Notes from the lounge
Pairing the Padrón 1964 with a 15-year Highland Park
The pairing we open with for new members. Five-year-aged Nicaraguan puro, Orcadian peat with honey, and the three-draw rhythm that makes the contrast work.
The Padrón 1964 Anniversary Series (Maduro, Exclusivo vitola) and a 15-year Highland Park is the pairing we open with when a member is new to scotch-and-cigar territory. It works because both sides bring sweetness without ever tipping into dessert.
The cigar
The 1964 Maduro is a five-year-aged Nicaraguan puro. Cocoa-forward, with a long, dry leather finish and a subtle pepper that builds into the second third. Burn is reliable; the ash holds an inch easily.
The pour
Highland Park 15 is the under-loved sibling of the 18. It''s the same Orcadian peat — restrained, salt-air, not the medicinal kick of an Islay — but with more honey and dried-orange on the nose than the 12. The 15 has the body to stand next to a maduro without the smoke walking over it.
How to actually drink it
Pour the scotch first. Light the cigar second. Take three draws on the cigar, then a small sip — let the smoke clear from your palate before the scotch hits, otherwise you taste a muddled middle and not the contrast we''re after. The pairing peaks in the second third of the cigar, when the pepper rounds out and the Highland Park''s honey starts to read against it.
Available together as our Tuesday Reserve. $58 the pair, members; $74 non-members. Reservations through the form on the contact page — limited to twelve seatings per night.
Reserve a chair
Reserve your seat for the evening.
Walk-in any night, or tell us which chair you want held. Members keep lockers; the rest of you keep a name on the list. We'll have a glass poured and a cigar cut on arrival.