Derby week is a time to get out and meet new people in the Louisville area.  Master Distillers make the rounds [3] at liquor stores and bars, and representatives for liquor distributors and cigar manufacturers are out doing the same.  So when Clint Aaron, founder of 262 Cigars [4], tweeted at me to let me know he would be at Match Cigar Bar [5] in Jeffersonville, I knew I would have a great night ahead of me.

Match Cigar Bar and Riverside Cigars are side-by-side businesses right across the bridge in Jeffersonville.  You can walk into the smoke shop, buy a cigar from the humidor, then walk next door to take your pick of any of the many excellent bourbons and ryes on the bar.

On Oaks Eve I ventured across the river to meet my Twitter friend Clint and learn more about his cigar brand.  I talked to both him and his brand’s rep before I picked out a Maduro 262 Revere box pressed cigar from the humidor.

After checking out at the smoke shop, I walked through the open door into Match Cigar Bar.  I surveyed the bourbon and rye selection for a bit before deciding I needed a cocktail to go with my stogie.  Jinx, the charming bartender, is a great mixologist.  He made me a tasty and beautiful rye Manhattan, my current cocktail of choice.  I also tried their house blend of Angel’s Envy bourbon, which I wasn’t even aware they made.

I retreated to a leather club chair in the corner to enjoy my cocktail and my cigar.  I talked to several people throughout the evening, mostly about bourbon.  The atmosphere is warm and inviting, and conversations with strangers came easily.

Bourbon and cigars are always a winning combination, and it’s nice to have a place so close to Louisville where you can have both.  I’m looking forward to getting over there again.

Photos Courtesy of Maggie Kimberl