Cigar & Cognac Pairings from The Lanesborough

Giuseppe Ruo, Bar Manager at the Library Bar in The Lanesborough Hotel, has a collection of some of the oldest and rarest cognacs in the world. To compliment this, the hotel houses a collection of aged Cuban cigars, which are unavailable in the United States. These highly rarefied pre-revolution cigars are of a similar caliber to the cognacs, many of which are extremely rare and were made pre-Castro.

Giuseppe is on hand to advise guests on how to pair their cognac with the "Best Smoke in Town." A sampling of Giuseppe's favorite pairings is available below. In addition, for those that cannot wait until their next trip to London to indulge in his wisdom first-hand, Giuseppe has created a pairing that can be experienced at home.

Perfect Pairing: 1770 Grand Champagne Cognac at The Lanesborough and Romeo & Julieta Prominente Early 1950. The 1770 cognac has a very delicate iris and violet floral notes. It also features a nutty taste that is fringed with exotic fruity overtones and hints of candied orange, sultana, and chocolate. The finish is medium long. It pairs well with the Romeo & Julieta Prominente’s delicate and quiet light flavor to create a unique life experience.

Perfect Pairing: 1805 Hardy Cognac at The Lanesborough and Partagas 1996 Salomones. The 1805 Hardy boasts a very powerful bouquet with dark chocolate and coffee notes. The flavor is particularly round and full-bodied with hints of marzipan, sultana and toasted almonds. It has a long finish and pairs well with the Partagas 1996 Salomones which is extremely heavy and complex. Giuseppe recommends enjoying the 1805 Hardy Cognac and Partagas 1996 Salomones with dark chocolate to make the combination milder.

Remy Martin XO Cognac at The Lanesborough or at home with Cohiba Siglo VI. The Remy Martin XO features a myriad of floral, fruity and spicy toned aromas. It features a velvety texture and opulent density which gives it a superior mellow. The Cohiba Siglo VI is an extremely powerful and elegant cigar which boasts a grassy flavor with hints of coffee and vanilla at the end, creating the perfect pairing. Giuseppe recommends experiencing the Remy Martin XO and Cohiba Siglo VI with a selection of exotic fruit, such as mango, passion fruit, and lychee, to complete the incredible pair.

Unmatched anywhere in England, The Library Bar's renowned 'Liquid History' collection, comprises some of the world's oldest and rarest Grande Champagne Cognacs. The hotel's collection of exclusive vintages marks some of history's most important events. This collection includes the oldest known bottle of cognac in the world. Distilled in 1770, the single cask cognac is an important appendage to the bar's Liquid History collection and dates back to: the birth year of Ludwig Van Beethoven and William Wordsworth and the year that 14 year old Marie Antoinette married Louis XVI.

The Lanesborough's cigar collection includes a Gloria Cubana Sabrosos 42 gauge early 70s, the La Flor de Morales crop of 1918 Pre-Embargo 42 gauge, and a pre-embargo Trinidad Diplomatic.