador Sumatra wrapper embraces a premium blend of Dominican and Nicaraguan long-fillers assembled in six traditional sizes. Savor a nutty and toasty profile with notes of nuts, black cherry, leather, and wood with a delicious, lingering spice.
2 Towns Ciderhouse BrightCider & Alec Bradley Family Blend
2 Towns Ciderhouse is produced in South Corvallis, Oregon, where the company has grown to over 100 employees in a decade, and they exclusively use delicious Northwest apples to make their flagship BrightCider blend, among nearly a dozen others. The balanced and juicy profile of BrightCider is consistent, dry, and not too sweet. Crack a can open when you’re smoking a 94-rated Alec Bradley Family Blend. Notes of leather, wood, and cayenne mingle before an earthy and toasty finish creates a warm backdrop against the cider’s bubbly texture. A reddish-brown Honduran wrapper leaf envelops an array of well-aged Nicaraguan and Honduran long-fillers tucked within Indonesian binders.
Portland Cider & Perdomo 10th Anniversary Champagne
Portland Cider Company underscores the influence of Northwest apples in the cider industry, and they rely on old-school cider-making traditions that originated in Somerset, England. The brand’s Kinda Dry cider achieved a massive audience with a subtle but lingering profile that doesn’t taste overly of apples. They recommend pairing it with pulled pork and Italian sausage, so we’ll go one step further and tell you to fire up a Perdomo 10th Anniversary Champagne, which is Nick Perdomo’s flagship cigar. Notes of cedar, white pepper, and coffee bean develop in a collection of thicker sizes. An Ecuador Connecticut wrapper leaf conceals a consistent blend of premium Nicaraguan long-filler tobaccos.
