The holiday season has a way of slowing us down—pulling us toward warmth, flavor, and the kind of gatherings that make us grateful for the people and pleasures that fill our lives. As cigar lovers, we know the way a good smoke can anchor a moment, turning a simple evening into an experience worth remembering.

This year, in our Smoke Sip & Savor series, we’re exploring a seasonal pairing that brings together bold tobacco, smooth bourbon, and a festive culinary touch, all guided by the storytelling and palate of our friend Chef Marco—a chef who understands that the best flavors are meant to be shared.

This feature is more than a pairing guide. It’s an invitation to settle in, lift a glass, spark a cigar, and savor the season with us.

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🎄 A Holiday Moment Worth Savoring

Before we talk cigars and bourbon, let’s set the scene.

If you’ve ever stepped outside on a cool December evening—when the air is crisp enough to make the smoke from your cigar hang like a slow-moving cloud—you know the feeling we’re chasing here. There’s something about the season that makes a richer cigar feel right in your hand and a small pour of something warm feel right in your glass.

That’s the energy behind this year’s pairing.
A moment of quiet, comfort, and indulgence after the noise of the day.

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👨‍🍳 Meet Chef Marco: Flavor Curator, Storyteller & Cigar Enthusiast

Every Smoke Sip & Savor post features someone who lives at the crossroads of flavor and lifestyle. For the holiday edition, we turned to Chef Marco, an Atlanta-based chef known for weaving together cultural food traditions, spirited drinks, and a deep appreciation for cigars.

Marco grew up in a family where holiday gatherings meant long tables, slow-cooked dishes, and the familiar scent of his grandfather’s cigar drifting in from the porch. As he built his culinary career, cigars naturally became part of his creative ritual.

Today, he closes many of his holiday evenings the same way:

“A bold cigar, a warm spirit, and a plate of something that reminds me of home. That’s all I need. Flavor tells a story. The holidays are the chapter we savor the most.”

Marco’s approach inspires this entire guide.

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🥃 The Signature Pairing: Full-Bodied Nicaraguan Cigar + Caramel-Bourbon Warmth

There’s something about the winter months that calls for a cigar with presence—fuller flavors, deeper earth, richer cocoa, and a slow, confident burn.

For this year’s feature, we recommend a full-bodied Nicaraguan cigar with:

• Cocoa and espresso notes

• Subtle holiday spice

• A peppery retrohale

• A dense, satisfying smoke output

These flavors pair beautifully with a small-batch caramel-forward bourbon, preferably one aged in charred American oak.

The bourbon should bring:

• Caramel and vanilla sweetness

• Toasted oak

• Light baking spice

• A warm, lingering finish

Together, the cigar and bourbon harmonize into a holiday moment that feels crafted just for this season.

Another good reference

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🍰 Enhancing the Experience: The Culinary Touch

Marco insists that a perfect pairing isn’t complete without a small bite—something that complements both the cigar and the bourbon without overshadowing either.

Here are his favorite holiday additions:

✔ Spiced Pound Cake

Cinnamon, nutmeg, and brown sugar amplify the cigar’s cocoa richness.

✔ Dark Chocolate Dessert

A square of 70% dark chocolate deepens the pairing with bold, bittersweet notes.

✔ Aged Cheese Plate

For a savory twist, an aged Gouda or sharp cheddar bridges the bourbon’s caramel profile with the cigar’s earthiness.

These items turn your pairing into a small but meaningful ritual.

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🔥 Why This Pairing Works (The Flavor Science)

A perfect pairing isn’t just about matching flavors—it’s about balancing contrasts.

Here’s why this trio sings:

Cigar: Cocoa + Earth + Spice

These foundational notes give the pairing structure.

Bourbon: Caramel + Oak + Heat

The sweetness softens the cigar’s strength; the oak deepens it.

Food Component: Sweet or Savory Lift

The right dish stretches the pairing into a complete experience—rounding edges, enhancing notes, and keeping your palate engaged.

That’s Smoke Sip & Savor in its purest form: not just pairing, but elevating.

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🌮 Alternate Pairing: Tequila Añejo + Peppered Cigar Boldness

(Editor’s Choice Pairing for Readers Who Want Something Unexpected)

Sometimes, we crave a pairing with a bit more edge—something that kicks up the heat, brightens the palate, and brings a cultural twist.

For that, we turn to Tequila Añejo, aged in oak barrels and full of caramel, citrus, and spice. When paired with a peppered medium-to-full-bodied cigar, magic happens.

✔ What to Expect:

• Añejo’s citrus brightness lifts the cigar’s pepper notes

• Its vanilla caramel base mirrors a bourbon vibe

• The cigar’s earth + white pepper pushes back pleasantly against the tequila’s sweetness

This is a pairing that feels celebratory, bold, and perfect for the kind of night when conversation lasts hours.

✔ Optional Food Element:

Try pairing with:

• Grilled citrus shrimp

• Spiced walnuts

• Mexican chocolate truffles

This brings out the tequila’s cultural roots while enhancing the pepper profile of your cigar.

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📍 Where We’d Enjoy This in Atlanta (Local Flavor SEO)

If you’re here in our hometown, you already know the city has no shortage of lounges where a holiday pairing comes to life.

Here are two settings that fit the vibe perfectly:

1. A Cozy Back-Corner Lounge Booth

Dim lights, jazz playing, bourbon neat, cigar in hand—holiday perfection.

2. A Heated Patio with Winter Ambience

Where you can watch your smoke drift into the night air as you sip something warm.

cigar-people.com

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❓ FAQs: What Readers Ask About Holiday Pairings

What’s the best time to enjoy this pairing?

Evenings, especially after dinner or during a relaxed holiday gathering.

Can I substitute the bourbon?

Yes—dark rum, rye whiskey, or a sherry cask finish work beautifully.

What if I prefer mild cigars?

Choose a Connecticut with creamy notes and pair it with lighter bourbon or añejo tequila.

Do I need food with my pairing?

No, but adding a culinary touch enhances the experience.

A friendly spot

🎁 Final Thoughts: A Season Worth Savoring

The holidays aren’t about perfection—they’re about moments. The kind where we sit back, light up something special, pour a glass of something warm, and enjoy the company of friends, family, and flavor.

With Chef Marco’s pairing at the center, this year’s Smoke Sip & Savor guide gives us a reason to pause and appreciate the season’s richness.

From our ThinkCigar family to yours:
Smoke well. Sip slowly. Savor everything.

Macon, Georgia, is known for its rich musical heritage, particularly Soul Music and Southern Rock, as well as its stunning architecture and vibrant cultural scene.  It’s also famous as the Cherry Blossom “Capitol of the World due to its extensive display of Yoshino cherry trees…ok, area blah blah blah covered.  My good friend (aka, my brother), Mr. Oliver Price, mentioned that he’d gone to a really nice cigar spot in Macon (que my skeptical mind), and that we should check it out.  Living in the Metro Atlanta area can give you a false sense of “we’re the shit,” and the rest of Georgia is somehow less connected (calling bullshit on that one), soooo not true, come to find out.  We took the ride to downtown Macon and reached our destination in under an hour from Locust Grove (Oliver’s house).  Churchills on Cherry…the upstairs cigar bar and lounge that you didn’t see coming.

This spot is pretty damn amazing. From street level, you climb the stairs to the main floor, still not really knowing what to expect until you cross the threshold at the top, where you’re greeted with a view of the humidor, leather chairs, and sumptuous hardwood flooring.  You turn to the left and get visually assaulted by a uniquely gorgeous and expansive, well-stocked bar that rises up to what seems to be 20-plus-foot ceilings.  The large televisions and smart lighting, along with intricate art pieces, complement each other in a way that makes complete sense.  The staff greeted us with smiles, southern professionalism, and a warm tone.  It was really refreshing if you know what I mean.

I certainly expected drinks, but wasn’t really sure about having any food…atleast not anything to special, again, bad assumption on my part.  We ordered. two dishes, a Surf and Turf special along with Shrimp and Grits (that’s how we do it down here), our drinks came first, a couple of “Old Fashions” that went down real easy on a hot summer Georgia night.  Then the food arrived, pipping-hot and visually pleasing.  The portion size was generous and I’m happy to report…the food was on-point, really good.

It was a Friday night and the owner had live music scheduled, jazz tunes were belted out by a saxophone player accompanied by a pianist.  If you’re anything like me, this night would’ve checked all the boxes for most aficionados.  Did I mention how big this place is ?  Levels, spots, corner seating hang-outs, couches and fireplaces, cool-ass sections for private party space that’s been tastefully pimped-out.  Again, boxes checked.

And just when you think there’s nothing else to talk about…there’s more shit to talk about.  One of my favorite and relaxing things to do is, smoking my cigars outdoors.  Churchills on Cherry has an awesome outdoor seating area.  Tables, couches, fireplace and television on a large deck over looking private parking.  String-lighting and friendly people, it was all there.  In Macon GA.  I’m serious.

So I guess a question might be, who put this thing together, who’s the mad genius with such a diabolical plan, what are his super powers and will he ever use them for evil purposes…ok,ok, I’m sorry.  His name is Bruce, and he opened Churchills on Cherry about two and a half years ago.  He run’s it with his son Nick, and a really cool staff.  Bruce has a moving and storage company (Ciceros) with many of his customers being US military.  He’s traveled the country, and during that time he visited lot’s of different cigar-bars, taking mental notes, collecting ideas, talking to owners, in his mind, building Churchills on Cherry.  Taking the best of what he saw and learned, what worked and what didn’t, food and beverage, comfort, ventilation, etc.  This is one of those times when you actually see what happens when vision meets execution, where planning is even handed and you get to witness someone’s master piece unfold.  Hanging out with Bruce on the back deck, meeting some of his friends, and watching how his customers showed him reverence and respect, makes it easy to see why this place is working.

I know it’s not ATL…it’s Macon, I know Hartsfield Jackson airport ain’t that close, but the people I met were friendly and sincere, Bruce, and his staff were welcoming and attentive, and “god dammit” I’ going back.  There, I said it.

So my friends, thanks for checking out the blog, and get your ass down to Churchills on Cherry.

As always, find your favorite spot, sit back, light up, and stay smoky my brothers and sisters of the leaf.

For more culture coverage, explore our cigar lifestyle blog

There are tobacconist’s, aficionado’s, shop owners, cigar reps, and the like.  People who pretend to be in the know, and flat-out  wanna be cigar ballers (if this is you bite me)…and then there’s Sanj.  Sanj Patel is a fucking tobacco Jedi, he’s forgotten more about the leaf than most of us can ever hope to attain, it’s just that simple.  He’s respected and known throughout the industry by many of the top cigar dogs both domestically and internationally.  This business is what he’s poured his energy into for the majority of his time on this planet.  I recently had the pleasure of spending a Saturday with him and his crew…it was enlightening, colorful, and needless to say impressive.

Sanj’s shop is located in Bloomfield, New Jersey, 419 Broad St to be exact, he’s owned and been at this location for 33 years and four remodel’s (all the work done by him by the way), a fixture in the neighborhood.  To become a member takes a lot more than your hard earned dollars.  What the hell do I mean ?  well check this out, if you’re not recommended by a current member, you can just take your wide ass and money (you know who you are) some place else.  Sanj is hell-bent on maintaining a certain type of membership, honesty and integrity fucking matter, being rude to female members is the kinda bullshit that will get you messed-up.  If this seems extreme to you…good, lames are not welcome :-).  Listen, members have 24 hour access using their key-fob to gain entry, along with a locker and special pricing on inventory, you might even run into a celebrity every now and then as they have been known to frequent his establishment.  They’re open 6 day’s a week, Monday through Saturday, he reserves Sunday for god and family.

You can find many of the well known cigar brands to purchase at this cigar location: Davidoff, E.P Carrillo, Fuente, etc, but in my humble opinion the real juicy stuff, are the cigars that carry his name, SP1014’s (Sanj Patel, October 14th, his dob), different sizes and flavor profiles are available.  There is for example the SP1014 Red, created by Sanj and master blender Chico Rivas of the Dominican Republic.  The site where you can purchase these beauties (shouldismokethis.com)

describes the blend as a Dominican Corojo puro…all of these cigars are draw-tested and weighed for the optimal smoking experience, Sanj will tell you that all cigars are supposed to be made this way.  Unfortunately everyone didn’t get that memo.  There is the SP1014 Silver, Black, Love N Passion, and even more.  No shame in this BOTL’s game (brother of the leaf).

If you spend anytime with Sanj, you’ll soon realize that relationships are very important to him, many of the cigar shops and businesses in the tri-state area have his thumbprint and or influence all over them.  He’s helped, trained, supported, and even supplied many of these establishments with product, molding their cigar sensibilities with a customer forward focus, no bullshit.  Also, don’t think you can just run into any smoke shop and grab his cigars…yes, they’re pretty damn exclusive, you can find them in maybe 50 shops, why you might ask (I did) , because your cigar and customer values need to be in line with his, and if you don’t like it he could give a rat’s ass, not one flying fuck, and if you persist you might even get called a “Cee U Next Tuesday”.  He may not be everyone’s cup of tea, an acquired taste but loved by his crew for being original and genuine.

To say that he’s had an interesting life would be an understatement, a one time professional race car driver, a husband and father, a dutiful son, his father’s ring is proudly displayed on his finger while wearing a charm of his mother’s around his neck.  He dabble’s in the mixing and creation of fragrances, and prides himself on being sensitive and aware of different spices.  He’s created and collaborated on cigars for many celebrities, no name dropping but believe me, the list is impressive. Art and style have a place in his life along with some spicy language, if you’re thin-skinned, easily offended by 4-letter words, don’t want the truth sometimes tossed your way like a water ballon you need not apply (beat it kid).  Mother-fucked in one breath, but willing to buy you dinner everyday of the week…the mussels and red sauce were OTC (that’s off the chain for you sheltered people), just trying to paint this picture for you.

Something that most people probably don’t know about Mr. Patel, is that he holds charity work in high esteem.  He gives throughout the year without hesitation, donates about 1200 cigars a year to fundraisers, participates in the funding of education in other parts of the world, even advocates for the homeless at his local McDonalds to be allowed to sit and eat (up yours Burger King).

Look, my day with Sanj Patel, was very different than what I might have imagined, I originally thought we’ed sit around the shop, I’d ask questions for a few hours, see some shop regulars, head back to my hotel and eventually back to Hotlanta (Atlanta dumb-asses) , but I got much more than that.  I attended two events with him and crew (shout-out to Inno, Dimples, and crew), where he donated cigars and proceeds to different charities, met some of the cast members from the Soprano’s that happened to be friends with Sanj, and was treated like one of the family.  I was given different cigars to try and some cigar knowledge tidbits along the way.

As I stated earlier, Sanj isn’t afraid to express his opinion, values, politics, what you may have fucked-up…all on the table.  If you have a genuine interest in cigars and have questions, it’s not out of the ordinary for him to spend an hour or more with a perfect stranger imparting some tobacco wisdom.  If you read this blog you’ll notice that I generally don’t hawk cigars; but I think you’ll find something you like in the SP1014 line (buy some cigars you cheap prick), consistent quality isn’t common.

As usual, it’s been a blast sharing this read with you…grab one of your favorite sticks, maybe a preferred libation and a comfortable location, this one’s for you.

 

Stay smoky my friends !