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Part Three: Las Vegas Big Smoke Sunday Seminars

Scotch and Cigar Pairing

Posted: Thursday, November 15, 2007

By Michael S. Marsh  

Jack Bettridge

Over the years, the Sunday spirits seminar has grown to become one of the most anticipated events of the weekend. Whether it's because of the high-end booze and premium cigars or for senior features editor Jack Bettridge's loose, yet informative moderation is up for debate, but what is certain is that those in attendance come away with a new appreciation and understanding of how to pair cigars with fine spirits.

This year was no different as the crowd sat down to a single-malt Scotch whisky flight that consisted of Glenfiddich 15-year-old (née Solera Reserve), Glenmorangie 18-year-old and Bowmore 18-year-old. Things got off to a bit of an uncomfortable start when Bettridge explained to the throng why he wasn't in a kilt. "My wife said no. There's already too many pictures of me in a skirt on the Internet."

Jack Bettridge with Rocky Patel (left)

While Bettridge was only joking (at least we hope), it does bring to mind one of his favorite sayings, which goes something like: If you can't joke about dressing in a skirt, you can't enjoy 18-year-old Scotch.

This year's seminar featured two cigars by Rocky Patel. The first cigar smoked was the 1990 Vintage Robusto with 12-year-old Honduran-broadleaf wrapper and a blend of Nicaraguan and Dominican filler and binder. The second cigar was the Decade. It commemorates 10 years in the business for Patel and features a sun-grown Sumatra wrapper from Ecuador and a secret blend of filler and binder tobacco. The Decade won't be in cigar stores for a few weeks. "I'm very proud of this cigar," said Patel, "and I'm pleased to say that you are the first ones in the whole country to smoke it."

Not wanting to keep his crowd thirsty for one second longer, Bettridge announced, "Let's start drinking" to a round of applause.

Patel's cigars were tasted alongside various single-malts.

First up was the Glenfiddich from Speyside, which is a district of the Highlands area of Scotland known for delicate and flowery whiskies. "This region is a good place to start if you are just getting into single malts," advised Bettridge, after half of the room said they had never tried single-malt Scotch. "It's very approachable." With the cigars, it was generally agreed that the lighter whiskey paired better with the Vintage 1990, as the Decade's spicy character overpowered the whisky.

The Glenmorangie 18-year-old, another Highlands whisky, was next in line. Here Bettridge discussed the concept of barrel aging in Scotch and how the use of Bourbon, sherry and new oak barrels all impart different qualities and flavors to the malts. With the Glenmorangie, which was aged in Bourbon barrels, a certain sweetness was noted. When paired with the Vintage 1990, it brought out licorice and intense woody flavors. The fuller-bodied malt also produced an excellent synergy with the Decade.

Attendees compared the flavors and bouquet of the different Scotches.

"If you like peat," announced Bettridge as he introduced the Bowmore, "this is where you want to go." He was speaking of the whisky-making region of Islay, a windswept island off the west coast of Scotland known for ballsy whiskies with intense peaty flavors. The Bowmore distillery is located on the shore, accounting for its salt and seaweed notes. It was obvious that the Bowmore overwhelmed a few tasters. While both cigars paired well with this spirit, the audience felt that the Decade had the edge. The spice and pepper that were noted on the cigar had the most harmony with the peaty, smoky characteristics of the Scotch.

As always, Bettridge fielded questions throughout the tasting dealing with everything from Scotch and Bourbon to Canadian whisky and Cognac. He passed out bottles of the three featured single malts to lucky participants, and when he polled the crowd on what spirits they would like featured at the 2008 Las Vegas Big Smoke, the usual suspects were shouted for: Port, rum and brandy. Interestingly, long-forgotten rye whiskey also garnered much interest. Spirits and cigar lovers will have to wait and see, but in the meantime they can enjoy their newfound interest in single-malt Scotch.

Photos by Sjodin Photography

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