The Best Pairings for Steaks and Cigars

The Appeal of Steaks and Stogies

There's just something special about the pairing of a perfectly cooked steak alongside a smooth, rich cigar. These two indulgences have a way of enhancing one another when enjoyed together, which helps explain the popularity of the "steaks and stogies" tradition.

The Draw of a Juicy Steak

A thick, well-marbled ribeye or filet mignon sizzling on the grill is a mouthwatering prospect for any meat lover. The smoky aromas mingle with the caramelized sugars and fats of the beef to create an unbeatable sensory experience. With a fork-tender texture and deep, beefy flavors, a well-prepared steak is hugely satisfying.

Steaks also have a certain primal appeal to them. Man's love affair with red meat goes back ages. There's something viscerally enjoyable about tearing into a premium cut of beef that connects us to our carnivorous pleasures.

Cigars Complete the Experience

On their own, cigars provide a wealth of complex tastes and smells. Notes of cocoa, spice, cedar, and earthiness come together for an enveloping sensory tour. And then there's the profoundly relaxing quality of slowing down to smoke a stogie that perfectly balances out the hunger-inducing nature of steaks.

Together as a pair, steaks and cigars form the ultimate savory experience. The smoky nuances of a fine cigar intermingle beautifully with the heartiness of grilled beef. Like a fine whisky or bold red wine, cigars sharpen and accentuate the flavors of red meat to new heights.

Where to Enjoy the Best Steaks and Stogies

Classic Steakhouse Dining

For decades, the steakhouse has ruled as the quintessential destination for steaks and stogies. These restaurants have perfected the art of dry-aging beef on premises and grilling over open flames. The dim lighting, dark wood decor, and fine liquor selection enhance the appeal.

At many classic steakhouses, customers can bring their own cigars to enjoy post-meal. Some restaurants even offer temperature-controlled humidors to store cigars on-site. This makes steakhouses ideal for leisurely dining followed by perfect stogie pairings with cognac or scotch.

Cigar Bars and Lounges

Dedicated cigar bars cater specifically to stogie aficionados, with state-of-the-art ventilation systems and luxurious furnishings. Instead of being an afterthought, cigars take center stage at these establishments.

Many cigar lounges have installed professional-grade humidors, along with highly trained staff to offer pairing and purchasing recommendations. Beyond the cigars themselves, these places also focus on stocking top-shelf spirits and may allow guests to bring their own liquor.

Backyard Grilling

As an intimate alternative to dining out, grilling thick steaks in one's own backyard makes for a relaxed way to enjoy stogies. By preparing beef on the barbecue at home, the pace can be leisurely with time to properly appreciate both high-quality meat and a hand-rolled cigar.

Backyard grilling means being able to cook steaks precisely to one's preferred doneness. It also allows for experimentation with different dry rubs, marinades and sauce options. To complete the five-star experience, invite some buddies over and enjoy stogies into the night beside the crackling firepit once those steaks have been devoured.

Selecting the Ideal Steak and Cigar Pairings

Complementary Flavor Profiles

Just as wine and cigar pairings rely on harmonious flavors, the right steak and stogie combinations make for more enjoyable dining. Full-bodied cigars with earthy, cocoa notes pair beautifully with heavily marbled cuts like ribeye and New York strip.

On the lighter end, mild Connecticut shade wrapped cigars bring out the delicate flavors of tenderloin cuts beautifully. And for an indulgent meal, sweet-tipped maduro wrapped stogies make luscious accents to the fattiest Wagyu beef.

Comparing Quality and Seasoning

In the same way one wouldn't pair a fine Cuban cigar with a store-bought steak, the quality levels between both elements should correlate. Saving extremely high-end cigars for the most meticulously sourced beef makes the overall experience cohesive.

When it comes to flavor profiles, how each component is handled also matters tremendously. Heavily spiced and smoked preparations call for a cigar able to stand up to those notes, while basic salt-and-pepper seasonings open the door for nuanced stogie pairings.

Personal Preferences

At the end of the day, finding ideal steak and cigar pairings comes down to personal preferences. Any rules about quality, seasonings or flavor profiles only carry so much weight. If the combination hits the right notes for your individual tastes, then it's a winning match worthy of being labeled “steaks and stogies."

FAQs

What drinks pair well with steaks and cigars?

Full-bodied red wines like Cabernet Sauvignon, bold whiskies like bourbon or scotch, and aged rums are all excellent drinks to enjoy with steaks and cigars. They stand up well to both the rich meat and smoke flavors.

What types of steaks work best?

Thick, well-marbled cuts like ribeye, New York strip, tenderloin, and Wagyu beef are best suited for steaks and stogies pairings. Lean cuts won't stand up as well to bold cigar flavors.

What time of day is best for steak and cigar pairings?

Evenings are the ideal time to leisurely enjoy steak dinners along with fine cigars. The relaxed pace allows you to savor every bite of food alongside each puff of the cigar.

Can I bring my own cigars to steakhouses?

Many traditional steakhouses allow guests to bring their own cigars to smoke post-meal, but always check ahead about specific policies. Some provide personal humidors for storing cigars.

What should I look for in a good cigar pairing?

Select a cigar robust enough in body and flavor intensity to match the heavily savory steak flavors. Medium to full bodied Maduro or Oscuro wrappers tend to work well.