Aperol Spritz & the Liga Undercrown Shade: A Summer Pairing

They call it a “heat dome.” I call it summer in Virginia. With the afternoon sun ablaze and humidity thick in the air, bourbon — my usual standby — took a backseat to something lighter and more refreshing: the Aperol Spritz. It was Sunday leisure time, and the mood called for something bubbly, herbal, and slightly bitter.

Choosing a cigar to match the drink and mood was a bit more challenging. I wanted something on the milder side — which, frankly, isn’t a strength of my humidor. After a quick scan, I settled on the Liga Undercrown Connecticut Shade Gran Toro, figuring it was about as close to “mild” as I’d get.

This 6 x 52 Toro wears a pale Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade wrapper over a Sumatra binder, with Dominican Criollo, Nicaragua Criollo and Corojo fillers. Despite its delicate appearance, the cigar was beautifully rolled and had been resting for about nine weeks.

It began with more flavor than I expected — creamy coffee, sweet nuts, and a gentle pepper tingle. I’d peg it as mild-to-medium in body at first, though as it progressed, the coffee deepened into something darker, and the pepper picked up a bit more punch. A touch of citrus zest and sweetness lingered in the background, adding complexity. By the final third, it was firmly in medium-bodied territory.

Some salty potato chips with olive and cream cheese dip rounded out the aperitivo. While the Undercrown Shade isn’t a cigar I reach for often, it paired nicely with the refreshing spritz. Still, if I’m being honest, I prefer something bolder alongside Aperol’s bittersweet character — even if I’m not enjoying it on a cobblestone patio in Italy.

Cheers!