Pairing Cigars & Alcohol – Rutte Single Oat

Cigars and fine liquor are a natural pairing, enhancing each other’s complexity and depth. Whether it’s a rich whisky, a smooth rum, or a refined cognac, the right drink can elevate the cigar experience, and vice versa. This synergy is so profound that some cigar brands take it a step further, aging their tobacco in liquor barrels to infuse their cigars with unique flavours.

Several iconic collaborations between cigar and liquor brands have emerged from this shared passion for craftsmanship. Maker’s Mark, for example, offers cigars housed in their signature wax-sealed tubes, while Drew Estate has partnered with Pappy Van Winkle and even crafted Kahlua-flavoured cigars in the past. General Cigars has teamed up with Sazerac, resulting in creations like Fireball cigars and Weller by Cohiba, alongside partnerships with Buffalo Trace. Diesel’s Whisky Row cigars, produced in collaboration with Rabbit Hole Distilleries, are another fine example of this harmonious relationship.

Cuban cigars have also embraced this trend, with Cohiba famously collaborating with Martell Cognac. In Europe, Dominique London, a luxury retailer, has gone even further by acquiring a distillery in Wales, producing their own whisky, gin, rum, and other liquors to pair with their cigars.

Pairing cigars with liquor creates a world of possibilities for the discerning connoisseur, allowing both the cigar and the spirit to shine through their complementary flavours. This rich tradition continues to inspire new partnerships and innovations, providing endless enjoyment for enthusiasts.

Rutte & Zn Distillery: A Legacy of Craftsmanship and Innovation

Established in 1872 by Simon Rutte, Rutte & Zn Distillery has been a cornerstone of Dutch distilling heritage for over 150 years. Located in the historic city of Dordrecht, the distillery continues to operate in its original premises, where traditional methods are honoured, and innovation thrives.

From its inception, Rutte & Zn distinguished itself by blending time-honoured techniques with a spirit of experimentation. The distillery’s motto, “Distilled with Passion,” reflects its commitment to quality and creativity. Under the guidance of Master Distiller Myriam Hendrickx, Rutte & Zn has expanded its repertoire to include a diverse range of jenevers, gins, and liqueurs, each crafted with meticulous attention to detail.

One of Rutte’s notable innovations is the Single Oat Genever, a 100% malt wine genever distilled solely from oats. This unique approach imparts a rich, full-bodied character to the spirit, setting it apart from traditional grain-based jenevers. Matured in American oak barrels, the Single Oat Genever showcases the distillery’s dedication to producing exceptional spirits that honour both tradition and innovation.

Visitors to the distillery can experience firsthand the craftsmanship that has defined Rutte & Zn for generations. The historic building houses a shop where patrons can purchase the full range of Rutte spirits, including exclusive offerings not available elsewhere. The distillery also offers workshops and tastings, providing an immersive experience into the art of distillation.

Rutte & Zn Distillery stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of Dutch distilling, where passion, tradition, and innovation converge to create spirits of exceptional quality.

Neat

This Rutte Single Oat smells very different than regular genever. It’s sweet and aromatic. I smell honey and something that reminds me of hay. The spirit is rich, full of flavour. Sweetness with some spice and a far cry from the traditional Rutte jenever. Much more to my liking. The finish has a fruity aroma, prunes, and a surprising lingering coconut flavour. While I was expecting to have to pair this with a strong cigar, after tasting the spirit, I change my mind. A medium bodied, creamy cigar is the best fit for this Single Oat Genever if you drink it neat.

Oat Old Fashioned

A jenever based old fashioned that uses this special Genever as a base spirit. The nose has orange, but the honey sweetness from the jenever shines through. The addition of the Angostura makes the drink more bitter, but the orange from the garnish makes its way into the flavour as well. This cocktail is less smooth than this spirit neat. And that’s why I suggest a slightly stronger cigar with some sweetness in the flavour profile.

And now for the Oat Old Fashioned recipe:
60ml Rutte Single Oat
7½ml Demerara syrup
2 dashes Angostura bitters
orange peel
Add the ingredients in a mixing glass with ice and stir. Strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice. Express the orange peel over the glass and drop it in the cocktail

Dutch Sour

A light, aromatic cocktail that plays with citrus, spice, and herbaceous notes — perfect for pairing with milder or medium-strength cigars. This is a Cigar Inspector original cocktail.

The nose is bright and fresh, lemony like a freshly cleaned house. The lemon is strong in the cocktail as well, but not overly strong. The sweetness and spice mellow the citrus out, while the bitters add depth. I paired this with a La Aroma de Cuba (also known as La Aroma del Caribe in overseas markets), that pairing worked well.

And now for the Dutch Sour recipe:
45ml Rutte Single Oat
22½ml Lemon juice
15ml Honey syrup
2 dashes of Peychaud’s bitters
1 egg white.
Add all the ingredients in a shaker without ice and shake (or if you are lazy, use a milk frother to emulsify the drink). Add ice and shake again. Strain into a coupe glass and garnish with a lemon twist.

Spiced Oat & Ginger

Another Cigar Inspector original cocktail. The nose is mild, with hints of lime, ginger and honey. The ginger and lime are also in the flavour of the cocktail but watered down by the soda water. The spice from the jenever is there, but the sweetness is completely gone due to that soda water. It makes the cocktail quite bland and unassuming. It is a unique flavour profile, just not very outspoken. This will go well with most cigars, except very strong cigars that will overpower the drink completely.

And now for the Spiced Oat & Ginger recipe:
60ml Rutte Single Oat
15ml Lime Juice
15ml Ginger syrup
Soda water to top
Lime wheel or candied ginger to garnish.
Add genever, lime juice, and ginger syrup to a shaker with ice. Shake briefly and strain into a highball glass filled with fresh ice. Top with club soda. Garnish with lime wheel or candied ginger.