World Whisky and Cigar Challenge 2006

What is the best combination of whisky and cigar? Rob Allanson joined a large panel of judges to find out.

For a cigar smoker this year’s World Whisky and Cigar challenge was not just about drinking and smoking. Being a judge at the event, held at Boisdales Restaurant in London, it was more like being a football manager presented with four different pairs of strikers.

Do you choose something big up front that might have problems finishing, a timid starter that packs a punch at the end or a good all round crowd pleaser?

The venue for the challenge could not have been more conducive, and the company looked up to the task ahead. Four combinations of cigars and whisky, including a bourbon, had made it through the initial tasting round. With a room packed full of some 28 of the best cigar connoisseurs and whisky aficionados in the United Kingdom, it looked like the fab four combinations were going to be sipped, savoured and generally pulled apart for their merits.

The judges included representatives from Hunters and Frankau, Davidoff, Pappy Van Winkle, Whyte and Mackay, Inver House Distillers and cigar and whisky merchants.

The four variations were organised in blind flights, and taking to the tasting mats first were a pairing of Dalmore Black Pearl and Davidoff’s Millennium blend, and the same whisky with an Avo Domaine.

As the whisky was the same, the battle ground for these first two flights really was the cigars.

As the 50 sticks were cut and lit, and the judges brought them up to cruising temperature, the dining room turned into a cauldron of discussion. The cigars really split the judges opinion and this became clear when the votes were added up, with both combinations scoring almost equally.

“The whisky had a nose of lemon and spice and had a soft sweetness to it with a warm finish, combining with a chunky, grown up cigar which gently opened after 15 minutes smoking. After 25 minutes an even sweeter smoke union is imparted, very pleasing,” said the BBC’s Nigel Barden.

“Cigar number two was mild and possibly more elusive cigar, combined with a big spice hit, but with less fruit and richness than combo one,” agreed Richard Paterson from Whyte and Mackay .

“The first was a warm, rich and elegant combination of tobacco and the whisky, quite outstanding,” he added.

“However the second really excelled. Good body and finesse appear to quickly complement both components. I really began to be seduced by this excellent combination.”

Davidoff’s Ron Baldwinson found his tastebuds being drawn to the second combination.

“The first cigar was very light, quite fresh. The whisky was quite powerful and overwhelms the cigar so the match is not particularly good,” he said.

“The second cigar was slightly harsh, but the whisky more gentle and as such the two complement each other well.”

After a good 40 minutes of animated discussion and tasting the second flight of combinations was offered up for its battle with the taste buds.

This included, in combination number three, the swerveball of a bourbon – Pappy Van Winkle 20 year old. Combination three was the bourbon and Don Ramos Churchill, and number four was Whyte and Mackay 30 year old with the same cigar.

The bourbon really did drive a wedge between the judges. For some the drink drove this combination, but for others the bourbon was just too much. However the final combination seemed to strike a chord with many of the judges.

“The third cigar had a sweetness that went well with the whisky,” Hunters and Frankau’s Simon Chase commented.

“The fourth combination was a winner for me. Agreat whisky and cigar combining with sweetness.”

Davidoff’s Edward Sahakian did not think the Van Winkle blended well with the Don Ramos, but found himself firmly supporting the fourth combination of Whyte and Mackay.

“This cigar and whisky went extremely well together. They complemented each other very well and were my number one choice.”

Cigar merchant Mitch Orchant was less impressed with the cigars in the second flight.

“The first whisky overpowered the cigar, which had a firm draw and had a very light flavour. It was a touch sour and not complex,” he added.

“The second whisky was delightful, but the cigar was still overwhelmed as the whisky was complex but the cigar was not.”

As the final cigar was allowed to die a dignified death in an ashtray and the remnants of the whiskies drained, the voting showed one clear winner.

This year’s crown of World Whisky and Cigar Challenge winner goes to the Honduran Don Ramos cigar and Whyte and Mackay 30 year old.

While not every single judge’s favourite – this was a democratic vote after all – most agreed that the whisky brought the best out of the cigar and vice versa.

The sweet, slightly sherried wellbalanced whisky just hit home with the earthy, mellow smoke.