One of the most common questions new smokers ask — or secretly Google — is:
“What should I drink with a cigar?”
It’s one of the most common questions among new smokers — and for good reason. Cigars offer depth and complexity, and the right drink can complement that beautifully.
But somewhere along the way, cigar pairings began to feel overly technical.
They’re not.
At their core, pairings are simply:
Simple combinations that taste good together.
Relax — you don’t need a trained palate or a leather-bound tasting journal. Let’s break down the best drinks with cigars in plain English.
A good pairing does one of two things:
✓ Complement the cigar’s flavors
✓ Contrast them in a pleasing way
That’s it.
No rituals. No rules written in cedar.
Think of it like food pairing: salty + sweet, bold + smooth, rich + refreshing.
There’s a reason bourbon and cigars show up together so often.
Bourbon tends to bring:
Which pairs beautifully with cigars that lean:
Beginner-friendly combo:
Mild Connecticut + smooth bourbon
Richer combo:
Maduro + wheated bourbon
Burton Tip: Sip, don’t shoot. Fast bourbon ruins slow cigars.
If bourbon is dessert-like warmth, cigars and whiskey offer deeper intensity.
Whiskey’s common notes:
Pair especially well with:
A smoky scotch + bold cigar can be an incredible experience — just maybe not your first rodeo if you’re new.
Coffee is one of the best drinks with cigars, especially for beginners.
Why it works:
✓ natural bitterness balances richness
✓ enhances cocoa / nutty notes
✓ works morning OR evening
Try:
Coffee is forgiving, accessible, and hard to mess up.
Rum doesn’t get enough love in cigar conversations.
Rum brings:
Perfect with:
Dark rum + Maduro = dangerously smooth pairing.
Beer is casual, refreshing, and surprisingly versatile.
Easy matches:
Carbonation cleanses the palate between draws — making each puff feel fresh.
If you’re staring at your bar cart wondering what to drink with a cigar, start here:
Safest beginner pairings:
✓ Coffee
✓ Bourbon
✓ Rum
They complement more cigars than they clash with.
Here’s something experienced smokers learn eventually:
The “perfect” pairing is subjective.
Some people love:
Others prefer:
Experimentation is the whole point.
Sampler packs make pairing experiments easy.
Instead of committing to full boxes, you can try:
…with bourbon, coffee, whiskey, rum — whatever you enjoy.
Burton’s sampler packs are built exactly for this kind of exploration.
Great cigar pairings aren’t about rules — they’re about enjoyment.
Start with drinks you already like. Match intensity. Sip slowly. Pay attention to what tastes good to you.
That’s the whole game.
Because at the end of the day, the best drink with a cigar is the one that makes you want another sip — and another draw.
Find the perfect cigar to go with your next beverage here.