Happy National Mezcal Day

Smoked: Oliva Serie V Melanio

Happy National Mezcal Day. At work today I had a zoom call re AI. Since it was National Mezcal Day I decided to see if AI knew anything. Below is what it came up with:

Pairing cigars with mezcal is a growing trend among aficionados who appreciate the smoky, earthy complexity of both. Here are some top recommendations and pairing principles to help you find the perfect match:

🥃 Why Mezcal Works with Cigars

Mezcal’s smoky character, derived from roasting agave hearts in earthen pits, complements the rich, spicy, and earthy notes of many cigars. Unlike lighter white spirits, mezcal has the depth and complexity to stand up to a full smoke. [barconventlondon.com]

🔥 Recommended Cigar Pairings with Mezcal

1. Full-Bodied Mezcals (Espadín, Tobalá, or aged expressions)

Cigar Match: Maduro or Habano wrappers

Examples:

Padron 1964 Anniversary Maduro – rich cocoa and coffee notes pair beautifully with smoky mezcal.

Arturo Fuente Opus X – bold and complex, ideal for aged mezcal with wood influence.

2. Lighter Mezcals (Wild agave varietals like Tepeztate or Cuishe)

Cigar Match: Connecticut or Cameroon wrappers

Examples:

Montecristo White Series – creamy and mild, lets the mezcal shine.

Davidoff Signature Series – elegant and refined, great with floral or herbal mezcal.

3. Spicy or Herbal Mezcals

Cigar Match: Corojo or Sumatra wrappers

Examples:

My Father Le Bijou 1922 – peppery and bold, complements mezcal’s spice.

Oliva Serie V Melanio – rich and layered, pairs well with mezcal’s complexity.

🧠 Pairing Tips

Match intensity: A strong mezcal needs a bold cigar; lighter mezcal pairs better with milder cigars.

Balance flavors: Look for complementary notes like leather, spice, caramel, or smoke.

Experiment: Try different agave varietals and cigar origins (Nicaragua, Dominican Republic, Cuba) to find your favorite combo. [mezculture.com]

Well, I decided to go with the V and Casamigo Mezcal. They paired very well together(I already knew that they would) the slight pepper of the V and the smoky flavor of the Mezcal did pair nicely. A great cigar and pretty good mezcal is a good way to celebrate.