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LINCOLN SALAZAR RANDY MASTRONICOLA BREAHNA WHEELER JOE REDMOND MIYURI NORRIS RICK SOTO AUDREY PAVIA CODY CHO JOE BOSSO ELISA JORDAN KEVIN KENNEY CHRIS GOLDSHOLL LISA TURNBULL LUKE TURNBULL SHAHID GHANI CARLY SCHEUER
CEO & Publisher Editor-in-Chief Corporate Director Events/Admin. Art Director Director of Digital Media Sales Director Consulting Editor Consulting Media Director Senior Writer Senior Writer Senior Writer Account Executive Administrative Coordinator Administrative Assistant Chief Financial Officer Accounting
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Sean Chaffin, Dave Johnson, Elisa Jordan, Greg Mays, Audrey Pavia, Matt Randolph
A L I N CO L N B L A K E S A L A Z A R P U B L I C AT I O N Editorial, Production and Sales Office
Headquartered at: 72 Argonaut Suite 130 | Aliso Viejo, CA 92656 (949) 599-2760 Cigar & Spirits is published bi-monthly by Top Hat Media Group. Please send address changes to Cigar & Spirits Magazine, PO BOX 92675, Long Beach, CA 90809. ©2021 by Top Hat Media Group. All rights reserved. Reproduction of any material from this issue in whole or in part is strictly prohibited. For subscription inquiries or changes of address: Cigar & Spirits Magazine, PO BOX 92675, Long Beach, CA 90809 (you may email us at cigarandspirits@pfsmag.com) (888) 881-5861, or fax (714) 226-9789. Subscription rate is $19.99 for 6 issues; $32.99 for 12 issues. Canadian and foreign surface, add $6 extra per year payable in U.S. funds. Single copy price is $5.99. Please allow up to 8 weeks for mailing of first bi-monthly issue to new subscribers. When changing address, give 12 weeks notice, and include address label from latest copy as well as new address. Occasionally, we make our subscriber list available to carefully screened companies that offer products and services that we believe would interest our readers. Please view our Privacy Policy at tophatmediagroup.com/privacypolicy.html. Publications Mail Agreement No. 40612608, Registration No. R126851765. Return undeliverable Canadian Addresses to: IMEX Global Solutions, P. O. Box 25542, London, ON N6C 6B2, CANADA. Printed in the U.S.A. December 2021 Volume 12/Issue 1 For Advertising: Advertising@CigarandSpirits.com To Contact Us for Questions & Comments email: CustomerService@CigarandSpirits.com Letters to the Editor: Feedback@CigarandSpirits.com For subscription customer service: cigarandspirits@pfsmag.com Cigar & Spirits Magazine
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CONTENTS ON THE COVER
34
JOSH DUHAMEL
The Thing About Josh...
48
BEST OF 2021 Top 20 Cigars of 2021
Top 20 Boutique Brand Cigars of 2021 Top Cuban Cigars of 2021
60
Cigar & Spirits Magazine Presents The World Spirits Competition
FEATURES
22
THE KING’S CASTLE
The Legacy of Elvis Presley and Graceland
28
ICONIC BRAND SPOTLIGHT WOODFORD RESERVE
A Master’s Collection of History and Whiskey
92
COCKTAIL CORNER
Shake, Stir and Sip Like Celebs and World-Class Bartenders
REWARDS
18
34
FEATURED PAIRINGS
Perfecto Pairings To Expand Your Palate
ON THE COVER
JOSH DUHAMEL
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JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022 74
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BEHIND THE LEAF
THE LOWDOWN
28
ICONIC BRAND SPOTLIGHT
INTERVIEWS
74
22
BEHIND THE LEAF THE AMERICAN WAY
ELVIS AND GRACELAND
Drew Newman of the J.C. Newman Cigar Company
84
HOTRODS AND HANDGUNS
Beyond Tim Miller’s Wildest Dream
LIFESTYLE
10
THE LOWDOWN WHAT’S OUT THERE NOW
18
PERFECTO PAIRINGS
CYA Home Chairs Mushroom Java Toasty Winter Trousers
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HOTRODS AND HANDGUNS
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COCKTAIL CORNER
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PUBLISHER’S NOTE
C&S
MY JOB AS WE HEAD INTO 2022 our January/February issue kicks off the biggest edition of the year. We give you our top picks of the best cigars and spirits in the world from 2021! Our team and expert panelists have spent countless hours smoking and drinking the best and the not-so-best cigars and spirits to let you know the must-haves for your bar, restaurant, home, home bar or office. This will help guide you through 2022 on your journey to savor and sip the best cigars and spirits available on the market. I wish all our amazing male and female readers out there a Happy New Year and a blessed 2022! We’re very much looking forward to this coming year as it’s going to be the best year yet here at Cigar & Spirits Magazine. We’ll be opening up more tasting events, pairings, and editorial for print and digital platforms. I’ll be doing a six-part series in my publisher’s note that will be discussing “Our Job.” I’ll be sharing what it’s all about for men in different areas of life. I would like to hear feedback from women as well. We’d love for our female readers to offer a woman’s view on these topics—for them to counter what their job is. Please email me at: publisher@cigarandspirits.com I will pick the best emails with a counter viewpoint, and publish it at cigarandspirits.com each issue. I would like to start with one of the most important jobs we have
Cigar & Spirits Magazine publisher Lincoln Salazar
as men…being a husband. Some of these points may seem old school, but I feel there’s nothing wrong with having a little bit of
• My Job is to support you.
old school mixed in with new school.
• My Job is to pursue you.
My Job as a Husband
• My Job is to keep you warm when you are cold. • My Job is to tell you often that you are beautiful.
Dear Wife,
• My Job is to honor you.
As men we have so many stresses, hardships and responsibilities,
• My Job is to laugh with you.
but as men we must understand these responsibilities–“My Job”
• My Job is to make you feel safe.
as a man to you.
• My Job is to give you security in all aspects of life.
Here is my list:
• My Job is to be there and be present.
• My Job is to provide a roof over our heads and food on our table.
Most of all…My Job is to love you unconditionally–through all the good times and the bad–for all of who you are yesterday, today and
• My Job is to protect you from harm and all that is evil.
tomorrow.
• My Job is to listen.
This is “My Job” as a man–as your husband.
• My Job is to lead.
Cheers,
• My Job is to hold you in your time of need and to show love. • My Job is to take the burdens of life off your shoulders.
Lincoln Salazar
• My Job is to cherish you.
CEO & Publisher
• My Job is to be honest with you.
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>> Hans Wegner Danish Cigar Lounge Chair & Ottoman
WHAT’S OUT THERE NOW by Sean Chaffin and Dave Johnson
CYA HO M E CH A IRS M USHROO M JAVA TOA STY WINTER TROUSERS
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CYA HOM E CH A IRS WHEN YOU’RE LOOKING TO ENJOY A FINE CIGAR, relaxing in a luxurious chair can make the experience even more sublime. The marketplace offers a plethora of choices to delight your derriere, but here are a few that will likely provide some inspiration for your next purchase. AFICIONADO LEATHER CIGAR CHAIR BY BOSS LEATHER ($8,699) Boss’s Leather Aficionado
is a perfect leather armchair—the epitome of what a cigar chair should be. It’s a large, brown leather armchair with a scooped back and a lot of cushion in the seat. This is a fantastic option for many, and fits quite well in your friendly cigar man cave, lounge, office or library. Please note that any selection you make should feature top-quality leather and construction like this beauty. It will last a lifetime. HANS WEGNER DANISH CIGAR LOUNGE CHAIR & OTTOMAN ($4,200)
A desired choice is the original Danish cigar lounge chair popularized in the mid-twentieth century by designer Hans Wegner. It has a very simple, elegant design that conveys classy and modern to the max. As a cigar chair goes, it’s somewhat stripped back of plush trappings, but it makes up for it with its hip vibe and style. The matching ottoman will help you kick back, too. This sleek set invites shades be drawn in your den, or another dimly lit locale where you can get contemplative with a habano an Old Fashioned. DARLA RUSTIC LODGE CIGAR CLUB ARM CHAIR BY KATHY KUO HOME ($2,499)
This is an appealing leather sofa chair with gorgeous leather and brass nailhead trim. The Darla armchair is styled a bit more like something you’d find in a den or living room with an accompanying sofa. It sits a little lower to the ground, has plenty of cushion and is made of superior leather. It’s more understated than some, but it’s perfect for decompressing with a libation after one of those days you’d like to forget. BEST ADIRONDACK CHAIR COMPANY ($289+)
As far as outside seating, few chairs are as ubiquitous and comfortable as the Adirondack. It’s a classic that’s easy to take care of, and looks even more regal with some weathering. You can readily find these timeless chairs in oodles of different options of materials, colors and shape variations. Some skilled DIY wood warriors derive satisfaction from a home project like carving out an Adirondack, however, we suggest you make your selection from the vast amount of online items or in-store. -D.J.
>> Aficionado Leather Cigar Chair by Boss Leather
>> Best Adirondack Chair Company
>> Darla Rustic Lodge Cigar Club Arm Chair by Kathy Kuo Home WWW.CIGARANDSPIRITS.COM
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Photo courtesy of Terecet
M USHROO M JAVA WOULD YOU LIKE SOME FUNGUS WITH YOUR COFFEE? It’s unlikely your favorite barista will ask you that question the next time you hit your favorite java spot, but more and more people are learning about the benefits of mushroom coffee. It turns out this trend comes with plenty of perk(s). It’s believed the first cups of mushroom java were brewed in Finland during World War II when coffee beans were in short supply. Modern brewers have ramped things up a bit since then. Several brands have popped up over the last few years and these aren’t exactly the mushroom toppings you’d order on your next pizza. This specialized coffee blends ground mushrooms with coffee beans for a dark, smooth and nutty flavor. But why add mushrooms when there are any number of coffee confections on the market? These brews typically use medicinal mushrooms like reishi, chaga, lion’s mane and cordyceps. A cup of mushroom joe also contains less caffeine because fewer coffee beans are utilized in the process. Experts say mushrooms can reduce inflammation and also contain antioxidants that support the immune system. These benefits occur from eating mushrooms in a normal diet, but a cup of coffee can do the trick as well. “The good news is that mushrooms by themselves are packed with fiber, vitamins and minerals,” notes the Cleveland Clinic. Although studies on the issue are somewhat limited, drinkers benefit from the mushrooms themselves. Some argue the coffee can improve immunity, fight ulcers, suppress food allergies and support cancer patients by
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inhibiting nausea and vomiting. Brands like Four Sigmatic, MUD\WTR, Wunderground, and RYZE promise plenty of health benefits with none of those caffeine jitters. These companies are hoping to find a niche in the $465 billion global coffee market with connoisseurs blending and brewing their own at home. Four Sigmatic even offers blend options for those on a keto diet. Latte fans will also find numerous options with a concoction that’s now good for longevity, detoxing, and other health benefits. Retail coffee shops have even gotten into the act. While you won’t be able to get your mushroom coffee fix at Starbucks just yet, some options are popping up for a mushroom mocha on the go. Wundergrounds’ Mushroom + Coffee Cafe opened its first location in Washington D.C. this past October. Four Sigmatic opened its own New York City shop in October as well, fittingly called the Shroom Room. Some establishments like L.A.’s Alfred Coffee even serve up a nice chagaccino, a trend that’s growing. “If you ask me for a mushroom coffee review, then I’d say it doesn’t taste like mushrooms,” says Sarah Marturano, the blogger behind MustHaveMom.com who details her switch to mushroom coffee. “I don’t actually like mushrooms. It doesn’t taste like your usual coffee either. It has a deeper, richer taste to it. After my first cup, I was ready to try more. But what really made me switch were the mushroom coffee benefits.” A serving of shrooms may not overtake a caramel macchiato latte any time soon, but a mug o’ mushroom can really do some magic. -S.C.
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>> Taylor Stitch Camp Pant in Navy Nep Wool
>> Track Pant by American Giant
>> Flint and Tinder 365 Corduroy Pants
TOA STY WINTER TROUSERS WE ALL KNOW WINTER brings in that frosty chill—much to the chagrin or delight of a given individual. The season provides an opportunity to check out a bevy of old and new fashion trends. Let’s kick off the season with a few cool and warming pant options. TAYLOR STITCH CAMP PANT IN NAVY NEP WOOL ($148)
Based on the Camp Pant style and construction, Taylor Stitch takes it to a higher level with this nep wool offering. Their always comfortable pants are now more elevated, versatile and warmer with the uncommon nep wool blend. FLINT AND TINDER 365 CORDUROY PANTS ($108)
Recent years have brought corduroy back to the fashion landscape. With that in mind, our choice is the Flint and Tinder 365 Corduroy Pants. Based on the perennial best-selling 365 Pants (another great option), these trousers are supremely comfortable with a bit of stretch, and offer a stylish, flattering cut. BILLY REID MOLESKIN JEAN ($228)
Despite its name, it’s not made of animal products. The fabric of these jeans are soft, velvety and tough—a perfect winter choice. They are cut and constructed like jeans, but the moleskin fabric adds a lot of cozy comfort for the colder months. MERIDIAN PANT BY PROOF ($128)
No list of pants would be complete without a stout denim choice. Our selection here is the Super Heavy from Gustin ($139). As the name suggests, it’s made from a whopping 18-ounce selvedge denim that’s seriously heavy. You won’t want to wear these in summer, but for winter it’s the perfect choice for denim connoisseurs.
>> Billy Reid Moleskin Jean
TRACK PANT BY AMERICAN GIANT ($100)
If you like joggers—or even if it’s not your go-to look—these pants are the perfect chill pill for a casual look in the cold. With a slim fit and sleek look, these pants are the ultimate comfort choice that you can wear around town or lounging at home. -D.J.
>> Meridian Pant by Proof
Sean Chaffin is a freelance writer and editor in Ruidoso, New Mexico. His work appears in numerous publications. For story assignments, email him at seanchaffin@sbcglobal.net or reach out to him on Twitter at @PokerTraditions. Dave Johnson is a fragrance review critic and entertainer on the popular YouTube Channel, FragranceBros.com
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Drink Honorably™ Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey, 50% and 46.5% Alc/Vol, Nearest Green Distillery, Shelbyville, TN. © 2021 Uncle Nearest Inc.
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THE REBIRTH OF CIGARS | DREWESTATE.COM | #DE4L
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FEATURED PAIRINGS PERFECTO PAIRINGS TO EXPAND YOUR PALATE by Greg Mays
LA SIRENA MEXICAN MERMAID DIPLOMÁTICO RESERVA EXCLUSIVA RUM In 2019, La Sirena released a special cigar to celebrate their 10th anniversary, and that highly lauded blend has inspired their new Mexican Mermaid. With wrapper and binder both being Mexican San Andrés leaf, and Mexican also blended with Dominican in the filler, this cigar really highlights the sweet earth and minerality of San Andrés’s tobacco. I smoked a box-pressed toro Mexican Mermaid. (La Sirena also features the cigar in robusto and lancero sizes.) The creation has a beautiful, dark wrapper and is packed firmly. Pre-light hints a dry toastiness nose to this cigar, on a base of sweet earth that Mexican tobacco so uniquely exhibits. The light amplifies that earth, with notes of buttery cashew as well. At the halfway point, there are also notes of white pepper along with minerals that join until the nub. The draw on the Mexican Mermaid is effortless, and the smoke output is plentiful. I paired the La Sirena Mexican Mermaid with a classic cigar sipper: Diplomático Reserva Exclusiva Rum. The primary ways I enjoy Diplomático are neat and at the center of a Rum Old Fashioned cocktail. With notes of vanilla and toffee, Diplomático sits in between the cigar’s earthier and drier notes with some dessert-like sweetness. Aged in Scotch and bourbon casks for up to 12 years, the Reserva Exclusiva is the flagship of Venezuelan rum. The neat notes of orange toffee meet the toastiness of the Mexican Mermaid splendidly, leaving a clean, dry finish to the end of the experience. This pairing will seriously continue in my rotation. Size: 5.75 x 54 Box-pressed toro | Wrapper: Mexican San Andrés | Binder: Mexican San Andrés Filler: Mexican, Dominican | Strength: Medium/Full | MSRP (cigar): $10 | MSRP (rum): $45
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DREW ESTATE LIGA PRIVADA H99 WOODY CREEK RYE Drew Estate has a variety of acclaimed cigars in varying vitolas, of course. However, it’s their Liga Privada line that’s consistently awarded, and it’s arguably their most beloved offering to the cigar world. The H99 has been elusive for Drew fans until recent months. Fortunately, it’s currently a nationwide release. The H99 is unique in that it uses a lighter wrapper than its Liga Privada No. 9 and T52 brothers, a very light wrapper for Drew Estate, in fact, who has gone all-in on maduro. Under the supervision of blender Willy Herrera, the H99 is wrapped in a hybridized Connecticut Broadleaf/Corojo wrapper that has to be seen to be truly appreciated. On light, there are sweet earth and white pepper notes, with Asian peppers right on the forepalate. When retrohaled, there’s a lively toasted oak note, with cedar highlights. The H99 burns slow, too. I experienced over an hour and a half of smoking time packed in the toro size. Toward the end, there is a sourdough note as well. I paired the H99 with Woody Creek Rye. The rye is one in a line of whiskeys from Woody Creek Distillers in Basalt, Colorado—nestled in the mountains in the western part of the state—just up the road from Aspen. Woody Creek’s Rye whiskey has that perfect rye spice you’d expect, with cinnamon and spicy wood notes, then finishes with some sweet vanilla. Paired with The H99, there’s a sweet and woody quality to both sides of the pairing that mingles well—a spicy tingle on the tongue with a round, full finish. This is an extremely satisfying pairing that starts and finishes as delicious as can be. Size: 6 x 52 Toro | Wrapper: Connecticut Habano | Binder: Mexican San Andrés Filler: Nicaraguan, Honduran | Strength: Medium/Full | MSRP (cigar): $16 | MSRP (whiskey): $45
LA AURORA 1985 MADURO HORSE SOLDIER BARREL STRENGTH BOURBON La Aurora stands as the oldest cigar factory in the Dominican Republic, and every smoke I have from them reminds me of that. They are certainly old-world masters of their craft with a Dominican leaf, but I was surprised to find the 1985 Maduro highlights neighboring Nicaragua and wrapped in a Brazilian wrapper. This cigar is undeniably La Aurora, however, and as part of their core line of cigars, is incredibly affordable for the quality. The wrapper has notes of sweet tobacco and chocolate on pre-light. When lit, the wrapper on the lips is oily and delightful—a firmly packed cigar with an easy draw. The wrapper has pronounced veins and there’s a sweetness that lingers throughout. For those who may not be in the know, Horse Soldier is named for a special operations team in the military who are represented in the Response Monument at Ground Zero in New York City. I poured Horse Soldier’s Barrel Strength Bourbon to accompany the 1985 Maduro. This is an artisanal wheated bourbon brought to you by this respected whiskey company in St. Petersburg, Florida. Horse Soldier Barrel Strength Bourbon has an apricot nose, with notes of ginger and spice. This bourbon has an extremely long finish, with spice that just goes on and on. Together with La Aurora’s 1985 Maduro, the Brazilian wrapper offers some sweet spiciness—that blend of sweet and spice in this pairing truly made for a relaxing night of smoking under the starlight. Size: 5 x 50 Robusto | Wrapper: Brazilian | Binder: Nicaraguan | Filler: Nicaraguan Strength: Medium | MSRP (cigar): $6 | MSRP (whiskey): $75
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DIAMOND CROWN MAXIMUS BENRIACH MALTING SEASON SCOTCH The initial glance at the MAXIMUS gives you the impression that this is a luxe cigar that will make for a great smoking experience. J.C. Newman collaborated with the Arturo Fuente family and the Olivas to develop a full-flavored cigar that can bear the Diamond Crown name—exciting stuff for cigar enthusiasts—luxe to the max. I wish you good luck getting the cellophane off fast enough. Filled with Dominican leaf and rolled in the Fuente factory, Oliva’s farm provided the special El Bajo Sungrown wrapper. On the initial light, you taste it: spiciness, some salty shelled peanut and a richness that the Fuentes and Newmans often deliver. I paired the Diamond Crown with Benriach’s Malting Season, limited-release Scotch with bright and crisp notes of berry, light smoke and apple. Aged in Oloroso Sherry and bourbon casks, Malting Season highlights all that’s wonderful about Speyside malts—the lighter, cleaner warmweather Scotch. Also of note is Benriach’s new Smoke Season as well, a smoke-heavy peated whisky that’s great for the colder months. Malting Season’s lighter and brighter notes balance very well with the peppery and salty notes in the Diamond Crown MAXIMUS. For those who prefer the Speyside region’s malts more, this is a special edition whisky that should absolutely be sought out. It’s a remarkable pairing. Size: 5 x 50 Robusto | Wrapper: Ecuadorian El Bajo Sungrown | Binder: Dominican Filler: Dominican | Strength: Full | MSRP (cigar): $12 | MSRP (Scotch): $100
LA AROMA DE CUBA MI AMOR RESERVA NEW BELGIUM OAKSPIRE–FOUR ROSES BOURBON BARREL ALE La Aroma De Cuba (aka LADC) is a line brought to us by Pepin Garcia, blender of My Father cigars and the Tatuaje brand. Pepin is not known for mild subtlety in his blends. He’s recognized as one of the worldwide masters in the black pepper profile of Nicaraguan tobacco. It’s no surprise that a 6.5 x 60 ring gauge “El Pomposo” would be the format for the Reserva blend of this stick. On the initial light, there’s an earthiness—almost like wet sand on the beach—with tropical and dry wheat notes. The draw is impeccable, and it burns throughout without need for correction. Pepper is definitely evident in the retrohale. Halfway through, there are additional fruits that enter, some mango or apricot, and the wheaty notes remain the base profile until the end. The wheat notes of the Mi Amor Reserva paired flavorfully with a special edition Oakspire beer from New Belgium Brewery. (The brew is aged in Four Roses Bourbon Barrels.) The Oakspire is sweet and malty, and the Four Roses bourbon-sweetness made for a stellar combo throughout the session. With a cigar of this size, I prefer to pair it up with a larger drink—like beer or wine—as I can sip on them longer to match the smoke time. Oakspire (9% ABV) holds well as a slow sipper, and accompanies the wheatiness of the Mi Amor Reserva in a sublime manner. Size: 6.5 x 60 Pomposo | Wrapper: Mexican San Andrés Oscuro Binder: Nicaraguan | Filler: Nicaraguan Strength: Full | MSRP (cigar): $12 | MSRP (beer): $15 for 6 Greg Mays is a Certified Consumer Tobacconist (CCT) and the Executive Editor of SimpleCocktails.net.
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C&S
>> Elvis showing off his sexy sneer in a 1957 publicity photo.
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THE LEGACY OF ELVIS PRESLEY AND GRACELAND by Elisa Jordan
E
lvis Presley created a retreat at
career and running Graceland were very
Graceland, where friends and family
much a family business.
found a home filled with music,
sports, spirits, cigars, good food and Southern hospitality.
Today, Graceland is the most visited privately owned home in the United States, with fans from all over the world traveling to
When Elvis Presley purchased Graceland,
visit the King of Rock ’n Roll’s house. Elvis
a Colonial Revival mansion in Memphis,
may no longer be there to open the front
in 1957 at the age of 22, his dream was
door and personally welcome guests inside,
bigger than to just own a house—he
but Graceland is still a symbol of Southern
wanted to create a home where loved ones
hospitality and his welcoming touches are
were always welcomed and entertained.
everywhere.
The young singer, who was experiencing a level of fame rarely seen, needed a private retreat when not in the public eye. He was also grateful to finally provide a comfortable place to live for his parents and jobs for his extended family—Elvis’s
“Graceland was a lot of fun,” says Angie Marchese, vice president of archives and exhibits for Elvis Presley’s Graceland. “It was never a boring or a stale place. There was always something going on.”
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Rolf_52/Shutte
galit seligmann/Alamy.com
>> Since Graceland opened to the public, the den has become known as the Jungle Room.
>> Nautical Elvis works a stick in front of his yacht in Hawaii.
GOT A LOT ’O LIVIN’ TO DO! When Elvis was home, Graceland was a hive of activity. He loved being surrounded by his family and closest friends, an entourage nicknamed the “Memphis Mafia.” Backyard football games, horseback riding, golfcart races, movie viewing, billiards and televised sports were among the leisure pursuits at Graceland. There was always something going on at Graceland, regardless of the time. jejim/Shutterstoc k.c
As the consummate host, the kitchen was open and staffed 24 hours a day. Sometimes everyone gathered around the dining room table for a family meal, but usually when someone was hungry, they simply ordered whatever they wanted to eat, like a short-order restaurant. Likewise, Elvis had a bar filled with spirits for his
om
guests, including in the TV room. “We call it the soda fountain wet bar,” Marchese says. “It was great for small parties or family gatherings.” There was also a bar in the den (now known as the Jungle Room) and on Elvis’s private airplane, the Lisa Marie, for entertaining purposes. Elvis didn’t enjoy alcohol that tasted too strong, so his go-to drinks were typically vodka-based, such as Bloody Marys or a Screwdriver. When he was looking for an elevated experience or to relax, he was more likely to reach for a cigar. In the 1950s, he smoked the occasional cigarette, but was never a big smoker. Around the 1960s, however, Elvis developed a taste for cigars, particularly Hav-A-Tampas. “He liked the petiteness of it, because the ones with the wooden tips are very small,” Marchese says. “They’re not like the big Cuban cigars, like [manager] Colonel Parker used to smoke. He liked how it looked when he was smoking them.” Cigars were all about experience. Like a lot of new fathers, for instance, Elvis used cigars to celebrate the birth of his daughter. “When Lisa was born,” Marchese says, “Elvis passed out cigars at the hospital.” A few months later, Colonel Parker gifted Elvis with a humidor for his first Father’s Day.
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>> The billiard room was a center of activity for Elvis and “The Memphis Mafia” at Graceland.
>> Elvis purchased Graceland in 1957 with the intention of making it a true family home. Today, his daughter Lisa, who grew up in the house, still owns the property and visits often.
I’ll Be Home on Christmas Day Elvis was born January 8, so the holiday season at Graceland traditionally came to end around his birthday every year. Right after Thanksgiving, the home’s blue curtains were replaced with red ones, Christmas trees went up around the house, and decorations and lights brightened the outdoors. When Elvis’s birthday rolled around in January, the décor was changed back to normal. The holidays were a special time for Elvis and he went all out when it came to giving gifts. He also had a keen sense of humor, which he demonstrated regularly—including one year at Christmas when he pranked his entourage, the Memphis Mafia. “Elvis had walked downstairs and overheard the guys talking about what their Christmas presents were going to be,” says Angie Marchese, vice president of archives and exhibits for Elvis Presley’s Graceland. “Elvis literally went down the street to McDonald’s and bought five-dollar gift certificates. On Christmas Eve they’re all sitting around the dining room table, and Elvis passes out the envelopes. They open them up, and they’re literally those five-dollar McDonald’s gift certificates from down the street!” -E.J.
,
>> Elvis’s private airplane the Lisa Marie, had a fully stocked bar for entertainment purposes.
DreamArt123/Shutterstock.com
DreamArt123
/Shutterstock
>> The King’s living room.
.com
>> Elvis enjoye d watching m ultiple football a sophisticate games at once d sound system , and installed to listen to reco rds in the TV room.
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jejim/Shutterstock.com
galit seligmann/Shutte
rstock.com
>> Visiting the memo rab
ilia display at Gracel and is an unforgetta ble experience for Elvis fans across the globe.
Gladys) slept in >> Elvis’s parents (Vernon and ted for them. crea Elvis oom luxury in the bedr
I’M COMIN’ HOME Elvis liked having a lot of people around and enjoyed sharing his good fortune with others. But Graceland was also a sanctuary when he needed privacy. There were always people buzzing around, but one place Elvis could find respite was upstairs. Even close friends needed an invitation to walk up the staircase, where Elvis’s bedroom, wardrobe area and office were, along with Priscilla’s dressing room and Lisa’s nursery. For quieter moments, Elvis was an avid reader, preferring books about religion, philosophy and sports. His personal Bible, with annotations written in the margins, is currently on display at Graceland.
HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS For as much fun as Graceland was, first and foremost it was a place for gathering—and in many ways, it still functions the way Elvis had always intended. “It’s almost like Graceland has this whole feeling about it that even though Elvis isn’t here, he has such a presence about him and about the activities he did here at Graceland, it is very much his home,” Marchese says. “Even though it’s been open for tourists for almost 40 years, and it’s a museum, it’s still like you’re visiting Elvis’s home, and we welcome you through the front door just like Elvis would have if he was still here.”
Elisa Jordan is a lifelong rock ’n roll and Elvis fan. She writes about history, pop culture, architecture and pets.
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Doncha’ Think It’s Time Known for his hospitality, Elvis Presley liked to keep his home stocked with anything a guest might want during a visit. This included fully stocked bars for friends who enjoyed spirits. In honor of the King of Rock ’n Roll, Grain & Barrel Spirits recently launched two Elvis-themed whiskeys. Fittingly, both expressions were bottled in Tennessee, where Elvis started his career and called home most of his life. “It was inspired by Elvis’s unique personality and characteristics,” says Angie Marchese, vice president of archives and exhibits for Elvis Presley’s Graceland. “It goes back to him being that Southern gentleman, that host wanting to make his guests feel comfortable here at Graceland, and it has all the notes of being an elevated experience when you drink it.” -E.J.
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C&S >> The iconic Barrel House at Woodford Reserve
Photos courtesy of Woodford Reserve
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>> Master Distiller Chris Morris
ICONIC BRAND SPOTLIGHT
WOODFORD RESERVE
A MASTER’S COLLECTION O F H I S T O RY A N D W H I S K E Y
by Audrey Pavia
WHEN A BOURBON CAN TRACE ITS HISTORY BACK TO 1812, you know it’s the real deal. Woodford Reserve, an award-winning, premium small-batch straight bourbon that is also the official bourbon of the Kentucky Derby, was first distilled at the Old Oscar Pepper Distillery just outside of Versailles, Ky. The facility, now called the Woodford Reserve Distillery, is one of the oldest distilleries in the Blue Grass State. We sat down with Master Distiller Chris Morris to learn more about the many premium blends of today’s Woodford Reserve.
>> The Woodford Reserve Welcome Center
C&S Magazine: Tell us about how you became affiliated with the brand. Chris Morris: As a Louisville, Ky., native, bourbon has always been a big part of my life. My parents actually both worked at Brown-Forman, and my career officially started there in 1976 when I was a trainee at Brown-Forman’s central lab. After working at other distilleries, I returned to Brown-Forman in 1997 and have been there ever since. When I rejoined the company, I served as an understudy to Lincoln Henderson, who was Woodford Reserve’s Inaugural Master Distiller, until I took on the role in 2003.
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>> The pristine Woodford Reserve pot stills
>> The old Oscar Pepper Distillery in 1883
How rewarding is it for you that you blend for Woodford Reserve, and that it’s recognized as an iconic brand?
whiskies, along with our iconic Double Oaked—each concentrating
I pinch myself every day knowing that Woodford Reserve is
aromatics, fruit, spice, wood and grain flavor. This diversity of
recognized as an iconic brand. I’ve been with the brand for so
offerings allows us to appeal to every kind of bourbon drinker,
many years and have been able to see it grow year over year.
while our limited releases like the Master’s Collection and
Woodford Reserve holds a special place in our customers’ hearts
Distillery Series allow us to experiment to create whiskies unlike
and on their bar carts, and knowing that I have been able to be a
any other, while also cultivating a loyal fan base.
part of so many special memories brings me so much joy.
on one of the Five Areas of American Whiskey Flavor: sweet
We are also currently working on an expansion at the distillery that will add three new copper pot stills, and help us double our
Please share with our readership a bit about the history and prestige of the distillery, and how it informs the brand today.
production capacity to meet the increased demand for our bourbon.
Woodford Reserve sits on Kentucky’s oldest distilling site where
Who would you say is the typical Woodford Reserve drinker these days? Or is there a “typical” customer?
Elijah Pepper began crafting whiskey in 1812. The distillery is a National Historic Landmark, and that history runs through every bottle of bourbon we produce. Former CEO Owsley Brown II had a vision in the mid-1990s: to create a home-place where guests could learn the history of bourbon while sipping on the world’s finest, and we try to keep that vision alive every day. We celebrated our 25th
Woodford Reserve drinkers are a diverse group. Woodford Reserve is an approachable bourbon, which means it’s perfect for everyone, from a first time drinker to the most experienced ones. While Woodford is great to sip on its own, it’s also great in cocktails like the Mint Julep and Old Fashioned, which opens us up
Anniversary in October of 2021, and it was a great opportunity to
to cocktail lovers who may not be fans of drinking whiskey neat.
reflect on where we came from and where we’re headed.
We’ve been able to grow a fervent fan base of whiskey connoisseurs with our limited edition releases like the Master’s
While the company prides itself in tradition and authenticity, are there new processes that have been developed to ensure the brand’s standards and continued growth?
Collection, Distillery Series and Double Double Oaked, which is largely only available at the distillery. We reach new and existing drinkers with menu placements at
Woodford Reserve is constantly innovating. We slowly expanded
bars and restaurants, as Woodford Reserve is incredibly versatile
from a one-expression focus, the core Kentucky Straight Bourbon,
in cocktails. Woodford Reserve is also very active with whisky
to that of a well thought-out family of expressions. We are the
clubs, and participating in trade and consumer tastings and events,
only major brand to have straight bourbon, rye, malt and wheat
whether in person or virtually.
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>> The Woodford Reserve rick house
What would you say are the biggest sellers?
Assistant Master Distiller Elizabeth McCall and I have worked
Our classic bourbon is absolutely our biggest seller as it’s such a
together on our limited releases, including our Master’s Collections
versatile and dynamic bourbon. We’ve also seen a huge amount
and Distillery Series.
of growth with our Double Oaked bourbon, which was first introduced in 2012. In 2020, Woodford Reserve Double Oaked was named the Impact “Hot Prospects” list in the U.S. for the first time since its introduction. Double Oaked is an innovative approach to twice-barreled bourbon, and is uniquely matured in separate, charred oak barrels, which extracts additional soft, sweet oak character. Double Oaked pairs incredibly well with chocolate, which has allowed us to partner with great chocolatiers like Jacques Torres and Phillip Ashley. It’s been a joy to see what they can do
I’m also really looking forward to this year’s Kentucky Derby; Woodford Reserve is the Presenting Sponsor. After two years of limited events due to the pandemic, I’m ready to celebrate at Churchill Downs, announce this year’s artist for the Kentucky Derby bottle and our popular $1,000 Mint Julep program.
with our liquid. Audrey Pavia has authored What are some awards that the brand has won?
twenty-three non-fiction
In March 2021, Woodford Reserve Batch Proof 128.3, which is part
books. She is an award-
of our Master’s Collection, won the top honor—Double Gold—
winning writer and
from the prestigious San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
editor living in Southern
Woodford Double Oaked has also been a Double Gold winner
California, and a frequent
in that same competition. And the Woodford Reserve Baccarat
contributor to Cigar &
Edition bottle earned the highest honor of The Spirits Business
Spirits Magazine.
Design Competition. What should we be on the lookout for in 2022 and beyond? This year, we announced a multi-year partnership with WilliamsSonoma, the world’s largest digital-first, design-led and sustainable home retailer. Our first collaboration is a line of co-branded classic cocktail mixers, including Old-Fashioned, Whiskey Sour and Mint Julep. Together we look to bring unique cocktail experiences to kitchens and homes across America, and we have exciting activities in the years ahead.
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JOSH DUHAMEL The Thing About Josh... by Randy Mastronicola | portraits by John Russo
JOSH DUHAMEL. He’s the proverbial guy you want to have a beer with. He’s been a successful actor in Hollywood for a couple of decades, but there’s no pretense about him. He’s thoughtful, charming, genuine, and willing to dive into virtually any topic. Chatting with him is like catching up with someone you wish you could see more often. It’s easy to understand how Josh’s big yet humble personality informs his work and enables him to connect
with an audience. He has resonated with viewers through his way-back television work (like in Las Vegas with James Caan), through the Transformers franchise, and through a variety of other projects that have showcased his charisma and talent through the years. My kick-back conversation with Josh covered a lot of ground. His career has always had a steady trajectory, but 2022 looks like a banner year in the making.
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the INTERVIEW Randy Mastronicola: You have a very high-profile year ahead of you. The Thing About Pam, Shotgun Wedding and Blackout for starters. The first is a true crime drama series with Renée Zellweger; Shotgun Wedding is a romantic comedy action film, and Blackout is a crime thriller. What do you find challenging or rewarding about working in different genres? Josh Duhamel: Actually, I love it. It’s part of the beauty of getting to do what I get to do. Every day is different, every job is different, and every scene is different. I play a defense attorney in The Thing About Pam, which I’ve never done. That’s completely different than Blackout, where I’m a double agent for the cartel. Shotgun Wedding, with J.Lo, is about a couple who get cold feet and everything goes sideways. Those are really diverse projects. Oh, man, there’s nothing better. It’s been one of those magical years where I’ve been able to do a lot of the things that I’ve always dreamt about doing. Doing things that I got into this business to try to do, and I was able to do a lot of that this year. It’s been a lot of work. It’s been a lot of time on set, and a lot of time away from home. That’s the part that I don’t love about it—being away from my son. But we’ve been able to work it out where he comes to visit me, and I get back to him. So, I’m not away as much as I might’ve been. Your son’s name is Axl. Are you a Guns N’ Roses fan from back in the day? Yes, of course. Who isn’t? [laughs] There you go. Renée Zellweger. J.Lo. They’re each iconic in very different ways. Let’s start there. I’ve known them both forever. Renée is very subdued, like a regular girl. You wouldn’t know her if she was walking down the street. J.Lo has a presence that you feel from three blocks away. She’s Jenny from the Block. She’s Jenny from three blocks away. [laughter] They’re both absolute beasts when it comes to what they do. Renée plays the character Pam Hupp. It’s a true story about this woman who was absolutely sociopathic, homicidal. Renée is fearless. She wears this chubby suit, and she’s got all these prosthetics. She doesn’t care about what she looks like at all. In fact, she likes to lose herself within these characters. I know J.Lo is actually pretty down to earth, but she does have that aura about her. J.Lo is so known for being her, and she’s such an iconic beauty—that in and of itself is a little intimidating. A woman like J.Lo, you have to get past the fact that it’s J.Lo. I’ve known her for years. I knew her way back in the day. There was already a familiarity, which helped. She was very easy, an absolute sweetheart. As much of a superstar that she is, she really is just Jenny from the block. She comes and works her butt off and is totally professional, totally prepared, and just wants to make a great movie. That’s all we’re really there to do—make a great movie.
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PLEASE DRINK RESPONSIBLY. KETEL ONE Vodka. Distilled from Grain. 40% Alc/Vol. © Double Eagle Brands, B.V. Imported by Ketel One USA, Aliso Viejo, CA.
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I’m always intrigued how actors can make a relationship seem so intense in a movie so the audience buys-in. When we first met about this over Zoom, I just told her this movie can be as action-packed, glamorous and as sexy as the blockbuster that we want it to be, but if we don’t have that chemistry, if we’re not truly connected on a very simple emotional level, then the movie doesn’t work. You can have all the stuff around it, but it won’t work if it doesn’t play. We knew we had to trust one another, and she was fantastic that way. You guys have to connect, and then the audience is free to buy-in, so it translates. Yes. If the audience buys that, then you win. I think it’s one of the most fun times I ever had making a movie, to be honest. I know that you filmed in the Dominican Republic. I believe you were there for like three months. Yes. All around the Dominican. We were everywhere. It was like we had to see every single beautiful spot there. It was fantastic, and it was a great job. Were you exposed to much of the cigar culture there? It’s such a part of the culture. It’s something that you can’t help but become interested in. Cigars and baseball. Yes, that tradition is amazing. The ocean is majestic there. I understand you became well acquainted with it. You’re talking about my near-death experience? Yes. Man, it was about as close as I think I’ve been to dying. This happened so quickly. I was sitting there all day, we’re at this beautiful resort, and at this beautiful little cove. When we first got there, it was calm and all turquoise blue. They actually had a walkway with a platform that goes right down onto this 10-foot cliff, where you can jump in. I went down there. I had a couple of hours before we started
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shooting, and I jumped in. You just can’t stop looking at the ocean. It’s almost like it puts you in some kind of a trance, you’re sitting there watching these giant waves just come in and then bang, it’ll crash into the sky about 50 feet and you’re just watching this all day. I wanted to get some video of this. I go down there and I’m not far from that same platform that I jumped off a couple of weeks earlier. A rogue wave comes up and goes over the top of this thing. It’s like this razor rock, too. It’s just pointy and super sharp rock all over the place. The waves knock me down, knock my cell phone all over the place. It still worked afterward. I couldn’t believe it. These jagged rocks caught me in place. Otherwise, it would swept me right off my feet. There’s no way anybody could’ve helped me because you’re down 20 feet. There’s no way anybody could’ve got down there. I remember waking up and getting up—all cut-up, gasping and thinking, “Oh my God, that could’ve easily been it.” My son was right above there doing schooling—right up in the room above, watching this. It was a pretty scary moment, but all was good in the end. Frightening. I had a similar experience in Hawaii once. It really shook me as well. It gives you a healthy respect for the water, that’s for sure. J.Lo went straight into mama bear mode. She scolded me like, “WTF are you doing?” Bronx girls will always set you straight. She did. Switching gears a bit. You said that your farm in Minnesota really speaks to your soul. What does it give you? It’s not a farm as much as it’s a mini compound, I guess. It started as a little cabin in the woods, deep in the woods. I wanted a place away from everything. My dad found these 12 acres in Northwestern Minnesota with nobody around. This beautiful crystal clear lake, and I just loved it. I was going to build there, but then the other half of that parcel went up for sale about a year
or two later, and I bought that and it had a little hunting shack with no electricity, no water. Then I suddenly had 26 acres with a little structure on it. It wasn’t the most comfortable place because it was rodent-ridden. I needed to clean that up a bit, but then the one next to that one went up for sale for almost nothing. It was another little cabin, it had electricity but no water. Then all of a sudden, I had two little cabins out at this place. It was like my little heaven on earth, I just love it out there. I don’t really go up there to relax. I go out there and I’m usually chopping wood, or I’m on the tractor, or I’m just fixing stuff. It’s very basic, and there’s something about that basic sort of back-to-the-simple-life thing that I think it resets me in some way. Staying connected to your core is huge. I’m never more present than when I’m out there. I always get good sleep. I always have a million things to do. There’s never enough time in the day to get it all done. I just love that. I’ve built this beautiful little spot out in the middle of nowhere. I can pass it on to my kids someday. That’s the whole idea. Just to have a place that when the zombie apocalypse hits, I’ll have a place to go. My mom brought donkeys out there last year. She had these tiny donkeys that were just the cutest little things. WWW.CIGARANDSPIRITS.COM
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Fun question. I know you had a legendary modeling career. For our female readers, are you planning a sequel to the nude modeling book you did with the photographer Greg Gorman? That’s what they’ ll want to know. [laughs] No. No. In all frankness, it was really cold in that studio that day. It was much chillier than it normally would be. Did you have shrinkage or something? [laughter] It’s one of those things where at the time, I didn’t care. I had no aspirations to even be an actor. So, I was like, “Yeah, whatever,” and here we are. I’m still answering questions about it. [laughs] Fun question two: Much of our readership loves mob movies and The Godfather, of course. I know you worked for five years with one of the Corleones, the legendary James Caan. Oh yes.
We all need our Zen-zone. Yes. It’s mostly fishing, and a little bit of hunting. I’m much more handy than I’ve ever been. I can fix things now that I couldn’t fix before. When you’re so far out there, you have to do a lot of stuff on your own. I love that. Ok, it’s time for the inevitable Timothy Olyphant doppelganger thing. Is it still funny to you or is it played? No, I love it. I think it’s hilarious. Did you ever hear the story about Timothy and I? Fill us in. I was at Clayton Kershaw’s charity ping-pong event at Dodger Stadium. They had a blue carpet on the field at the back of centerfield where you walk in. They asked me if I would stop and answer a few questions for the Los Angeles Times while I was there. So, I did. It took 10 minutes, and sitting there after about 10 minutes, the guy’s like, “So, what was it like playing your character on Justified?” And I was like, “Wait, what? You think I’m Timothy Olyphant?” He goes, “Oh my God, I’m so sorry. I thought you were.” I was like, “No, man, I’m Josh. My name’s Josh.”
The behind the scenes hijinks of The Godfather shoot is part of Hollywood lore. James Caan, Marlon Brando and Robert Duvall all mooning each other. Any of that between you and James on your show Las Vegas? Oh, God. Yes, he used to do all kinds of crazy shit. He would put eggs in my shoes so that when you put your foot in the shoe, the eggs would break. The guy is still one of my favorite people that I’ve ever worked with. He was tough. What I loved about him so much was his honesty. I always knew if he wasn’t thrilled with something I was doing. He’d take me aside and say, “Come here, kid, come here.” And he’d give me a little acting lesson right there on the set. I’d be like, “You know what? If I had a huge ego about this, or if I didn’t respect this guy so much, I might take offense.” But for me, it was an opportunity to learn from one of the greats. A lot of that stuff still serves me well.
He’s like, “Oh, my apologies.” So, I go on into the place. Timothy shows up later that night with his family, and I told him about what happened. We had a good laugh about it. He gets it as much as I probably do. He goes, “Hey, take a picture with my family.” So, it’s me, his wife and his three kids. We take a photo together right there at Dodger Stadium. About six months later, I get a card in the mail around Christmas time that says, “Merry Christmas, The Olyphants.” And it’s me in the picture with his family!
We all need mentors on our way up. On the way down, too.
That’s the card he sent out to everybody. A picture of me with his family. [laughs]
The same to you. Thank you.
That’s just too funny. I suppose there are worse people to be compared to in terms of looks and talent. He’s a great dude. [laughter]
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[laughter] Absolutely. Thank you for spending some time with us. I’m looking forward to your big year ahead.
Randy Mastronicola is the Editor-in-Chief of Cigar & Spirits Magazine.
RUGGED COUNTRY
house
EL ARTISTA CIGARS www.el artista cigars.com
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BEST OF 2021
TOP 20 CIGARS 2021 RATINGS ARE BASED ON THE AVERAGE BLIND TASTING SCORES OF EACH CIGAR BY A PANEL OF TEN CIGAR EXPERTS. THESE CONNOISSEURS POSSESS MORE THAN 100 YEARS OF COMBINED CIGAR-SMOKING EXPERIENCE.
VOTED #1 HUMIDITY CONTROL COMPANY
All Top 20 Cigars have been humidified by Boveda.
To provide feedback on any of the ratings, or to offer your own opinions on any of the cigars featured, write us at: feedback@cigarandspirits.com. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and leave your comments: facebook.com/cigarandspiritsmagazine
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CIGAR & SPIRITS MAGAZINE’S
#1
#2
RATED CIGAR OF 2021
DREW ESTATE UNDERCROWN 10 TORO
#4
J.C. NEWMAN CIGAR COMPANY THE AMERICAN 6 x 54 Toro Wrapper: Florida Sun Grown Binder: U.S.A/ Connecticut Broadleaf Filler: Pennsylvania Amish Strength: Medium
RATED CIGAR OF 2021
AGING ROOM RARE COLLECTION
ARTURO FUENTE RARE PINK VINTAGE HAPPY ENDING
5.25 x 55 Scherzo Wrapper: Nicaraguan Binder: Nicaraguan Filler: Nicaraguan Strength: Medium/Full
6 x 52 Toro Wrapper: Mexican San Andrés Binder: Connecticut Broadleaf Filler: Nicaraguan Strength: Medium/Full
RATED CIGAR OF 2021
#3
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5.5 x 53 Figurado Wrapper: Ecuadorian Binder: Dominican Filler: Dominican, Nicaraguan Strength: Medium
#6
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RATED CIGAR OF 2021
MONTECRISTO 1935 ANNIVERSARY NICARAGUA NO. 2
PADRON 1964 ANNIVERSARY SERIES A MADURO
6 1/8 x 52 Figurado Wrapper: Nicaraguan Binder: Nicaraguan Filler: Nicaraguan Strength: Full
8.25 X 50 Presidente Wrapper: Nicaraguan Binder: Nicaraguan Filler: Nicaraguan Strength: Medium/Full
#7
RATED CIGAR OF 2021
TATUAJE RESERVA SW 7 x 47 Churchill Wrapper: Ecuadorian Binder: Nicaraguan Filler: Nicaraguan Strength: Medium
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#8
RATED CIGAR OF 2021
ALEC BRADLEY CIGARS PROJECT 40 MADURO 6 x 52 Toro Wrapper: San Andrés Binder: Habano Brazilian Filler: Nicaraguan Strength: Full
#11
RATED CIGAR OF 2021
DREW ESTATE LIGA PRIVADA H99 TORO 6 x 52 Toro Wrapper: Connecticut Corojo Binder: Mexican San Andrés Filler: Nicaraguan and Honduran Strength: Medium/Full
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#9
RATED CIGAR OF 2021
MIAMI CIGAR NESTOR MIRANDA SPECIAL EDITION SHORT ROBUSTO 4.5 x 50 “Coffee Break” Short Robusto Wrapper: Nicaraguan Binder: Nicaraguan Filler: Nicaraguan Strength: Medium/Full
#12
RATED CIGAR OF 2021
#10
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ROCKY PATEL SIXTY BY ROCKY PATEL 6.5 x 52 Toro Wrapper: Mexican San Andrés Binder: Nicaraguan Filler: Nicaraguan Strength: Medium/Full
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RATED CIGAR OF 2021
LA AURORA HORS D’AGE
E.P. CARRILLO PLEDGE PREQUEL
6 x 54 Toro Wrapper: Ecuadorian Binder: Ecuadorian Filler: Columbian, Dominican, Nicaraguan Strength: Medium/Full
5 x 50 Robusto Wrapper: USA/ Connecticut Habano Binder: Ecuadorian Filler: Nicaraguan Strength: Medium/Full
#14
#15
RATED CIGAR OF 2021
RATED CIGAR OF 2021
ROOM101 11TH ANNIVERSARY TORPEDO
ILLUSIONE ULTRA MK 5 x 42 Petit Corona Wrapper: Nicaraguan Binder: Nicaraguan Filler: Nicaraguan Strength: Medium/Full
6 x 54 Torpedo Wrapper: Nicaragua Binder: Nicaragua Filler: Nicaragua Strength: Medium
#17
RATED CIGAR OF 2021
OLIVA SERIE V MELANIO MADURO FIGURADO 6.5 x 52 Figurado Wrapper: Mexican Binder: Nicaraguan Filler: Nicaraguan Strength: Medium/Full
#18
RATED CIGAR OF 2021
MY FATHER LE BIJOU 1922 CHURCHILL 7 x 50 Wrapper: Ecuadorian Binder: Nicaraguan Filler: Nicaraguan Strength: Medium
#19
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PLASENCIA CIGARS ALMA DEL CAMPO TRAVESIA BOX PRESS 6.5 x 54 Toro Wrapper: Nicaraguan Binder: Nicaraguan Filler: Nicaraguan Strength: Medium
#16
RATED CIGAR OF 2021
LA AROMA DE CUBA EDICION ESPECIAL NO. 4 7 x 49 Churchill Wrapper: Ecuadorian Binder: Nicaraguan Filler: Nicaraguan Strength: Medium
#20
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LA FLOR DOMINICANA DOUBLE LIGERO CHISELITO MADURO 5 x 44 Figurado Wrapper: U.S.A./ Connecticut Broadleaf Binder: Dominican Filler: Dominican Strength: Full
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BEST OF 2021
CIGAR & SPIRITS MAGAZINE’S
TOP 20 BOUTIQUE CIGARS 2021 RATINGS ARE BASED ON THE AVERAGE BLIND TASTING SCORES OF EACH CIGAR BY A PANEL OF TEN CIGAR EXPERTS. THESE CONNOISSEURS POSSESS MORE THAN 100 YEARS OF COMBINED CIGAR-SMOKING EXPERIENCE.
VOTED #1 HUMIDITY CONTROL COMPANY
All Top 20 Cigars have been humidified by Boveda.
To provide feedback on any of the ratings, or to offer your own opinions on any of the cigars featured, write us at: feedback@cigarandspirits.com. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and leave your comments:
facebook.com/cigarandspiritsmagazine
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#1
#2
BOUTIQUE CIGAR 2021
BOUTIQUE CIGAR 2021
HIRAM & SOLOMON CIGARS MASTER MASON
LA SIRENA MEXICAN MERMAID 5.75 x 54 Box-pressed toro Wrapper: Mexican San Andrés Binder: Mexican San Andrés Filler: Mexican, Dominican Strength: Medium/Full
6 x 52 Toro Wrapper: Habano Maduro Oscuro Binder: Indonesian Sumatra Filler: Habano Jalapa, Habano Ometepe, Ligero Habano Estelí Strength: Full
#3
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JOYA DE NICARAGUA NÚMERO UNO LE PREMIER 6 7/8 x 48 Churchill Wrapper: Ecuadorian Binder: Nicaraguan Filler: Nicaraguan Strength: Medium
#4
BOUTIQUE CIGAR 2021
#5
BOUTIQUE CIGAR 2021
LA BARBA RICOCHET
ALADINO COROJO RESERVA
5.75 x 46 Corona Wrapper: Mexican San Andrés Binder: Indonesian Filler: Nicaraguan, Dominican, Pennsylvania Strength: Medium/Full
5 x 50 Robusto Wrapper: Corojo Honduran Binder: Corojo Honduran Filler: Corojo Honduran Strength: Medium/Full
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#6
#7
BOUTIQUE CIGAR 2021
ROMA CRAFT NEANDERTHAL HN 5 x 52/58 Perfecto Wrapper: Mexican San Andrés Maduro Binder: United States Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro Filler: Dominican, Nicaraguan, United States Strength: Full
#9
BOUTIQUE CIGAR 2021
CHARTER OAK HABANO LONSDALE 6 x 46 Wrapper: Ecuadorian Binder: Nicaraguan Filler: Nicaraguan Strength: Medium
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#8
BOUTIQUE CIGAR 2021
BOUTIQUE CIGAR 2021
ESTEBAN CARRERAS CASHMERE CONNECTICUT
KRISTOFF CONNECTICUT CHURCHILL 7 x 50 Wrapper: Ecuadorian Binder: Nicaraguan Filler: Dominican Strength: Mild/Medium
6 x 50 Toro Wrapper: Ecuadorian, Connecticut Binder: Nicaraguan Filler: Nicaraguan Strength: Mild/Medium
#10
BOUTIQUE CIGAR 2021
SOUTHERN DRAW MANZANITA TORO 6 x 52 Toro Wrapper: Nicaraguan Binder: Nicaraguan Filler: Nicaraguan Strength: Medium
#11
BOUTIQUE CIGAR 2021
PADILLA FINEST HOUR CONNECTICUT ROBUSTO 5 x 50 Robusto Wrapper: Ecuadorian Binder: Honduran Filler: Dominican, Nicaraguan Strength: Mild/Medium
#12
BOUTIQUE CIGAR 2021
EL ARTISTA BUFFALO TEN NATURAL 6 x 52 Box Press Toro Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano Binder: Indonesian Sumatra Filler: Dominican, Nicaraguan Strength: Medium
once tried, always craved
OTACA TEQUILA
2021
Gold & Double Gold Winner Las Vegas Proof Awards
Artisanal Sipping Tequila made in small batches. No defusers, no llers, clean–smooth without the burn. Now available across California, for distribution contact OTACA spirit distributors (949) 569-8699
#14
#13
BOUTIQUE CIGAR 2021
BOUTIQUE CIGAR 2021
MOMBACHO CIGARS DIPLOMÁTICO BY MOMBACHO
EPIC CIGARS PROJECT E 6.5 x 54 Gran Ola Wrapper: Mexican San Andrés Binder: Indonesian Sumatra Filler: Dominican, Nicaraguan Strength: Medium to Full
5 x 50 Robusto Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano Maduro Binder: Nicaraguan Filler: Nicaraguan Strength: Mild/Medium
#17
#18
BOUTIQUE CIGAR 2021
CRUX EPICURE SHORT SALOMONE 6 x 54 Wrapper: Ecuadorian, Connecticut Binder: Nicaraguan Filler: Nicaraguan Condega
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BOUTIQUE CIGAR 2021
MUWAT BAIT FISH 4 x 44 Petit Corona Wrapper: Mexican Binder: Ecuadorian Filler: Brazilian Strength: Medium/Full
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022
#15
BOUTIQUE CIGAR 2021
CALDWELL THE KING IS DEAD DIAMOND GIRL 6.5 x 42 Lancero Wrapper: Dominican Negrito Binder: Dominican Filler: Dominican Strength: Medium
#19
BOUTIQUE CIGAR 2021
#16
BOUTIQUE CIGAR 2021
LA MISSION L’ATELIER 1959 4.75 x 52 Wrapper: Mexican Binder: Nicaraguan Filler: Nicaraguan Strength: Medium
#20
BOUTIQUE CIGAR 2021
CASA TURRENT SERIE 1942 TORPEDO
HOOTEN YOUNG GOTHIC SERPENT
5.5 x 52 Figurado Wrapper: Mexican Binder: Mexican Filler: Mexican Strength: Medium
6 x 50 Toro Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano Oscuro Binder: Nicaraguan Filler: Nicaraguan Strength: Medium
WHISKYMAKERS FOR WHISKY PEOPLE @MARUSSIABEVERAGESUSA I M P O R T E D B Y M A R U S S I A B E V E R A G E S U S A | C E D A R K N O L L S , N J | P L E A S E D R I N K R E S P O N S I B LY
TOP CUBANS 2021
#1 Por Larrañaga Galanes
by Nick Hammond C&S Magazine Staff
TOP 2021 SAMPLED CUBAN CIGARS #1. Por Larrañaga Galanes
A new regular production size from the ever-reliable Por Larrañaga stable, if you see this little beauty, buy it. A magnificent morning cigar being sweet and mild, one in 10 seems to have a little “added Tobasco.” A Padron pepper of a cigar!
#2. Hoyo de Monterrey Escogidos
A heavenly looking cigar and a mild-medium, sweet little number, this is the perfect way to while away an afternoon when you’re feeling very pleased with yourself. Superb demonstration of the cigarmaker’s art.
#2
Hoyo de Monterrey Escogidos
#3. Cohiba Esplendidos
This one may raise some eyebrows, as it’s one of the most faked cigars in the world, but it’s an oldie and still a goodie. Ethereal smoke when aged, burbling along with understated power and an arched eyebrow of seduction.
#4. Trinidad Fundadores
Another forgotten hero, this could be the cigar that launched a thousand love affairs. Often described by enthusiasts as the cigar that really opened their eyes to the world that cigar making offers, this is a classically elegant cigar that is still resoundingly relevant in today’s world of heavy ring gauges.
#5. Hoyo de Monterrey Primavera Year of The Ox
A second nomination for the mighty old house that is Hoyo. With a 6 5/8ins by 48 Ring Gauge, it’s a nice size for truly tasting and it’s worth tasting for sure. Smooth, sweet and delicious.
TOP FIVE CURRENT CUBAN PRODUCTION CIGARS #1. Partagas Serie E No.2 Still in there and punching, the E2–when you can find it—is still smoking beautifully. Rich, powerful, long-lasting, hefty of girth—a real cigar in every respect.
#1
Partagas Serie E N0.2
#2. Ramon Allones No.2 Often overlooked, seldom bettered. The RASS is quite possibly the finest Cuban robusto on the market. Perfect after-dinner cigar. #3. Cuaba Distinguidos One from left field. This is a glorious example of the art of cigar blending and rolling. There was a time when all cigars looked like this perfecto—tapered at both ends and bulbous in the middle. A wonderfully retro cigar replete with complexity. #4. Montecristo Leyanda A flagship of this colossus of a brand, the Leyanda is a huge smoke, so take one up only when time allows you to fully enjoy its scope and depth. Long finish, extraordinary flavors. #5. H. Upmann Connoisseur No.2 The Conny 2 has been a welcome addition to a slightly tired looking Upmann line up. Sweet as honey, fun and frill-free, this is the coffee and chat with your pals’ smoke of choice.
#2 Ramon Allones No.2
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TOP AIR PURIFIERS 2021
Air quality is a concern for everyone, and even more of an issue for cigar smokers. Cigar & Spirits Magazine offers its 2021 top-rated air purifiers...
#1
RATED AIR PURIFIER 2021
#2
RATED AIR PURIFIER 2021
#3
RATED AIR PURIFIER 2021
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CIGAR & SPIRITS MAGAZINE PROMOTION
CIGAR & SPIRITS MAGAZINE PRESENTS THE
2021 WORLD SPIRITS COMPETITION WINNERS Based on ratings between 96-98
Based on ratings 94-95
Based on ratings 92-93
Based on ratings 89-91
To provide feedback on any of the ratings, or to offer your own opinions on any of the spirits featured, write us at: feedback@cigarandspirits.com. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and leave your comments:
facebook.com/cigarandspiritsmagazine
@CigarSpiritsMag
*World Spirits Competition submissions included paid entrants.
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@CigarSpiritsMag
VODKA
Belvedere Vodka
Briggs & Massey Tito’s Handmade Vodka
Grey Goose Vodka
Ketel One
GIN
Hendrick’s Gin NOLET’S Gin
Highclere Castle Gin
Room 101 Gin
Colorado Mountain Citra Gin
100% AGAVE TEQUILA SILVER/BLANCO
Casa Mexico Silver
Siempre Plata
Comisario Blanco OTACA Plata
Cierto Tequila Reserve Collection Blanco
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100% AGAVE TEQUILA REPOSADO
Comisario Reposado
Siempre Reposada
Casamigos Reposado
Tequila Cabal Reposado
Cierto Tequila Reserve Collection Reposado
100% AGAVE TEQUILA ANEJO
Hornitos Black Barrel Tequila Siempre Anejo Tequila Cabal Anejo
Cierto Tequila Reserve Collection Anejo Reposado
Comisario Anejo
100% AGAVE TEQUILA EXTRA ANEJO
Gran Comisario Extra Anejo
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Cierto Tequila Reserve Collection Extra Anejo
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022
Tequila Cabal Extra Anejo
Cazcanes No. 9 Extra Anejo
Cierto Tequila Private Collection Extra Anejo
KRISTOFF.COM WWW.CIGARANDSPIRITS.COM
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GOLD/DARK RUM
Ron Zacapa Edicion Negra Papa’s Pilar Dark Rum
E. Leon Jimenez 110 Anniversario
Flor de Cana 18 Year
EXTRA-AGED RUM
Golden Age Marque Reserve Extra Anejo Rum Pusser’s Rum 15 Year Diplomatico Single Vintage 2004 Rum
Zacapa 23
STRAIGHT BOURBON WHISKEY
Doc Swinson’s Alter Ego Triple Cask Bourbon
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Four Roses Bourbon
Ben Milam’s Single Barrel Bourbon Garrison Brother’s Straight Bourbon Whiskey
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022
Doc Swinson’s Blender’s Cut Bourbon
UNFORSAKEN UNFORSAKEN - DARK SUMATRA Dark Sumatra Nicaraguan binder and filler; barrel aged, medium to full body; extremely rich with notes of cedar, spice, roasted coffee and complex taste of sweetness.
NAME
COLOR
SIZE
BOX OF
BUNDLE
BOOLIT
DARK
4.75 x 46
4.75 x 46
32 ct
TORO
DARK
6 x 52
6 x 52
24 ct
SIXTY
DARK
6 x 60
6 x 60
24 ct
SEVENTY
DARK
6 x 70
6 x 70
24 ct
25 5 0
SMALL BATCH BOURBON (UP TO 10 YRS)
Garrison Brothers Balmorhea
Tennessee Waltz
Toasted Oak Whiskey
Uncle Nearest 1884 Premium Small Batch Whiskey
C.B. Fisher’s Bottled in Bond Bourbon
SINGLE BARREL WHISKEY (11+ YEARS & OLDER)
Elijah Craig 18-Year Old Single Barrel
Uncle Nearest 1820 Premium Single Barrel Whiskey
Hooten Young 12 Year
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Coppercraft Single Barrel Straight Bourbon Whiskey
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AMERICAN BLENDED WHISKEY
Toassted Oak Whiskey
Second Glance American Whiskey
Sagamore Spirit Port Finish
Colorado Mountain Incline Rye Whiskey
TENESSEE WHISKEY
Grandgousier Tenessee Whiskey
Uncle Nearest 1856 Premium Aged Whiskey
Uncle Nearest 1820 Single Barrel Whiskey- US- 28
George Dickel Classsic No. 8 Whisky
STRAIGHT RYE WHISKEY
Hudson Whiskey NY Doc Swinson’s Alter Ego Solera Method Rye
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Defiant Rye
Tamar Low Gap Rye
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JAPANESE WHISKEY
Kamiki Original Whiskey
Hibiki Japanese Harmony Whiskey
Suntory Whisky
Kamiki Sakura
BLENDED SCOTCH
Ardberg Islay Single Malt Scotch 19 YO
GlenDronach Master Vintage 1993
Glenfiddich Single Malt Scotch 21 YO
The Glenrothes Single Speyside 10 YO
COGNAC
Branson Cognac XO
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Davidoff Cognac VSOP
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022
Remy Martin Cognac Fine Champagne XO Silver
Hennessy VS Special Cognac
JOSÉ SEIJAS M AT I L D E C I G A R S
T RY B OV E DA .CO M @bovedainc
@bovedainc
@bovedausa
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LIQUEUR
Hecate Cacao Liqueur
Dizzle
Alpine Preserve Liqueur
Salish Sea Honeybush Liqueur
MIXERS
ZING ZANG Pina Colada Mix SPLASH Premium Margarita Mixer
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1934 Bloody Mary Mix
SPLASH Premium Bloody Mary Mixer
SCAN THE QR CODE TO LEARN MORE
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C&S
DREW NEWMAN OF THE J.C. NEWMAN CIGAR COMPANY by Sean Chaffin
>> Drew Newman represents the New-Gen at J.C. Newman Cigar Company.
T
alk with Drew Newman about his family’s company and one topic
is clearly a source of pride— history. From the company’s early beginnings to the restoration of J.C. Newman’s El Reloj factory to the rollout of the company’s The American brand—honoring the family’s four generations as a manufacturer is crucial for Newman. Growing up in a tobacco family has made an indelible impact, and the 40-year-old cigar ambassador serves as the company’s general counsel to help keep the legacy alive. J.C. Newman is one of the most highly respected brands within the cigar industry, and producing gold standard cigars is essential for the now as well as the future.
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Photos courtesy of J.C. Newman Cigar Company
THE AMERICAN WAY
•
BEHIND THE LEAF
>> The American Cigar was created to honor the cigar history in the United States.
“What sets our family apart from the rest of the cigar industry is that we are a 126-year-old family business,” he says. “We’re the oldest family-owned cigar company in the United States. It’s a business that my greatgrandfather started and passed down to my grandfather who passed it down to my father and uncle who are in the process of passing it down to my cousins and me. It’s a real privilege to be able to continue this cigarmaking legacy.” The company’s El Reloj factory, built in 1910, brings something new to the industry. It’s part museum, cigar bar, educational facility and factory. The facility oozes not only J.C. Newman history but that of the Tampa and United States cigar industry as a whole. The American brand also complements those efforts to >> Perla Del Mar Collection
keep the family legacy and the domestic cigar industry alive. The Newmans hoped to make a great smoke using 100 percent American tobacco. He thinks the company’s done that, and the product offers a fitting nod to J.C. Newman history. The American was the name of one of the first cigars produced when El Reloj opened in 1910. The brand has now come full circle. “It really speaks to who we are as a company,” he says. “It is a four-generation family business, but an American family business.”
• The Newmans proudly honor the history of Ybor City in Florida. (left to right) Bobby Newman, Drew Newman and Eric Newman
>> The Newmans proudly honor the history of Ybor City in Florida. (left to right) Bobby Newman, Drew Newman and Eric Newman
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>> The Newman Offices: (left to right) Drew Newman, Eric Newman, Bobby Newman and Stanford Newman in 1998 with founder J.C. Newman’s painting in the background.City in Florida. (left to right) Bobby Newman, Drew Newman and Eric Newman.
>> The highly lauded J.C. Newman Portfolio
Cigar & Spirits Magazine: Describe the path you took to your current role with the company. Drew Newman: I’d been working part-time for our company since I was 15 and one of my first projects was developing our website in 1996, which is CigarFamily.com. It quickly became the most popular website of any cigar company. That led to our Cigar Family community, which is one of the places where folks like Pete Johnson [Tatuaje Cigars] and others kind of cut their teeth before they jumped in the cigar business. I went off to college and charted a different career path. I went to
Do you feel some pressure to see the legacy continue?
law school and worked for the government in Washington D.C. for
I never felt pressure growing up to join our daily business. I feel very
a number of years and then worked for a non-profit in New York
privileged to be born into this family business and it’s a privilege to
for before joining our company full-time back in 2017.
be able to continue it, but also continue the cigar-making tradition
It was always impressed upon me by my family that I should get
in Tampa, which used to be the cigar capital of the world.
an education and explore my interests—to be able to work outside
Cigars are a very important part of the character and fabric of
of our industry and develop experience with the government
Tampa, and we’re the last operating factory in the “Cigar City.” So
and as a lawyer. That’s allowed me to bring back different skills to
it’s a legacy we’re continuing not only for our family, but also for
our company that I wouldn’t have had. And so I’ve taken sort of a
our community as well.
winding path to being part of our company, and here I am. Please tell us what a cigar trip to the El Reloj factory is like. What was it like as a kid growing up in the cigar business?
We’re headquartered in a 111-year-old clock tower cigar factory in
Growing up, all the time at birthdays or Thanksgiving dinners or
the Ybor City cigar district in Tampa. In celebration of our 125th
any time the family was gathered, the conversation around the
anniversary last year, we restored the factory and opened it to the
dinner table would invariably turn to the business. So I grew up
public for the first time. We built a three-level cigar museum with a
spending school holidays in the factory. I went to my first cigar
bunch of artifacts about cigars, cigar making and Tampa. We have a
convention with my parents when I was six and started going to
theater that shows old cigar-related films and a private event space.
PCA [The Premium Cigar Association] trade shows when I was 11.
We’ve got a new hand-rolling room and a factory store as well.
I made my first trip down to the Dominican Republic with
What we’ve done is create the premier cigar tourism destination
my father and grandfather when I was 13. We did a little bit
in the United States. Just as many people love to visit wineries or
of everything, so the best way to learn is to just get your
distilleries or craft breweries for tasting and tours, there’s been
hands in it. I’ve been fortunate to grow up in this family
nothing like that for cigars. So we’ve restored our historic, iconic
business, being able to observe and learn about the tradition
factory to be just that. We’ve created a wonderful destination for
of premium cigar making.
cigar enthusiasts to come and visit. There’s nothing like it.
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>> Drew Newman carries the torch in classic J.C. Newman fashion.
>> (left to right) Carlos Fuente Jr., Stanford Newman, Eric Newman in 1995
We even offer cigar rolling classes. So if a consumer loves
The wrapper is Florida sun-grown on an eight-acre farm just
cigars and wants to learn how to roll their own cigars, come to
north of Orlando. The binder is a traditional Connecticut
our factory and we’ll teach you. Next year we’re going to start
broadleaf grown by a seventh-generation family farmer
blending classes, where we take dozens of types of tobacco
in Connecticut. He also grows part of the filler—which is a
and talk about how we blend them together and help people
different seed, a Connecticut Havana seed. The rest of the filler
create their own blends. It’s just a wonderful experience and
is grown by the Mennonites in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania,
destination that’s unlike anything else.
who’ve been farming premium cigar tobacco there since the late-1600s. We make The American using heirloom, traditional
How did the idea for the factory and museum come about? A hundred years ago there were 150 cigar factories in Tampa.
American cigar tobaccos and we’ve been able to create a wonderful, great-tasting cigar as a result.
Every year, these 150 factories rolled 500 million cigars by hand just in the city of Tampa, which is one and half times all
Is it a limited production cigar?
the cigars that are made and sold and imported into the United
Yes. It’s a limited production cigar, about 200 a day, so it’s small
States now. So cigars are a really important part of the history
but it’s a fun cigar and it’s been very well-received. We have a
of Tampa.
new size, a perfecto shape coming out next year.
But beginning in the ‘60s and ‘70s after the Cuba embargo, one
And we’re starting to roll some other cigars, including a brand
by one these factories began to close and move overseas where
we’re calling Angel Cuesta and introducing next year. We have
labor is cheaper and the conditions are easier. A few years ago,
some other projects in the works, too. It’s one of those things
my father, uncle, and I realized we were operating the last cigar
where for us, and I think others as well, it usually takes about
factory in Cigar City. We feel that we have a responsibility
three years to launch a new product. So we always have stuff in
to not only keep our factory open and keep traditional cigar
our pipeline we’re working on. It’s an exciting business to be in.
making in Tampa alive, but also to use our factory and tell the story of cigars in Tampa and its rich history.
What’s the best way to engage new customers? Continuing to educate consumers. We make an artisanal hand-
Please tell us about some current or future products that might be of interest to our audience.
crafted product that’s really a product of nature. We’re blessed
My personal favorite cigar that we’re rolling in Tampa is called
there’s been sort of a mystery or mystique about cigars. Our
The American. What’s unique is that it’s the first 100 percent
consumers are smart, interested, engaged and want to know
all-American cigar in that every piece of tobacco used is grown
more about who makes the cigars, where they’re grown and
in the United States. It’s rolled in our factory in Tampa, the
so forth. That’s part of the reason we restored our factory and
boxes are made from wood grown in the United States—the
opened it up to the public, so we could teach consumers about
paper, the cellophane—literally everything is made in America.
the art and tradition of making cigars in the United States.
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with passionate consumers who enjoy cigars. But historically
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>> The J.C. Newman factory is pristine and rich with history.
The Brick House brand has been a big hit for your company. The Brick House was one of the original cigar brands my greatgrandfather created more than 100 years ago. It really ties into our family story quite well. My great-grandfather [company founder Julius Caesar Newman] was born in 1875 in AustriaHungary in this tiny village before he came to America. And in this tiny village, my family had the only house made out of brick. On the first floor was sort of a tavern and general store where the community came together to meet. My family lived on the second floor and my great-grandfather wrote in his book that the village was beautiful with a pastoral setting. They had chickens, cows, all sorts of animals and clean air. When he came to America in 1888, he traded that setting for the industrial age in Ohio [the company was founded in 1895 in Cleveland], where everything was noisy and crowded. My great-grandfather really missed his old village, so he created Brick House to sort of honor and remember his home village where he was born and raised. If you look inside a Brick House cigar box, you’ll see a depiction of my family’s home back in Austria-Hungary made out of brick with animals and greenery surrounding it. So Brick House is a very personal cigar to my family.
The company and its family history is so interesting. I understand you’ve been busy with your own… For the last 19 months, having a newborn during the pandemic has taken the most amount of time. It’s a real privilege to be a father and see our little son grow and develop.
Sean Chaffin is a freelance writer and editor in Ruidoso, New Mexico. His work appears in numerous publications. For story assignments, email him at seanchaffin@sbcglobal.net or reach out to him on Twitter at @PokerTraditions.
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>> Eric Newman, Drew Newman, Bobby Newman in the Hand Rolling Room in El Reloj–Tampa, FL. where The American Cigar is rolled.
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C&S
>> Duke’s Saloon
Photos courtesy of Hotrods and Handguns
>> The shooting range is state of the art at Hotrods and Handguns.
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HOTRODS AND HANDGUNS BEYOND TIM MILLER’S WILDEST DREAM by Randy Mastronicola
TIM MILLER HAS CARVED OUT quite the career designing and building other people’s dreams. Hotrods and Handguns in Huntington Beach, Calif., is the fulfillment of his personal dream. Tim’s arguably developed the premiere social club in the United States—the architect of the ultimate man cave—all 40,000 square feet of it. Recently, we had the opportunity to visit Hotrods and Handguns and spend some time with Tim. He’s truly a man with a vision.
Randy Mastronicola: Hotrods and Handguns has so much to offer. The whole facility is pristine yet welcoming… Tim Miller: Well, I think the pristine part is a given. As far as the architecture, my background is in construction, design and engineering. I still have a company that does commercial projects. Why did you decide to execute your vision for the social club now? What really created this vision in my head was a combination of things. I’m passionate about cars, guns, the social aspect, bringing people together that are like-minded, especially in an area that is an unlikely spot. California is a place that you wouldn’t truly expect to find all of these things under one roof. I like that. Not only is it a challenge, but it’s a little tough to do. There are numerous steps that you have to follow that make that happen, but I think the people that come here as members appreciate that.
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>> The pristine and welcoming cigar lounge is relaxation at its most luxe.
was designed for. They can view our guitar collection there, and that’s another passion of mine. Your collection is incredible. Are you a player? No, but I’ve loved musical instruments my whole life. I love artistic things—it’s in my core DNA. Which one is your favorite guitar? If you had to pick one... That would be pretty tough. I probably have 500 guitars. There’s an acoustic side and electric side. I enjoy a Martin D-28 on the acoustic side. On the electric side, I’m a Fender Stratocaster guy. My favorite in the collection would the mint condition seafoam green 1957 Stratocaster that I have. Let’s touch on the main aspects of the social club, and why they were important for you to feature them at Hotrods and Handguns. Well, the way I design a building is from an aesthetics standpoint. The building needs to come alive. I design them room by room so that after you’re passing through a building you feel as though you’re taking a journey. It’s not simply a big, wide-open building. I mean you have things like a 25-foot waterfall in the front atrium here. That just sets the tone—the mood. You come to what we call an internet lounge as you go around the corner. People love to just sit there, have a coffee, have a drink and meet for either business or social. That’s why it’s designed that way. It was very important to me that this wasn’t just a shooting facility. This is a social club that happens to shoot. We’re very keen on making sure that we’re not just designing for men. Our membership is 45% women, and it’s specifically designed that way not to be offputting to women. We have a lot of women that come in here on a Friday night by themselves. They feel totally safe to come in and shoot. I’m intrigued by the 1911 Club… There are about 300 1911 handguns on display. These are all rare. What makes them more special— most of them can’t be owned by the general public in California. They’ve been legislated out of the system. However, it is legal for us as a shooting range to allow members to shoot them. They have access to some incredible pieces of art that happen to shoot. Most of the members really enjoy it. There’s something here for everyone. Even the cuisine... As far as our restaurants go, we wanted to have two separate entities inside the building. One is a casual, you want to come here for lunch type thing—that’s what the American Grill
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The aesthetic and quality of the cuisine at the Flight Deck is impressive… It has an aviation theme upstairs—murals on the wall, the P-51 Mustangs. We have a full-size mural of Amelia Earhart. That’s more of a higher-end restaurant experience. I wanted someone to be able to have a Kobe beef steak, for example. We have everything that you could get at any Five Star restaurant. It’s an unlikely place for it, especially since we’re not open to the public. I like to do things that are a bit different, and a little more challenging. If you really take a close look at the menus, and you take a close look at the service—the food that’s coming out—our chef is amazing. There’s been a lot of time and effort put into these restaurants to make it a dining experience worthy of what we feel is a nice club.
>> The American Grill is flanked by the inspiring guitar and hotrod collections.
I know you’re not a huge cigar smoker yourself, but the design for the lounge is spot-on for us enthusiasts. It’s integrated seamlessly within the culture of guns, the hotrods and guitar collections, the restaurants…Was it important to offer a fairly large variety of things for men who enjoy a premium lifestyle? Yes. I think that the cigars… And women, too…[laughs] And women, yes. There are definitely women that utilize what we call the Pilot’s Lounge because it’s attached to the Flight Deck. It’s a beautiful room with a walk-in custom-designed Spanish cedar humidor with private lockers for members. I think what I love most about the cigar industry is I can look at things that attract my attention from the artistic side, and it just takes me to that place. I can see the old wooden tables that cigar rollers in Cuba, Honduras, or wherever are putting their entire lives into. That’s what I see when I see a box of cigars. I understand you have a special connection to the saloon here… It’s as close to a period-correct 1880 saloon as we could get and still have big-screen TVs on the wall. I wanted to attach the firearms as well there because I have a fairly nice collection of original Colts and original Winchesters.
I’m also a John Wayne fan. Ethan Wayne, John’s son, is a friend of mine. We got together and we named the saloon after his father so that it’s the Legendary Duke’s Saloon. The flow here is very organic even though there’s a lot going on from the shooting range, the collections, the cigar lounge, the restaurants, etc. That’s important to me. For example, my car collection—that’s the hot rod part here. I don’t look at it superficially. I like to know something about that car. For example, I have a 1969 GTO Judge, and it happens that the data plate was made the same day that they landed on the moon. To me, it’s not important from a date standpoint—it’s the men and women that were assembling that car on that day. What was on their mind? It just gives it another dimension. What puts hot rods and handguns over the top? Like it’s a no-brainer that you should join become a member... It’s a great question. It’s tough because there’s so many facets to this club. Let’s take a couple of pieces at a time. If you are a shooter—a seasoned shooter or you’re just thinking about becoming a shooter—we are the place. For example, we have about 10 RSOs [Range Safety Officers] that are highly-trained at our range.
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>> An illuminated exterior night view of Hotrods and Handguns in Huntington Beach, Calif.
We have individual classes. We are huge on training, and it’s everything from a soccer mom that’s just thinking about the protection of her home—we can take her and make her proficient and confident with protection. And it goes all the way up to Navy SEAL standards with everything in between. That level’s for a shooter, but probably 25 percent of the members here are not shooters.
That’s a humble way of looking at it… The social aspect is very big. We have lots of people that come here on a Friday night just to have a glass of wine and sit and talk with friends. We’ve created a lot of places around the club where you can do that. If you want to have a cigar— awesome. If you just want to sit and have a glass of wine— that’s great too.
I was really curious about that breakdown… We have a number of members here that are not shooters, but their friends are. They get to bring them as guests, and it’s a treat for them. We have many people here that weren’t shooters when they signed up, but they are great shooters now. They didn’t even think that they were signing up to become a shooter, but they just got it from observing the other folks having an entertaining time.
I imagine this must be so rewarding for you–to be able to share what you’ve created… I’ve built a lot of buildings in my life. I really love my career of helping people achieve their dreams. After you’ve built a lot of buildings—they’re just buildings. It’s what’s behind it and what their dreams are about…
Then there’s a social aspect. I may own it. I may have designed it, but I don’t really “own” it. I don’t feel like I do. It’s all for the members. When you walk through that front door, you need to feel like you just came home, and that’s what we strive for.
I’ve been very fortunate to be helpful in many ways in creating those dreams. Although I’ve built some things for myself before, this truly is a passionate dream of mine to have a club like this. It looked like this when I saw it in my mind several years ago. Yes, that’s very rewarding.
Randy Mastronicola is the Editor-in-Chief of Cigar & Spirits Magazine.
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C&S
COCKTAIL CORNER Shake, Stir and Sip Like Celebs and World-Class Bartenders by Matt Randolph
TRINA The Diamond Princess Trina is an American rapper, songwriter, television personality and actress. She successfully entered the rap world in 1998 with her sexy, rugged and captivating looks and music. She’s regarded as one of the most consistent rappers of all-time. Her accolades through the years include a Source Award, Golden Trailer Award, two ASCAP Awards, two BMI Awards, one Billboard Music Award, one EME Award and one All-Star Music Award. Trina’s currently a cast member on the VH1 reality television series Love & Hip Hop: Miami. Her single “Receipts” is currently available on all streaming platforms.
NYAK Cognac as she’s the ambassador for the brand. “NYAK is a black-owned brand that embraces and markets to hip hop culture,” she explains. “It’s actually the fastest-growing cognac brand in United States with a 1,000 percent growth rate.” Why The Diamond Princess? “It’s named after my second album The Diamond Princess. I can drink NYAK straight or over ice because the oaky and peppery gourmet base is delightful. But sometimes I want a tasty and sweet drink when I’m out with a date or maybe on a ladies night out. The passionfruit juice is so yummy with NYAK.”
We checked in with Trina and asked her about her favorite cocktail of the day. Not surprisingly, the cocktail features
The Diamond Princess Recipe: Ingredients • 1 oz. NYAK cognac • 1 oz. chai-infused sweet vermouth • ¾ oz. lemon juice, freshly squeezed
• ¾ oz. passionfruit juice • ½ oz. simple syrup • garnish: pink flower
Add the NYAK Cognac, chai-infused sweet vermouth, lemon juice, passionfruit juice and simple syrup into a shaker with ice and shake until well-chilled. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with pink flower. *Chai-infused sweet vermouth: Add 4 green cardamom pods, 4 cloves, 1 cinnamon stick and 1 half-inch piece of ginger to a small saucepan, and toast, stirring, over medium heat for about 2 minutes. Add 1 tbsp. chai or black tea and 2 cups Cinzano Rosso Vermouth removed from 1 liter bottle. Bring to a simmer and cook for 2 minutes. Remove from the heat, and allow to cool completely. Add the remaining vermouth from the bottle, and strain the mixture through cheesecloth. Bottle and store at room temperature.
@trinarockstarr @nyakcognac
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My Dirty G&T Daniel first caught our eye in 2004’s Spider-Man 2 while starring opposite Kirsten Dunst as her love interest. He’d go on to catch millions of eyes as the Original Vampire, “Elijah”, on the massively successful Vampire Diaries television series. That success led into the spin-off series entitled The Originals.
Photos courtesy of Initiative PR
Daniel Gillies
Daniel’s career has expanded throughout the years with writing, directing and producing credits for projects like Broken Kingdom and Kingdom Come. He’s currently seen in a recurring role on the popular Netflix series Virgin River. So what’s our favorite Canadian-born, New Zealand raised celebrity’s go-to cocktail? “I’ve been a dirty gin and tonic guy from way back,” he says. “It kind of stretches from the start of my career to present. I’m a big Hendrick’s Gin fan as well–it’s my favorite for a G&T. My Dirty G&T always gets me where I wanna go.”
My Dirty G&T Recipe: • 1 oz. Hendrick’s Gin •½ oz. fresh lime juice • 2 oz. dry tonic water • 2-3 olives (or more to taste) •¼ tsp. olive juice/brine (or more to taste) In a lowball glass filled with ice, combine the gin, lime juice and olive juice/brine. Top with tonic and stir gently to combine. Garnish with olives to serve. @mr.danielgillies.com @virginriverseries
Tom Dyer Tom’s focused his dynamic skills as a professional flair bartender over the two decades he’s been in the drinks industry. He’s travelled the world—competing and placing first in over 80 competitions—including 10 United Kingdom titles and two World Championship titles. Tom’s highly entertaining YouTube channel showcases his flair bartending prowess and drink creations to the delight of cocktail enthusiasts across the globe. He also manages five schools under the European Bartender School brand in London, Paris, Milan, Rome and Cape Town, South Africa. Recently, Tom teamed up with MOZERS. The brand features, liqueurs, brandies and a unique London Dry Gin. “This cocktail is a new favorite of mine that uses MOZERS unique products—the Williams Spirit and Williams Liqueur. It’s a glorious mix of pear, saké and nut flavors that work so well together. It’s one of those cocktails that just seemed to fall together and work straight away.”
Nutty Pear of Coconuts Recipe: • ¾ oz. coconut water • 1 oz. Mozers William Spirit • ½ oz. Mozers Williams Liqueur • ¼ oz. orgeat syrup • ice • 1¼ oz. saké Throw all ingredients together 5 or 6 times in a shaker. Be sure it’s nicely chilled and partially diluted. Strain into a lowball glass with a large chunk of clear ice. Garnish with a slice of pear brushed with honey and dipped in desiccated coconut. @tomdyerbartender @europeanbartenderschool
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Photos courtesy of Tom Dyer
Nutty Pair of Coconuts
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Jim Jackson Zacapa 23
Jim’s one of the good guys, just about as real-deal of a cigar and spirits enthusiast as anyone who’s ever appeared in our magazine. He’s a passionate and extremely knowledgeable Cuban cigar lover, too. We caught up with Jim amidst his intense travel schedule, and he gave us the skinny on his recipe for relaxation of the moment.
Photo courtesy of @jimjackson2224
Jim’s been a friend of Cigar & Spirits Magazine ever since he appeared in the November/December 2018 issue. He was a two-time All-American, two-time Big Ten Player of the Year and UPI’s National Player of the Year in 1992. Jim had a stellar NBA career while starring in the league for 14 seasons. His basketball career and broadcasting duties with FOX Sports has kept him in the public eye for decades now.
Zacapa 23 Recipe: “Find a dope cigar lounge of your choice. (I’ve loved the legendary Grand Havana Room in Beverly Hills for years now.) Order three fingers of Zacapa 23—ice cube(s) optional. Fire up a favorite cigar like a Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure. Enjoy the moment. That’s maybe my favorite recipe, and I look forward to it every chance I get.” Why rum? “The majority of cigar smokers in the United States prefer some type of whiskey, a scotch to pair up with their cigar. I love it, too, but I prefer a nice rum to tickle my palate. It hits me a bit different, and in just the right spot.” @jimjackson2224
Lucinda Sterling The Hanoi Sunset Lucinda is a much touted New York City-based bartender, cocktail expert, menu-beverage consultant and recipe developer. She started her career in 2005 at cocktail icon Sasha Petraske’s storied speakeasy Milk & Honey. She rose through the ranks to become a mixologist at Petraske’s Little Branch and later managing partner at the bars Middle Branch and Seaborne. “I created The Hanoi Sunset as a nod to my Vietnamese heritage,” says Lucinda. “The recipe is a riff on the classic Tuxedo No. 2 cocktail, and made with Sông Cái Dry Gin. It’s the first-ever Vietnamese gin with Southeast Asian botanicals including hand foraged green turmeric, jungle-pepper, heirloom pomelo and white licorice root.” Recipe: • 1 dropper rose + hibiscus • 2 dashes Angostura bitters • 1 oz. vermouth bianco • 2 oz. Sông Cái Dry Gin • stir and strain into a coupe • spritz with turmeric absinthe • garnish with a rose petal, rosebud or candied rose petal @lucindasterling @seaborneredhook Matt Randolph is an award-winning writer and editor living in Santa Fe, NM.
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Photos courtesy of Dan Q Dao
The Hanoi Sunset
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BACK COVER A FUENTE
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