Is there a better after-dinner treat than a delicious dessert? Or would you rather enjoy a cigar? We believe: You can have both. A cigar can be an excellent accompaniment to dessert. At first, many may think that the flavor of smoke won’t go well with desserts, but this pairing can be exciting. However, there are a few things you should bear in mind. More on this below.

In fine dining, you will even encounter special desserts that pair well with a cigar. For example, a sweet bun with cheese is a great match, especially when the smoky flavor of the cigar is still developing in the mouth. Caramelized and bitter notes and even grilled bananas also pair beautifully with the smoky aroma of cigars.

How do you pair a cigar with a dessert?
Depending on which dessert you choose from the menu, there are several different cigars that complement the aroma without overpowering the flavor of the dessert. Here is a brief overview of the best pairings. The key is to strike a balance between the different flavors.

Chocolate desserts, such as chocolate cakes, brownies, or pralines, are perfect for full-bodied cigars – more so if the chocolate is dark or even bitter. This pairing is considered opulent and flavorful, as the rich aromas enhance each other. It creates an explosion of flavors that coalesce on the palate. Our recommendation for chocolate desserts is the VILLIGER 1888 with its chocolatey notes, as well as the NICAROMA (swiss and german market) with its aromas of leather and pepper.

Fruity desserts like fruit tarts or sorbets are popular because of their fruity freshness. We recommend pairing them with mild cigars. This allows the sweet aromas of the fruit to shine through without masking them. Our tip for fruity desserts is the VILLIGER 1492 (swiss and german market), as it is slightly sweet with aromas of wood, nut, and toast. The CORTEZ (swiss market) is also a good choice as it is very mild and creamy, making it ideal for light desserts.

Coffee-flavored desserts, such as tiramisu or mocha ice cream, are all the more interesting. Like the pairing with coffee alone, these desserts are best enjoyed with full- and medium-bodied cigars, which blend particularly well with coffee. For example, the VILLIGER DO BRASIL Maduro, with its roast aromas, makes an ideal match, as does the LA LIBERTAD, which offers powerful aromas of dark chocolate and coffee.

The key to pairing cigars with desserts is to approach it with an open mind and an experimental spirit. Those who stick too much to the familiar could jump to conclusions (too) quickly. The flavors first need to blend on the palate, which is why time is crucial. It pays to be patient in any case, to enjoy the cigar and the dessert slowly, and to carefully observe how the flavors develop.

Do you prefer a salty snack with your cigar?
A cozy dinner with friends might extend well beyond the actual meal – especially if you’re in the right company. It’s common to serve up another small snack, and, of course, a good cigar or cigarillo should not be missing.

That said, which snack pairs best with cigars? Here’s a hot tip: Nuts, especially almonds, combine very well with the flavor of smoke. We recommend using lightly salted almonds to enhance the nutty flavor. Grissini with a bit of cheese on top also makes a great accompaniment. For our Swiss readers: The popular Goldfischli (a type of fish-shaped cracker produced by Migros) from the blue packet are perfect for this occasion. In contrast, we would not recommend potato crisps – especially the paprika-flavored ones – as they tend to be packed with spices, and the flavors do not go well together.

Not every pairing mentioned will be everyone’s cup of tea.