Pairing Cigars & Alcohol – Wyborowa

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.

The Story of Wyborowa: A Polish Vodka with Global Reach

Wyborowa—derived from the Polish adjective wyborowy, meaning “fine”—is a celebrated brand of Polish vodka. The name originated from a favourable press article that described the spirit as wódka wyborowa (“fine vodka”). The phrase resonated so well that it became the brand’s official name: Wódka Wyborowa.

Initially a domestic favourite, Wyborowa began its journey into international markets in 1873, marking the start of its global expansion. In 1927, it achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first vodka brand to be registered as an international trademark.

Wyborowa’s international success grew rapidly throughout the 1950s and 60s, when it gained a strong foothold across major European countries. Notably, it became a dominant force in the UK, accounting for over 60% of vodka imports at the time.

However, like many Polish businesses, the distillery faced serious challenges during the country’s economic transformation in the late 1980s and early 90s. On the brink of bankruptcy, the historic Poznań distillery—where Wyborowa is produced—was given a second lease on life thanks to its global reputation. Recognising its international potential, French spirits giant Pernod Ricard acquired the brand, ensuring its continued production and legacy.

Today, Wódka Wyborowa remains a symbol of Polish vodka-making tradition, with a name that speaks to its refined quality and enduring appeal worldwide.

Neat

The spirit is very clear. The nose is strong, with plenty ethanol and just a hint of black pepper and rye bread. The spirit is quite clean and soft, almost creamy with pepper and pecans. The finish comes with some milk chocolate. I’m not a vodka fan, and I definitely would not drink this need, but if you do, I suggest pairing it with a strong, bold Maduro or Connecticut Broadleaf cigar.

Orange Whip

For those who have seen the iconic Blues Brothers, you might remember the Orange Whip, a cocktail ordered and drank in the movie by John Candy. Well, it contains vodka, so it’s perfect for this pairing.

The drink looks a bit like a milkshake, white and frothy. The orange is clearly the main flavour, but very creamy with a kick from the vodka and the flavours of the Plantaray 3 star white rum shines through too. It’s not unpleasant, but also not a stand out cocktail so I understand why it never caught on, even though the movie was a huge success. It reminds me a bit of a cream popsicle with a hard orange flavoured cover that I ate as a kid. I would pair this with a Ecuadorian Habano wrapped cigar, medium in body.

And now for the Orange Whip recipe:
30ml Vodka
30ml White rum
15ml Triple Sec
120ml Orange juice
60ml Heavy cream
Add all ingredients with ice in a shaker and free pour it in a pint glass. Garnish with an orange wedge.

Mermaid Mule

This is a riff on the Moscow Mule, built in the glass so easy to make. You need a big glass though, due to the volume of the liquids. The nose is pretty muted, not a lot is going on. It’s a very refreshing drink with the ginger and lime notes on the forefront, and a little kick from the vodka. This is a great summer cocktail with the refreshing flavours, the tropical blue colour, it all fits summer vibes. Pair this with a thick, fat yet mild to medium bodied cigar and you’ll have a great afternoon in the sun.

And now for the Mermaid Mule recipe:
60ml Vodka
30ml Blue Curacao
30ml Lime Juice
240ml Ginger beer
Fill a glass with ice. Add the vodka, blue curacao, lime juice. Stir gently to mix.

Long Island Sunset

A riff on the Long Island Iced Tea, one of the most famous cocktails in the world. The nose contains pineapple with a little orange juice and agave, which comes from the tequila. It looks stunning with the green hue at the bottom of the glass.

There are a lot of flavours in this cocktail, it’s a confusing mix with sweet pineapple at the forefront. But diluted by all the other flavours. It’s odd, and not as good as a regular long island iced tea in my humble opinion. I won’t make this cocktail again, but if you do, I suggest a cigar with bold flavours to overpower the taste of the cocktail. Any strong flavoured cigar will do.

And now for the Long Island Ice Tea recipe:

15ml Vodka
15ml White Rum
15ml Silver tequila
15ml London Dry Gin
15ml Triple sec
15ml Blue Curacao
75ml Orange juice
75ml Pineapple juice
Add all of the ingredients except the blue curacao to a shaker tin. Shake with ice for 8-10 seconds. Fill a hurricane glass with ice and add the blue curacao. Strain the mixed drink on top and garnish with an orange wheel. Give it a little gentle stir so the blue curacao mixes with the lower part of the cocktail to create a nice green hue at the bottom part of the glass.