JULY / AUGUST 2020
editorials JULY / AUGUST 2020
31
SUMMER COCKTAILS 32 ZAFRA WARM AND SUNNY / OLIVA SERIE V MELANIO 33 HARRY’S EL ITALIANO / UNDERCROWN SHADE SUPREMA 34 ABERFELDY HERBED HONEY SMASH / DAVIDOFF NICARAGUA 36 ZYR METROPOLITAN MARTINI / ROMEO Y JULIETA CONNECTICUT NICARAGUA
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39
ROAD TRIPPIN’
51
THE AMERICANS
75
THE TOBACCONIST
We ditch the travel brochures and revisit some of our own North American sojourns, letting the past inform the present. We’re only going to stay inside for so long, so consider this a warning. We’ve got wheels and we’re gonna use them.
For 125 years, J.C. Newman Cigar has kept the future in sight, sticking with tobacco even as much of the world deemed it uncool. It’s cool again, and now the Tampa-based company has a new generation of leadership ready to lead.
Director Nikolaus Leytner talks about his film set in late 30s Austria. The film released this year in the U.S. weaves a tale of mentorship and romance, based in a Vienna tobacco shop and featuring Sigmund Freud’s prolific love of cigars.
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features JULY / AUGUST 2020
16
LETTER FROM THE PUBLISHER
20
FEEDBACK
22
WHAT’S BURNIN’
26
BRAND BREAKDOWN 26 THE OSCAR MADURO 28 LEAF BY OSCAR
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56
SMOKING HOT CIGAR SNOB
79
RATINGS
96
TWITTER SCOREBOARD
KNOT WORKING
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JULY / AUGUST 2020
VO L . 12 IS SU E 4 www.cigarsnobmag.com PUBLISHER & EDITOR Erik Calviño SENIOR EDITOR Steve Miller COPY EDITOR Michael LaRocca SALES & OPERATIONS DIRECTOR Oscar M. Calviño PRODUCTION DIRECTOR Ivan Ocampo ART DIRECTOR Andy Astencio ADVERTISING COORDINATOR Jamilet Calviño DIGITAL RETOUCHING SPECIALIST Ramón Santana DIGITAL CONTENT MANAGEMENT Gianni D’Alerta Natalia Marie García CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS David Benoliel Andy Astencio Cover Photography by David Benoliel www.davidbenolielphotography.com Cover Models Shannon McMullen Stephanie Peterson Cigar Snob is published bi-monthly by Lockstock Publications, Inc. 1421-1 SW 107th Ave., #253 Miami, FL 33174-2509 Tel: 1 (786) 423-1015 Cigar Snob is a registered trademark of Lockstock Publications, Inc., all rights reserved. Reproduction in part or full without written permission from the publisher is prohibited. Cigar Snob is printed in the U.S. Contents copyright 2006, Lockstock Publications, Inc. To subscribe, visit www.cigarsnobmag.com
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14 | CIGAR SNOB | JUL / AUG 2020
In the midst of this crazy time in the world, a time when everything seems to be going wrong, the premium cigar industry at large had something go right. On Wednesday, August 19th in the District Court of the District of Columbia, Judge Amit Mehta ruled in favor of the cigar industry in the Cigar Association of America et al. v. United States Food and Drug Administration et al. case. The ruling gives the premium cigar industry temporary but much needed relief from the premarket approval deadline that was looming for September 9th, 2020. What does this mean for you, the cigar consumer? The reality is that you won’t see much of a difference but in my view that’s a big victory. Our world is in a bizarre state. We’ve got many in the media pushing this idea of a “new normal” and people repeat that phrase as if it was a good thing. This “new normal” where we no longer shake hands, give hugs, socialize with friends or co-workers, and walk around wearing masks in a 6-foot bubble is NOT a good thing, let’s not act like it is. It’s a little like watching professional sports with no fans in the stands; it’s better than no sports but it isn’t exactly good. There’s no energy, no passion, no fanaticism, and even watching it on TV from hundreds or thousands of miles away, you can certainly feel the void. So yes, I feel that having our experience as a cigar consumer stay exactly the same in that regard is a good thing. Let’s hope that the cigar industry continues to get better at fighting this fight so that in the near future victories like this will have a little more staying power. This issue has a special place in my heart because it was the first issue of the pandemic where we were actually able to produce a photo shoot. We had to pull a few strings and change the process a bit to make it happen but hey, we did it and it’s beautiful, check out Knot Working starting on p. 56. Thank you to our photo shoot partner Altadis USA (altadisusa.com) for the great smokes and to our dear friend Tony Guerra for working with us to pull off a shoot at The Wharf Miami (wharfmiami.com). I personally can’t wait for The Wharf to be open to the public again. A huge thanks to our photo shoot crew who had to deal with temperature checks, masks, and even the anxiety of an incoming hurricane during the shoot. Their level of professionalism and talent in the face of adversity is the reason why photo shoot after photo shoot, we do everything possible to keep the team intact. This is also the issue where we welcome aboard the newest member of the Cigar Snob editorial team, our new senior editor Steve Miller! If you want to give him a proper welcome just read his work starting with the first proper travel story of the pandemic; Road Trippin’ on p. 39, followed by a profile of the Newman family in The Americans on p. 51, and finally a story about a movie you should watch titled The Tobacconist on p. 75. Steve has come in and hit the ground running and I can’t wait to send him and his questionable Spanish speaking skills to Nicaragua, Honduras, and the Dominican Republic.
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Something tells me he’ll get on just fine. Lastly I want to thank the four spirit companies who came into Cigar Snob HQ to show us how to make Summer Cocktails on p. 31. If you’re interested in making these cocktails but need a little more instruction, head over to our YouTube channel and subscribe! There’s a bunch more content coming soon that you won’t want to miss. I hope you all are staying safe, supporting your local brick and mortar cigar shop, and smoking excellent cigars. If this wild time has shown us anything, it’s that we need to be kind to one another and enjoy our time on this planet. So if you’re waiting for a particular moment to smoke that special cigar, smoke it now. There’s nothing more special than being alive and well.
Keep ‘em lit,
Erik Calviño ecalvino@cigarsnobmag.com
PROPS FROM THE PERSIAN GULF Greetings from Kuwait! I trust each of you had a relaxing and fun Independence Day Weekend! I’m guessing that I am not the first nor only to comment and compliment on Podcast Episode 42. I started listening to this episode on my walk back to my room from the airfield (at about 0230 Arabian Standard Time (AST)) this morning. I must admit that I was really drawn (no pun intended) to Robert Holt and his story BEFORE he and Nick started discussing “Cigars for Warriors”. Robert and I have a lot in common in regards to our experience in the military (although I have never been a part of Air Assault) and wireless telecommunications (and I haven’t lost $20 Million on a telecom deal). The email attached doesn’t mention any Southern Draw Cigars. I’ve only had one Southern Draw thus far, and that was the Firethorn Robusto. Directly after sending this email, I will be ordering a box or two of Southern Draw, depending on availability, hopefully, the Kudzu, Jacob’s Ladder, Rose of Sharon, and/or the Firethorn Habano Rosado. I’ll only be able to pair them with water, tea, or coffee for now...tequilas, bourbons, and beer upon my return to the US. Mr. Holt said it best, “Celebrate that day”! Keep up the great work Nick, Erik, and Ivan! I now feel a lot closer to Southern Draw! Thanks again Robert for all of your hard work and efforts with “Cigars for Warriors”!
Jim L. via feedback@cigarsnobmag.com Kuwait
MODEL JOURNALISM Got the issue yesterday. The article on the experiences of the model shoots was one of the best I have read in a long while. Absolutely loved it! Keep up the good work and stay safe. Best to you from a dedicated subscriber.
Stephen F. via feedback@cigarsnobmag.com
“CLASSY, INTERESTING, BEAUTIFUL” – WE’LL TAKE IT Just received my first copy of your magazine and subsequently will not be renewing my other magazines. I could not honestly put it down finding one good article after another. Your presentation is extremely classy with interesting news on the cigar world and beautiful artwork. It’s my pleasure sitting outside reading this magazine while I smoke my cigar. Please keep working as hard as you do to keep both the magazine and the Podcast going.
James S. via feedback@cigarsnobmag.com
MUSCULAR PROSE Just wanted to share that I enjoyed your “Letter from the Publisher” in your latest JUN 2020 edition. Thank you and good luck as we all navigate these uncertain times.
Christian S. via feedback@cigarsnobmag.com
WRITE US AT FEEDBACK@CIGARSNOBMAG.COM 20 | CIGAR SNOB | JUL / AUG 2020
INTRODUCING INSPIRADO GREEN TAKE YOUR SENSES TO UNSEEN TERRITORIES Introducing Macanudo Inspirado Green, the uniquely provocative new blend from the award-winning Inspirado line. Combining the intriguing flavors of Brazilian and Colombian tobaccos, Inspirado Green is rich, memorable, and sure to take your senses on a journey to unseen territories.
SURGEON GENERAL WARNING: Cigars Are Not A Safe Alternative To Cigarettes. E X P E R I E N C E A W O R L D O F I N S P I R AT I O N MACANUDO.COM/INSPIRADO/GREEN © 2020 General Cigar Co., Inc.
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Summer Cocktails WITH RECORD-BREAKING HEAT BEARING DOWN ON YOU THIS SUMMER AND THE PANDEMIC KEEPING YOU FROM TAKING THAT SUMMER VACATION, YOU’LL BE SPENDING MORE WEEKENDS AT HOME BY THE POOL. NO SWEAT, WE’VE GOT YOU COVERED WITH A SET OF FRESH AND EASY TO MAKE COCKTAILS THAT PAIR PERFECTLY WITH CIGARS AND SUNNY DAYS. BY ERIK CALVIÑO
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R
OAD TRIPpin'
We’re still hung up with this ‘rona virus, and while it looks like it’s abating, the aftereffects are dogging us. Air travel is spotty, with entire routes cancelled. Hotels still haven’t reinstituted their perks for frequent guests, or even the complimentary breakfasts at the mid-tier level. We’re blessed that most cigar bars have kept the lights on and the humidors full. In fact, the spate of new cigar issues is encouraging, and keeps us going on particularly discouraging days. Having our wings clipped for a few months puts a dent in our quest to inform you of all things wonderful in cigars and other pleasures of the world. Like you, we’ve sat and waited this out with a mixture of patience and grace. At least, most of the time. We can say this time down, what with working at home and all, has been good for getting outside more often. Some of us are exercising more, while some are rediscovering that fresh air is a good thing. To fill in for lost travel time, we’ve outlined five outdoor places around the U.S. that you may be able to get to for some R & R, including where to get the finest smokes to make sure your relaxation is the fullest it can be. There isn’t much reason or rhyme to these places, they’re just locations we’ve been to over the years and they remain close to our hearts. Most don’t require logistical acrobatics. And in terms of making the best of things, these are places you may not normally go. But then, what’s normal anymore? There is no ‘new normal,’ that’s for sure. We loved the way things were. And they will come back. Until then…
by Steve Miller
Photo: Rudy Balasko / iStock
>>
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Alejandro MartĂnez Cuenca Joya De Nicaragua
Dion Giolito Illusione Cigars
Carlos "Carlito" Fuente, Jr. Tabacalera A. Fuente y Cia.
Erik Espinosa Espinosa Cigars
Karl Malone Barrel-Aged by Karl Malone
cigarsnobmag.com/podcast
50 | CIGAR SNOB | JUL / AUG 2020
the americans
keeping tampa's legacy burning by Steve Miller
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51
at the wharf Miami
BY STEVE MILLER
Freud fixed heads. A new movie shows how he fixed his own. Hint: Cigars, lots of them.
60 CIGARS