Summer is almost here, so I decided to dedicate this month’s entire Noobsletter to the season. More specifically, how you can shift your drink of choice to suit the season a little bit better. Let’s be honest, the drinks that we like most in the winter time are just NOT fun when you are sitting in the sunlight on a 90 degree day…

Summertime Cocktail: Gold Rush

The warm weather is upon us, and with it, the ability to drink high proof whiskeys neat begins to dwindle. On those especially hot days, one of my favorite cocktails is the Gold Rush, which is pretty much just a whiskey sour with a little twist. All you have to do is take bourbon, honey syrup, and lemon juice, add them to a cocktail shaker, and shake with ice. Easy, simple, and really refreshing on a summer day! Don’t forget to drink water in between though… these are still pretty strong.

Here is the ratio:

• 0.75oz Honey Syrup (1 part honey to 1 part water)

• 0.75oz Lemon Juice

• 2oz Bourbon

Sometimes I will add a little extra honey syrup to the mix, especially if I am using store bought lemon juice, which can have a little bite to it. Pro tip: on those extra hot days, shake the HECK out of it with a lot of ice. It will dilute a little more and get REALLY cold.

Summertime Cigar Pairings:

In keeping with our “It’s Almost Summer” theme, I decided to replace this months cigar review with some pairings that work GREAT for summertime. If whiskey preferences change with the season, then pairing preferences change DOUBLE. Who wants a spice-bomb cigar with Wild Turkey Rare Breed in the summer?! (other than people who like pain I guess)

Each of these will be based on an exact pairing that I’ve had, but I will give a more general description in case you can’t find the exact cigar/drink combo. That being said, pairings are about as predictable as Ohio weather in October, so just consider these rules of thumb.

Medium Cigar + Blanco Tequila: Ah yes, the Cuchillo Parado from Casa 1910 and Tequila Ocho. The pairing that made me decide to write about pairings this month. It may not be whiskey, but bare with me. This pairing puts an unaged (“blanco” or “silver”) tequila with a cigar grown entirely in Mexico, and boy do they work perfectly. I first had this pairing over a year ago, but I still remember saying “This tastes like sitting on a beach”. The tequila is light, sweet, and citrusy, and the cigar has just enough spice to liven it up a bit.

Light Cigar + American Single Malt: Here me out. The NeverAsh Il Piccolo with Westward Whiskey’s Cask Strength American Single Malt. I rated this pairing at a 9.0, which does NOT happen often. Somehow these two mellow, approachable elements combine to become a sweet, flavorful, orchestra that is perfect for summer. If it’s especially hot, you could probably dial back to the normal strength Westward.

Light Cigar + Strong Bourbon: Lastly, we have the Rocky Patel Freedom Connecticut with Green River’s Cask Strength Wheated Bourbon. Right now, that bourbon is only available as a single barrel, but I suspect you could use any cask strength wheater* for a similar affect. The strength of the whiskey DID deepen the tobacco flavors and add some brown sugar to the mix, but it didn’t get too spicy or offensive. Then, add in the fact that the cigar made the bourbon light, sweet, and even a little fruity, and I think this qualifies as a killer pairing for summer.

*maybe Makers Mark Cask strength, Larceny Cask Strength, or any of the higher proof Wellers

I tried each of these pairings thanks to the Perfect Pairing Club! If you want to start your own list of awesome pairings, you should check it out. I am biased because I am part of the company, but man, it really is a great deal. Click the button below to see for yourself!