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20 YEARS OF THE EDGE p. 37 MAN CAVES p. 43 ART FROM THE HEART p. 75 ISLAND GREEN p. 27 GULFSTREAM PARK RACING p. 66 DISPLAY UNTIL 07/24/2023
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Hear “The Man’s” Story www.arturofuente.com/theman
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editorials MAY / JUNE 2023
24 PERFECT PAIRINGS FLOR DE CAÑA 130TH ANNIVERSARY / JOYA DE NICARAGUA CUATRO CINCO What happens when you combine one of the highest expressions of Nicaragua’s iconic Flor de Caña rum with the “Most Nicaraguan Cigar”?
27 ENCHANTED BY PUERTO RICO Explore the magic of Puerto Rico, from its stunning landscapes and rich history to world-class golf courses and vibrant cigar scene.
37 THE EDGE - ROCKY PATEL The story behind the brand that grew from a naked cigar sold by the crate-load to become the engine behind the growth of Rocky Patel Premium Cigars for twenty years. What tobacco made this blend stand out from competitors and what’s in store for the brand’s future?
43 MAN CAVES Smoking bans and tobacco Karens have you down? We talk to some folks who carved out their own at-home cigar lounges. As close to a how-to as we’ll get.
66 GULFSTREAM PARK RACING A haven of thoroughbreads in South Florida awaits, and along with the races come fine food, shopping and entertainment, a trifecta of good times.
75 ART FROM THE HEART A cigar manufacturer connected an attorney with a young man with special needs. Here’s the story of how their journey has blossomed into a beautiful collaboration creating cigar art.
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features MAY / JUNE 2023
14 LETTER FROM THE PUBLISHER
16 FEEDBACK
18 WHAT’S BURNIN’
50 SMOKING HOT CIGAR SNOB PHOTO FINISH FEATURING GURKHA CIGARS
68 PROCIGAR FESTIVAL 2023 The Dominican Republic hosted a fusion of education, entertainment, and exclusive cigars at the annual event, with factory tours, field trips and personal meetings with master blenders.
79 RATINGS
92 TWITTER SCOREBOARD
94 INSTAGRAM SCOREBOARD
96 EVENTS 96 DAVIDOFF EXPERIENCE WITH CIGAR BOX
98 THE GREAT SMOKE 100 TEXAS CIGAR FESTIVAL 102 DOWNTOWN CIGAR BAR 8TH YEAR ANNIVERSARY PARTY
104 EXECUTIVE CIGARS DINNER FEATURING DIDIER CIGARS
106 29TH ANNUAL CONINE GOLF CLASSIC 108 INTERNATIONAL LUXURY CIGAR GALA 110 NEPTUNE GRAND OPENING 10 | CIGAR SNOB | MAY / JUN 2023
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Together for tomorrow! InterTabac 2023 World’s Largest Trade Fair for Tobacco Products and Smoking Accessories
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VO L . 15 IS SU E 3 www.cigarsnob.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
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CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Gavin Maliska CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS David Benoliel Andy Astencio Infinite Creations EVENT PHOTOGRAPHERS Jamilet Calviño MichyWatchao Victor Ferrante Cover Photography by David Benoliel www.davidbenolielphotography.com Cover Model - Glorie Gilkey 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.cigarsnob.com
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We lost a good one in April. I’m known around here as the guy who tells people their cigars aren’t very good. I have a tendency of being brutally honest when someone asks for an “honest opinion” and I do it because I sincerely want him or her to make the best cigar they can. I don’t want them to waste their time, energy, and money on a product that has very little chance of succeeding. As you can imagine, many don’t take this feedback with grace. I get some pretty nasty emails coming back my way. Back in June of 2012, Steve Zengel contacted me from out of the blue. Steve owned a retail location called Beach House Cigars in New Jersey and was having a blend made that he was hoping to launch as a brand. He’d given it to friends, customers, and a couple of cigar reps, all of whom said they liked the blend but he wasn’t quite sure if they were being sincere. So he went on our website, clicked “Contact Us”, and asked if we would taste the cigars and give him our opinion. The cigars were terrible. I apologized for the bad news, told him what was wrong with the cigar, apologized again, and prepared for an expletive-laden email or phone call from Jersey. He handled it like a gentleman - thanked me for the honest feedback and promptly scrapped the project. Then he thanked me again and asked if he could buy copies of our magazine directly from our website so that he wouldn’t have to drive to Barnes and Noble to buy them for his customers. This wasn’t normal; not only was he not upset, but he wanted to continue to support the magazine. Steve worked as an assistant principal in a nearby high school, ran Beach House Cigars after school, and he and his wife Lorri were raising twin 8-year-old boys. Then two police officers were murdered in his hometown. Steve sprung into action, trying to raise money for the families of the fallen officers. But he found he couldn’t generate much from his store and local charity events. Driven by a desire to help, he created a cigar brand in 2015 whose purpose it was to raise money for fallen police officers. He took everything he had learned from his retail shop and the cigar project that he’d scrapped and created Los Caidos Cigars (The Fallen).The idea was to sell the cigars at retailers nationwide, like any other cigar brand would, but $1 from every cigar would go to a 501(c)(3) charity that would distribute the funds to the families. This time around, the cigar was fantastic. It was a very limited run but it was exceptional and he sold out. Steve made and sold more of them in subsequent years. We had Steve on the Cigar Snob Podcast in 2018, which you can find in the archives. We also wrote about Los Caidos in our January/February 2019 issue after he’d released an extension to benefit the families of fallen firefighters. My sister Jamy and I flew up to New York to see Steve deliver a check to the families of the two murdered officers.
we lost a good one and we already miss him dearly. He was one of the most kindhearted people I have ever met. I pray for his family, especially Lorri and his twins. I smoked an original Los Caidos from 2015 at the completion of this letter in his honor. At the time of this writing I don’t know if Los Caidos is still shipping cigars, but if they are consider supporting the brand. God bless,
Steve and I communicated in mid-April of this year and agreed to meet up at the Atlantic City Cigar Social. He had news of a new project for Los Caidos, but the meeting never happened.
Erik Calviño
Steve passed away suddenly on April 23rd at the age of 52. Like I said,
ecalvino@cigarsnobmag.com
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3rd Camp Camacho Release
San Andres Maduro Wrapper
CONQUERING THE RUGGED TERRAIN OF HONDURAS IS NO EASY TASK. MANY HAVE SOUGHT THE CHALLENGE, WITH FEW LITTLE REWARDS. AT CAMP CAMACHO, OUR BLENDERS NEVER BACK DOWN FROM SUCH A CHALLENGE. THIS TRIFECTA IS BUILT ON THE DARKER SIDE OF BOLD, WITH THE INFAMOUS MADURO WRAPPER. THE CAMACHO FACTORY UNLEASHED 3 IS THE THIRD RELEASE IN THE FACTORY UNLEASHED SERIES, CREATED TO HONOR THE FINEST CRAFTSMEN THAT FUEL WHERE BOLD IS BORN. GRIT AND DETERMINATION REQUIRED. LIKE ALL LEGENDARY BEASTS IN THE WILD, THIS SMOKE IS A RARE SIGHT WAITING TO BE FOUND. VENTURE OFF THE BEATEN PATH AT CAMPCAMACHO.COM AND JOIN OTHER ONLINE THRILL SEEKERS AND BECOME AN AMBASSADOR OF BOLD. or of bold.
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A LOVE STORY It was around 1997 or 1998 when I told my wife, I’ve got an itch that needs to be scratched. She asked me what I meant and I told her I wanna find something that’s bad for me that I will enjoy. She thought I meant fast cars and loose women. I explained that I’m talking about something like a vice, maybe smoking or alcohol. At the time I did not partake of either. She thought that was pretty weird. My brother-in-law invited me over on a Saturday night to try a cigar. I think what he gave me was a dog turd wrapped in a leaf that was dyed with shoe polish. It wasn’t a very pleasant experience. The next day at church, I could taste an ashtray in my mouth. However, I was bound and determined to find a vice, so the next Saturday I was back at his house and experienced the same thing. Not to be defeated, the third Saturday I was back, and this time I heard the Angels sing as a mystical thing happened. My taste buds went into overdrive as the cigar I had was a glimpse of perfection. That was all I needed. I dove full in. At the time JR Cigars used to release a catalog that was half magazine with great articles and half catalog. I smoked everything I could get my hands on. A couple of months later, I decided the cigar thing had gone so well why not try some hard spirits. My first one was a Woodford reserve bourbon. Knocked it out of the park on the first try. Now, 25 years later, I enjoy two cigars most evenings and as many as I feel like on the weekends. I invite friends over to cigar nights and take them with me on business trips to introduce as many people as possible to the joys of the leaf. I have met a lot of interesting people. I have developed some great relationships, all over a cigar. David B Via questions@cigarsnobmag.com David, we’ve heard plenty of “first time” stories, and a few of them have even included cigars. But we must say your deflowering story is truly printworthy. For the layman, this romantic account of how your love affair with cigars started serves as testament as to why cigars are more of a culture than the bad habit they are predominantly portrayed as in our society. The appreciation of cigars is deeper than the act of merely puffing smoke. It’s apparent you get it (25 years now), we get it, but unfortunately most of the uninformed do not. Communicating that exact deeper appreciation of our culture is what we strive for and is our foremost mission as a publication, and we hope it comes across as eloquently as you described it. Thank you for this lovely story and we hope your cigar “flame” remains strong. Cheers
OVCIGARS
OSCAR VALLADARES TOBACCO & CO.
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AGANORSA LEAF ANNOUNCES EXCLUSIVE LINE FOR AGANORSA SELECT PARTNERS: RARE LEAF RESERVE MADURO Aganorsa is releasing the Rare Leaf Maduro exclusively for members of its Select Partners program, adding to the Rare Leaf series it launched in 2021. The Maduro features a San Andres Maduro wrapper enveloping a double binder and fillers of Aganorsa grown tobaccos from Jalapa and Estelí. Sizes will consist of a 5.25 x 52 Robusto, a 6 x 54 Toro and a box-pressed 6 x 52 Belicoso. All three vitolas are packaged in boxes of 15 with a retail price ranging from $13.50 to $14.50. “When we launched Rare Leaf in 2021, the idea was to provide our retail partners who make the commitment to our Aganorsa Select Program with a special blend they would have exclusivity on,” Terence Reilly, vice president of sales and marketing, said in a press release. “Due to the success of the original release and our Aganorsa Select retail partners’ enthusiasm for it, we are adding Rare Leaf Maduro, a truly powerful expression of Aganorsa tobacco.” Rare Leaf Reserve is now shipping to participating Aganorsa Select Partners.
EL VECINO OPENS AT MIAMI WORLDCENTER El Vecino, a cigar and cocktail bar, has opened its doors, joining Miami’s wide landscape of upscale lounges. The 1,600-square-foot space features a deep cigar menu and wide cocktail and wine offerings. The El Vecino is the third establishment from Miami’s Ariete Hospitality Group at Miami Worldcenter. “Miami has a casual, familiar relationship with cigars, so curating the selection at El Vecino has to be about deepening that relationship without packaging the smoking experience in pretense,” Nicolás Jiménez, director of cigar programming for El Vecino, said in a press release. “I can’t imagine any company being better equipped to deliver a cigar bar
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experience that’s both uncommonly elevated and naturally Miami than the Ariete Hospitality team. That this group puts a premium on substance has made curating the cigar selection a lot of fun. The goal is to demystify cigars and make this world approachable to novice smokers while also taking an approach to the selection that seasoned cigar people will deeply appreciate.” El Vecino will offer corporate and individual memberships that include private lockers, exclusive invitations to members-only events, and concierge service offering preferred access to Ariete’s locations. “I was born in Miami and being of Cuban descent, cigars are a big part of my heritage,” Michael Beltran, founder and owner of Ariete Hospitality, said in a press release. “Whether it’s a backyard barbecue, a holiday with family or just a Friday night, a great cigar is always part of the picture. Cigars are part of the ritual of community that I grew up with and I want to bring that sense of connection to El Vecino.”
LA AURORA OFFICIALLY LAUNCHES IN-HOUSE U.S. DISTRIBUTION AND ANNOUNCES NEW KEY TEAM MEMBERS La Aurora USA has opened its Miami-based in-house distribution office, featuring a full team with sales staff calling on accounts and supporting the portfolio. Retailers who previously carried La Aurora products under the former distributor, Miami Cigar Company, will now be serviced directly by La Aurora USA. La Aurora has grown its team in the last several months with the addition of CEO Ed McKenna and John Ferrigan, director of sales. More recent hires include Greyci Tineo as director of operations, William Marante as national events manager/account executive, Dominico Magaña as account executive for Texas, Colorado and Oklahoma, George C. Zaglifa as account executive for the west including California and Nevada, and Brand Manager John Gaglio. States and/or regions not referenced will be covered by the Miami office and through email
(cs@laaurora.com) until a new sales representative is hired. “La Aurora was founded in 1903 with a humble creed to work for the common good, maintaining integrity, authenticity, frankness, perseverance, honesty, and a passion for excellence,” Guillermo León, president of La Aurora, said in a press release. “With our in-house distribution and expanded team, we will bring that same level of quality that you find in every facet of La Aurora cigars and continue to build long-lasting relationships with retailers and consumers across the states.”
MONTECRISTO INTRODUCES 1935 ANNIVERSARY EDICIÓN DIAMANTE Altadis U.S.A. announces the Montecristo 1935 Anniversary Edición Diamante, the follow-up to the Montecristo 1935 Anniversary Nicaragua. It comes in a 4.75 x 48 Icon ($16.42), a 5 x 54 Robusto ($22.86), a 6 x 55 Toro ($24.20), a 6.5 x 56 No. 2 ($24.78), a 6 x 60 Grande ($25.16) and a 7 x 54 Churchill ($26.08). The Montecristo 1935 Anniversary Edición Diamante is manufactured at Tabacalera AJ Fernandez in Nicaragua and comes in 10-count boxes. “This has been a very personal project for both of us for many reasons and the Montecristo 1935 Anniversary Edición Diamante is a cigar we are very proud of that uses very rare and expensive tobaccos,” Rafael Nodal, head of product capability at Tabacalera USA, said in a press release.
DIESEL DISCIPLE ADDS NEW SIZES Diesel Disciple welcomes two new sizes as permanent additions to the brand’s lineup. The 6.25 x 52 Toro ($9.99) and 6.5 x 54 Torpedo ($10.49) vitolas mark the second and third sizes in the line. The new sizes feature a Mexican San Andreas wrapper, an Ecuadorian Sumatra binder, and a filler of Nicaraguan Habano from Esteli. Both new Diesel Disciple sizes come in 10-count boxes. The line is distributed by Forged Cigar Company.
“We decided to launch two new sizes of Diesel Disciple this year because the blend has gotten such a strong endorsement from the retail community,” Justin Andrews said in a press release. “They love the blend and the packaging and often tell us that Disciple smokes like a $20 cigar for half the price. We’re looking forward to rolling out the new formats and will continue to expand the line according to demand from retailers and cigar smokers.” Originally released to the top domestic brick and mortar retailers as a TAA exclusive in 2021, Diesel Disciple became a full-time line in 2022.
PCA ANNOUNCES THE LAUNCH OF THE DIPLOMATIC CIGAR CORPS The Premium Cigar Association has created the Diplomatic Cigar Corps, a project designed to bring together diplomatic representations from various countries to promote and preserve the premium cigar industry. The Dominican Republic and Honduras will co-chair the initiative. The Diplomatic Cigar Corps will foster the importance of the premium cigar industry through meetings, discussions and events aimed at enhancing the relationship between embassy officials from around the world, legislators, and premium cigar stakeholders. “We are excited about the launch of the Diplomatic Cigar Corps and are privileged to bring together representatives from around the world to celebrate the unique and diverse culture of premium cigars,” Ryan Parada, PCA’s senior manager of government affairs and international policy, said in a press release. “PCA believes that this group will help to further promote international relations and enhance communication and cooperation between countries.”
INTRODUCING THE CAMACHO FACTORY UNLEASHED 3 Camacho is releasing the Factory Unleashed 3, the third release in its Unleashed series. The 6 x 50 Toro ($9) features a San Andres Maduro wrapper, Honduran binder, and filler from Honduras and the Dominican Republic. The Factory Unleashed 3 comes in 100-count rustic wooden crates, of which 1,000 units will be available to retailers. An additional 2,500 paper-wrapped bundles of 10 cigars are reserved for eCommerce platforms.
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“We are thrilled to introduce the third iteration of Camacho Factory Unleashed after our past two successful releases,” Lana Fraser, Director of Marketing and Retail, said in a press release. “In our mission to venture off the beaten path to provide bold and unique blends, we continue to work with our devoted craftsmen in Honduras to showcase what truly makes our Camacho Factory unique.”
DREW ESTATE INTRODUCES LIGA PRIVADA H99 SUPER ANCHO AS DREW DIPLOMAT PROGRAM EVENT EXCLUSIVE CIGAR Drew Estate announces the Liga Privada H99 Super Ancho, a 6 x 60 event-only cigar available exclusively at all qualifying Drew Diplomat Program partner events through August. Every Liga Privada H99 Connecticut Corojo cigar features a hybrid wrapper of stalk-cut Habano and Connecticut Corojo seed over a blend that includes a Mexican San Andres Otapan Negro Último Corte binder and Honduran, Nicaraguan and Pennsylvania Green River One Sucker filler. The Super Ancho ($21.14) comes in 25-count boxes. “Super Ancho’s 6 x 60 format answers the thousands of large ring gauge requests that we’ve been fielding for Liga Privada for more than ten years,” Drew Estate Founder and President Jonathan Drew said in a press release. “We didn’t fold under pressure to get this 60-ring on the market until it was absolutely perfect and worthy of the name Liga Privada. Additionally, this private blend is truly super-complex, and should be explored by the dudes and dudettes who typically smoke smaller rings, even those who smoke lanceros.”
STG RETURNS TO PCA TRADE SHOW WITH FORGED CIGAR COMPANY After sitting out the Premium Cigar Association trade show since 2020, Scandinavian Tobacco Group will return as an exhibitor to the trade show in July. STG, which opted out of the show along with Altadis U.S.A., Davidoff and Drew Estate, will feature the Forged Cigar line at the show in Las Vegas.
STG’s decision to return to the event follows PCA’s announcement that the show would take place in March starting next year. “Moving future PCA shows to March was a pivotal factor in our decision to come back to the show,” Régis Broersma, president of STG’s North America and Rest of World division, said in a press release. “The new timing not only aligns with our business cycle but it is also advantageous for our customers which is of the utmost importance to us.” This year’s show takes place July 7-11 at the Venetian Resort & Convention Center. Next year’s show is scheduled for March 22-25 at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
COHIBA RIVIERA DEBUTS AS FULL-TIME COLLECTION Cohiba welcomes its first full-time new collection since 2020 with Cohiba Riviera, a sixregion blend featuring Central American tobacco. It is the first time a Mexican San Andrés wrapper has been used in a Cohiba blend and is the first box-pressed offering from the brand. Cohiba Riviera comes in a 5 x 52 Robusto ($19.99), a 6.5 x 52 Toro ($21.99) and a 6 x 60 Perfecto ($23.99). The Robusto and Toro are packaged in 20-count boxes, while the Perfecto comes in a 10-count box. The collection is produced in Nicaragua at STG Estelí. The Riviera features a Mexican San Andrés wrapper over Honduran-grown Connecticut binder and filler tobaccos that include proprietary Honduran Jamastran and Honduran La Entrada, as well as Nicaraguan Condega and Nicaraguan Estelí.
WEST TAMPA COMPANY RELEASES RED The West Tampa Tobacco Company is adding to its core line-up, which launched last year with the White and Black lines, with the Red, available in a 5 x 50 Robusto ($8.99), a 6 x 52 Toro ($9.99) and a 6 x 60 Gigante ($10.99). The West Tampa Tobacco Company Red comes in 20-count boxes and features a Mexican San Andreas wrapper with Nicaraguan binder and filler. “West Tampa Red gave me the opportunity to
sit down with the factory and really focus on creating a blend that I enjoy,” Rick Rodriguez, master blender and co-owner of West Tampa, said in a press release. “Normally when I blend cigars, I don’t blend for what I like, I blend cigars for what my fans enjoy. Red will be a reflection of what I believe is the next piece to lay in the West Tampa puzzle, a full-bodied cigar that delivers the full flavor consumers have come to enjoy from West Tampa.”
ROOM101 RESURRECTS THE DARUMA BLEND Room101 is bringing back its Daruma line, first launched in 2012, in a single size 6 x 50 Toro ($12.99). “The return of Daruma is symbolic of the relationship with STG and Room101 moving forward,” Room101 Founder Matt Booth said in a press release. “It represents the opportunity for Room101 to spread its wings, which has always been our goal. The Daruma of 2011
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would not be the Daruma of today. The blend is correct and appropriate for now and begins a new chapter for both Daruma and Room101.” Daruma is a Nicaraguan puro produced in Nicaragua in partnership with Oliva.
PARTAGAS RELEASES FIRST USMADE CIGAR IN COLLABORATION WITH EL TITÁN DE BRONZE Partagas is releasing its first collaboration in April with Partagas de Bronce, a 6.25 x 46 Corona Gorda ($22.99) produced at the El Titán de Bronze Cigar Factory. The Nicaraguan puro features a Corojo wrapper and comes in 10-count boxes, each signed by the El Titán de Bronze cigar maker who made them. Partagas de Bronce was blended by STG’s Justin Andrews, with Sandy Cobas and the blending team at El Titán de Bronze. “For a venerable brand like Partagas, collab-
orating with a legend like Sandy Cobas and creating a special, limited edition cigar at her family-owned factory marks an important step in Partagas’ evolution,’’ John Hakim, brand manager of Partagas, said in a press release. “Partagas de Bronce highlights Partagas’ devotion to old-world cigar making techniques, and its commitment to marching the brand forward through innovation. We look forward to sharing this exceptional blend with cigar lovers across the country.”
KELNER CIGARS OPENS NEW FACILITY Kelner Cigars has opened its new plant in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. The new factory is initially focused on creating small batch private labels. Located in the industrial park Víctor Manuel Espaillat Mera, it is dedicated to maintaining the tradition of tobacco blending into fine quality, handmade premium cigars. The company was founded by Klaas Kelner, 3rd generation of the Kelner Family, who is the head of operations.
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Flor de Caña 130th Anniversary Joya de Nicaragua Cuatro Cinco Started in 1890 by young entrepreneur Alfredo Francisco Pellas Canessa, today Flor de Caña rum is one of Nicaragua’s most iconic exports. The 25-year-old Pellas Canessa moved to Nicaragua in 1875 from Genoa, Italy with dreams of capitalizing on the bounty of opportunities present in the burgeoning country. By 1890 he had built the San Antonio Sugar Mill in Chichigalpa at the foot of the San Cristóbal volcano. Volcanic soil and favorable weather made the region ideal for sugar cane growth. He soon realized that the byproduct of the sugarmaking process, molasses, could be used to make rum. Initially the rum he produced was meant for personal consumption and to share with friends but word of its quality got around, leading to the birth of the Flor de Caña brand in 1937. Throughout its history, the company has emphasized sustainability. It goes to lengths to harvest sugar cane without burning, recycle the distillery’s waste as fertilizer, and generate renewable energy. Its commitment to social, economic, and environmental practices led to its recognition as the world’s first Fair Trade certified spirit in 2017. History, sustainability, and fair trade certifications aside, the rum has won more awards in spirits competitions than any other since 2000 including taking the top spot as Global Rum Producer of the Year in 2017 at the International Wine and Spirits Competition. Serious rum purists have also been drawn to Flor de Caña’s traditional, disciplined approach to rum production. THE PAIRING The Flor de Caña pours into a dark walnut color in the glass and offers a complexity of flavors, including rich caramel, dark chocolate, dried fruit, and a hint of oak. The mouthfeel is viscous, almost syrup-like with a smooth texture that gives the rum an elegant profile. The finish is long with a pleasant burn from the 45% alcohol. The Joya de Nicaragua Cuatro Cinco delivers a powerful but smooth blend of earth, pepper, and subtle sweetness that leaves a cinnamon roasted nuts flavor on the palate. The rum’s luxurious profile adds a rich, caramel sweetness to the earth and pepper core of the cigar creating a harmonious combo that is hard to put down.
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LOCATION: GULFSTREAM PARK RACING gulfstreampark.com
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DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE LIMITED EDITION, LINE 2 PERFECT PING Available at all S.T. Dupont Authorized Retailers US.ST-DUPONT.COM
Photo: iStock.com/Ajai Business Enterprises
enchanted
Castillo San Felipe del Morro
MENTION THIS SMALL, MOUNTAINOUS ISLAND ON THE NORTHEASTERN EDGE OF THE CARIBBEAN SEA AND YOU’LL LIKELY HEAR A REFERENCE TO REGGAETÓN MUSIC, COUNTLESS HALL OF FAME MAJOR LEAGUERS, OR THE WORLD’S LARGEST RUM PRODUCER. PUERTO RICO HAS BEEN MANY
THINGS THROUGHOUT ITS HISTORY AND FOR ABOUT A YEAR IN THE LATE 1990S, IT WAS MY HOME. SO WHEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO RETURN TO THE ISLAND TO PLAY ITS WORLD-CLASS GOLF COURSES AND EXPLORE THE CIGAR SCENE CAME UP, I JUMPED AT THE CHANCE.
BY ERIK CALVIÑO
La Mina Falls in El Yunque Rainforest; The colorful streets of Old San Juan.
Its beauty is in its chaos, its perpetual motion and constant change. At its core, the island is made up of juxtaposed forces. This rocky landmass, a shade smaller than the state of Connecticut, sits on the boundary between the Caribbean and North American tectonic plates. The island is composed of rock from the Jurassic period, dating back over 190 million years in the southwest corner, to far newer limestone rock visible all over the northeast region. This mashup of old and new, English and Spanish, American and Boricua, is a bewitching part of the island’s charm.
From a travel perspective, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a more convenient Caribbean destination – U.S. citizens with a valid state ID do not require a passport to enter the island. The U.S. dollar is the only currency in play, unless you plan to use [enter the crypto currency of the month here], in which case good luck with that. Your mobile phone service from the U.S. works seamlessly on the island. There are more than 120 daily nonstop flights from major U.S. cities into Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in Carolina, just minutes from San Juan.
The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico is a territory of the United States, established by the Treaty of Paris of 1898 following the Spanish-American War. In the agreement, Spain granted Cuba its independence and ceded control of Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines to the United States. Puerto Ricans are U.S. citizens
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although their representation in Congress is murky. The island has been forever divided between those who seek independence from the United States, those who want the island to gain full statehood, and those who like it just the way it is.
Driving in Puerto Rico feels at once familiar thanks to the U.S.-like system of roads and highways but becomes entirely foreign when you pull up to the gas station and find that the prices are in liters. Road signs contribute to that duality in that they have the same shape as their mainland U.S. counterparts but the words are in Spanish.
Photo: iStock.com/Nick Heinemann
Photo: iStock.com/Alisha Bube
he island’s magic captivates even the most jaded travelers. It’s not easy to pinpoint the source of her sorcery but having been a frequent visitor throughout my childhood, making it my home for a stint, and finally now returning posthurricanes and pandemic, I may have an inside track.
On the subject of language, the island’s charming contradictions and cultural mashups are perhaps most noticeable in the words and accents you hear on the street. Puerto Rico has two official languages, Spanish and English, with Spanish the primary language spoken by almost 95% of the island’s 3.2 million people, according to a 2020 U.S. Census. But long-term American influence on the island has birthed new words and phrases that make the Puerto Rican lexicon unique and wildly colorful. Originally English words like “pitch, hang, and park” become commonly used Spanglish words, “pichear, jangear, and parquear.” In spite of or because of this, it’s hard to tell, English-speaking visitors find that communicating isn’t a big problem. Just about everyone you come across speaks enough English to help you find your way. Old San Juan, the island’s cultural heartbeat, is like stepping back into the island’s Spanish past. Founded in 1521, the walled city successfully beat back a who’s-who of invaders, most notably Sir Francis Drake, thanks to its strategic fortifications: Castillo San Felipe del Morro, commonly known as
“El Morro;” Castillo San Cristóbal; and the smaller Fort San Juan de la Cruz or “El Cañuelo.” The two bastions created a crossfire that guarded the entrance to San Juan Bay while San Cristóbal guarded the city from enemies approaching by land. It wasn’t until the U.S. bombardment of San Juan during the Spanish-American War (1898) that the fortifications showed any sign of weakness. These landmarks along with the San Juan Gate make up the San Juan National Historic Site, a U.S. national park. Before it was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1983, golf was played on the grounds of El Morro. A 1950s episode of the travelog "This World of Ours” promoting Puerto Rico travel stated, “The once mighty cannonading has vanished and today amid memories of fighting men and valorous death.” The narrator paused momentarily before dropping a bomb of his own: “You play golf. This is certainly one of the world’s most interesting courses.” Thankfully this brilliant idea fell out of favor before my time; there’s no telling how many “would-be invaders” I would have repelled with errant tee shots.
Featured Holes:
Photo: Omark Reyes
The opener, a downhill, sharply banked fairway that doglegs way right and out of view, starts you off with an immediate gut check. The par-4 plays at 395 yards from the black and depending on the wind and confidence level, long hitters can catch a downslope off the high bank on the left side of the fairway and get it close. The nerves of that first, early morning tee shot, with very little time to warm up, made this hole particularly exciting for me.
GOLF IN PUERTO RICO Golf was introduced by the Americans who managed the massive sugar cane mills, likely in the late 1920s. They played on temporary courses with sand greens. On its website, the Puerto Rico Golf Association confirms this notion. “In the beginning all courses on the island had sand greens, the local technique in Puerto Rico was to use beach-sand laced with coconut oil, then rolled more or less flat into a concave pie-shape.” Pitch mark repairs sound even more interesting. “After each match caddies meticulously repaired the dirt to pristine fresh, smoothing the surface with a burlap sack strapped to a pole, much as nowadays we rake and tidy sand bunkers.” With the advent of World War II, the game’s growth accelerated, as military installations full of GIs needed recreational activities, and pretty soon all bases had some sort of golf component, including the aforementioned El Morro. After the war, however, golf course design and development has grown from knocking it around colonial fortifications and putting on sand greens to world-class designers laying out challenging tracks on
Aerial view of the Arthur Hills-designed El Conquistador Golf Course.
stunning golf landscapes. On this trip we played three incredible designs but there was a lot of meat left on the bone. Depending on whom you ask, Puerto Rico boasts somewhere between 18 and 30 courses from designers like Robert Trent Jones, Arthur Hills, Greg Norman, George and Tom Fazio, Tom Kite, and even Puerto Rico’s native son Chi Chi Rodriguez among others.
from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. via a short water shuttle ride departing from the Marina Village. Also inside the Marina Village is Ballyhoo, the resort’s waterfront bar and grill. The menu features a combination of classic Puerto Rican favorites like bacalaitos and asopao as well as elevated bar fare like the 16 oz. Delmonico steak with a rum demiglaze and the double cut pork chop with citrus sauce.
EL CONQUISTADOR RESORT
INSIDER NOTE: I was informed semi-confidentially that a cigar bar is in the works on the property, so be on the lookout for that if you’re planning a visit.
Built on a breathtaking tract atop a 300-foot oceanfront cliff on the island’s northeast tip, El Conquistador is a luxury boutique resort with an impressive set of amenities. As if the award-winning golf course, tennis facility, four pools, six sit-down dining options, oceanfront spa, and several bars weren’t enough, El Con features a water park complete with vertical drops, lazy rivers, and infinity pools. But perhaps the pièce de résistance that sets this resort apart from the competition is Palomino Island, the resort’s private, 100-acre getaway. Resort guests can access the island
The golf course is a roller coaster of a layout across dramatic elevation changes wedged between the Atlantic and the El Yunque rainforest. Tight fairways, blind approaches, and swirling winds make Arthur Hills’ design challenging for all levels. However, the course tops out at 6,746 yards from the tips, and the punishments on errant shots are not as devastating as they could be, making it a player-friendly layout – as it should be for a resort course. There are four tee positions: black (6,746 yards), gold (6,378 yards), silver (5,819 yards), and jade (4,939 yards).
The 15th, called Nido de Águila or Eagle’s Nest, is another one that will be seared in my memory. The 540yard par-5 again boasts an elevated tee into a winding, narrow fairway 200 feet below you. Being a flatlander from Miami, watching the impressive hang time on a drive doesn’t get old for me. Slicing your driver into the mini-forest that lines the righthand side would be a score-killer, so consider taking advantage of the downslope and playing this one safe with a 3-wood favoring the left half. Or do what you came to do and have a rip at the driver for the fun of it; you didn’t come all the way here to play safe golf!
CHI-CHI RODRIGUEZ Chi Chi Rodriguez, born in 1935, is a former professional golfer known for his vibrant personality and distinctive style. He won eight PGA Tour events and achieved 22 victories on the Champions Tour, including eight senior major championships. Rodriguez's flamboyant celebrations and famous "sword dance" endeared him to fans. Off the course, he founded the Chi Chi Rodriguez Youth Foundation in 1979, providing educational support and scholarships to at-risk youth. Rodriguez's contributions to golf and philanthropy have left a lasting impact. El Legado Golf Club in the southeast town of Guayama sits on a 285acre valley presided over by the Cordillera Central mountains to the north and the ocean to the south. The par-72 layout is, to our knowledge, the only course designed by Chi Chi Rodriguez.
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Photo: Hyatt Regency Grand Reserve
Hyatt Regency Grand Reserve The home of the PGA Tour’s Puerto Rico Open is located in Río Grande, just east of San Juan. Hyatt Regency Grand Reserve is a 579-room, luxury resort offering standard rooms, suites, and deluxe 1,000+ sq ft villas with large terraces and sweeping ocean views. The resort offers five restaurants with diverse offerings from steak, to sushi, to Puerto Rican cuisine. The three main bars including The Sand Trap with its TopGolf Swing Suite serve up everything from prohibition style cocktails to classic piña coladas. The resort doesn’t have a dedicated spot for cigar smokers but the openair nature of the property made it easy to find spots where my smoke wasn’t bothering other guests – and at least during my visit, I was not asked to put out my cigar. Grand Reserve Golf Club has hosted the Puerto Rico Open since 2008; the Tom Kite designed 27-hole facility
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The signature 12th hole at the Hyatt Regency Grand Reserve, plays into a headlong wind coming off the Atlantic Ocean. breaks down into the Championship 18, where the likes of Jason Day, Tony Finau, and Viktor Hovland have made a name for themselves, and the nine-hole International course featuring more elevation changes. The Championship course stretches out to 7,551 yards from the back and its five tee positions offer plenty of options for every level of golfer. During my visit, we played the Championship course and I found the constant views of El Yunque provided a Zen-like calm over the round while the wind ripping off the ocean on certain holes added a few strokes to the scorecard. The course was in exceptional condition with firm, fast greens that were often well guarded by bunkers and water. Once on the putting surface, however, they were among the truest rolling greens I have ever enjoyed. They've come a long
way from sand and coconut oil to these world-class greens. Featured Holes: The 455-yard par-4 4th plays downwind into a wide fairway that narrows to bring the water up the right side into play for all levels. Hitting less than driver could be the wise choice off the tee, with a helping wind that could leave you with a middle-iron in hand. You’ll still have work to do since the water wraps all the way around the green and a perfectly placed bunker guards the right, requiring a precise approach. This is a welldesigned, deceptively difficult hole. The par-4, 465-yard 12th hole is often considered the signature hole thanks to an aggressive, uninhibited wind coming off the ocean and wreaking havoc. The generous bunker fronting the green gobbles up short shots while another off to the right eats up faded mishits for right-handed players. Once on the green, you can appreciate the best views of the ocean on the course.
PUERTO RICO OPEN The Puerto Rico Open is an annual PGA Tour event that takes place at the Grand Reserve Golf Club in Rio Grande, Puerto Rico. Started in 2008, it is the only PGA Tour event held in Puerto Rico and it is played with a split field since the dates run concurrent with the WGC Match Play in Austin. However, considering that 2023 was the final year of the WGC Match Play, changes could be in store for 2024 and beyond. The PR Open was said to be “cursed” since no tournament winner, other than Michael Bradley in 2011, had ever gone on to win a second tournament. The “cursed” theory has been scrapped now that 2016 winner Tony Finau has won over six times on tour and Viktor Hovland, the 2020 winner, has become a household name as one of the game’s exciting young competitors with three wins on the PGA Tour.
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Photo: St. Regis Bahia Beach
ST. REGIS BAHIA BEACH RESORT AND GOLF CLUB An ultra-luxurious, 5-star resort set amidst a lush and impeccably manicured tropical jungle. The 483acre Audubon International Goldcertified property, with its winding rivers, ocean breezes, and looming Fernando Botero sculptures, emanates calm and relaxation throughout your stay. For food and drink, it starts with the swanky St. Regis Bar, which serves light dishes and well-executed cocktails. Seagrapes Restaurant is the workhorse of the resort, offering all-day dining and serving as the poolside eatery as well. Finally, you’ll want to dress up for dinner at Paros Restaurant, the Mediterranean themed Greek taverna-style restaurant on the resort’s grounds. Bahia Beach shines when it comes to amenities. The Iridium Spa is widely considered one of the best on the island, the pool esplanade combines open and playful spaces with private, elegant cabanas just steps from the beach, there’s a state-of-the-art fitness center, miles of nature trails, a boathouse on the Espiritu Santo River where you can rent watercrafts, and of course, the Robert Trent Jones Jr.-designed golf course.
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The tranquil and calming energy you feel in the resort also permeates your round of golf at Bahia Beach. From the tips it stretches out to 6,590 yards and every inch of it exudes luxury, attention to detail, and natural beauty. We arrived a little rushed for an early tee time, which is never optimal, but after tensely scrambling through the opening par-4, the pressure and tension subsided with every hole thereafter. Approaching the 8th green we came across a young man who took our food order to be picked up at the turn to the back nine – a wonderful and much appreciated touch. From a golf perspective, there is much to love about this immaculately maintained Robert Trent Jones layout. There are a fair amount of water hazards and bunkers throughout, forcing you to strategize before almost every swing. Proceedings build to a crescendo starting on 16 when you climb a set of steps to an elevated tee that reveals miles of beachfront. The moment I sank the last putt on 18, I was overwhelmed with gratitude for having played this course. Featured Holes: The par-3 185-yard 4th hole is an early test of mettle with a uniquely isolated feel. The tall trees that run all the way along the right-hand side
The par-4 16th at the pristine St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort and Golf Club, where an errant tee shot can have you playing your 2nd shot among the beachgoers. and the obstructed view of the #5 tee gives the sense that your group is the only one out there. The challenge is in carrying the water without going long into the bunkers that guard the back of the green. The mounds that cover the fairway give you the sense that if you bail out to the right, you may roll into the water off the mounds. RTJ forces your hand in a subtle but deliberate manner. It’s hard not to pick the 16th as it is the signature hole and the first where the ocean joins your round, but the par-4 18th is one of the better finishing holes in the Caribbean in my estimation. The fairway is literally sandwiched between a lake along the left and the crashing waves of the ocean on the right. At times the amount of wind ripping through the palm trees makes it feel like it is inevitable that your ball will be pushed into the lake but the fairway does widen generously in the landing area, you just can’t tell from the tee box. At 485 yards, 18 also happens to be the longest par-4 on the course and there are times when the wind is at your back providing a little more juice for your driver but making your approach harder to gauge.
MORE GOLF The island is teeming with excellent golf and I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention some of the island’s other top tracks starting with the TPC Dorado Beach. Courses bearing the Tournament Players Club badge need no introduction, and these two layouts live up to the billing. The East Course, a Robert Trent Jones Sr. design founded in the 1950s, was later renovated by his son, Jones Jr. And while the East Course is the “granddaddy” of Puerto Rico golf, the Sugarcane Course, also designed by Jones Sr. and updated by Raymond Floyd in 2005, is the more punishing of the two. Both courses are an integral amenity of the posh Ritz-Carlton Reserve – Dorado Beach.The Links at Royal Isabela is unquestionably one of the more dramatic golf landscapes in all of the Caribbean. Brothers Charlie and Stanley Pasarell walked the grounds for years with designer David Pfaff to lay out a links-style track that takes full advantage of the natural features of the 426-acre site. Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Golf features a pair of 18-hole courses, the Ocean Course designed by George and Tom Fazio and the more challenging River Course by Greg Norman. In addition to the golf, the Wyndham is an all-inclusive resort with standout food options like the chef-driven Roots Coastal Kitchen.
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Photo: casademontecristopr.com
Once the golf was done, I headed back into the Condado neighborhood of San Juan, my old stomping ground. In the late 1990s I lived on Ashford Ave, Condado’s main thoroughfare, near the Condado Vanderbilt Hotel where I would be staying this evening. Walking into the hotel feels like you’re entering a scene from the Great Gatsby, with the striking grandeur of polished marble, gold accents, and winding staircases. That's no coincidence, as the property opened its doors in 1919, the height of the Jazz Age. That feeling of excess and luxury are noticeable everywhere, from the gilded hallways, and the spacious and well-appointed guest rooms, to the bars and restaurants. Dinner at 1919, the hotel’s fine dining restaurant, was mind blowing. Internationally recognized chef Juan José Cuevas returned to his roots on the island to run 1919 after working under some of the world’s pre-eminent chefs. You will be hard-pressed to find a better dining experience anywhere on the island, or in your town for that matter. After dinner the move is to visit the hotel’s Avo Cigar Lounge for a nightcap. With the discreet entrance located at the end of the Veritas Wine and Cognac Bar, the Avo Lounge has a speakeasy vibe to it. Once inside, however, you’ll find comfortable seating, a good selection of premium cigars and spirits, and a staff that can help you pull off the perfect pairing.
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Photo: 1919 Restaurant - Condado Vanderbilt
A NIGHT IN CONDADO
CIGAR SCENE Outside of the Condado Vanderbilt, the cigar scene on the island is thriving once again. A comprehensive smoking ban that took effect in 2007 made it nearly impossible to enjoy a smoke on the once cigar-friendly island. I was not sure what to expect before this trip but I was pleasantly surprised to find a resurgence of cigar culture. It still has a ways to go to return to the days when every major resort catered to the affluent, cigar-smoking guest, but progress has definitely been made. If you’re looking to enjoy a smoke in Old San Juan, you will have plenty of options like Casa de Montecristo, which is conveniently located on Calle del Cristo. “Casa” features a full bar featuring high-end whiskies, rums, and classic cocktails. The wellstocked, walk-in humidor is heavy on well-known brands like Montecristo, Davidoff, and Padrón to name a few. There is plenty of seating in the main lounge as well as in the various nooks and back rooms but on busy weekends it can be standing room only.
Clockwise from top: Casa de Montecristo; The Cigar House of Puerto Rico; prime NY steak at 1919 restaurant at the Condado Vanderbilt The Cigar House of Puerto Rico has what is likely the best cigar selection on the island; you’ll find all of the major brands like My Father, Oliva, Fuente, and La Flor Dominicana as well as many smaller, lesser-known brands including some local ones. The bar at The Cigar House has plenty to choose from with a broad range of rare spirits, wines, and even craft beer. This classic tobacconist also offers pipes and pipe tobacco, one of the only to do so in the area. This legendary spot is not to be missed on a visit to San Juan. Spread out across six locations on the island is Don Rey Cigar. These neighborhood shops are geared more for locals but adventurous smokers looking for that neighborhood feel should look them up. Piccolino Cigar Lounge is a welcome rarity, a cigar lounge with a full bar and excellent food service. The food comes from the Italian restaurant
next door – Piccolino Cucina Italiana. The selection of smokes is solid with brands like Davidoff, Plasencia, and Romeo y Julieta among others. Head south of San Juan to the small town of Juana Diaz and check out Juana Diaz Cigars but call before dropping in, as they aren’t open every day. If you do stop by, you will be pleased with the selection and smalltown charm of this spot.
Interest in cigars is growing on the island and while I could not visit all of the interesting spots throughout Puerto Rico, I suggest you explore for yourself and let us know which ones were your favorites via feedback@cigarsnobmag.com.
The Island of Enchantment or Isla del Encanto comes by its name honestly. The breathtaking beauty of this place, the Boricua spirit of its people, and the island’s magic stay with you long after you’ve returned to your life back home.
CELEBRATE A DECADE OF DEDICATION WITH THE UNDENIABLY BIG, BOLD & COMPLEX UNDERCROWN 10. LOADED WITH EARTHY SWEETNESS, BLACK PEPPER SPICE WITH NOTES OF SUN-DRIED CHERRIES, RAISINS, AND A MEXICAN HOT CHOCOLATE FINISH THAT IS NOTHING SHORT OF WOW!
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n internet search of the term “the Edge” delivers a colorful assortment of results, from the stage name of U2 guitarist David Howell Evans to a 1997 cinematic thriller starring weapons expert Alec Baldwin. The bots clearly know nothing; Rocky Patel’s venerated cigar line, The Edge, gets nary a mention. But those who matter are aware that The Edge is celebrating 20 years as the company’s No. 1 seller ever since it was conceived in 2002 and two years later graced retail shelves following a vaunted debut at the Retail Tobacco Dealers of America trade show. The Edge 20th Anniversary cigar as a commemoration hit the stores last year, marking the moment of origin, when Rocky, real first name Rakesh, developed the cigar. And what a cigar. The Edge that entered the world as a $5.50, naked cigar, packed in then-unheard of 100-count trays that arrived simple and to the point – a little latch at the bottom of the tray dropped to show the cigars, foot out. The Torpedo and Toro, Maduro and Corojo, were nakedly unassuming, except for the fact that unadorned cigars were not a thing at the time. “We wanted to bring something out that felt like it was right off the factory table,” Patel says today. “So you could imagine that you got it right off the table, and it didn’t need fancy packaging and labels. We could save that money and sell it for a better price.” Cigars in 2004 were having a hangover from the booming 90s, even with Nicaraguan cigar sales alone jumping times three from 2003. But entrants from all corners were coming to market on the heels of the mid-90s heyday when cigars had erupted. And while cigarettes were in the middle of a demonization period, cigars were relatively unscathed
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Close to the edge: Rocky with the rustic box as far as regulators and shamers went. The anti-smoking zealots had not made much progress into the cigar world, in fact, and cigars were installed as one more element of the good life, perched next to whiskey, German cars and foodie pursuits.
“IN THE EARLY 2000S, POST CIGAR BOOM, PEOPLE WERE GETTING MORE CREATIVE WITH MARKETING AND THIS WAS A VERY DIFFERENT WAY TO GO AT IT, THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICED WAS THE RUSTIC TRAYS.” — CRAIG CASS OWNER OF TINDER BOX OF THE CAROLINAS Rocky Patel, meanwhile, spent the first part of the 90s in California, passing the bar in 1997 after graduating from Southwestern Law School in Los Angeles, alma mater of
sports agent Jeff Borris and celeb divorce pro Marvin Mitchelson. Cigars happened even as he studied and Patel’s entertainment law career halted, by choice. Patel dove in headfirst, first with the Indian Tabac brand and then creating the Rocky Patel Vintage Series in 2002. “I started out of my garage and then in 1999 moved to Naples [Florida] and had a small office with a warehouse with three people,” Patel says. “I sacrificed family, friends and relationships for this company, living on the road, out of a car, sleeping on people’s couches to get out and build relationships with retailers.” His peers, he said, gave him grief over his relentless ambition; he was showing them up with his road warrior approach to selling cigars. “I wanted to let people know that I could do things with tobacco,” he says. “And I’m still all about this.”
His production base was Honduras. He had ideas and nothing was going to be good enough. Patel began to pursue tobacco that had, well, an edge. Something different. “We had all the groups in Honduras and myself and another rep made some blends using this Panamanian tobacco,” Patel says. “I found it very interesting, and I kept working with it. I made between 15 and 20 blends before I came up with what I wanted to go with.” While other brands use Panamanian tobacco, an uncommon country of origin, Patel’s was more than unique. At the time, it was hard to get in the first place, “and the secret is in the seed, and the type of seed we use makes it very special.” He admits that “people thought I was nuts,” using the tobacco and putting out an unbranded cigar. It was a major step for the still-young brand. But over the years between his start
as a lawyer-turned-cigar hero and The Edge, he had acquired, through his own fortitude and curiosity, a solid knowledge of blending and the nuances of tobacco. It was gradual, from moving into the old Swisher plant in Honduras to curing and blending. Now, in 2002, he was ready for The Edge. “The tobacco was something that most people hadn’t used, and The Edge not only had these tobaccos, but it was this secret cigar that had no branding and came in a corojo and maduro. And it took off.” The cigar’s arrival for Craig Cass, owner of the Tinder Box of the Carolinas retail stores, was a welcome disruption. “In the early 2000s, post cigar boom, people were getting more creative with marketing and this was a very different way to go at it,” Cass says. ‘The first thing you noticed was the rustic trays.” The trays came with two stickers: “Warning: Professional Smokers Only, Smoke While Sitting Down,” and “Original Edge, Beware of All Imitations.”
As with many establishment affronts, the tray was off-putting to some consumers. But they were also curious and the cigar began to run as more tried it.
“THE MARKET WAS MILD AND MEDIUM WAS A REACH. WHEN THE EDGE CAME OUT, IT WAS ONE OF THE RICHER CIGARS. AT THE TIME, THINGS WERE NOT VERY COMPLICATED AND THERE WASN’T A LOT OF CHARACTER TO THE CIGARS. THEY WERE LIKE MEDITERRANEAN FOOD, LIGHT AND CLEAN. THEN WE CAME IN WITH THESE LAYERS.” — ROCKY PATEL “It was selling as a nude cigar and people were coming in and saying ‘I had this cigar without a band, what was it?’” Cass says. The stark cigar’s lack of hoopla, complete
Patel wanted “something edgy, something cool and unique out of the factory and off the table”
with a bare box, sent a message that was subtly creative, Cass says. “It was ‘The value you are buying is in the raw material; you aren’t buying this for a bullshit box but for a good product.’”
THE EDGE
20TH ANNIVERSARY
The Edge name origin is less colorful. Patel wanted something different, but instead of plumbing his creative depths, “Edge just kind of rolled right off my head, like something edgy, something cool and unique out of the factory and off the table, no band, and this box without labels,” Patel says. “Now we call it ‘live on the edge by smoking The Edge.’” He wasn’t prepared for the nuances of success, as The Edge sold prolifically and brought in copycats. Bootleggers, the bane of musicians and Prohibition-era law enforcement, came along to copy The Edge and its stark presence. Patel hadn’t done any advertising, and the success of The Edge was word-of-mouth. So who was to tell if that unbanded cigar was an Edge or a knockoff? “A lot of other companies began taking naked cigars and putting them into boxes and saying it was The Edge,” Patel recalls. The Edge had to evolve. In the summer of 2006, The Edge was shipped with a footer band, a new concept and a minor tweak to thwart the bootleggers and imposters. “We tried to tell [retailers] not to sell the imitations, but some honor that and some don’t,” he said. The blend remained; the clothing was a little different but the flavors were still capturing consumers. “The Edge took off on its own and didn’t need a lot of marketing,” Patel says. “The 100-count tray, no one had done this and the cigars were great, with lots of flavor, with sweetness, spice, balance, and very distinct from Dominican and Nicaraguan. They just caught on.”
Country of Origin: Honduras Factory: El Paraiso Wrapper: Ecuador (Sumatra) Binder: Honduras (Habano) Filler: Honduras & Panama SIZES Robusto (5 1/2 x 50) Toro (6 x 52) Sixty (6 x 60)
The filler blend, the trades were
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Edgier than ever: The Edge 20
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told, was proprietary, “carefully guarded by Rocky Patel himself,” said one reviewer at the time. “We didn’t tell anyone what the blend was for six or eight years,” Patel says. “Many people asked, over and over. Finally I just spilled my guts after a few cocktails and the word was out.” It was settled; a filler that was split 50-50 between Honduran and Panamanian tobacco. The Edge has been part of the flow of the cigar industry, Patel notes. The smoker of the original Edge was taking a break from the mainstream smokes that followed the trend of mild. “The market was mild and medium was a reach,” he says. “When The Edge came out, it was one of the richer cigars. At the time, things were not very complicated and there wasn’t a lot of character to the cigars. They were like Mediterranean food, light and clean. Then we came in with these layers.”
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Today’s smoker is more advanced and has had more adventures in smoking, with a smorgasbord of flavors in almost every cigar store humidor. “It’s a more sophisticated market, and back then, when The Edge originally arrived, people drank beers and whiskey. Today, they are drinking bourbons and Scotches and craft beers and many of them have been to the factories and are always looking for better quality and complicated taste profiles. “ Over the years, Patel has opened lounges, Burn by Rocky, in five cities and traveled the globe in support of both his brand – now in 90 countries – and the right to smoke, as his crusade against overregulation has seen him speaking out in several markets. Battling cigar legislation is a passion for Patel, the former lawyer who knows his way around rule books. What The Edge represented in 2004 when it arrived would have been a different proposition with additional
taxation – the $5.50 cigar would have been a double-digit cigar, and some of the allure would have been removed. The same goes today, as federal authorities and states seek to add levies to cigars. “I’ve been busy in Washington for the last seven or eight years fighting FDA regulation and overreach,” Patel says. He noted the legal victories, led by cigar advocate groups as well as family-owned operations, in fighting regulation. “It’s been around $14 million in legal and lobbying fees to keep this up,” he says. “And family-owned companies put in the lion’s share of that.” At the state level, states including California, New York and Minnesota have sought to attach large taxes per stick, as Patel and the industry have tried to cap any tax at 50 cents per cigar. “In every state, we want to try to keep these cigars from being very
expensive,” he says.
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The Edge’s evolution, from a mysterious, bare-bones, economy smoke with a marked profile and a dedicated following, to today’s wide variety of sizes and blends, speaks to a tenacity from both producer and smoker. “Right now we have this extensive line,” Patel says, ticking off the list – B52, Howitzer, the Missile, multiple versions and other line extensions, and finally, the reason we’re here: The Edge 20th Anniversary comes in three ring sizes, is covered with an Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper, Honduran binder, and fillers from Honduras and Panama. The deep bench that is The Edge represents two decades of innovation. It might be time to stand down. “I do think that this 20th anniversary is the best blend yet, but I think this will be it as far as The Edge,” Patel says. “Although there are those anniversaries…”
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MYFATHERCIGARS.COM
Image Credit: Rae Duncan Interior Design
High-tech and careful planning let cigar smoking back indoors By Gavin Maliska MAY / JUN 2023 | CIGAR SNOB | 43
The home front has become the sanctuary, if you happen to live in a structure where the rules are set by you instead of your lease. If you’re sharing space with a non-smoker and/ or kids, you may have agreed to help protect the family from second-hand smoke by restricting your smoking to a deck, patio, porch, or balcony. Which is a fine way to enjoy the elements, as long as the local climate doesn’t include drenching downpours, hammering hail, stifling heat, subfreezing temperatures, suffocatingly high humidity, or snowflakes as big and heavy as cast-iron skillets. News reports these days imply there are few places with reasonable weather. When transported to the great outdoors, your enjoyment of a good cigar has likely been limited to nervous chain-puffing on shorties that give you a quick taste before you scurry back inside to shelter from winter in the north or summer in the south. From your cigar exile, you may have longingly stared through windows at those people indoors and dreamed of smoking a 10-inch Presidente enveloped in a comfy leather chair, sipping an appropriate beverage and watching an entire, three-and-somehour sports contest: baseball, football, basketball, soccer, take your pick. There are those among us who have taken control of the situation and bravely broached the subject with their significant other: the necessity of a Man Cave. With research in hand, they make the argument for making good use of that unused guest room or office, or finishing the basement to bring a cigar room under the same roof where they and their others live. They brace themselves for a decisive “no,” but offer documentation of scientific breakthroughs that can rid a home of
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Image Credit: Rae Duncan Interior Design
igar smokers have been banished from bars and restaurants, libraries, pool halls, beaches and even sidewalks. Ballparks have prohibited enjoying a cigar while taking in a game, despite the professed love of fine cigars by many of today’s stars. Even casinos, long a bastion of all things pleasurable, have for the most part outlawed smoking while embracing the time honored practice of gambling away the mortgage payment.
the cigar aroma and the dangers of second-hand smoke without the noise of an Airbus A380 parked in the side yard.
“OBJECTIVELY SPEAKING, I WON’T EXPECT TO SEE A RETURN ON MY INVESTMENT.… LET’S SEE, HOW MANY REGRETS DO I HAVE? UH, ZERO.” — TIM CAMPBELL Such were the experiences of Tim Campbell, a serial entrepreneur who retired in his 50s and resides with his wife, Sue, in an upscale suburban enclave west of Chicago, and Rusty Winters, a musician who retired from the concrete industry after 45 years to a home he shares with his wife, Margi, in San Antonio. Videos of both Campbell’s and Winters’ Man Cave projects draw YouTube viewership that indicates a wide interest in solving the smoking situation. Since its debut four years ago, Campbell’s video has had more than 1.1 million views, and he says he receives a
check for about $40 each month from the service. Winters’ video of his room has been up for a couple of months but has garnered 67,000 views. Campbell and Winters had different needs and different budgets when they decided a cigar room was in their future. With the kids finally out of the house and an unfinished basement awaiting completion, Campbell hired a designer to turn the space into a cigar room/billiard room/wine bar/media room. Winters had the talents, skills, and time to take an unused “flex room” in his home and do the work himself and transform it into a space where he could comfortably enjoy a smoke and a drink while playing music, surrounded by walls of his treasured collection of whiskey bottles, his guitars, and his humidor. Both said they spent the most time researching ways to contain the second-hand smoke and cigar odor in the room and remove it to the outside. Because they started at different points of construction, their solutions were different, too. Campbell chose Rae Duncan Interior Design (raeduncanid.com) in Chicago to develop the plan and work with the contractor and technicians to transform the open space in his home.
Masterful millwork painted a dark shade of gray provides a rich touch to Tim Campbell’s bar/game room/ entertainment center/cigar lounge in his home west of Chicago. Duncan said it took three months to design and another three months to receive all the items ordered and do the buildout. The work was done preCOVID but he still experienced supply chain delays. Most of the work in the project and in the cigar room was custom, Duncan said, with the build starting with the bare concrete floor and walls from the original construction. That gave Duncan a wide-open canvas to create what the Campbells wanted downstairs, including the smoking room. “The upstairs in the house is beautifully done, very traditional with white woodwork,” Duncan said. “But they gave us the go-ahead, so we went wild.” People entering the space come down a wide, carpeted staircase to a wine bar equipped with a round game table and a four-person bar with upholstered seats, a two-level quartz countertop, back bar, and glass-door cabinets. The walls, doors
Image Credit: Rusty Winters
and millwork are all the same color, a cool gray. The lighting includes a threeglobe light over the bar. With millwork paneled walls, windows, cabinets, and 16-foot two-level wet bar with built-in kegerator under 10-foot ceilings, the lower level is an extension of the upper floors of the home and doesn’t look like a basement. The media area next to the wine bar features more built-ins with an 82-inch flat screen television with surround sound at the center. The area flows into the billiards room, which features paneled walls around a Brunswick table with an early 1900s design. Tufted black leather chairs frame a window and African animal skulls hang on a wall, along with another flat screen. An unused nook near the bottom of the staircase houses a glassed-in wine cellar.
Unlike most basements in the Midwest, Campbell said, the lower level was found to have no excess moisture on the poured concrete floor, allowing a couple layers of subflooring and a vapor barrier under hardwood flooring to tie all the rooms together. As a precaution, a whole-house generator and two back-up batteries for the sump pump were added. The cigar room is behind a pair of glass doors with custom-made cobra door handles “that protect my humidor, or at least that’s the story we’re going with,” Campbell says in his video. The room features custom millwork wall panels and wall units with four leather chairs centered around a low round table over an animal skin throw and a jute rug. Campbell’s humidor was built into the wall and trimmed out to match the
Rusty Winters picks, sips and smokes in the cigar lounge/guitar studio/whiskey room he built in his home in San Antonio. One wall hosts Winters’ guitar and hat collection with a built-in humidor on another.
the space. It’s advised to let the room air out for 30 minutes after the machine shuts down to allow any residual ozone to dissipate.
millwork throughout the rooms, all done by the craftsmen at Cisneros Custom Furniture of Chicago. In his video, Campbell refers to his selection of what looks like about 100 cigars as “anemic.” In the six years since he started enjoying cigars he has some favorites: Padrón 1926 Serie, Oliva Serie V, Eiroa The First 20 Years, and Perdomo 20th Anniversary.
In Campbell’s cigar room, the ozone generator was the last thing added to the ventilation system designed to keep the aroma of cigars from leaving the room. Two ceiling vents, powered by a fan located in an adjacent storeroom and controllable through a rheostat, move the air out of the building. Campbell said he adjusts the fan based on the amount of smoke inside the room. The negative air pressure in the room keeps the second-hand smoke from entering the HVAC system and being spread throughout the house.
On one of the bookshelves is an Enerzen ozone generator with an 11,000 mg capacity, an inexpensive unit that sells on Amazon for less than $75. The unit has various speeds and is advertised by the manufacturer to “aid in destroying any lingering ‘musty’ or imbedded odors.” And while it may kill odors, concentrated ozone is not the best for humans, pets or plants. Instead of filtering air like other systems do, the generators create ozone to interact with contaminants in the air, water, fabrics, and walls, destroying odors rather than masking them. The machine works on a timer that turns it on after people have left
“THIS ALL STARTED BECAUSE I RAN OUT OF SPACE FOR MY EVER EXPANDING COLLECTION OF BOTTLES.” – RUSTY WINTERS Besides the ventilation and ozone generator, a Rabbit Air MinusA2 Air Purifier sits on the floor behind one of the chairs in Campbell’s cigar
MAY / JUN 2023 | CIGAR SNOB | 45
and to ensure the work is done correctly with no leaks. With an interior design firm and craftsmen paying attention to all details, choosing top-of-the-line solutions to the project, and finding those items that added the final touches to the entertainment area—such as a vintage cigar press, cigar tins and period photographs—Campbell is comfortable with having spent about $350,000 on the buildout, perhaps more than he could expect from a buyer. “Objectively speaking, I won’t expect to see a return on my investment,” he said. The project followed the sale of his business, Vapor Beast, the largest distributor of electronic cigarettes in the country, and Campbell said he was at a point in life where he didn’t want to make the decision based on whether it made good financial sense. Image Credit: Rae Duncan Interior Design
“Let’s see, how many regrets do I have?” he said. “Uh, zero.”
room, using a HEPA filtration system to remove particles from the air. A traditional HEPA filter is composed of proprietary fiber material that traps allergens and particles as small as 0.1 microns as fans draw the air through it. The units are rated at a 99.97% efficiency and can be tailored to specific uses through changing out filters, with the manufacturer offering filters that target toxins, volatile organic compounds, and odors from pets, cooking, mildew, and smoke from cigarettes and cigars. It’s used in hospitals and high-tech clean rooms.
“KEEPING THE ROOM AT A NEGATIVE PRESSURE IS THE SECRET. NOW IT’S PERFECT. THERE IS NO SMOKE ODOR IN THERE AT ALL.”
“You can go down to my basement, and if I entertain (friends smoking cigars in the cigar room), people can’t smell cigar smoke.” The air flow is so effective that he and three friends can smoke, have cocktails, and watch a game for a few hours and still come away without their clothing smelling like cigar smoke. To make the air circulation system operate as efficiently as possible and keep the smoke from escaping into other rooms of his house, the spaces between studs in the walls and ceiling were filled with closed cell spray foam.
“It’s working really well,” Duncan said. “The room doesn’t smell.”
David Ludeman, owner of Koala Insulation in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, explained that the foam insulation is developed from two types of composite material, polyurethane and isocyanate. When the chemicals are mixed together, they interact to form a liquid that can be sprayed and expands quickly to fill in all the space between the studs before hardening into a plastic that keeps smoke from penetrating.
“They all sync together,” Campbell said.
“You want to use closed cell spray
—RUSTY WINTERS
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With the entertainment center and bar just outside the glass doors to Campbell’s cigar lounge, the smoke is kept from the rest of the house by two ceiling vents pumping smoke to the outdoors through a rheostat-controlled fan located in an adjacent room, a Rabbit HEPA filtering system, and an ozone generator to remove the last remnants of cigars. “They all sync together,” Campbell said. foam, two inches on the walls and ceiling, that will completely encapsulate the space,” Ludeman said. “It will give the room a builtin vapor barrier and air barrier.” Ludeman has insulated a few cigar rooms in South Florida but works mostly on wine cellars, where the main concern is keeping the heat and humidity out of the room through the use of two inches of spray foam. In extremely cold environments, like those in northern states, adding two more inches will help keep the cold out and the heat in, as well as the vapors, smoke and odors. Ludeman recommends hiring a professional to do the spraying because of the toxicity of the foam
In San Antonio, Rusty Winters had a room in his house with many uses. Having started playing guitar and singing in bands before he was in high school, Winters had a large collection of guitars hanging on walls that he would take down and play, sometimes recording videos he would post to YouTube. He regularly appears in bars and restaurants in San Antonio and records his own rhythm tracks that he plays back on stage to enrich his performances. Winters also had a large collection of bottles of whiskey that grew to take up an increasing amount of space as he moved them from cabinet to breakfront to shelves. On his Wintersway YouTube channel, Winters explained the bottles, rather than the cigars, were his beginning impetus for converting his flex room to his cigar/music/whiskey lounge. “This all started because I ran out of space for my ever expanding collection of bottles,” he said. He started thinking about the cigar part of the room about three years ago, when he started smoking cigars on the golf course with friends. The flex space, which Winters and his wife, Margi, used as an office/ guestroom/music practice/YouTube video room, became the focus of the plan. With the skills and talents to do
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“Priority number one is to make sure no smoke [leaves] the room,” he said. San Antonio lies on the edge of the West Texas desert at about 140 miles north of the Mexican border. The weather can be stifling hot, with temperatures during summer months regularly in the 90s and often breaking 100 degrees. So, Winters found the exterior walls of the house, which made up two of the four walls in his cigar/whiskey/ music room, were already insulated with rigid polystyrene insulation, with fiberglass insulation in the ceiling and two interior walls. “It’s pretty hot in San Antonio,” he said. “Mainly I was concerned with the humidity and temperature of the cigars.” Winters’ plans left him with only one location for his humidor; on an outside wall of the room. He ordered a 300-cigar humidor custom made by Vigilant of New Hampshire, a maker of fine cabinetry, millwork and furnishings. Vigilant recommended against the outside wall, but Winters felt he was stuck with the location, so he added another three-quarters of an inch of hard insulation behind the opening. He also consulted with a structural engineer and reinforced the walls around the opening to support it. The woodworkers matched the stained cherry sample that Winters sent them. “If you get obsessed with watching the temperature and humidity in your humidor, you’re going to be a very nervous person,” Winters said, which would defeat the purpose of building the room. He checks the humidity of his cigars and finds it stable at about 70%. He adds distilled water and a biocide once a month. The cherry panels on the walls and ceiling are trimmed in with molding Winters had cut at a hardwood lumber mill. He stained everything before he installed it and then applied three coats of varnish. He said if he had to do it over again, he’d go through the varnishing process before installing and add more coats.
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“The varnishing was the laborintensive, time-consuming, tedious part of it,” he said. Winters did the math on the glass shelving he installed to support his whiskey bottles and found it came to 238 pounds of glass and alcohol for each eight-foot shelf, well below the 1,200-pound capacity with brackets spaced at 16 inches. He used a shelf of cherry atop plywood for the bar top on the bottom shelf and applied a quarter-inch of epoxy to protect from spills. Just as Campbell found, the real challenge Winters faced was getting the smoke out of the room when he lit up. He started with a window fan unit but found it wasn’t enough, as the smoke rose to the ceiling of the room and avoided being expelled by the window fan. Winters then replaced the ceiling fan in the room with a Puro Fan with a HEPA filter and a light. The units are designed with a low profile and qualified for use in clean rooms with a 99.99% rating at 0.3-micron particles. The fan is rated at 930 CFM, and Winters did the math, finding the room had 1,378 cubic feet of air and figuring the air in the room would be cleaned 40 times an hour.
THE SPARTAN CLUB Putting a name on it was the easy part of the conversion of a decrepit 1959 Spartan Royal Manor house trailer to a 35-foot dressed-out art deco smoking lounge. “The name wasn’t creative,” joked Peter Lenkov, writer and producer for TV and movies. Still, a plaque built into the side of his polished aluminum trailer announces “The Spartan Club, Est. 2023.” Lenkov knows about creative. His latest accomplishments include writing a western feature, prepping a monster movie for shooting this summer, producing “Marlowe” with Liam Neeson, “RIPD 2” for Netflix, and an historic Hawaiian feature, “The Wind & The Reckoning.” COVID pushed Lenkov to find a space to enjoy cigars at his Hidden Hills home north of Los Angeles. Restrictions put in place to battle the pandemic kept him from visiting nearby lounges. Instead, he came upon the Spartan and imagined it sitting next to his house. He contacted Kenny Ruzicka, a restorer who had worked on a smaller trailer for Lenkov through his Kruzzers company in Simi Valley. “It was in pretty poor shape when I triggered the build,” Lenkov said. And while the purchase price was in the $15,000 range, the renovations and furnishings brought the total close to $200,000.
The Spartan Royal Manor was one of 40,000 house trailers built by a Tulsa, Oklahoma, company owned by billionaire J. Paul Getty. Originally an airplane manufacturer, it transitioned after World War II to high-end trailers but stopped building them in 1961. Lenkov wanted the interior of the trailer to reflect the art deco period, something from the era of The Great Gatsby, but with added modern conveniences like air conditioning, a Rabbit air filtration system, wood flooring, modern wiring, and light fixtures designed to look as if they survived for nearly 100 years. “The trailer is 1959, but the interior is all 1930s,” he said, including a huge photo of Fred Astaire dancing in a scene from the 1935 movie “Top Hat.” “Astaire just brings class to the room, and reminds me to drink my Scotch slowly, take a breath.” Many of the antiques in the trailer come from his own collection, like Vietnam-era Zippo lighters and an ashtray from the Stork Club. The humidor is the First Class model made by Gerber in Germany, big enough to hold stacks of cigars, like the Drew Estate Liga Privadas that Lenkov prefers. And while he’s enjoying sharing his cigar space with friends, Lenkov said he’s not done. “I want to build another one, a speakeasy with a hidden door to the lounge,” he said. “From the outside and the entryway, it looks like a 50s trailer, then push on the trap door and, voila, you’re in the Cotton Club.”
Winters went above and beyond by adding a ceiling vent connected to a roof vent by eight-inch flexible air ducts and an inline fan that pulls the air from the room. He said the system is used in grow houses and helped resolve another difficulty with the house as the flex room is in the southwest corner of the house and always ran about five degrees warmer than the rest of the structure. Together, the system for keeping the cigar smoke from entering the rest of the house or the house HVAC system works perfectly, Winters said. “It eliminates all the smoke odor,” he said. “Keeping the room at a negative pressure is the secret. Now it’s perfect. There is no smoke odor in there at all.” The whole project took about 90 days to build and another month to collect and add the finishing touches, like the leather chairs Winters sits in when he plays guitar, sips whiskey and lights up a Plasencia Alma del Campo or a Davidoff Late Hour, his favorites.
Image Credit: Peter Lenkov
the work, Winters took on the project himself. Like Campbell, Winters started by researching his main concern, a ventilation system that would protect against exposure of others to secondhand smoke and keep the rest of the house from smelling like cigars.
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For a touch of Asian flavor, head to the legendary Christine Lee’s overlooking the track’s walking ring. Gulfstream’s Israeli-style grill, Bissaleh, serves up a Glatt Kosher menu featuring salads, skewers, and much more. Be sure to check out Royal Cigars (royalcigarsgulfstream.com),
providing
n the border of Broward and
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1939.
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a selection of fine wines and spirits from
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a Davidoff Cigar VIP activation at The
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66 | CIGAR SNOB | MAY / JUN 2023
and
health
and
Festival 2023
Dominican Republic By Jamilet Calviño he 15th installment of the Dominican Republic’s ProCigar Festival was celebrated in late February. The festivities kicked off at the Casa de Campo in La Romana. I stayed in one of the recently opened Premier Suites. Guests were provided with golf carts to zoom around the property and private butlers added an extra touch of luxury for Premier Suites guests.
Catalina Island
Day 1 began with breakfast, followed by a visit to the marina where we embarked on a catamaran to explore Catalina Island. During our excursion, we had lunch on board, accompanied by a cigar and rum pairing hosted by Tabacalera de Garcia and Barceló Rum. At dusk, guests gathered at Minitas Beach Club for a sunset bonfire dinner, hosted by the Grupo de Maestros of Tabacalera de García. The beach provided a picturesque setting for an evening with friends and colleagues smoking the best of Tabacalera de Garcia.
Ángel Alba and Joshua López
Roldán Pérez and Francia Lora
Day 2 took us first to tour the brand new Tabacalera de Garcia cigar factory, one of the largest in the world. The Grupo de Maestros greeted us with Dominican dancers, and we were treated to a coffee station and a coconut water station. At the end of the tour, we were gifted a goodie bag brimming with cigars and various treats. After lunch, we hit the road for the scenic four hour bus ride to Santiago de los Caballeros, where the festival continued. Upon checking into our hotels, we were given another gift bag, which included a limited-edition cigar box, an ashtray, a cutter, a lighter, and other accessories.
Ricardo Nieto, Javier Elmudesi and Pedro Ventura
In the evening, we gathered at the pool deck of Hodelpa Garden Court for a welcome cocktail and cigars, an event hosted by the members and staff of ProCigar.
Dirk Ossieur, Sara Tio, Koenraad Cappon and Junie Santos
Team Tabacalera de García
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IT’S NOT JUST A FAMILY BUSINESS.
IT’S A FAMILY PASSION. For 120 years, La Aurora has crafted premium cigars that stand on the shoulders of tradition. From our founder, Eduardo León Jimenes, to his son Fernando, and now, his son, Guillermo, La Aurora Cigars are the result of generations of knowledge passed down from master craftsmen to their apprentices. As we celebrate our 120th anniversary, we take inspiration from Don Eduardo's "La Aurora" – or "new dawn" – name by christening 2023 as "The New Dawn of La Aurora." To mark the anniversary, we have rebuilt our Tabaquería to represent our Dominican identity in full, as well as grown more of our own unique La Aurora tobacco than ever before. We have revamped our approach toward tobacco education to focus on learning as a team, creating a family of artisans that rival any other. Armed with this unprecedented knowledge and skill, our standards of quality have never been higher.
La Aurora is now available in stores nationwide. scan to find it near you.
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Brianna Genao, Sara Tio, Fabiola Rodríguez, Patricia González and Catherine Libre
Day 3, we embarked on a visit to the La Aurora Cigar factory, where we were welcomed by Guillermo Leon and his staff. As customary, we indulged in coffee and cigars before commencing the tour. This tour held a special significance as it included a video presentation in the factory’s large rolling room. Accompanied by a live band and folkloric dancers, we were treated to an exclusive unveiling of the La Aurora 120th Anniversary cigar. Following the presentation, we were guided to the area designated for lunch. The waiters offered Presidente beer and samples of E. León Jimenes rum. After the traditional Dominican lunch, we had a guided pairing of the new 120th Anniversary Cigar with the E. León Jimenes 110 Aniversario rum. The experience was led by La Aurora’s Master Blender, Manuel Inoa, and rum expert Francisco Jimenez.
Abel Cruz, Agustin García and Ed McKenna
To continue the festivities, a grand welcome dinner party took place at the Parque Central (Central Park). Each guest received an exclusive cigar box crafted by Zanwill International, while indulging in a feast that showcased Dominican cuisine. Hendrik Kelner, the president of ProCigar, extended a gracious welcome to the attendees and the evening was highlighted by live music performances from local artists. A traditional Dominican music contest followed the dinner, with the winners receiving 50 cigars manufactured by the ProCigar members. Iranis Montes de Oca and Ben Wills
Daniel and Angela Schneebeli
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Guillermo León
Day 4, during my visit to Tabacalera A. Fuente, we were greeted by Ciro Cascella, president of Tabacalera A. Fuente, and the younger Fuente generation. Our first stop was the new box factory followed by a visit to the museum-like cigar factory where the welcoming area replicated the iconic bar at the Columbia Restaurant in Tampa, which happens to be Carlos “Carlito” Fuente’s favorite restaurant. Stepping into the rolling room, we were entertained by folkloric dancers, and the room - again, back to Tampa's Ybor City - resembled the Columbia Restaurant. Lunch was served in the employees' lunchroom, where the roof is painted to resemble clouds, and a mural of the House of Dreams adorns the main wall. A highlight of my visit was the White Party, held at the Monumento a los Héroes de la Restauración. From this monument, we could admire the 360-degree views of the city of Santiago. That evening, we were presented with a special cigar box designed by the artist Angurria and manufactured by International Packaging. Carlos Carlito Fuente Jr.
Roldán Pérez, Carlos Alcantara and Eddy Bueno
Carlos Fuente III, Lidiana and Sofía Fuente and Mario Campos
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Bingo winners of Field Day
Day 5, ProCigar Field Day at La Aurora Cigar Field was designed exclusively for personal interactions with the manufacturers, creating a relaxed and social atmosphere. The day included games, music, and lunch, while attendees had the opportunity to participate in a roll-yourown-cigar contest, trivia challenges, and dominoes. A tour of the farm was available for those interested in exploring further. The Gala Dinner Party took place at the Centro Español, a private club established in 1965. Guests were presented with a cigar box meticulously crafted by Vrijdag Premium Printing. The highly anticipated auction, conducted by Michael Herklots and Manuel Quesada, raised $440,000. These funds were dedicated to supporting nonprofit organizations including Voluntariado Jesús con los Niños, which aids ill children, Sociedad San Vicente de Paúl, a retirement home for low-income elders, and ProCigar’s charitable initiative "A Home for My Family," a housing program for deserving employees from member companies. The night concluded with an after-party featuring music and nonstop dancing.
Ernesto Pérez-Carrillo, Marleny Tavárez and José Manuel Vega
Leticia Kelner, David, Anabelle, Aglyn and David Pérez Jr.
Litto Gómez and Henke Kelner
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Alejandro Martínez 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
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By Gavin Maliska / Photography by Infinite Creations MAY / JUN 2023 | CIGAR SNOB | 75
hances are Alec Piedra and Robert Glick never would have met if not for the Miami families who felt in their hearts they could use their businesses, their charities, and their connections to do what comes naturally to them, the right thing. Piedra, 29, works in the Miami warehouse of Oliva Cigars, a job arranged through The de Moya Foundation, which helps young adults with developmental disabilities to gain meaningful employment. It’s a big job, as unemployment for people in that group runs about 80 percent. Glick is a lawyer, and managing partner of a 20-attorney litigation firm on Long Island, more than 1,300 miles from Miami. What they share is a way of looking at the images and colors used to form the symbols and brands of the cigar industry, from seals, crests, logos, paintings, and ornate lettering on cigar bands and boxes. Glick uses those sometimes-minute images as design elements for
From Top to Bottom: Some of Alec Piedra’s artistic creations have been featured on cigar packaging released by Oliva cigars; Robert Glick and Alec Piedra items adjacent to the cigar industry, like ashtrays, lighters, humidors, and wall art displayed in offices, lounges, and cigar rooms. His elaborately detailed work is finding its way into the homes and offices of people influential in the cigar industry, and what started seven years ago as a hobby and pastime has become his passion. The pair connected through the Miami cigar industry, thanks to Yadira Creighton, manager of public relations at Oliva Cigars; Lileana de Moya, CEO of The de Moya Foundation; and Erik Calvino, editor of this magazine. At a fund-raising gala, de Moya admired purses Creighton and her daughter had
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fashioned from Oliva Cigar boxes. She suggested Creighton teach the young adults at her foundation how to make the purses. Creighton soon supplied 50 Oliva Cigars boxes and helped teach clients how to turn them into art. De Moya introduced her to Alec Piedra, who has a degree in art from Florida International University. Alec is also on the autism spectrum, highly functional but with difficulty socializing, according to his father, Manuel Piedra. “Alec doesn’t speak a lot unless it involves his artwork or he’s at the zoo,” he said. “I was very impressed,” Creighton said. “I could see the potential.… Not only was there symmetry but he was very creative with the boxes.” After a second session, Creighton knew she wanted to bring Alec to Oliva and worked with her human resources department to find him
a spot. He’s now employed in the warehouse four days a week, and on the fifth day works with Creighton to make art. Glick reached out to Calvino with a cover of Cigar Snob magazine where he had used tiny pieces from cigar bands to recreate the color of the images. Cigar Snob was preparing for an event to announce the Oliva Serie V Melanio Maduro Torpedo as the 2021 cigar of the year, and Calvino suggested Glick donate the original to be auctioned off for the Oliva Helping Hands Foundation. The foundation was created by Oliva Cigars to build a preschool for the children in Esteli, Nicaragua, where they grow tobacco and have cigar factories. “Although we are a big company, we’re giving back to the community,” Creighton said. “We’re trying to help.” Glick’s artwork brought in $1,000 for Oliva Helping Hands, and he told Creighton he wanted to donate more of his pieces to help raise more money for the charity. One of the pieces was an ashtray displaying Oliva Cigars’ bands and symbols, which Creighton showed to Alec and asked him to try to recreate. When Glick later saw the finished product, he was impressed. “I was in awe that someone with these special needs and autism had so much talent and ability,” he said. Glick went to Miami at Creighton’s invitation and bought for Alec all the materials and tools he uses to make his art, along with carrying cases. The material was unveiled and Glick sat with Alec to show him some techniques he had mastered, how to use the right tools for the job, and how to make his artwork less delicate and more permanent. Alec now makes clear ashtrays that display the painting inside the lid of a box of the Oliva 135th anniversary cigars, the standard Oliva Serie V band, and the additional foot band in the shape of four gold coins and a gold 135 inside a brown circle. Each ashtray comes with a certificate with Alec’s name and information
about the two foundations. Glick’s artistic profile has prompted others in the cigar industry to reach out to him. He’s also joined with two friends to start his own brand, Kinship Cigars, with two blends manufactured in the Dominican Republic and sold in cigar lounges across the country. Jorge de Moya, marketing director for The de Moya Foundation, sees Alec’s story as the goal of his organization.
“WHAT WE’RE DOING WITH ALEC AND OLIVA CIGARS IS WHAT WE STRIVE FOR WITH EVERY YOUNG ADULT WITH UNIQUE ABILITIES IN THE DE MOYA FOUNDATION, IN THE COMMUNITY, AND IN SOCIETY AS A WHOLE,” HE SAID. “WHEN WE MET WITH OLIVA CIGAR, WE KNEW RIGHT AWAY THAT IT WASN’T JUST A BUSINESS, BUT A FAMILY. WE HAD ZERO DOUBT IN OUR MINDS THAT ALEC WOULD FIT RIGHT IN AND FEEL COMFORTABLE ENOUGH TO EXPRESS HOW HE SEES HIMSELF— AS AN ARTIST. ART IS HIS WAY OF COMMUNICATING WITH THE WORLD, AND WE ARE SO GRATEFUL THAT OLIVA HAS EMBRACED HIS PASSION AND TALENT.” Manuel Piedra praised the Foundation and the work it has done to help his son, such as sending a coach with Alec for his first month at Oliva to make sure the placement would work.
warehouse said he wished he had more employees like Alec. And as you can imagine, that was music to my ears.” De Moya noted there was room for many more businesses to follow the path of Oliva. “Be part of this mission,” he said. “I promise you this is life-changing for everyone involved. Partnering with us can make a direct impact on your team unlike any other. It’s why we say, ‘Doing good is good for business.’” More information about the foundation can be found at demoyafoundation.com or on social media via @thedemoyafoundation on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. For information on Oliva Cigars’ Helping Hands Foundation, or to purchase one of Alec’s ashtrays, look to olivahhf.org.
The intricate work of Art De Fumar’s Robert Glick takes used and new cigar rings and combines them in a collage of colors that adorn various types of objects including this dress worn by a model on the Nov/Dec 2021 cover of Cigar Snob Magazine.
“It’s greatly needed because there are so many adults on the spectrum in need of employment,” he said. “Both the foundation and Oliva have been wonderful.… His supervisor in the
Glick’s work can be found on his website artdefumar.com and Instagram page @artdefumar. MAY / JUN 2023 | CIGAR SNOB | 77
48 CIGARS
TORPEDO Davidoff Millennium
$ 31.70
92
VITOLA: Piramide LENGTH: 6 1/8 RING: 52 WRAPPER: Ecuador BINDER: Dominican Republic FILLER: Dominican Republic
Flor de las Antillas Maduro
91
VITOLA: Torpedo LENGTH: 6 1/8 RING: 52 WRAPPER: Ecuador BINDER: Nicaragua FILLER: Nicaragua
VITOLA: Chisel LENGTH: 6 RING: 54 WRAPPER: Ecuador BINDER: Dominican Republic FILLER: Dominican Republic
VITOLA: Queen B LENGTH: 5 1/2 RING: 52 WRAPPER: Ecuador BINDER: Dominican Republic FILLER: Dominican Republic
Villiger La Vencedora
Expertly pressed and covered with an oily, dark brown wrapper and topped with a sharply pointed head, this medium plus strength torpedo offers a pepper and earth core complemented by notes of espresso, ripe fruit, and a subtle touch of roasted almonds.
D O M I N I CA N R E P UBLI C Intensely flavorful from the jump with a full strength profile highlighted by notes of red pepper, sweet wood, and tanned leather. This uniquely shaped figurado features a flat head and is finished with a neatly applied dark and oily wrapper. Leaves behind a solid, compact ash.
$ 7.60
D O M I N I CA N R E P UBLI C A consistently well-made, short torpedo covered with a dark, oily wrapper that produces an excellent smoke output leaving behind a solid, compact ash. Delivers a medium strength profile highlighted by notes of cedar, sweet spice, and currant.
$ 10.00
90
VITOLA: Torpedo BP LENGTH: 6 RING: 52 WRAPPER: Nicaragua BINDER: Nicaragua FILLER: Nicaragua
La Aurora 107 Maduro
N I CA R AG UA Opens with an earthy core accompanied by subtle notes of bittersweet chocolate, pepper, and oak delivered with a silky texture. This medium to full strength torpedo is consistently well-constructed and covered with a dark, well-aged wrapper.
$ 11.00
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N I CA R AG UA
$ 10.70
A. Fuente Sun Grown Chateau Fuente
90
Delivers an impeccably balanced and complex profile highlighted by toasted almond, cedar, and sweet spices complemented by a rich note of tanned leather on the finish. Draws and burns flawlessly while leaving behind a solid, compact ash.
$ 10.30
La Flor Dominicana Double Ligero
91
D O M I N I CA N R E P UBLI C
VITOLA: Belicoso LENGTH: 6 1/4 RING: 52 WRAPPER: USA/Connecticut BINDER: Dominican Republic FILLER: Dominican Republic & Nicaragua
D O M I N I CA N R E P UBLI C Finished with a dark, reddish brown wrapper with prominent veins, this medium strength torpedo produces a profile of wood, molasses, and sweet pepper accompanied by a dark cherry note in the background.
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GRAN TORO Plasencia Alma Fuerte
$ 21.63
92
VITOLA: Sixto II Hexagon LENGTH: 6 RING: 60 WRAPPER: Nicaragua BINDER: Nicaragua FILLER: Nicaragua
Jaime Garcia Reserva Especial
91
A uniquely pressed gran toro covered with an oily, dark reddish brown wrapper. Delivers an ultra-flavorful combination of smooth sweet pepper, dark chocolate, earth, and a touch of dark cherry. Draws and burns perfectly while producing tons of medium to full strength smoke.
$ 10.60 VITOLA: Toro Gordo LENGTH: 6 RING: 60 WRAPPER: Nicaragua BINDER: Nicaragua FILLER: Nicaragua
Oliva Serie V
N I CA R AG UA Ultra consistent and flavorful with a core of earth, chocolate, roasted nuts, and a hint of wood accompanied by a smooth pepper note throughout. This gran toro is finished with a dark, slightly toothy wrapper. Produces a good output of medium plus strength smoke.
$ 12.16
91
VITOLA: Double Toro LENGTH: 6 RING: 60 WRAPPER: Ecuador BINDER: Nicaragua FILLER: Nicaragua
Fratello Navetta
N I CA R AG UA An attractive gran toro covered with a reddish brown wrapper with a slightly coarse feel. This medium plus strength blend delivers a core of cocoa powder, smooth pepper, and tanned leather along a firm draw and a wavy burn.
$ 1 4.00
90
VITOLA: 60 Enterprise LENGTH: 6 RING: 60 WRAPPER: Ecuador BINDER: Dominican Republic FILLER: Nicaragua
Aging Room Bin No. 2
N I CA R AG UA Opens with tons of sweet earth, oak, and smooth pepper joined by subtle notes of black American coffee and hazelnut. This medium plus strength blend provides a perfect draw and a wavy burn while leaving behind a solid, compact ash.
$ 15.45
90
VITOLA: Grande LENGTH: 6 RING: 60 WRAPPER: Nicaragua BINDER: Nicaragua FILLER: Nicaragua
Diesel Esteli Puro
N I CA R AG UA Earthy and smooth, this consistently well-made blend produces an excellent output of thick aromatic smoke highlighted by notes of oak, molasses, and black pepper accompanied by roasted nuts on the finish. Medium plus strength.
$ 10.7 9
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N I CA R AG UA
VITOLA: Gigante LENGTH: 6 RING: 60 WRAPPER: Nicaragua BINDER: Nicaragua FILLER: Nicaragua
N I CA R AG UA Impeccably constructed and covered with a dark brown wrapper, this medium plus strength blend produces an excellent smoke output along an excellent draw and even burn. Delivers a core of earth and pepper complemented by overroasted nuts, oak, and a hint of sweetness.
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TORO AJ Fernandez New World Puro Especial
92
VITOLA: Toro LENGTH: 6 1/2 RING: 52 WRAPPER: Nicaragua BINDER: Nicaragua FILLER: Nicaragua
Joya Black
N I CA R AG UA An ultra-flavorful, thick toro covered with a well-aged, dark brown wrapper with excellent oils. This medium plus strength blend delivers tons of dark chocolate, smooth pepper, and oak complemented by a subtle touch of caramel on the finish.
$ 8.75
91
VITOLA: Toro LENGTH: 6 RING: 52 WRAPPER: Mexico BINDER: Nicaragua FILLER: Nicaragua
Camacho Factory Unleashed 3
90
N I CA R AG UA A consistently well-made toro covered with a toothy, dark brown wrapper. Comes out of the gate with tons of dark chocolate, sweet earth, and smooth pepper complemented by a touch of roasted almond.
$ 9.00 VITOLA: Toro LENGTH: 6 RING: 50 WRAPPER: Mexico BINDER: Honduras FILLER: Honduras & Dominican Republic
7-20-4
H O N D UR AS Covered with a dark, toothy wrapper and finished with an exposed foot, the blend opens with a combination of oak and pepper joined by aromas of sweet earth, marzipan, and grilled meats once the wrapper hits. Draws and burns impeccably well.
$ 10.40
90
VITOLA: Gran Toro LENGTH: 6 RING: 54 WRAPPER: Brazil BINDER: Costa Rica FILLER: Nicaragua, Honduras, Mexico & Colombia
Kristoff San Andres Box-Pressed
89
H O N D UR AS Flawlessly constructed and covered with a neatly applied, dark brown wrapper and topped with a short pigtail. This medium strength toro produces a sweet and earthy profile complemented by smooth spice and tanned leather while leaving behind a solid, compact ash.
$ 10.20 VITOLA: Toro LENGTH: 6 1/4 RING: 54 WRAPPER: Mexico BINDER: Ecuador FILLER: Nicaragua
Hooten Young 2020
D O M I N I CA N R E P UBLI C A neatly soft-pressed toro covered with a dark, toothy wrapper and topped with a pigtail. Delivers a smooth core of sweet earth, cedar, and pepper complemented by a touch of ripe fruit on the finish.
$ 1 4.00
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$ 9.50
VITOLA: Toro LENGTH: 6 RING: 54 WRAPPER: Mexico BINDER: Nicaragua FILLER: Nicaragua
N I CA R AG UA A dark, box-pressed blend with a heavy core of earth and black pepper accompanied by a ripe fruit sweetness consistently running through the smoke. Draws and burns perfectly while producing an excellent output of medium to full strength smoke.
TORO Romeo y Julieta Envy
$ 1 7.50
N I CAR AGUA Delivers a balanced combination of oak, sweet spice, and tanned leather complemented by a rich creaminess on the finish. This medium plus strength toro is covered with an inviting, reddish brown wrapper with minimal veins.
VITOLA: Amulet LENGTH: 6 RING: 55 WRAPPER: Nicaragua BINDER: Nicaragua FILLER: Nicaragua
91 Leaf by Oscar Corojo
$ 10.50
H O ND U R AS Opens with a creamy medium strength profile highlighted by notes of cashew, sweet cedar, cocoa, and smooth pepper. Consistently draws and burns well while leaving behind a solid, dark gray ash.
VITOLA: Toro LENGTH: 6 RING: 52 WRAPPER: Honduras BINDER: Honduras FILLER: Honduras
Guardian of the Farm Cerberus
$ 10.50
N I CAR AGUA Finished with a clean, medium brown wrapper, this well-made toro delivers a balanced combination of cedar, smooth pepper, and hazelnut complemented by a touch of tanned leather along a firm draw and an even burn. Medium to full strength.
VITOLA: Toro LENGTH: 6 1/4 RING: 52 WRAPPER: Nicaragua BINDER: Nicaragua FILLER: Nicaragua
Opens with a combination of wood and spice that settles to incorporate subtle notes of cashews and cream. This medium to full strength blend draws and burns well while producing an excellent smoke output.
VITOLA: 650 LENGTH: 6 RING: 50 WRAPPER: Nicaragua BINDER: Nicaragua FILLER: Nicaragua
Neatly pressed and covered with a nearly flawless, light brown wrapper with a velvet feel. Delivers a flavorful, medium strength profile of nuts, baking spice, and cedar accompanied by a rich, sweet cream on the finish.
89 All Saints Dedicación Habano
$ 11.90
N I CAR AGUA
90 Curivari Archimedes Principio
$ 7.50
N I CAR AGUA
90
VITOLA: Commandant LENGTH: 6 1/2 RING: 52 WRAPPER: Ecuador BINDER: Nicaragua FILLER: Nicaragua
89 CAO Arcana Firewalker
$ 11.99
N I CAR AGUA A large toro covered with a supple, light brown wrapper and topped with a pigtail. Produces a good output of mild to medium bodied smoke with a profile of wood, nuts, and bitter coffee along an open draw and a wavy burn.
VITOLA: Toro LENGTH: 6 1/2 RING: 56 WRAPPER: Ecuador BINDER: Nicaragua FILLER: Nicaragua
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CORONA Illusione Singularé Origen
92
$ 12.35 VITOLA: Corona Gorda LENGTH: 5 5/8 RING: 46 WRAPPER: Nicaragua BINDER: Nicaragua FILLER: Nicaragua
Tatuaje Black - Private Reserve
91
Opens with a silky profile highlighted by notes of cedar, nuts, and baking spice along an excellent output of medium plus strength smoke. This consistently well-made corona is covered with a light brown wrapper showing slight veins.
$ 10.00 VITOLA: Corona Gorda LENGTH: 5 5/8 RING: 46 WRAPPER: Nicaragua BINDER: Nicaragua FILLER: Nicaragua
Partagas de Bronze
N I CA R AG UA Consistently well constructed, this medium strength corona is topped with a slightly pointed head and a covered foot. Draws and burns exceptionally well while producing a profile of black pepper, cedar, nuts, and leather accompanied by a rich vanilla cream finish.
$ 22.99
91
VITOLA: Corona Gorda LENGTH: 6 1/4 RING: 46 WRAPPER: Nicaragua BINDER: Nicaragua FILLER: Nicaragua
Warped Flor del Valle
USA An ultra-flavorful blend covered with a supple, light reddish brown wrapper with beautiful oils. Produces an excellent smoke output with a balanced profile of roasted nuts, red pepper, and vanilla cream accompanied by a hint of light coffee.
$ 12.00
90
VITOLA: Cristales LENGTH: 6 RING: 42 WRAPPER: Nicaragua BINDER: Nicaragua FILLER: Nicaragua
A. Fuente Flor Fina 8-5-8 Rosado Sungrown
90
VITOLA: Corona LENGTH: 6 RING: 47 WRAPPER: Ecuador BINDER: Dominican Republic FILLER: Dominican Republic
RoMa Craft Intemperance BA XXI
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N I CA R AG UA
N I CA R AG UA A well-balanced corona delivering a medium strength core of smooth pepper, sweet cedar, tanned leather, and cocoa powder accompanied by a subtle sweetness on the finish. Produces an excellent output of thick, aromatic smoke along an easy draw and a wavy burn.
$ 7.85
D O M I N I CA N R E P UBLI C A smooth and flavorful blend covered with a clean, light brown wrapper with good oils. Consistently provides an excellent draw and burn while producing a core of cedar, soft spice, and cinnamon roasted nuts.
$ 8.50 VITOLA: Contempt LENGTH: 5 3/4 RING: 46 WRAPPER: Brazil BINDER: Nicaragua FILLER: Nicaragua
N I CA R AG UA A good-looking corona covered with a clean, reddish brown wrapper and finished with a slightly exposed foot. This medium plus strength blend delivers a core of earth, roasted nuts, and sharp pepper accompanied by a sweet note on the finish.
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ROBUSTO Tatuaje Tuxtla Lomo de Cerdo
93
$ 12.00 VITOLA: Robusto LENGTH: 5 1/8 RING: 52 WRAPPER: Mexico BINDER: Nicaragua FILLER: Nicaragua
The Tabernacle Havana Seed CT
92
VITOLA: No.142 LENGTH: 5 RING: 50 WRAPPER: USA/Connecticut BINDER: Mexico FILLER: Nicaragua
VITOLA: Robusto LENGTH: 5 1/2 RING: 50 WRAPPER: Nicaragua BINDER: Nicaragua FILLER: Nicaragua
VITOLA: Robusto J LENGTH: 5 RING: 52 WRAPPER: Ecuador BINDER: Nicaragua FILLER: Nicaragua
Gurkha The Classic Havana Blend
90
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An ultra-flavorful robusto covered with a dark, reddish brown wrapper. Draws and burns flawlessly while producing tons of medium plus strength smoke with flavors of smooth pepper, ripe fruit, earth, and coffee complemented by a rich note of almond cream on the finish.
N I CA R AG UA Producing an excellent smoke output along a flawless draw and burn, this medium plus strength blend is expertly box-pressed. Opens with a balanced combination of earth and smooth pepper accompanied by dark chocolate and toasted nuts.
$ 12.95
N I CA R AG UA Intense and ultra-flavorful, this expertly boxpressed robusto draws and burns impeccably while producing notes of black pepper, bittersweet chocolate, and oak accompanied by a touch of espresso. Medium to full strength.
$ 8.99 VITOLA: Robusto LENGTH: 5 1/2 RING: 52 WRAPPER: Mexico BINDER: Nicaragua FILLER: Nicaragua
A. Flores Gran Reserva Maduro
89
N I CA R AG UA
$ 15.20
Espinosa Knuckle Sandwich Maduro
91
A balanced and ultra-flavorful blend covered with a dark brown wrapper topped with a neat pigtail and finished with a covered foot. This medium plus strength robusto opens with ripe fruit sweetness quickly joined by smooth spice, rich dark chocolate, and espresso with a creamy texture.
$ 11.83
Padrón 1964 Anniversary Exclusivo
91
N I CA R AG UA
N I CA R AG UA A flavorful, medium strength robusto covered in a dark brown wrapper produced in a neat boxpressed format. Provides an easy draw and plenty of thick, aromatic smoke with notes of earth, smooth pepper, and dark chocolate complemented by a note of sweet spice on the finish.
$ 1 4.01 VITOLA: Robusto LENGTH: 5 RING: 52 WRAPPER: Mexico BINDER: Dominican Republic FILLER: Nicaragua & Dominican Republic
D O M I N I CA N R E P UBLI C Covered with a dark brown wrapper with good oils, this medium strength robusto draws well and leaves behind a compact, chalk-white ash while delivering subtle notes of wood and earth complemented by a touch of slightly sweet spices.
ROBUSTO AJ Fernandez Bellas Artes
$ 9.50
N I CAR AGUA Impeccably box-pressed and covered with a nearly flawless wrapper showing only the thinnest veins. Consistently provides an excellent draw and burn while delivering a core of black pepper, cedar, toasted nuts, and a hint of cinnamon. Medium to full strength.
VITOLA: Robusto Extra LENGTH: 5 1/2 RING: 52 WRAPPER: Nicaragua BINDER: Nicaragua FILLER: Brazil, Honduras & Nicaragua
92 Casa Cuba
$ 11.60
D OM I NI CA N REPUBLIC A short robusto covered with a light, reddish brown wrapper with minimal veins. The slightly pressed, medium bodied blend delivers notes of soft spice and wood balanced by nuts, cinnamon, and sweet cream.
VITOLA: Doble Cuatro LENGTH: 4 1/2 RING: 54 WRAPPER: Ecuador BINDER: Dominican Republic FILLER: Dominican Republic
Aganorsa Leaf Aniversario
$ 13.99
USA A beautifully balanced and complex blend that consistently delivers a creamy profile of cedar, lightly roasted nuts, and hazelnuts complemented by a touch of smooth pepper. This softpressed robusto provides a firm draw and a wavy burn. Medium to full strength.
91
VITOLA: Gran Robusto LENGTH: 5 RING: 54 WRAPPER: Nicaragua BINDER: Nicaragua FILLER: Nicaragua
91 Aladino Corojo
$ 10.50
H O ND U R AS Consistently well constructed and covered with a clean, light brown wrapper with only the slightest veins. Produces an excellent smoke output along a perfect draw and burn delivering a core of cedar, smooth spice, and raw almonds accompanied by a touch of sweetness.
VITOLA: Robusto LENGTH: 5 RING: 50 WRAPPER: Honduras BINDER: Honduras FILLER: Honduras
H. Upmann Vintage Cameroon
$ 7.50
D OM I NI CA N REPUBLIC Delivers a core of oak, spice, and earth complemented by a nuanced dried fruit note on the finish. Consistently well made and covered with a medium brown wrapper with a coarse feel. Draws and burns well while leaving behind a solid ash.
VITOLA: Robusto LENGTH: 5 RING: 52 WRAPPER: Cameroon BINDER: Nicaragua FILLER: Peru, Dominican Republic & Nicaragua
Opens with a blast of sharp cayenne pepper accompanied by subtle notes of pine, roasted nuts, and sweet earth. This medium plus strength blend is covered with a thick, reddish brown wrapper with a leathery feel.
90 Nestor Miranda Special Selection
$ 7.49
N I CAR AGUA
90
VITOLA: Coffee Break LENGTH: 4 1/2 RING: 50 WRAPPER: Nicaragua BINDER: Nicaragua FILLER: Nicaragua
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PETIT CORONA Aladino Classic
$ 7.30
92
VITOLA: Corona LENGTH: 5 RING: 44 WRAPPER: Honduras BINDER: Honduras FILLER: Honduras
Sobremesa
Impeccably balanced with a combination of cedar, nuts, and sweet cream complemented by a touch of spice. This mild to medium strength short corona is covered with a thin, light brown wrapper showing slight veins.
$ 11.95
91
VITOLA: Short Churchill LENGTH: 4 3/4 RING: 48 WRAPPER: Ecuador BINDER: Mexico FILLER: Nicaragua & USA
Oliva Serie V Melanio
N I CA R AG UA A short corona covered with a dark brown wrapper with excellent oils. Consistently draws and burns impeccably while producing tons of thick, aromatic smoke with notes of sweet earth, black pepper, and tanned leather with a long, creamy finish.
$ 9.45
91
VITOLA: No. 4 LENGTH: 4 1/2 RING: 46 WRAPPER: Ecuador BINDER: Nicaragua FILLER: Nicaragua
Padrón 1964 Anniversary
N I CA R AG UA Consistently well constructed and covered with a nearly flawless, milk chocolate colored wrapper, this medium strength blend draws and burns perfectly while delivering a core of roasted nuts, smooth pepper, and a touch of tanned leather.
$ 12.90
90
VITOLA: Principe Maduro LENGTH: 4 1/2 RING: 46 WRAPPER: Nicaragua BINDER: Nicaragua FILLER: Nicaragua
HVC Cerro
N I CA R AG UA This box-pressed short corona consistently draws and burns exceptionally while producing an excellent smoke output highlighted by notes of smooth pepper and earth accompanied by a subtle hint of cocoa. Medium strength.
$ 8.00
90
VITOLA: Sabrositos LENGTH: 4 1/2 RING: 46 WRAPPER: Nicaragua BINDER: Nicaragua FILLER: Nicaragua
RoMa Craft Intemperance CE XVIII
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H O N D UR AS
N I CA R AG UA Opens with a spicy blast that settles to incorporate cedar along with subtle notes of almond and leather. This medium plus strength blend is consistently well made and covered with a neatly applied, light brown wrapper.
$ 6.50 VITOLA: Charity Petito LENGTH: 4 RING: 46 WRAPPER: Ecuador BINDER: Indonesia FILLER: Nicaragua
N I CA R AG UA Opens with a blast of pepper and spice that settles to incorporate notes of oak, earth, toasted almond, and a hint of sweet cream on the finish. This short smoke draws well and produces a good smoke output along a wavy burn requiring touch ups.
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TWITTER SCOREBOARD The cigar world is on Twitter and we aim to keep track of who’s leading who. The following is a scoreboard of the cigar world’s most relevant Tweeples. The list is sorted by number of followers and broken into groups: Top 20 Twitter Cigar Companies & Reps, Top 10 Twitter Retailers, Top 10 Online Cigar Tweeps, Top 3 Twitter Cigar Organizations, and Top 3 Cigar Radio Twitter accounts. If you have the numbers and belong in one of these groups, stand up and be counted! Set us straight via Twitter @cigarsnobmag. TOP CIGAR COMPANIES ( sorted by Twitter followers ) Drew Estate Cigars @DrewEstateCigar .................................... Rocky Patel @RockyPatelCigar ............................................... Padron Cigar @PadronCigars .................................................. CAO International @CAOCigars ................................................ Ashton Cigars @ashtoncigar ................................................... Alec Bradley Cigars @AlecBradley ........................................... La Flor Dominicana @LFDCigars .............................................. Jonathan Drew @JonathanDrewArt ......................................... Camacho Cigars @camachocigars ........................................... La Gloria Cubana @lagloriacubana .......................................... Pete Johnson @TatuajeCigars .................................................. Xikar Inc @XIKARinc ............................................................... E. Perez-Carillo @EPCarrillo .................................................... Davidoff Cigars @Davidoff_Cigars ........................................... Nick Perdomo @PerdomoCigars .............................................. JC Newman Cigar @JCNewmanCigars ....................................... AJ Fernandez @ajfcigars ......................................................... Oliva Cigar Company @OlivaCigar ............................................. Punch Cigars @punchcigars .................................................... Ernesto Padilla @PadillaCigars ................................................
TOP CIGAR ORGANIZATIONS
45348 39927 29121 28159 23087 21007 20693 17835 17454 16008 15765 15033 14317 14076 13967 13633 13369 13187 12885 12869
TOP CIGAR RETAILERS & REPS Famous Smoke Shop @FamousSmokeShop ............................. Slippery Rock Cigars @SlipperyRockCig .................................... Mulberry St. Cigars @MulberryStCigar .................................... Cigar Hustler @cigarhustler ..................................................... Jeff Borysiewicz – Corona Cigar Co @CoronaCigarCo................ Cigar Row @CigarRow ............................................................ Barry – Two Guys Smoke Shop @Barry2Guys ........................... Michael Herklots @MichaelHerklots ......................................... Lindsay Siddiqi @TheCigarChick .............................................. Cheap Humidors @cheaphumidors ..........................................
Cigar Rights of America @cigarrights ...................................... 14486 Premium Cigar Association @PCA1933 .................................... 9654 Tobacconist University @tobacconistU ................................... 4275
TOP CIGAR RADIO Cigar Dave Show @CigarDaveShow ........................................ 10121 KMA Talk Radio @KMATalkRadio ............................................. 2060 Cigars and Scotch @CigarScotch ............................................ 2045
SOME OF OUR FAVORITE TWEETS, MENTIONS, AND RANDOM SOCIAL MEDIA GOODNESS.
@tabacon_lounge 19208 16725 12472 10311 7838 7198 6216 6066 4825 4712
Membership has its benefits. Space is limited, inquire today. Massiel@tabaconlounge.com
TOP ONLINE CIGAR TWEEPLES David Voth–Sex, Cigars, & Booze @SexCigarsBooze ................. Cigar News @CigaRSS ............................................................ Cigar Events @CigarEvents ..................................................... Blind Man’s Puff @BlindMansPuff ............................................ Cigar Dojo @CigarDojo ............................................................ Robusto Cigar Babe @RobustoBabe ........................................ Cigar Federation @CigarFederation ......................................... CigarHustler.com @CigarHustler ............................................. Stephen LaPre, Sr. @CigarChairman ......................................... Cigar Vixen @CigarVixen .........................................................
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@yazlandia
Executive Cigar Shop and Lounge Come see these lovely ladies at Cigar Snob and Didier Cigar Event @executivecigarshopandlounge #yazlandia #fiercefumeras #sotl #executivecigarshopandlounge #historicdowntownmelbournefl #didiercigars #cigarsnobmag
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INSTAGRAM SCOREBOARD Since its launch in October of 2010, the cigar world has become enamored with Instagram. Today the ‘Gram is unquestionably the most popular platform on which to share snaps of what you’re smoking and drinking. This scoreboard is sorted by number of followers and broken into groups: Top 20 Cigar & Cigar Accessory Companies, Top 10 Retailers & Reps, Top 10 Cigar Influencers, Top 3 Cigar Organizations, and Top 3 Cigar Radio accounts. If you have the numbers and belong in one of these groups, stand up and be counted! Set us straight via Instagram @cigarsnobmag. TOP CIGAR & ACCESSORY COMPANIES ( sorted by Instagram followers ) Padron Cigar @padroncigars ................................................... Davidoff Cigars @davidoffcigars ............................................. Drew Estate Cigars @drewestatecigar ..................................... Rocky Patel Premium Cigars @rockypatelcigar .......................... Raquel Quesada @raquelquesadaofficial .................................. Arturo Fuente @arturofuentecigars ......................................... Epic Cigars @epiccigars ......................................................... Boveda @BovedaInc ............................................................... Gurkha Cigars @gurkhacigars ................................................. Xikar Inc @xikar ..................................................................... Camacho Cigars @camachocigars ........................................... La Flor Dominicana @LFDCigars .............................................. My Father Cigars @myfathercigars .......................................... Oliva Cigar Co. @olivacigar ..................................................... Ashton Cigars @ashtoncigar ................................................... AJ Fernandez @ajfcigars ......................................................... Alec Bradley Cigars @alecbradleycigar .................................... Nick Perdomo @Perdomocigars .............................................. Plasencia Cigars @plasenciacigars ......................................... Joya de Nicaragua @joyacigars ...............................................
164908 145886 141289 109887 108233 107392 87246 84851 78363 77236 73310 72316 71535 67136 63945 63767 58884 58774 58009 53105
TOP CIGAR ORGANIZATIONS Premium Cigar Association @PCA1933 .................................... 17937 Total Product Expo @totalproductexpo ..................................... 7709 Cigar Rights of America @cigarrightsofamerica ......................... 4367
TOP CIGAR RADIO Cigar Dave Show @cigardave ................................................. 3581 KMA Talk Radio @KMATalkRadio ............................................. 1573 Eat Drink Smoke @eatdrinksmokepodcast ................................. 1356
SOME OF OUR FAVORITE TWEETS, MENTIONS, AND RANDOM SOCIAL MEDIA GOODNESS.
@cigar_kr_sry
TOP CIGAR RETAILERS & REPS Privada Cigar Club @privadacigarclub ..................................... Famous Smoke Shop @famoussmokeshop ............................... Mulberry St. Cigars @mulberrystcigars ................................... Michael Herklots @michaelherklots ......................................... Cigar Hustler @cigarhustler .................................................... The Cigar Culture @thecigarculture ......................................... Master Sensei @cigardojo ...................................................... Angela Yue @angela_yue ......................................................... La Casa Cigars & Lounge Vegas @lacasavegas ........................ Jeff Borysiewicz – Corona Cigar Co @coronacigarco ................
Dedicate a crear, creer y crecer
57849 54868 45605 30575 29123 28297 27654 24945 24575 21512
TOP ONLINE CIGAR INFLUENCERS ON INSTAGRAM Liz Cigar Life Style @remarkable_liz ........................................ Cigar Lover @cigarlover12 ...................................................... Delicia-Creator-Influencer @cigarvixen ................................... Whiskey Girl Josie @whiskeygirl_josie ..................................... Angela, CCST & IACS CCS @cigarsmokingchick ....................... Nikki @cigarpassionista .......................................................... Melanie Sisco @lilsiscokidd21 ................................................. Cigars / Smoke.Laugh.Live @world.of.cigars ............................ HERficinado / Cigar Lifestyle @herficionado ............................. SisterInSmoke @sistersinsmoke .............................................
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@themarbanianmethod
Photo Dump 3 of 3 @golfbigcedar @fbgc_fatboysgolfcircuit
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EVENTS DAVIDOFF DIFFERENCE WITH CIGAR BOX AVENTURA Miami, FL
Davidoff’s The Difference dinner series, which celebrates Davidoff Appointed Merchants, their customers, and their partners, celebrated Cigar Box Aventura’s Juan Barboza and his contributions to the brand. The exclusive dinner was held at Klaw Miami where guests were treated to cocktails and Davidoff White Label cigars on the terrace overlooking Biscayne Bay followed by a curated dinner menu, specially designed for the evening. Afterwards, the group returned to the balcony for more specialty drinks and cigars.
Yenny and Juan Barboza
Georgette Coronado and Diogenes Duzoglou
Eddy Guerra, Evan Carpenter, Aly Deligio and Tristan Alex Weghorn
David Renna and Hernan Cortes
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Hernán Cortés and Alejandra Rodríguez
Erik Calviño, Evan Carpenter and Hans Maestre
Ali and Katya Barboza
Michael Bentolila and Hans Maestre
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EVENTS THE GREAT SMOKE West Palm Beach, FL
The Great Smoke 2023, Mardi Gras Madness, took place at the South Florida Fairgrounds and was hosted by Abe Dababneh and Michael Herklots. The event brought the spirit of Bourbon Street to South Florida with over 1,500 people in attendance as well as an additional 600 people who joined virtually. The day was filled with a variety of activities including meetings with cigar manufacturers and Mardi Gras music. Attendees received a goodie bag with 32 premium cigars and exclusive swag. Those who joined virtually were able to watch the action and received their cigars and swag in the mail. The day was also marked by raffles and Bradley Rubin even shaved his mustache as part of a charity fundraising promotion. FYI: The Great Smoke 2024 will be celebrating the Year of the Dragon.
Shady Hills Cigar Club
Stephen Vega, Travis Pappenheim, Susan Georgiou, Danillo Cristo and Oliver Hyams
Michael Herklots and Abe Dababneh
Fred Rewey and Jeffrey Groover
Betti Formeus and Michelle Henderson
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Erik and Erik Espinosa Jr.
Omar Fernández and Matthew Briggs
Oscar Valladares, Nick Melillo and Nimish Desai
David Lafferty, Cindy and Steve Saka
Frank Martínez and Keith McGurn
Alfredo Cruz and Jirelis Padrón
Pedro Gómez, Matthew Jr. and Matthew Briggs Sr, and Ernie Watson
Lourdes Sánchez and Naeema Finley
José Ortega, Joaquín Saladrigas and Yosef Joudeh
Natale Buzzone and Charlie Baranyai
Armando Lapido, Megan Rosen and Kevin Casey
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EVENTS TEXAS CIGAR FESTIVAL Houston, TX
The Texas Cigar Festival was once again held in the massive parking lot outside of NRG Stadium, with plenty of room and generous event bags loaded with an assortment of cigars and accessories. The festival was presented by Casa de Montecristo and drew over 400 people from a mostly regional base of devoted cigar smokers. Music was provided by the Matchsticks and food was catered from ElementsHtx. The bars had a wide assortment of refreshments and the weather cooperated by providing a sunny day.
Sheila and Todd Peterson
Sherri Sieminski and Emily Walsh
Santiago Zamudio, Michael Bell, Josué Martínez and Jody Court
Heath Hill, Jara D'Oliver, Nish Patel and Dave Bullock
Nate Beck and Jay Fifield
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Ryan Mulder, Uhura Cherry and James Lee
Yosef Joudeh and José Ortega
Colin Brennan and Jon Wiesmann
Edward and Alison Brda
Chris Szeglowski and David Ludwig
Ken and Keith Snyder
Michael and James del Monte
Techtonic Lounge
Brendon Scott, Michael Herklots, JT Guagliardo and Joe Holtman
Adrián Ramírez and Erik García
Kimberly Mathias and James Moore
Steve Miller and Andrea Billups
Ashley and Rory Baker
Tony Gómez and Jack Toraño
MAY / JUN 2023 | CIGAR SNOB | 101
EVENTS DOWNTOWN CIGAR BAR 8TH YEAR ANNIVERSARY PARTY Ft. Lauderdale, FL
For eight years, Downtown Cigar Bar has been providing the downtown Ft. Lauderdale area with a cozy spot to enjoy a cigar and libations. To commemorate this, Downtown Cigar Bar recently hosted a celebratory afternoon for its patrons, friends, and family. The festivities included BBQ from Pop's Food Bus, a full liquor bar, domino tables, live music from Bamboo Taxi, and, of course, cigars. Ciro and Maggie Rodríguez, Barbie and Ozzie Gómez
Carlos Rebollo and Laura Day-Rebollo
Bonnie Sandler and Tom Lynch
Ozzie and Marlene Daubar, Alexander Knips and Armando Pérez
Desiree Ruiz, Isabel Balbuena-Gutíerrez and Millie González
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Reinier González and Gretchen Rodríguez
Yadira Creighton, Bernie Rodríguez and Chris Borras
Bernie and Maria Rodríguez
Kevin Cabrera, Yulexis Argota and Alina González
MAY / JUN 2023 | CIGAR SNOB | 103
EVENTS EXECUTIVE CIGARS WITH DIDIER CIGARS Sanford, FL
Executive Cigars Sanford hosted an exclusive private dinner in its members' boardroom, featuring Didier Cigars. This intimate event welcomed 20 valued customers/members. who indulged in a four-course dinner prepared by a private chef accompanied by fine wines. Attendees also enjoyed a specially crafted old-fashioned cocktail and received a $50 credit towards Didier Cigars redeemable on the same night. Following the private dinner, a public event took place in the main lounge, as attendees winded down enjoying their Didier cigars and the stunning views of Lake Monroe.
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EVENTS 29TH ANNUAL CONINE GOLF CLASSIC Fort Lauderdale, FL
The 29th edition of the Conine Golf Classic, held at the Fort Lauderdale Country Club in Plantation, drew over 220 golfers. In addition to Mr. Marlin, the event featured the participation of notable former professional athletes, including Jason Taylor, Alonzo Mourning, O.J. McDuffie, Glen Rice, Dennis Martinez, and Lenny Harris. Together, they helped raise over $425,000 for The Conine Clubhouse, a remarkable achievement for this annual event. Players enjoyed a choice of Undercrown Shade or Maduro from a cut & light station set up at the par-3 4th hole. Over the years, this event has amassed an impressive total of nearly $8 million, dedicated to the "home away from home" for families of children receiving medical care at Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital.
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Photos by: Victor Ferrante
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EVENTS INTERNATIONAL LUXURY CIGAR GALA Santo Domingo
The inaugural International Luxury Cigar Gala in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, took place at the esteemed Montesino's Monument, creating a momentous occasion as it symbolized the organizer’s commitment to preserving their heritage.. Attendees savored 36 exquisite cigar brands and enjoyed featured entertainment throughout the evening.
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EVENTS NEPTUNE CIGAR SHOP GRAND OPENING Pinecrest, FL
The grand opening of Neptune’s new Pinecrest SuperStore turned into a party as guests enjoyed food, drinks, cigars and live music from Los Cubanos Band. After years at the original Miami SuperStore location, the Neptune team outgrew the spot, especially the parking. The new location alleviates that concern and the bigger footprint allows Neptune an even broader selection. Representatives were on hand to promote their cigars and offer deals while customers perused aisles.
Jean Nadal and Enmanuel López
Zach Moore, Chris Normand, Héctor Pirés and Alfredo Cruz
David Ureña and Eddie Ferreiro
Viviana and Gaby Kafie, Carlos Escalona and Albert Sosa
Aurelio Carmenates and Julio J. Burgos
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Soleana Veneiro and Enrique Sánchez
Francisco Delgado, Héctor Cabrera and Roberto Carpio
Roberto Ruiz and Julio Jorge MD
Clara and Danny Benedit
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