Rediscovering Old Knowledge: Flavor Synergy and Antagonism

[ChubbyOldHiker]

So I'm only about a month or so back to smoking a pipe after a 30 year break. So far, I'm sticking to non-aromatic blends, my favorite being C&D Habana Daydream, but I have tried about a dozen other blends as well.

Saturday night I was enjoying my second large glass of cheap red wine (Franzia Dark & Luscious--definitely one but not so sure about the other) when I decided to smoke a nice bowl. Thumbing through the blends I had, I decided on C&D Dark Fired Kentucky, in honor of a recent all-too-brief trip back to my hometown of Lexington, KY. This would be my second bowl of it--the first had been enjoyable, but nothing mind blowing.

The wine is harsh. Acidic. Astringent. Drinkable if you go fast. Attempting to savor might turn your stomach.

The tobacco is fairly harsh too. Smoky and strong. Overall pleasant, but only if you go slow. Better than the wine but not by much.

Together, though...

They are DYNAMITE. Their harshness cancels each other out, leaving just the fruit of the wine and the mellow wood smoke and slight breadiness of the DFK. I couldn't get enough. I blew through that bowl, and that glass, so quickly I fried my tongue and wound up with a truly excellent nicotine and alcohol buzz.

Tonight I tried it again. Same wine, but this time with C&D Bayou Night. BN is very good--I like the spicy perique and tangy tobacco flavor when by itself. Paired with the wine, however, both suffered. The perique absolutely took over in a thoroughly unpleasant manner, and the wine turned to formaldehyde.

I feel like this is something people know already, though maybe not these specific pairings. What pairings have others found to be enjoyable/avoided at all costs?

 

[AirOne]

So I'm only about a month or so back to smoking a pipe after a 30 year break. So far, I'm sticking to non-aromatic blends, my favorite being C&D Habana Daydream, but I have tried about a dozen other blends as well.

Saturday night I was enjoying my second large glass of cheap red wine (Franzia Dark & Luscious--definitely one but not so sure about the other) when I decided to smoke a nice bowl. Thumbing through the blends I had, I decided on C&D Dark Fired Kentucky, in honor of a recent all-too-brief trip back to my hometown of Lexington, KY. This would be my second bowl of it--the first had been enjoyable, but nothing mind blowing.

The wine is harsh. Acidic. Astringent. Drinkable if you go fast. Attempting to savor might turn your stomach.

The tobacco is fairly harsh too. Smoky and strong. Overall pleasant, but only if you go slow. Better than the wine but not by much.

Together, though...

They are DYNAMITE. Their harshness cancels each other out, leaving just the fruit of the wine and the mellow wood smoke and slight breadiness of the DFK. I couldn't get enough. I blew through that bowl, and that glass, so quickly I fried my tongue and wound up with a truly excellent nicotine and alcohol buzz.

Tonight I tried it again. Same wine, but this time with C&D Bayou Night. BN is very good--I like the spicy perique and tangy tobacco flavor when by itself. Paired with the wine, however, both suffered. The perique absolutely took over in a thoroughly unpleasant manner, and the wine turned to formaldehyde.

I feel like this is something people know already, though maybe not these specific pairings. What pairings have others found to be enjoyable/avoided at all costs?

I do not see any gain in pairing. I just see a loss in flavors from both sides. If you need tobacco to appreciate your wine, you should change your wine. Also works the other way round

 

[Sam Whiskey]

I do not see any gain in pairing. I just see a loss in flavors from both sides. If you need tobacco to appreciate your wine, you should change your wine. Also works the other way round

It’s called synergy. Sometimes it’s almost like magic.

 

[AirOne]

It’s called synergy. Sometimes it’s almost like magic.

Yes, but what about most of the time ?
mixing two things you like and know well at the point you may get bored to get the most of them why not. But mixing two things that you don't like that's not for me.

 

[Sam Whiskey]

Yes, but what about most of the time ?
mixing two things you like and know well at the point you may get bored to get the most of them why not. But mixing two things that you don't like that's not for me.

It’s like the lottery. If you don’t play, you can’t win.

 

[Sigmund]

Its simple. If it works, it works.

What you drink with a smoke makes a huge difference. I find hot black tea with milk and sugar mixes insanely good with a VaPer. It makes both of them better. I have yet to find a tobacco that really works well with coffee the way I like it which is also with cream and sugar. I need to try black coffee. Its not that it isnt good...it just doesnt have that synergy.

 

[BingBong]

Its simple. If it works, it works.

What you drink with a smoke makes a huge difference. I find hot black tea with milk and sugar mixes insanely good with a VaPer. It makes both of them better. I have yet to find a tobacco that really works well with coffee the way I like it which is also with cream and sugar. I need to try black coffee. Its not that it isnt good...it just doesnt have that synergy.

Make it really strong, then 1792 will match it.

 

[Skippy Piper]

I'm smoking some particularly funky Gawith Hoggarth Brown Bogie twist and drinking a can of V8 right now, and my mouth has no idea what the heck is going on. Delightful!

 

[telescopes]

I find a Manhattan goes very well with many of my traditional English blends.

 

[beetlejockey]

I'm a big fan of black coffee and Early Morning Pipe (big shock, the tobacco for mornings goes well with coffee! Who would have thought?)

 

[Sam Whiskey]

Make it really strong, then 1792 will match it.

Since you made me pull it out, I’ll have a pour.

 

[Jacob74]

I like to pair strong black coffee with SWRA; Glenmorangie with balkans (particularly HH Balkan and Skiff mixture).

 

[bpinkstaff]

So I'm only about a month or so back to smoking a pipe after a 30 year break. So far, I'm sticking to non-aromatic blends, my favorite being C&D Habana Daydream, but I have tried about a dozen other blends as well.

Saturday night I was enjoying my second large glass of cheap red wine (Franzia Dark & Luscious--definitely one but not so sure about the other) when I decided to smoke a nice bowl. Thumbing through the blends I had, I decided on C&D Dark Fired Kentucky, in honor of a recent all-too-brief trip back to my hometown of Lexington, KY. This would be my second bowl of it--the first had been enjoyable, but nothing mind blowing.

The wine is harsh. Acidic. Astringent. Drinkable if you go fast. Attempting to savor might turn your stomach.

The tobacco is fairly harsh too. Smoky and strong. Overall pleasant, but only if you go slow. Better than the wine but not by much.

Together, though...

They are DYNAMITE. Their harshness cancels each other out, leaving just the fruit of the wine and the mellow wood smoke and slight breadiness of the DFK. I couldn't get enough. I blew through that bowl, and that glass, so quickly I fried my tongue and wound up with a truly excellent nicotine and alcohol buzz.

Tonight I tried it again. Same wine, but this time with C&D Bayou Night. BN is very good--I like the spicy perique and tangy tobacco flavor when by itself. Paired with the wine, however, both suffered. The perique absolutely took over in a thoroughly unpleasant manner, and the wine turned to formaldehyde.

I feel like this is something people know already, though maybe not these specific pairings. What pairings have others found to be enjoyable/avoided at all costs?

Interesting thanks for sharing!

 

[RAGallup]

I've found I enjoy a weak brandy & soda with the balkan blends I smoke.
(Hat tip to Bertie Wooster)

 

[WVOldFart]

I start every morning with a mug or two of coffee and Milan's "our" Prince Albert. I have started my day this way for years, formerly with the traditional Prince Albert until it moved to the Dominican Republic. Thankfully Milan's version is very good, perhaps even better than the original. The smokey flavor of the pipe with a good cup of coffee is just perfect to start a day.

 

[sardonicus87]

L.J. Peretti Blend DD and Dr Pepper is an amazing paring.

Beyond that, I haven't found any complementary pairings.

 

[dottlejockey]

Mornings are typically burley blends with strong coffee and a touch of heavy cream.
Water throughout the day.
Evenings i may do a V/P blend with a fruitier single malt (The Baller, Yamazaki, Paul John or Rampur).
Alternately, i find Kentucky pairs well with darker beer (which i drink seldom) or dirty, oily, funky single malts like Edradour, Craigellachie or Kilkerran.
Virginia blends can be interesting with certain blanco tequilas (Fortaleza, Patron or even El Padrino).
The list goes on...

 

[anthonyrosenthal74]

I think everything goes well with rum.

 

[Eireprof]

Iced water, black coffee, or Guinness typically for me. Usually iced water.

 

[Cigar City Piper]

Bourbon with everything!