Port Wine and Cigar Pairing: Maynard 20 Years

Port Wine and Cigar Pairing: Maynard 20 Years

Port wine and cigars are two of the finer things in life that are best enjoyed together. Check out this wine and cigar pairing guide for easy elegance.

Day-in and day out, society moves at the fast cadence of technology.

In the 21st century, it seems like time to enjoy the little things in life is so rare, let alone be able to stop and sip on a fine, aged port or puff on a cigar.

Just the thought of enjoying these uncommon luxuries inspires the nostalgia of a time when men wore large-brimmed hats and said things like, "Here's looking at you, kid."

If you feel like lately, you've been missing out on the "you-time" required to taste the finer things in life, consider taking a break to enjoy this port wine and cigar pairing.

Maynard's 20 Years Old Aged Tawny Porto

With a wine like Maynard's 20 Years Old Aged Tawny Porto you must be extra discerning of your cigar pairing, here's why:

What is a Tawny Port?

A tawny port, or Porto, is a barrel-aged wine from Portugal.

While wine has been a favorite amongst civilizations since the dawn of agriculture, the earliest accounts of port wine are from 17th-century shipping logs that included items traded between Portugal and England.

Earlier versions of this wine may have been known as " Red Portugal".

Tawny ports draw their name from the unique color of the wine, which changes after years in contact with oak wood.

A tawny port can acquiesce its signature finesse after just a few years in the barrel, but the best ones have a higher vintage. That's one of the reasons Maynard's 20 Years is so special.

During the aging process, the casks are topped off with fresh, dark red wine and blended to meet the preference of the master winemaker. The result is a velvety luxurious, dark red wine with a brownish hue.

Both older and younger ports offer a good experience for the seasoned wine-drinker. That's to say, they don't have to be aged twenty years or more to be good.

But the older wines, create a more striking balance for your palette.

You still get the punchy fruit that hits you in the lips, but it's followed by a caramelized smoothness that can only be achieved when the port hits maturity.

Wine Notes

Maynard's 20 Years is a unique, high-end variety of tawny port due to it's vintage, alone. But here's an idea of what your palette can expect when you open this bottle.

The scent produces a sweetness that lingers in the nostrils of the drinker. It can be described as dried fruit: figs, plums, apricot, and raisins. It's nutty and the smell finishes with a caramel vanilla swirl.

It pours a shade of amber that settles like a Rothko painting against the glass. The beautiful reddish colored wine appears texturally smooth and silky.

When you taste it you're immediately hit with fruit on the front end, soft against your palette as it begins to pull a sage flavor. Caramel notes finish the sip.

Cigar Pairing

This tawny port isn't your average bottle of red wine for watching Netflix at home on a Friday night. It's glamour and nostalgia, like a piece of Old Hollywood in a bottle.

For that reason, it must be paired carefully.

In general, red wines are better paired with medium to full-bodied cigars. Below, a few are curated for your cigar pairing pleasure.

Pairing #1: H Upmann Nicaragua AJ Fernandez

As an after-dinner treat, a glass of tawny port and a cigar can make any ordinary evening a decadent and luxurious one.

The H Upmann Nicaragua AJ Fernandez cigar:

• Medium-bodied
• Oil-coated, dark-colored Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper
• Fillers Corojo 99
• Criollo 98, Piloto Cubano binder
• Notes of espresso, coffee and spice

This cigar produces a thick, rich smoke. The fillers are well blended and hit you on the nose with a spiced espresso profile making this great for the person who likes coffee with dessert.

The richness of this cigar pairing is nice. But since this cigar is medium-bodied it still has a lightness to it that's desirable after a big meal.

Pairing #2: 1502 Nicaragua

As an anytime wine and cigar pairing, here's why you can't go wrong with 1502 Nicaragua.

The 1502 Nicaragua cigar:

• Medium to full-bodied
• Rare Nicaraguan wrapper
• Fillers from Nicaragua regions: Esteli, Condega, Jalapa, Ometepe
• Nicaragua binder
• Notes of vanilla, honey, cedar and apple

The 1502 Nicaragua is a classic regional cigar that showcases all the spoils the region has to offer. It's medium to full-bodied flavor carries many of the same rich notes as the port, but with a crispness that makes this cigar a good choice for day or night. 

Another cigars to consider from the 1502 line are the limited editions  1502 XO. These cigars are a bite higher priced but the tobaccos and taste will justify the means. Just take it into consideration. 

Pairing #3: Camacho Nicaraguan Barrel-Aged

You can't showcase cigar pairings for a barrel-aged wine, without finding a great barrel-aged cigar to go with it. Camacho Nicaraguan Barrel-Aged answers the call.

The Camacho Nicaraguan Barrel-Aged cigar:

• Full-bodied
• Oil-coated, dark leaf Ecuadorian Habano 2000 wrapper
• Corojo 99 filler: leaves are from Nicaraguan and Cuban plants grown in the Dominican Republic
• Negrito San Andres binder
• Notes of leather, oak, coffee and rum

When you imagine a cigar, the way it looks and smells. This is the cigar you think of.

The Camacho Nicaraguan Barrel-Aged cigar is a traditional cigar. Rich and decadent, it has medium to full intensity. This cigar provides a robust aromatic experience for the cigar lover, perfect for sitting somewhere in quiet contemplation while sipping on a glass of port.

Smoke and Mirrors

You won't be disappointed when you try these cigar pairings on your next tawny port occasion. And if this doesn't seem like the right pairing for you, don't fret. There's something for everybody.

Some cigar companies are all smoke and mirrors. They talk a big game but don't carry the inventory that allows you to find the right cigar for you. Why settle for less, when you can get the real deal?

Shop your favorite cigars and get more helpful information like this when you visit our website today.