A Sunday Smoke and Sip: Bishops Blend Cigar and a Classic Negroni

This past Sunday brought an unexpected treat: 60-degree weather and calm skies—perfect for a little deck time. As the afternoon sun began its descent, I prepared two Negronis, grabbed a favorite cigar, and joined my wife for a pleasant hour of conversation and indulgence.

Frequently mentioned here, the Bishops Blend is a regular resident in my humidor, offering a robust smoking experience. I still have some from past years' releases carefully aging in my humidor, This particular cigar, from the 2024 release, had been resting since July. While I’ve tried every the cigar in all its vitolas, the 5 x 48 Robusto remains my favorite.

Crafted with an oily Ecuadorian Maduro wrapper, Ecuadorian Habano binder, and a mix of Nicaraguan and Pennsylvania Broadleaf fillers, the Bishops Blend is both visually appealing and a flavorful. The well-crafted cigar features a pigtail cap and closed foot. 

If you choose to draw on the cigar as you first put the flame to the closed foot of the Bishops Blend you can get a burst of the rich tobacco and earthiness flavor of the Ecuadorian Maduro wrapper before the rest of the leaves begin to burn. After years of enjoying this cigar, I now usually just toast it traditionally to dive straight into its rich, complex flavors.

Lighting this cigar reveals a symphony of flavors. The initial draw highlights rich tobacco and earthy tones from the wrapper, followed by a complex blend of dark coffee, cocoa, and dark fruit. Subtle sweetness, reminiscent of molasses, weaves through the profile, complemented by a moderate peppery spice.

As the smoke progresses, notes of espresso and meaty char emerge, rounding out the bold flavor pallet. 

Though bourbon is my usual go-to with cigars, the classic Negroni—a mix of gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth—pairs exceptionally well with the Bishops Blend. The drink’s sweet, bitter, and herbal notes highlight the cigar’s dark fruit flavors while standing up to its bold profile.

The Bishops Blend provided just under an hour of enjoyment, perfectly complemented by the Negroni. As the sun dipped below the trees and the temperature dropped, we headed inside, wrapping up a pleasant afternoon of flavors and good company.

I cherish the unexpected moments like these—when a fine cigar, a flavorful cocktail, and the right weather come together. Such times will be less frequent in the coming winter months. making the afternoon all the more special.

Cheers!