22 APR 2025 · The art of pairing a single malt Scotch whisky with a premium cigar elevates both experiences, creating a harmonious blend of flavors. This review examines the pairing of Tullibardine 12 Year Old, a Highland single malt with a smooth and approachable profile, with the E.P. Carrillo Essence Series Maduro cigar, a medium-bodied smoke known for its rich, earthy, and chocolatey notes. This combination aims to balance the whisky’s fruity sweetness and malty depth with the cigar’s bold, spicy, and sweet character, offering a refined sensory journey.Tullibardine 12 Year Old is a Highland single malt Scotch whisky, typically matured in ex-bourbon casks, though some bottlings (e.g., Cadenhead’s) may include sherry influence. Bottled at 43% ABV, it presents a balanced profile with aromas of sweet malt, green apple, citrus, and vanilla. The palate offers honey, creamy toffee, nutty oak, and subtle spices like cinnamon and tobacco, leading to a medium-length finish of syrupy sweetness, oak, and tart fruit. Its approachable sweetness and light complexity make it a versatile pairing partner.The E.P. Carrillo Essence Series Maduro, produced at Casa Carrillo in the Dominican Republic, features a Mexican San Andrés Maduro wrapper, Honduran binder, and Nicaraguan fillers. This medium-bodied cigar, available in sizes like Robusto (5 x 50) and retails for $9–$11. It delivers pre-light aromas of chocolate, raisin, and earthy sweetness, with flavors of bitter baker’s chocolate, gritty earth, sweet anise, and black pepper on the retrohale. As it progresses, the spice mellows, revealing a campfire-like finish with creosote and lingering sweetness, offering a robust yet balanced smoke.The Essence Series Maduro opens with a bold hit of black pepper, followed by sweet anise, bitter chocolate, and earthy undertones. The Tullibardine 12’s honeyed sweetness and citrus notes counter the cigar’s spicy kick, softening the retrohale and highlighting the anise’s licorice-like quality. The whisky’s green apple and vanilla add a refreshing lift, balancing the cigar’s intensity. This initial phase is harmonious, with the whisky’s creamy texture smoothing the cigar’s peppery edge.As the cigar evolves, the pepper subsides, giving way to richer baker’s chocolate, earthy grit, and a hint of raisin sweetness. The Tullibardine 12’s toffee and nutty oak pair seamlessly with the cigar’s chocolatey core, evoking a dark chocolate and hazelnut dessert. The whisky’s subtle cinnamon and tobacco spices align with the cigar’s woodsy notes, creating a smooth, cohesive experience. This phase is the pairing’s highlight, with the whisky’s sweetness amplifying the cigar’s milder, sweeter profile.The Tullibardine 12 Year Old and E.P. Carrillo Essence Series Maduro create a compelling and well-balanced pairing. The whisky’s sweet malt, honey, and citrus notes enhance the cigar’s chocolate, anise, and earthy flavors, while its creamy texture tempers the cigar’s spice. The cigar’s evolving profile, from peppery to rich and smoky, complements the whisky’s approachable complexity, making this an ideal pairing for relaxed, thoughtful evenings. This pairing suits enthusiasts who enjoy medium-bodied cigars and whiskies with balanced sweetness and spice. The Tullibardine 12 Year Old and E.P. Carrillo Essence Series Maduro deliver a highly enjoyable pairing, with the whisky’s sweet malt, honey, and citrus enhancing the cigar’s rich chocolate, earthy, and spicy notes. The combo excels in the second half, where toffee and chocolate create a harmonious blend, though the cigar’s robust finish slightly outpaces the whisky’s lighter body. Perfect for casual evenings or as an introduction to whisky-cigar pairings, this combination offers balance, affordability, and a rewarding experience.Rating: 8.5/10
A very good pairing with strong flavor synergy and balance, slightly limited by the whisky’s lighter profile in the final half.