Written by Briley on March 12, 2025
Recommended whiskey pairings for Old Elk, Sagamore Spirit, and Keeper’s Heart
Cigars and pairings go hand in hand like peanut butter and jelly, smoke and fire, Abbott and Costello. Pick the wrong lineup and either the beverage flavors are going to overpower the cigar flavors or vice versa. The right pairing complements the profiles of both for the ultimate experience.
A great way to learn new pairings, or try them, is to get the information directly from manufacturers. More specifically, from either the cigar companies or the liquor and beverage companies. Why? Because they often have certified and experienced sommeliers who come up with fantastic combinations. These people train in the art of taste, flavor, and experience.
Ideal cigar and whiskey pairings for three top brands
Expert recommendations are what we’re looking at here.
Straight from the brands Old Elk, Sagamore Spirit and Keeper’s Heart, we’re learning a few well-paired selections, just in time for the warmer spring and summer weather. I’m also going to throw in some specific recommendations for the stogies.
What to pair with Keeper’s Heart Irish and bourbon whiskey
- Cigar: Mild-to-medium-bodied Corojo
- Examples: JFR Corojo, Don Pepin Garcia Series JJ, El Gueguense The Wise Man
- Bottle Price: $40
Keeper’s Heart is a smooth yet complex single pot still Irish grain whiskey and bourbon.
A sip of Keeper’s will have you tasting caramel, herbs, some floral notes and spices. Moreover, because there’s a bit of sweetness in the beverage, it meshes with the Corojo’s salt, earth and spice profile. Neither will overpower the other, and that’s really what we want. The JFR Corojo from Aganorsa is my go-to here, but I’d also throw in an Aganorsa Rare Leaf Reserve Corojo.
What to pair with Sagamore Spirit cask strength rye whiskey
- Cigar: Medium-to-full-bodied Habano
- Examples: Crowned Heads Mil Dias, Oliva Serie V, My Father Le Bijou 1922
- Bottle Price: $59
Sagamore Spirit’s cask strength rye is bold, spicy and stunning. Seriously, one sip will have you frozen in your tracks. But if you really want to kick things up a notch, pairing a cigar with your sipping is the way to go. Because it’s bold, a medium-to-full bodied stogie is the right choice here.
The spicy character of the rye will be able to match the Habano’s pepper, spice, nutty flavors, and other nuanced notes like chocolate or toasted bread. There’s no need to shy away from a strong cigar or one with a cascade of dark flavors. Yeah, I’ve shared some examples, but this is one versatile beverage. The Oliva Serie V, or even one of the Serie V Melanio blends, works well here.
What to pair with Old Elk Cigar Cut Punch Cut whiskey
- Cigar: Medium-bodied Habano
- Examples: Avo XO, San Cristobal Quintessence (medium to full), Warped La Colmena
- Bottle Price: $130
The appropriately named the Old Elk Cigar Cut Punch Cut whiskey features tasty notes of honeycomb or honey, almonds, chocolate, and plenty of spice. Those flavors will blend well with the pepper, espresso and dark coffee, nutty and creamy notes of the Habano.
I do want to note that the San Cristobal Quintessence is medium-to-full bodied, so a little stronger than the base recommendation. But the flavors, the experience and the smoothness of the cigar all make it stand out here. Don’t even get me started on the Warped La Colmena, though.
The next time you’re at the liquor store or cigar shop, you might consider giving these cigar and whiskey pairings a try.
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