Football and Cigars: The Perfect Match

• Posted on 30 January 2019
• By Sheila Habano
• Posted in Cigar Recommendations, Football and Cigars, Super Bowl
• 0

Smoking cigars and watching football goes hand in hand and being that it’s Super Bowl Weekend there is no better time to enjoy a good smoke and a great libation. Here are my top 5 cigar picks for the big game….and don’t forget the wings, brats, and beer.

Smoking cigars and watching football goes hand in hand and being that it’s Super Bowl Weekend there is no better time to enjoy a good smoke and a great libation. Here are my top 5 cigar picks for the big game….and don’t forget the wings, brats, and beer.

1st Quarter: Padrón 7000 Maduro

For the first quarter, start off big and bold. The Padrón 7000 Maduro is a Gordo, medium to full-bodied with flavors of leather and chocolate.  Available in boxes of 26, Padrón 7000 Maduros are an economical way to share great cigars with your football-loving friends, and judging by the size of this stogie, it may last most of the game.

2nd Quarter: Arturo Fuente Rosado Gran Reserva Sungrown Magnum R #54 

Is your team losing? No worries. Pass around Arturo Fuente Rosado Gran Reserva Magnum R54 Sungrown cigars to everyone at your football viewing party. The flavors range from leather, black pepper, and cedar with a touch sweetness.  It’s a TOUCHDOWN!

Halftime: Rocky Patel The Edge B-52 Maduro

If your team is the underdog, you should gain some wisdom from Rocky. The Edge is a full-bodied complex Cubanesque cigar; however, it is smooth and aromatic. The Rocky Patel The Edge B-52 Maduro Nub is a stocky, short cigar that is ideal for halftime and will help you either enjoy or disregard whatever Super Bowl entertainment might be scheduled.

3rd Quarter: Kentucky Fired Cured Chunky by Drew Estate

It’s getting rough on the field; you better fire up the grill and throw on some ribs and brats. Nothing is more American than barbeque and football and the Kentucky Fired Cured Chunky channels that sentiment. This blend uses American fire-cured tobaccos from Virginia and Kentucky that is cured over hickory, maple, and oak logs for a rich smoky flavor.

4th Quarter: Last Call Maduro by AJ Fernandez

The score is tied and everyone is on the edge of their seats. If your team loses you know you’ll want to kick out everybody and wallow in sorrow alone. The Last Call was a small batch creation by AJ Fernandez. The intention was to supply his friends a “last call” cigar to enjoy at his football viewing parties during the fourth quarter of late night NFL games. Last Call Maduro has a deep, complex flavor profile providing a medium to full-bodied smoke. The thick smoke on the palate has notes of maple, hickory, molasses, and chocolate. A true delight whether your team is winning or losing!

Two-Minute Warning: Alec Bradley Fine and Rare BR 12-13

End of the 4th with 2 minutes to go: TOUCHDOWN!!!!! Now it’s time to celebrate and bring out the good stuff! Luckily for you, only a few of your closest friends remain. You pull out your bottle of Blanton’s and your coveted Alec Bradley’s Fine and Rare BR12-13. This limited edition, beautiful torpedo encapsulates the essence of spicy smoke with notes of coffee, sweet hickory, and a touch of leather. Alec Bradley Fine and Rare is truly a celebratory cigar. Till next Sunday….or next year…...Enjoy and don’t forget to Relax and Revel!

Kick off your game day party the right way and have your whole crowd cheering for more with these recipes.

Man O’ War

1 ½ oz. Maker’s Mark Bourbon

1 oz. Triple Sec

½ oz. Orange juice

1 Maraschino Cherry

Combine first four ingredients in a shaker filled with ice. Shake and strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with maraschino cherry.

Italian Hoagie Dip

1/4 pound sliced pepperoni chopped into small pieces

1/4 pound deli Genoa salami chopped into small pieces

1/4 pound Cappicolla ham chopped into small pieces

1/4 pound deli provolone cheese chopped into small pieces

1 onion finely diced

1/2 head iceberg lettuce shredded and chopped

1 tomato seeded and chopped

1/2 cup mayonnaise

1 teaspoon olive oil

Chopped hot peppers or hoagie spread (optional)

1 tablespoon dried oregano

In a large bowl, combine the deli meats and cheese, onion, lettuce, tomato, and peppers. In a small bowl, whisk together the mayo, olive oil and oregano. Pour the mayonnaise mixture over the meat mixture and stir to combine. Serve with sliced baguette or hoagie rolls.

Chipotle Wings

3 pounds chicken wings (split at the joints and tips discarded)

Vegetable oil for frying

3 Tbs. Chopped Chipotles in adobo sauce

¼ Cup cider vinegar

¼ Cup honey

3 Tbs. Melted butter

½ Tsp. Cumin

Flour for dredging

Dredge wings in flour. Working in batches, deep-fry chicken wings in 375 degrees F⁰ vegetable oil until golden, about 15 minutes. Drain on paper towels. Meanwhile, puree the rest of the ingredients. Toss wings with sauce. Serve with ranch dressing.

Brats and Sauerkraut

2 pounds Bratwurst (uncooked)

4 Cups Sauerkraut (drained)

3 Cups German Lager or Oktoberfest Beer

1 small onion (chopped)

1 Tsp. Caraway seeds

1 Tsp. Celery seeds

1 Bay leaf

In a large pan, heat oil over high heat. Brown bratwurst in oil and reduce heat to medium. Add onions and cook until lightly caramelized. Add beer, caraway and celery seeds, bay leaf and sauerkraut and simmer for 45 minutes. Remove from heat.  Serve on hoagie rolls.

Do you have a go-to stogie for game day? Let us know in the comments. And follow us on Facebook | Instagram for more recommendations!