Hop Cigars

I’ve been known to enjoy a nice cigar after a big meal, often paired with a LBV port or a big beer. I used to have a small humidor, but after the kids came along I noticed I hardly ever sparked one up, so I got rid of it, and the cigars that were inside, a decade ago. Still, I’ve accepted a cigar from friends while out at beer events from time to time, and I confess I do enjoy the ritual of a cigar, how it slows down the pace of life and forces you into an unhurried, relaxed state. Even so, I’m not quite sure what to make of these. A cigar company is making cigars that are “seasoned” with Centennial hops. The company, Hopz, markets them as “craft beer cigars” with tobacco from the Dominican Republic.

Ted’s Cigars carries two different sizes of Hopz cigars. The first is the “Toro”

The second is the “Petit Corona.”

Here’s the story about how the Hopz cigar came to be:

One evening, after a particularly lengthy “meeting” at the local pub, it occurred to Ted that he should set out to create the perfect smoker’s complement to his favorite IPA.

He experimented with dozens of craft beers, and equally as many hop varieties, until settling upon Centennial Hops, known for their robust floral aroma, to season this premium Dominican Republic Cigar. The result is the HOPZ® Craft Beer Cigar.

We use the same aromatic process that we use to season our Maker’s Mark Bourbon Cigar to give this 6×50 toro its remarkable ale-like qualities, and then seal it in a glass tube for freshness. When paired with an extra-hoppy IPA this cigar makes the already pleasurable experience of a well poured pint worth sitting down for. Ted invites you to do the same.

Hmm, I can’t decide if that sounds ideal or completely foul. The claim is that they’re perfect to pair with hoppy beers. Anybody try one? What do you think? Is this a good idea?