These Cigars Pair Perfectly With Scotch, Bourbon, and Cognac

“Structurally, it’s heavier, and prepared to deal with heavier alcohols” such as those found in bourbons, Peña says, pointing out that it’s designed to stand up to high-proof pours. El Escocés, meanwhile, works best with unpeated Scotches. “It’s very hard to pair smoke with smoke,” Peña notes, recommending brands like Macallan, Dalmore, or Glenfiddich as ideal matches. El Coñac falls right in the middle and meshes well with a variety of cognacs.

Peña and Sánchez worked with Ventura to create the ideal combination of filler, binder, and wrapper for each variant. Along the way, they found a synergy between both cigar and spirit. For one, both undergo aging as a key step in creating flavor. All the tobacco in East Park’s cigars is at least four years old.

But it goes further than that. Smoking a cigar unlocks flavors in the tobacco that mirror those created during distillation. “When you combust a cigar, certain areas of the cigar get to around the same temperature that you achieve through distillation,” Peña says. “What’s happening when you light up a cigar is [effectively] distilling the essential oils of that combination of leaves.”

East Park eliminates the guesswork of cigar and spirits pairings, making the sticks ideal for newbies—a portal to a whole world of exploration. The cigars, which are all 5½” x 52 ring gauge (aka robusto size), are available in 10-count boxes for $15 each and can be ordered online. And for those looking to enhance their pairing skills, Peña has some advice.

1. Start Light

If you’re not a longtime cigar smoker, begin your journey with milder, lighter-bodied sticks. “You don’t want to start somebody with Octomore scotch,” Peña says, referring to the heavily peated Islay single malt. “You want to start them with something more friendly and palatable where they can start their journey.” The same principle applies here.