P&C Pairing Guide by Russ Ouellette

[admin]

Javan, thanks for compiling the list, and Russ, thanks for creating the pairings guide.
I've tried several of them, but my go-to is coffee or espresso during the day, and a dark spirit in the evening - whiskey, scotch, and even rum.

 

[briarbuda48]

Great thread, thank you. I screen shot the list for reference.

 

[mso489]

Chilled or iced water, the purer the better, gives a nice coating to the mouth that seems to increase the volume of smoke slightly without diminishing taste, and gives a clarity to the taste of a blend or single-leaf that you won't get with a flavored drink.

 

[jvnshr]

Chilled or iced water

Right MSO, I have learned this one from Jiminks long time ago. Cold water will also soothe the pain of tongue bite.

 

[unkleyoda]

Jameson and Black Bush are my daily favs

Have you ever tried Powers? I like Jameson and all the Bushmill's stuff, but I think Powers is superior to both. Try it sometime.

 

[workman]

This is fascinating. I haven't the expertice to add anything useful other than my experience, that when I smoke a blend high in nicotine, an alcoholic beverage will mellow out the nicotine, making it pleasantly intoxicating rather than nauseating.

 

[jvnshr]

Personal experiences:
- Mac Baren 7 Seas Regular blend tastes amazingly well after a spicy (black pepper spice) lentil soup.

- Dunhill Early Morning Pipe pairs well with black tea.

- Solani 633 pairs well with ice water.

 

[deathmetal]

try them with a pumpkin spice latte

You could just drink a bucket of foamy pink AIDS, which is about the same thing. Otherwise, great guide!

 

[jvnshr]

New pairings have been added to the list.

 

[krizzose]

I really like unsweetened cinnamon tea with VaOr blends, and bourbon with burley

 

[mso489]

i don't always have the time or selection of beverages to be exacting with beverage pairings, but I do think that straight black tea (no extra flavors, like P&G Tips) goes nicely with many English and Balkan blends, and green tea complements Virgnias and Va/Pers, it seems to me.

 

[blendtobac]

There are a few drinks I think of as universal palate cleansers - coffee, tea, club soda, light lagers, dry white wines. Acidity, carbonation, and tannins will keep the tongue fresh, and all of the drinks mentioned have at least one of those properties. Of all of them, I drink coffee most often, but it's probably the least effective palate cleanser of the bunch because it has the longest finish (aftertaste).
Russ

 

[derekflint]

I do think that straight black tea (no extra flavors, like P&G Tips) goes nicely with many English and Balkan blends, and green tea complements Virgnias and Va/Pers, it seems to me

+2 on that ...........

 

[npod]

Mountain Dew
The above is in tribute to Cosmic
I quit drinking alcohol a while back and now only sparkling water or coffee (sometimes tea) with pipe tobacco or cigars. Honestly, it makes a difference. The flavors really pop.

 

[theloniousmonkfish]

Honestly, it makes a difference. The flavors really pop.

I've experienced the same.

 

[thomasw]

Thanks for posting and putting together this pairings list.
My go-to has been black coffee or tea. A red wine, dark ale or single malt are my favourite alcohol beverages with a pipe.

 

[curl]

I need to expand my drinking horizons.

About all I have is brown water.

Coffee, whiskey and beer are my usual smoking libations.

 

[jvnshr]

The list has been updated.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Really I can drink Mountain Dew with anything, but when I'm feeling the need to pair drinks with smoke;
Aromatics and Burley-Coffee
Virginias and VaPers-Earl Grey
Latakia-Lemonade
I prefer to drink spirits on their own to fully enjoy them on their own merits.

 

[jvnshr]

Really I can drink Mountain Dew with anything, but when I'm feeling the need to pair drinks with smoke;
Aromatics and Burley-Coffee
Virginias and VaPers-Earl Grey
Latakia-Lemonade
I prefer to drink spirits on their own to fully enjoy them on their own merits.

Same here Duane. I can pair 7up with anything, especially cigars, it is a nice palate cleanser. +1 on pairing Earl Grey with Va and Va/Pers. I don't like drinking alcohol while smoking pipe either, but beers are paired really well with cigars, especially weizens with dark wrappers.