My benchmark for any good coffee shop is how they make their flat white. I’m not exactly sure why, but when it comes to this specific drink my palette suddenly becomes refined to an extent even the most-skilled connoisseurs would be proud. There are many facets to what makes a good flat white: size (6 oz., never 7 oz. or above — that’s latte territory); texture (silky, smooth and consistent); flavour profile and sweetness; and the density of the milk foam (not all bubbles are bad).
It’s—as you can probably imagine—my go-to order when I visit a specialty coffee shop. I tend to avoid ordering milk-based coffees (or coffee, in general) at restaurants unless they happen to work with a specialty roaster or roast their own—Caravan in London being one such example.
When I visit a new coffee spot, it’s usually because I have some time and would like to expand my repertoire (and recommendations for when people ask me). Anything with outdoor seating comes as an added bonus, particularly in the summer months. As I don’t often find myself with heaps of spare time, I try to make the most of it. This usually means reading a new book or magazine, and when time permits, enjoying a good cigar. I’ve gotten pretty decent at pairing cigars with specific flat whites, and one of my latest concoctions is the new EGM Tiburones and WatchHouse’s flat white, made using their 1829 espresso. Both the coffee and cigar are rich, complex and flavoursome, which could have the adverse effect of clashing. This pairing is thankfully a harmonious one, as the coffee mellows over time, and the cigar in contrast gradually increases in spice. It means that you’re left with a perfect balance and a high level of satisfaction.
What other cigars work really well with flat whites, then? Well, first and foremost is a cigar I waffle on and on about—and for good reason. While most cigars from this brand would do the job, the Epicure No. 2 by Hoyo de Monterrey I find is the perfect length of smoke time. In terms of flavour alone, I love the Double Coronas but you’d need a hell of a lot of coffee to go pound for pound with that stick. You may also live to regret it.
A slightly more intense choice (compared to the Epicure, not the Double Coronas), and one I’d reserve for seasoned smokers is the Cohiba Siglo VI. A connoisseur’s cigar of choice, due to Cohiba’s medium-to-full strength, it is best matched with a slightly sweeter roast. A flat white from Origin or Ozone, in this case, will certainly work well.
Going back to EGM’s own line, the Encantos and Media Coronas are tailor-made for a good coffee in terms of their vitola, ring gauge and strength. These two sticks have the ability to work well with a double espresso if you want a bit of a punch, but are also fine complements to a well-made flat white.