Cigars and Spirits at the Frank Correnti Cigar Factory

Pairing spirits with cigars is less intimidating with the basics. Find a cigar and spirit with matching bodies. For example, a lighter body spirit generally pairs well with a lighter body cigar. Rich and robust spirits pair with cigars with the same qualities. Then branch out from there.

Glendronach 12 Year Old (43%) with a Frank Correnti Queen Oscuro (42 x 5 1/2)

This double-pointed cigar with its tinted Maduro finish could take the head off any whisky. It’s assertive but buried within the cigar is a mild sweetness that Glendronach draws out. In return, the cigar elevates the whisky's sweeter malt notes. This pairing extinguishes Glendronach's subtle undertones, but the whisky’s richness survives with lighter draws on the cigar. The malt’s sweet raisin, fig and vanilla flavours accentuate the cigar's natural peppery high notes. Queen Oscuro's creamy mouthfeel reigns supreme with this whisky's texture. Take your time with this pairing; let the aromatics of both the cigar and the whisky interact to become royalty.

Paradigm Canadian Whisky (42.9%) with a Frank Correnti Petit Corona Claro (42 x 5 1/8)

London Ontario's new kid on the block is the Paradigm Spirits Company, and when their whisky is paired with this cigar, it dances on the palate instead of hanging tough. The cigar features a traditional Cuban Claro full flavoured blend that wafts into a cloud of creamy smoke. It pairs splendidly with the whisky's range of spices while this cigar enhances and sweetens the whisky's dark fruits. As the cigar burns, its peppery notes spike late on the palate, but like a hammer, this whisky pounds them down. The cigar's peppery notes build in the middle, supported by the whisky's orchard fruits. 

Woodford Reserve Double Oaked (45.2%) with a Frank Correnti Toro Maduro (6 x 50)

Woodford Reserve Double Oaked has light tobacco notes on the nose like it trained for this pairing. Frank Correnti's Toro Maduro cigar is a full-bodied Nicaraguan with a naturally tinted leaf. The flavours of this gem evolve over time, making it a delight with Woodford's bold and wide flavours that features dried dark fruits with a complex blend of peppers and spices. Correnti's Toro Maduro brings out those spices early. As the cigar develops, it softens the whiskey's spicy finish while the whiskey’s core flavours never struggle with drifting smoke. This decadent pairing is pure harmony. 

Knob Creek Smoked Maple with a Frank Correnti Fat Boy (60 x 4)

You can't have your cake and eat it too, means you must make a choice. You cannot have it both ways. This cigar pairing says you can. Frank Correnti's head roller, Titi Cabrera, makes this exclusive limited release cigar with Cuban leaf capped by a pigtail. The thick cigar smokes with a richness that frames this flavoured whiskey to satisfy any sweet tooth. This is a lush dessert whisky where oak and maple syrup transport you straight to the middle of a sugar bush, with the cigar playing the role of the beautiful smoky fire boiling down the sap. This smoky backdrop helps tame the sweet maple notes and bring forward the whiskey’s base, proving you can have your cigar and drink your whiskey too. 

Jack Daniel's Single Barrel (47%) with a Frank Correnti Petit Corono Maduro (42 x 5 1/8)

This cigar encloses Santiago Dominican Republic Seco and Ligero filler tobacco in an aged Cuban wrapper. Dark and flavour-forward, this cigar opens the door to the whiskey's fresh oak like a perfect gentleman. Jack vs Frank is an exercise in precision. Dry wood top notes, toasted oak, cloves and cinnamon punch up the whiskey, complimenting the cigar's peppery flavours. This pairing is for anyone looking for intensity instead of subtleties. It's like two heavy-weight boxers going toe to toe trading punches for ten rounds. The bright spices from the whisky sock it to the mouth, and the dark spices from the cigar mellows. The cigar adds a beautiful sweetness late on the whiskey's finish to accent those extensive oak notes and restore balance. 

Herradura Silver Tequila (40%) with a Frank Correnti Robusto Claro (52 x 4 ¾)

Santiago, Dominican Republic, is a city built on cigars. It's also the star tobacco of Frank Correnti's most famous cigar. The cigar's Cuban blend filler wrapped in an aged Santiago leaf smokes to perfection balanced by its mild creamy notes. The cigar's relaxed creamy texture and toasted flavours melt into Herradura's velvety greatness, bringing out the tequila's fruit basket of flavours and spices such as citrus peel and coriander. On the palate, it's a luxurious combination with the cigar offsetting the tequila's late palate chilli pepper tones. Midway as the cigar's spiciness peaks, the tequila's lightly sweetened fruity tones layer with the Robusto’s warm spices. When the citrus picks up this spicy heat – what a ride!

Two Brewers Release 21 (46%) with Frank Correnti Epicure Claro (33 x 5 ½)

An 11-year-old Claro leaf highlights this short filler handmade cigar, looking like a cigar Clint Eastwood would smoke in an old spaghetti western. The cigar features mild flavours with a slight bite due to its thin and slim ring gauge. This gorgeous Canadian single malt whisky tames the cigar's bite and its fragrant smoke sweetens the whisky's nose with baskets of fruit. This interaction is featured heavily on the palate, where the exchange rounds off both the cigar and the whisky. Throughout the experience, the flavours of the whisky and the cigar are never holstered as malt notes gradually tease sweeter spices and chocolate from the cigar.