It's Time!

If you are like me and live in a part of the country where the weather is great for a few months, hit and miss for a couple, and just plain sucks for cigar smoking outside for the rest of the year, you are happy that better days have arrived.

With arrival of sun and warmth, I've been hitting my deck - and the decks and porches of friends - to resume my apparent seasonal guilty pleasure, like the recent Don Tomas Maduro I had on Friday.  That was a nice cigar.  I'll write a bit more a bit later.  I've also taken in an Oliva Oval, CAO MX2, and My Father Le Bijou 1922 Churchill to name a few. Each was a first for me, and there was mix of pleasure and pain for me.

I hope you are taking advantage of the weather and appreciating the small things in life. I hope you are enjoying your time with others and sharing in memories - and making new ones - together.

I'll be back. There's work to do...CT

Burns Tobacconist

I found myself at the one of the best shops around - Burns Tobacconist on Jordan Street in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

I was in the area with a bunch of friends for a bit of a gathering but had decided that I would take a few hours to myself on the Saturday.  I grabbed my android phone and pulled up the Cigar Boss app, clicked on Local Shops and soon found myself going for a half-mile walk to the shop from my hotel.

The shop looks contemporary from the outside with stucco structure, but as soon as I entered, it was a thing of sheer pleasure and cigar indulgence.  Each end of the shop features a walk in humidor with choice selections as Davidoff, Tatuaje, Padron, and Ashton.  Between the humidors sits a cigar lounge with seating in reclaimed barber’s chairs that offer surprising comfort for one to enjoy a cigar, read a magazine, or watch the large flat screen television.  The ceiling is graced with hanging tobacco leaves that surround the air filtration system.  The whole place has an old-world feel.

I sat back, opened my new copy of Cigar Aficionado, and lit up my Ashton VSG Tres Mystique.  It’s a powerful little cigar according to some, but I, as one who has not generally been a fan of strong tobacco, enjoyed the smooth flavor of this cigar.  It was smooth and blended with sweet and spice.  Maybe it was the environment that played on my taste sensations, but I smoked it to the end.

While at Burns, I picked the aforementioned Ashton VSG, Romeo by Romeo y Julieta  (Cigar Aficionado’s Number 3 cigar of 2012), Partagas 1845 Corona, Nub Cameroon 460, and San Lotano Oval (Cigar Aficionado’s Number 25 cigar of 2012).

The staff there was great.  Although I cannot recall his name, the staff working had been at Burns for a number of years and spoke highly of the establishment - a quality not often found in employees.  He takes pride in his work and knows his stuff when talking cigars.  We chatted for a long time about life, cigars, careers, cigars, social media and cigars.  I was even offered a ride back to my hotel if the freezing rain hadn’t stopped by the time I was ready to leave this place, or when he was done his shift.

One of the walk-in humidors (Photo from puff.com)

Last year I first noticed the Tweet Up on Twitter, although I didn’t have the slightest clue what it was about.   While at Burns I learned more about the Tweet Up.  Great concept and I would love the opportunity to come down some time and spend the day or two at the shop spending time with the faces of the companies who attend en masse for the event.  The basic premise is that the cigar manufactures such as Pete Johnson and Rocky Patel come to the shop to meet with their customers and everyone networks, smokes cigars, and parties.  Simple concept; it’s all about the relationships with people.

Recommendation: If you find yourself travelling on I-95 through Tennessee, jump off in Chattanooga and stop in at Burns.  You’ll be thankful that you did.

Montecristo No. 5 Petite Corona

One of the first cigars I recall sparking up was a Montecristo, but I can’t tell you anything other than that.  Tonight, during another walk with our dogs, I lit up a Montecristo No. 5 Petite Corona that was given to me by the friend that also gave me the Cohiba.

This little stick had a wood and leather aroma on pre-light and a firm draw, but not a difficult draw.  The wrapper was slightly oily and begged to be enjoyed.   It cut smoothly lit up nicely.  The burn was mostly consistent and straight with only a small jagged line in the first quarter that corrected itself.

The Petite Corona presented a leather and earthy taste throughout the burn and was a pleasant change from the Cohiba from two days ago.  The smoke was smooth, but not overwhelming and this time, my wife didn’t complain about it

The ash was a salt and pepper of white and dark grey ash that stayed together for about an inch as we walked around our neighborhood and only fell off when I was admiring it as I walked.

I enjoyed this cigar.  I finished it in my back yard while the dogs played in the snow, savoring every puff.  It heated up as it drew to a close, which is normal, and finished with a full body.  A steady transition throughout the cigar.

Recommendation – Go get one, or five.  Keep them on hand as a surefire stand by when you want a cigar and have limited time.

CT

Cohiba Panatela

As family was gathered in my home this week, my wife and I took our dog for a walk in the crisp night air.  For the first time since I began my Christmas break at noon on the 24^th, I was able to enjoy a cigar.  Nothing too big, it was a short walk.

I had been given four cigars back in November, one of them a small Cohiba panatela.  I figured I would enjoy this bit of pleasure as it has been a while since I was able to enjoy a cigar.  I have heard it said that one of the over-hyped brands is Cohiba, and based on this short stick, I would agree.  Fortunately, though, I smoked a Cohiba Maduro 5 Genios this summer and it was sheer beauty.  But this panatela?  One word – disappointing.

Maybe it wasn’t a real Cohiba, I don’t know for sure.  The other reviews I read sang it’s praises.  But mine won’t.

It’s pre-light smell was smooth and woody. – like woodchips – that was good, kind of outdoorsy which was good for a winter’s walk.  The pre-light draw was tight and dry with some woody flavor.  The lit draw was initially tight, but became smooth, however, leaving it unattended for a minute or two required a re-light – and too many is just an annoyance.

The flavor was consistent, but not a pleasure.  It was harsh, not a full, just harsh, like smoking dried grass – and maybe I was.  I couldn’t pick out any distinct flavors, other than pepper.  

As it burned on, it softened and heated.  Quite a contrast from the pre-light feel.

My wife, who is not a cigar smoker and isn’t a fan of the sweet smell of a good cigar, expressed particular disgust at this particular stick.  She told me that it did not have a good smell at all.  I would agree.

Maybe it was too long between cigars, but I did not appreciate this one at all.  I left it unfinished in a snow bank in my yard.

Recommendation – Try one and see what you think.  I’ll try another to be sure this was a real one.  If it was, it was just a disappointment for me.

CT

The Smoking Gun (or cigar)

Earlier in the year (2012) I attended a local auction and came across two cigars.  Each measures near 14”/35cm and neither will I smoke.  I bid on them because of their novelty – their sheer size made them unique to me – so I took a shot and made some bids.  I purchased each for $5.00.

They have remained in their individual wooden boxes since my purchase, tucked away in a drawer in my parents’ old china cabinet that now stands in the corner of our living room.  Only recently have I started to look for more information about them, and I am coming up with little, so I am hoping my readers can help.

Here’s what I know so far:

Vieil Anvers – Oud Antwerpen

In 1868 Theophiel Verellen opened a tobacco cutting factory in Antwerp, Belgium.  He had one machine but as the company prospered, his brothers entered the business to help support the growth.  In 1894, the aforementioned cigar won first prize at the World Exhibition in Antwerp and the company boasted success like they hadn’t seen before.

As with every company, it has had it’s ups and downs with lay offs and periodic closures.  The company, however, continues to operate.  Since 1993, fifth generation growers, Erik and Frank Verellen, have been at the company helm.  Each brother has worked in every company position so they know their trade.

I have not been able to locate any information specifically on this cigar, but have found it listed online on a European site with the following description (translated to English using Google Translate):

Old cigar Old Antwerp Antwerpen Oud 34.5 cm in its green wood with green velvet cover inside very very well preserved it is also equipped with its ring, also sells cigar etui Old Antwerp Antwerpen oud wood interior red velvet cover with his cigar initiated without the ring sold 25 euros.

Asking 350 euros

This cigar has remained in it’s clear plastic sleeve, in the wooden box with the red velvet lid liner and has retained it’s tobacco smell, albeit a tad musty.  The out side of the box along the front reads “LONG-FELLOW” and there is a small gold-coloured clasp.

The cigar band features a poetic-looking man on a yellow background surrounded by gold-coloured framing,  There is a small black shield with a lion, topped with a crown.  A yellow banner below the picture reads “CHOISI.”  The right side of the band also reads “ANTWERP.” There is also a small pricing band below the cigar band that reads Fr. 50.00 (approx. $55). 

I wouldn’t light this one up.  It’s too dry and I don’t even have a cutter that large!

La Tour Du Monde

I have not been able to locate any specific information on the cigar or the company.

The cigar band features a colour photo of a brunette woman, surrounded by a blue and gold frame throughout.  On the left and right side of the band there is a German flag.  On the backside of the band it reads “MORRITA” and the price band may read “50” although it isn’t entirely clear.  The bottom of the box reads Fr. 60 which seems to correspond with the sticker on the inside of the lid that also reads 60-.

The cigar is now quite dry and has held no noticeable aroma.  Lighting it would likely result in serious facial burns as the lit end races toward your face.

If anyone has information, I’d love to hear from you to help me solve the mystery.

CT