The Coffee and Cigar Sampler: Seven Cigars and a Coffee I Roast for Cigar Smokers
Seven premium cigars and a bag of coffee I roast for cigar smokers. Here's why I built the Coffee and Cigar Sampler, what's in the box, and how to get the most out of every cup and every smoke.
Coffee and cigars have always gone together for me. Some of my favorite smokes of the year happen early in the morning with a fresh cup on the table. So when I put together the Coffee and Cigar Sampler, I didn't want to toss in a random bag of beans. I wanted the coffee to be made for the cigars. That's why the box includes a 12oz bag of Scoutmaster Coffee Cigar Blend, a coffee from my own roasting company.
Shop the Coffee and Cigar Sampler
The Sampler at a Glance
| What's Inside | Size | Why It's In the Box |
|---|---|---|
| Principle Frothy Monkey Signature | 5 x 39 | Made as a coffee companion |
| EGM Petit Encantos | 5.12 x 39 | Smooth, medium-bodied Dominican puro |
| Guardian of the Farm JJ | 5.25 x 50 | Finishes with coffee, almond and spice |
| Warped Corto x46 [Corojo] | 4.5 x 46 | Short, box-pressed and full of flavor |
| Surpassion Valor Robusto | 5 x 50 | Roasted coffee, cocoa and espresso notes |
| HVC Edition Especial 2015 Maduro | 4.5 x 52 | Dark chocolate and coffee in a short robusto |
| Dapper La Madrina Shade Robusto | 5 x 50 | Creamy and sweet, with a bold pepper kick |
| Scoutmaster Coffee Cigar Blend | 12oz | Roasted for cigar smokers |
What Is Scoutmaster Coffee?
Scoutmaster Coffee is my coffee company. We roast in the Cincinnati area, and the idea behind the brand is simple: Coffee for Keeps. It's coffee you come back to every morning, not coffee you try once and forget. Scoutmaster grew out of small-batch roasting, and we still care about the same things today: roasting with care, keeping it fresh, and making coffee people actually look forward to.
Running a cigar shop and a coffee roaster at the same time means I spend a lot of time thinking about how the two work together. Most of the cigar smokers I know drink coffee while they smoke. Most coffee isn't built with that in mind.
Why I Built a Coffee for Cigar Smokers
A lot of coffee is roasted to stand on its own. That's great in a mug at your desk, but next to a cigar it can fall apart. Bright, high-acid coffees can clash with the smoke, and very light roasts tend to get buried by a fuller cigar. I wanted a cup that holds its own beside a cigar without stepping on it.
That's what Scoutmaster Cigar Blend is built for. It's a darker roast with notes of dark chocolate and caramel, a touch of berry and mild acidity, and a full body. Those are many of the same flavors you find in a good cigar: cocoa, sweetness, toast and roasted depth. When the coffee and the cigar share flavors, each one brings out more in the other.
The Cigars in the Coffee and Cigar Sampler
Every cigar in this box was picked for how well it plays with coffee. I wanted a range of wrappers, sizes and strengths so you can taste how different cigars change next to the same cup. Here they are, from the lightest to the fullest.
Principle Cigars Frothy Monkey Signature (5 x 39)
This one was made to go with coffee. It's a petit lancero on a Dominican Cotuí wrapper with notes of toasted bread, walnut, coffee, nutmeg and dark chocolate. It's a great first smoke of the morning, alongside your first cup. Shop Frothy Monkey Signature
EGM Petit Encantos (5.12 x 39)
A medium-bodied, hand-rolled Dominican puro from the Cibao Valley. It's smooth, balanced and refined, and it doesn't take long to smoke. That makes it a good pick when you have one cup of coffee and not much time. Shop EGM Petit Encantos
Guardian of the Farm JJ (5.25 x 50)
A Nicaraguan puro from Warped and Aganorsa Leaf. It opens with creamy pepper, cedar and roasted nuts, then finishes with coffee, almond and baking spice. It has real complexity at medium body, and it's one of the best coffee cigars in the box. Shop Guardian of the Farm JJ
Warped Corto x46 [Corojo] (4.5 x 46)
A box-pressed short robusto that punches above its size. Expect roasted nuts, warm spice and creamy sweetness, ending in toasty wood. It's perfect for a quick break with a refill. Shop Warped Corto x46
Surpassion Valor Robusto (5 x 50)
An Ecuadorian Corojo 99 wrapper over a Mexican San Andrés binder. It starts with cedar and floral notes, then moves into roasted coffee, cocoa, espresso and soft baking spice. With a cup of Cigar Blend on the side, the coffee notes really come forward. Shop Surpassion Valor Robusto
HVC Edition Especial 2015 Maduro Short Robusto (4.5 x 52)
Dense and satisfying, with concentrated dark chocolate, coffee and spice. This is the one for a darker, richer cup, and it's a great match for the chocolate side of Cigar Blend. Shop HVC Edition Especial 2015 Maduro
Dapper La Madrina Shade Robusto (5 x 50)
Don't let the light Connecticut Shade wrapper fool you. La Madrina is full-bodied, rich, creamy and sweet, with a bold hit of pepper. Save it for a second cup or an afternoon espresso. Shop Dapper La Madrina Shade Robusto
How to Pair Coffee and Cigars
- Start light, finish full. Begin with the Frothy Monkey or Petit Encantos and work your way up to the HVC Maduro and La Madrina.
- Sip before you light. Taste the coffee by itself first, then again after a few draws. You'll notice how the cigar brings out the chocolate and caramel in the cup.
- Match the moment. Shorter cigars like the Warped Corto and HVC are made for one cup. The robustos are better for a slow morning and a second pour.
- Keep it fresh. Grind right before you brew if you can, and store the bag sealed and away from heat and light.
How Should I Brew Scoutmaster Cigar Blend?
Cigar Blend works as drip coffee or espresso. For a regular pot, drip or pour-over brings out the caramel and chocolate. If you like a stronger cup next to a fuller cigar, pull it as espresso. Either way, the full body holds up to the smoke.
Frequently Asked Questions
What comes in the Coffee and Cigar Sampler?
Seven premium cigars (Principle Frothy Monkey Signature, EGM Petit Encantos, Guardian of the Farm JJ, Warped Corto x46 Corojo, Surpassion Valor Robusto, HVC Edition Especial 2015 Maduro Short Robusto and Dapper La Madrina Shade Robusto) plus a 12oz bag of Scoutmaster Coffee Cigar Blend.
Who makes Scoutmaster Coffee?
Scoutmaster Coffee is owned by Dave Imber, who also owns Creekside Cigar Co. It's roasted in the Cincinnati area.
Is this a good gift?
Yes. It's one of the easiest gifts for a cigar smoker who loves coffee, and it works whether they're just getting into cigars or have been smoking for years.
Can I buy the coffee by itself?
Yes. Scoutmaster Coffee Cigar Blend is available on its own at Creekside.
Get the Coffee and Cigar Sampler
Seven cigars, one coffee built for them, and a lot of good mornings. Brew a pot, light one up, and see how much better both get together.
