Ten Best Cigar and Rum Pairings

Rum and Smoke: The Art of Pairing Cigars and Rum

It’s like a law engraved on a stone tablet—practically ordained. If you’re enjoying a premium cigar and want an adult beverage, you reach for the brown stuff. And by brown stuff, we’re mainly talking whiskey styles like bourbon, Scotch, Rye, and Tennessee. But what about that other brown liquor, the one that’s been around for 5000 years or so? What about pairing premium cigars with rum?

Rum, a distilled spirit made from sugar cane juice or fermented molasses, comes in many varieties from White/Light and Amber/Gold to Dark/Aged/Anejo, English/Overproof, and Spiced/Flavored. It’s these darker options that we’re after since they’re most often enjoyed on the rocks or neat, and their barrel aging—a process imparting sweet notes of molasses and tropical fruits—best complement a good premium cigar.

The key to a great pairing is balance, with flavors that complement rather than overpower each other. Experimentation is encouraged, as discovering personal preferences is part of the enjoyment.

Here are some examples that show the potential of pairing rum with your next smoke:

Camacho Broadleaf

A dark, oily Maduro wrapper graces the Camacho Broadleaf. Expect a fuller-bodied journey starting with dark chocolate and espresso, evolving into spice, earth, and leather.

Pair with: Zacapa 23. This Guatemalan anejo was transferred between American whiskey, Sherry, and wine barrels during aging and offers notes of honeyed butterscotch, spiced oak, raisin and vanilla.

Oliva Serie V Maduro

The Oliva Serie V is a noted ass-kicker. With its potent Nicaraguan Habano filler and Mexican San Andres wrapper, the Serie V gives off notes of dark chocolate, nuts, and butter toffee.

Pair with: Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva. Referred to as “the rum for Scotch and Cognac drinkers,” this Venezuelan rum was aged 12 years in small oak casks and displays notes of baking chocolate, burnt sugar, and cinnamon.

H Upmann 1844 Anejo

The H. Upmann 1844 Anejo—with its rich, reddish-brown Ecuador Habano wrapper—is a tasty, medium to full-bodied cigar opening with notes of aged cedar and nuts, before settling into a profile including coffee, cream, and subtle spice.

Pair with:Mount Gay XO. An English style rum from Barbados that was aged in cognac casks, its profile includes notes of dark chocolate with hints of dates and baking spices.

Crowned Heads Juarez

Blended as a more budget-friendly alternative to Jericho Hill , Crowned Heads Juarez is a balanced premium smoke offering a rich flavor profile. With a rustic, toothy Mexican San Andrés wrapper leading the way, this medium to full-bodied smoke opens with notes of cocoa and cedar, before pepper, nuts, and subtle sweetness round out the journey.

Pair with: Flor de Caña Centenario 12 Years. This golden-brown rum from Nicaragua was aged in American Bourbon Oak barrels and is a smooth sipper with notes of fruit and a generic nuttiness.

Dunbarton Tobacco and Trust Sin Compromiso

The name translates to “no compromise” and Steve Saka never does when it comes to full-flavored cigars. A gorgeous looking cigar that offers no quarter, expect highlights of dark rich cocoa, espresso and a tangy, peppery zip.

Pair with: Santa Teresa 1796. A Spanish style anejo rum from Venezuela that smells as good as it tastes. You’ll find a host of flavors including cherry, vanilla, and banana.

RoMa Craft Intemperance Whiskey Rebellion

RoMa Craft—the beloved boutique cigar mainstay—has captured the hearts and palates of a growing legion of smokers. Notes of charred wood, sweet and peppery spices, and espresso are all but a few highlights awaiting you.

Pair with: The Real McCoy 5 Year. A spirit that’s aptly named, this aged rum from Barbados offers notes of caramel, apple, and cinnamon.

HVC Serie A

With a golden-brown Ecuadorian Habano wrapper, the HVC Serie A is a medium-bodied smoke with a complex profile. Opening with notes of cedar and cream, you’ll soon notice hints of nuts and a subtle spice, before a finishing flourish with a touch of honey sweetness.

Pair with: Ron Brugal 1888 Gran Reserva. A Spanish style anejo rum from the Dominican Republic, its high points include notes of vanilla and citrus.

Tatuaje Miami

Tatuaje Miami is made in limited quantities and is one of the blends that put the brand—as well as Pete Johnson and Pepin Garcia—on the map. Wood, leather and espresso will have you constantly reaching for the Tatuaje Miami—a cigar for any occasion.

Pair with: Barcelo Imperial. Another Spanish style anejo, this Dominican rum delights with apple, pear, and caramel notes.

Montecristo 1935 Anniversary

The Montecristo 1935 Anniversary is a luxurious smoke deserving of all its accolades. Medium to full-bodied, notes of cedar and cinnamon start the show before a blend of nuts, cocoa, and subtle pepper highlight the finish.

Pair with: Foursquare Nobiliary. Rums coming out of Foursquare Rum Distillery—called the ‘Pappy of Rum’—go a long way towards bridging the gap between lux class bourbons and rums. Prepare to be dazzled with notes of baking spice, pineapple, pecan, and a hint of coconut

Southern Draw Manzanita

A reddish-brown, slightly mottled Habano Hybrid wrapper adorns the full-bodied Southern Draw Manzanita. With notes of cedar, cinnamon, peppery spice, dried fruit, nutmeg, and toasted almond, you’ll be reaching for another immediately.

Pair with: Admiral Rodney HMS Princessa. An English Style offering from St. Lucia, this rum is lighter with notes of vanilla and tobacco.

For those looking to expand their cigar and spirit experience, quality rum offers a compelling alternative to traditional pairings. It's an opportunity to explore new flavor combinations and perhaps find some new favorites.