p.66
GOING UNDERCOVER
with
DONNIE BRASCO p.35
CASK FINISHED
SCOTCH p.25
MAY / JUNE 2024 DISPLAY UNTIL 05/27/24
DISPLAY UNTIL 07/22/24
editorials MAY / JUNE 2024
25 5 TO TRY - CASK FINISHED SCOTCH The mission was to pick five Scotch whisky offerings of different price ranges, styles, and regions and make sure each was finished in a different type of cask. Then find the cigar that best paired with each spirit. We think we nailed it!
26 THE BALVENIE /
PLASENCIA ALMA DEL CAMPO
27 DEWAR’S DOUBLE DOUBLE 21 YEARS / A. FUENTE DON CARLOS
28 THE DALMORE /
H.UPMANN BY AJ FERNANDEZ
30 ALEXANDER MURRAY & CO. HIGHLAND 10 YEARS / ROCKY PATEL DARK STAR
32 JURA /
GURKHA COLECCIÓN ESPECIAL
35 BRASCO The real Donnie Brasco isn’t a social media handle. We talk with Joe Pistone, who as an FBI agent took the name Brasco as a pseudonym and infiltrated the Mob. Retired and robust, Pistone/Brasco is good with cigars, too.
38 RARE CUT A museum exhibit in South Florida provides a glimpse into the once-sparkling craft of creating and producing ornate cigar cutters.
59 FIRST CIGAR
ROBEISY “EL TREN” RAMÍREZ Robeisy Ramírez boxed his way out of Cuba and into the world of international boxing, where he became a featherweight champion. Ramirez talks of fleeing his homeland, a political awakening and his love of cigars.
64 Q&A : MANUEL YNOA MASTER BLENDER LA AURORA CIGARS
The master blender of La Aurora Cigars started his career in tobacco after a chance encounter at his flying club. Thirty years later he has worked with some of the biggest names in the premium cigar world and has the blends to prove it.
80 SURFCOMBER 8 | CIGAR SNOB | MAY / JUN 2024
MAY / JUN 2024 | CIGAR SNOB | 9
features MAY / JUNE 2024
14 LETTER FROM THE PUBLISHER
16 FEEDBACK
18 WHAT’S BURNIN’
41 RATINGS
66 SMOKING HOT CIGAR SNOB SUMMER VIBES
FEATURING JOYA DE NICARAGUA CINCO DE CINCO
82 X SCOREBOARD
84 INSTAGRAM SCOREBOARD
86 EVENTS 86 PCA COVERAGE 90 2023 DAVIDOFF GOLDEN BAND AWARDS 92 11TH ANNUAL SMOKING TENT EVENT 93 TEXAS CIGAR FESTIVAL 94 TABACON PLANTATION GRAND OPENING 96 VILLIGER CIGARS AT SABOR HAVANA CIGARS 98 SACRIFICIO LAUNCH PARTY AT REGATTA GROVE
10 | CIGAR SNOB | MAY / JUN 2024
MAY / JUN 2024 | CIGAR SNOB | 11
CASK FINISHED SCOTCH FINISHING SCOTCH IN CASKS THAT PREVIOUSLY HELD OTHER SPIRITS OR WINES IS BY NO MEANS A NEW PRACTICE. THE BALVENIE, FOR ONE, STARTED TOUTING ITS WHISKIES AS “CASK FINISHED” IN THE 1980S. BUT, THERE HAS BEEN NOTICEABLE GROWTH IN THE AMOUNT OF EXPERIMENTATION WITH DIFFERENT CASKS AND WOOD TYPES IN RECENT DECADES. FOR THAT REASON WE WANTED TO SHARE THESE FIVE MALTS FINISHED IN DIFFERENT CASKS AND AT DIFFERENT PRICE POINTS. OF COURSE, WE ALSO WANTED TO PAIR EACH ONE WITH A CIGAR THAT WE FELT COMPLEMENTED THE WHISKY OR VICE VERSA.
by Erik Calviño
`
the
real
Donnie Brasco BY STEVE MILLER / PHOTOGRAPHY BY NATALIA AGUILERA / LOCATION SMOKE INN BOYNTON BEACH
P L A S E N C I AC I GA R S . COM
@ P L A S E N C I AC I GA R S
`
48 CIGARS
WITH
ROBEISY "EL TREN" RAMÍREZ Interview by Michael Beltrán and Nicolás A. Jiménez / Photography by Christian Schneeweihs
Location: El Vecino Miami
FEATURING
Joya De Nicaragua Cinco De cinco
PCA COVERAGE 2024
LAS VEGAS NV
PREMIUM CIGAR ASSOCIATION’S ANNUAL CONVENTION & TRADE SHOW
PCA OPENING RECEPTION The opening reception at PCA was hosted by Crowned Heads and E.P. Carrillo Cigars. All attendees received a canvas bag branded by both companies. E.P. Carrillo gave out Allegiance Sidekick and Pledge Prequel while Crowned Heads gave out Coroneta Maduro, Coroneta Habano and Ozgener Firsat. The event featured an open bar and food, which was enjoyed by the full house.
Belkys Sánchez, Francheska Reyes and Manuel Martin
Fritz Bossert, Dr. Corina Villiger, René Castañeda, Lucien Villiger, Mirko Lorenzo and Matias Maragoto
Ben Williams, Octavia Toliver and Jaxx Guevarra
Chelsea Hendricks, John Maroudas, Paulie Segal and Dimi Maroudas
JC NEWMAN MEDIA PARTY JC Newman hosted a media party at Brezza on the outdoor terrace, where guests included both cigar producers and media figures, with host Drew Newman on hand. Party favors included appetizers, open bar and plenty of JC Newman cigars.
Brandin Couch and Adam Guard
Sydney Kotoch and Drew Newman
86 | CIGAR SNOB | MAY / JUN 2024
Kara Guagliardo, Chris Szeglowski and Monica Foster
LITTO GÓMEZ 70th BIRTHDAY PARTY This private party to celebrate the 70th birthday of La Flor Dominicana’s founder was attended by some of the industry’s biggest names, among them Carlos “Carlito” Fuente, Jochy Blanco, and Jorge Padrón. There was food, drinks and LFD cigars, but the highlights were the speeches. Litto thanked the group followed by a toast from his oldest son, Tony Gómez.
Inés, Litto Jr., Valentina, Litto and Tony Gómez
Inés and Valentina Gómez, Miranda and Beba Padrón
Brittany McNeil and Tico Gutiérrez
Jorge Padrón, Jochy Blanco, Litto Gómez and Carlos "Carlito" Fuente Jr.
LA PALINA DINNER The boys from La Palina held their annual dinner at Brezza where chef Nicole Brisson wowed the group with her award-winning Italian fare. The event started on the patio and moved to the private dining room, where in addition to food and drink, everyone shared stories and experiences with Sam Phillips, Clay Roberts, and Bill Paley. From the guest list to the precise seating arrangements, the dinner was strategically planned to promote conversation and camaraderie.
Sammy Phillips, Bill Paley, Clay Roberts and Nicole Brisson
Boris Grossman and Patrick Vivalo
Lisa Mead and Joaquin Hilton
Angelica Garmendia, Brandon Searfoss, Alex Svenson and José Palacios
MAY / JUN 2024 | CIGAR SNOB | 87