SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2017
GARY SHEFFIELD MIKE DITKA JASON TAYLOR RAY LEWIS
OFF TO THE
RACES
editorials SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2017
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PERFECT PAIRINGS LA AURORA ADN DOMINICANO / KIRK AND SWEENEY 23 YEARS Tradition meets innovation when you treat yourself to this rum and cigar.
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PERFECT PAIRINGS AJ FERNANDEZ ENCLAVE BROADLEAF / BOULEVARD BOURBON BARREL QUAD Big flavors collide when this full-bodied Nicaraguan smoke encounters a powerhouse craft brew.
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OFF TO THE RACES IN LOUISVILLE AND INDIANAPOLIS We explored the host cities for two of the biggest events in racing. Saddle up for great cigars, bourbon, and rich sports history.
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ROCKY PATEL SPORTS
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CIGARS IN SPORTS
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FIRST CIGAR
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BIG LEAGUE ART
One brand has made a push to bring cigar culture into the sports world, and they have a team of legends/greats on their side.
They go together like Michael and Scottie. Jerry and Joe. Wayne and Mark. Babe and Lou. Secretariat and… uh… you get the idea.
Bullfighter Morante de la Puebla waxes poetic on cigars and his artistic approach to taking down a toro.
Though he never really planned or trained for it, Vernon Wells became one of the sports world’s most prolific painters.
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features SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2017
18
LETTER FROM THE PUBLISHER
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FEEDBACK
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WHAT’S BURNIN’
58
SMOKING HOT CIGAR SNOB
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RATINGS
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TWITTER SCOREBOARD
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CRA UPDATE
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IPANEMA
EVENT COVERAGE 100 GENERAL CIGAR’S IPCPR PARTY 102 AGIO HOSPITALITY SUITE 104 ROCKY MOUNTAIN CIGAR FESTIVAL 106 BREW CITY CIGAR FESTIVAL 108 AVO AT DOWNTOWN CIGAR BAR 110 KAREN BERGER AT CASA DE MONTECRISTO BY PRIME
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SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2017
VO L . 9 IS SU E 5 www.cigarsnobmag.com PUBLISHER & EDITOR Erik Calviño SENIOR EDITOR Nicolás Antonio Jiménez COPY EDITOR Michael LaRocca SALES & OPERATIONS DIRECTOR Oscar M. Calviño PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR & PRODUCER Ivan Ocampo ART DIRECTOR Andy Astencio DIGITAL RETOUCHING SPECIALISTS Ramón Santana CONTRIBUTING ILLUSTRATOR Florin Safner CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Glynn Loope Abraham Mahshie Kassidy Hill CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS David Benoliel Andy Astencio EVENT PHOTOGRAPHERS Jamilet Calviño Keisha Kochanowski Cover Photography by David Benoliel www.davidbenolielphotography.com Cover Model - Julieta Miquelarena Cigar Snob is published bi-monthly by Lockstock Publications, Inc. 1421-1 SW 107th Ave., #253 Miami, FL 33174-2509 Tel: 1 (786) 423-1015 Cigar Snob is a registered trademark of Lockstock Publications, Inc., all rights reserved. Reproduction in part or full without written permission from the publisher is prohibited. Cigar Snob is printed in the U.S. Contents copyright 2006, Lockstock Publications, Inc. To subscribe, visit www.cigarsnobmag.com
(SUBSCRIBE TODAY) - Only $18 for one Year (six issues) of -
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As I write this letter, our friends in southeast Texas have begun the long and arduous road to recovery. If you have not done so already, please get involved in helping those hardest hit by Hurricane Harvey. If you don’t have the time or means to get to Texas, do the next best thing. Go to redcross.org and make a donation. Or if you prefer a more local charity, donate to Houston Texans All-Pro Defensive End JJ Watt’s foundation at jjwfoundation.org. It takes seconds to make a donation and every bit helps. Natural disasters like major hurricanes, earthquakes, and tornadoes bring communities together like nothing else. And I feel like as a country, we are in dire need of help in this department. It sounds almost insensitive to say when you know many have lost everything, but having been through Hurricane Andrew while living in Miami and the attacks of September 11 while living in New York, I’ve been up close to see communities band together to overcome devastation of different kinds. While my heart and donations have gone out to those affected by this most recent storm, Harvey was, as the insurance companies put it, “an act of God.” There’s no one to hate and usually no one to blame. In those critical moments when lives are on the line, communities come together to help each other; it is a very real and human reaction. Similarly, the horrors of 9/11 were soon followed by a beautiful outpouring of patriotism. And while it couldn’t bring back the friends I lost in the attacks and it took me months if not years to deal with it, it felt good to see an American flag on every door as I walked home from downtown Manhattan each day. As a naturalized citizen who lives every day thankful that he’s an American, I felt like 9/11 washed away the cynicism and divisiveness and made everyone as proud to be an American as I was. That may sound weird, but that’s how I felt as I lived it. Unfortunately in some cases the pride was followed by ignorance and subsequently hate and violence toward anyone who looked like they could be Arab or Muslim. So in spite of all the warm feelings, there was always hate lurking around every corner. As I watch the racially mixed human chains being employed to help a stranded elderly person in Houston, I get that same cheesy feeling I felt walking home each day in New York. But without the hate that followed. So this is our Sports Issue! We’re always trying to do things a little differently, so we put together this issue featuring all manner of sports — from professional football to motorsports to bullfighting. Is that a sport? Who knows? I don’t get into those
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pointless discussions; in the everlasting words of Sweet Brown a.k.a. Kimberly Wilkins, “Ain’t nobody got time for that!” What we did have time for was a trip to Louisville and Indianapolis to learn more about each city’s biggest annual event, the Kentucky Derby and the Indianapolis 500 respectively, starting on p. 35. We also sat down with Ray Lewis, Gary Sheffield, Rocco Mediate, and Bernie Parent to produce a piece titled “All Pro Ambassadors” about the intersection of sports and Rocky Patel Premium Cigars (p. 51). The super-sexy photo shoot that starts on p. 58 features Julieta Miquelarena smoking the CAO Brazilia in nothing but swimwear. Thanks to CAO for all their support during that shoot as well as our fashion team for making it happen. As always, keep enjoying your premium cigars and let us know what you liked and didn’t like about this issue by emailing us at feedback@cigarsnobmag.com. Keep ‘em lit,
Erik Calviño ecalvino@cigarsnobmag.com
THAT AIN’T NO NICARAGUA! I hope I don’t sound ignorant for saying this, but never in my wildest dreams did I ever envision Nicaragua looking like the place featured in the swimsuit shoot in your last issue. It’s a freakin’ paradise! I always pictured Nicaragua as being this great lush landscape of tobacco farmland with some mountains and/or volcanos sprinkled in here and there. This place looks like Hawaii! Absolutely in awe. Thank you for educating me on another side of what this beautiful country has to offer. Matt Perkins Ft. Lauderdale
VIA FEEDBACK@CIGARSNOBMAG.COM Matt, it was an incredible place to get to know in person! If you get the chance to visit Nicaragua, try to make time for a stay at the Mukul Resort, which is where we shot those photos.
SHADES FOR DAYS What does a brother have to do to get some Cigar Snob swag? I’ve seen more than a few dudes wearing these cool Cigar Snob-branded shades that I’d like to get my hands on. How do you get a hold of these? Do they come with a subscription or do you have to win a contest or something? Felix Blanco Chicago
VIA FACEBOOK We generally bring those along to events and cigar festivals to give to the people we meet there. That said, we’ve gotten so many inquiries about these shades that we’re starting to think we’re in the wrong business!
MAP QUEST I’ve always enjoyed your publication, but had never felt the need to communicate with you until now. I just wanted to congratulate you on a great story you ran on page 54 of July/Aug issue where you mapped out every cigar factory in Esteli. I believe the intention of the piece was to guide travelers there in case they wanted to visit, and I think that’s a great idea, but in my particular case I just like having a geographical point of reference as to where the cigars I smoke are being made. I’ve never seen anything like this before (at least not for cigars.) I happen to be a self proclaimed wine geek and the wine industry publishes oodles of books and literature on all the various vineyards/winemakers and where they originate. I love knowing where the wine I drink is made, it’s almost second nature. I feel the same about my cigars. Tally ho mates, way to come through. P.S. Will you be doing this for other cigar producing regions? Stephen Glen Fairfield, Conn.
VIA FEEDBACK@CIGARSNOBMAG.COM Glad you found that thing useful! Some other cigar regions are a little easier to navigate, but — map or no — we look forward to bringing you closer to those places in the pages of Cigar Snob soon.
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JOHN DREW BRANDS LAUNCHES IN GEORGIA
the first mash-up of bourbon and rum. I sincerely thank Georgia Crown for believing in us, recognizing our style, and standing with us in pioneering creativity forward spirits.”
IF IT’S GOOD ENOUGH FOR THE MASTER BLENDER’S OWN BIRTHDAY…
brings “Pepper and spice notes combined with honey sweetness.” The cigars will be available through Davidoff Appointed Merchants (Master Selection Series 2013, 2010 and 2007) and Davidoff ’s Flagship stores (Master Selection Series 2016, 2011 and 2008). That’s a lot of blends to cover; we suggest you check in with your nearest Davidoff Appointed Merchant or Flagship and ask about what they’ve got. All the cigars retail for $35.
CASA DE MONTECRISTO EXPANDS IN FLORIDA AND ARIZONA John Drew Brands (johndrewbrands.com) — the spirits company founded by Drew Estate founder Jonathan Drew — announced a distribution deal with Georgia Crown Distributing Co., making its spirits products available in Georgia. John Drew Brands’ lineup includes three premium spirits: Brixton Mash Destroyer, Dove Tale Rum, and John Drew Rye. A John Drew Brands press release described the products thusly: “Brixton Mash Destroyer is a mash up of Kentucky Bourbon and Florida Rum, utilizing craft sourced, core products (90°; SRP: $39.99 for 750ml). Dove Tale Rum is true Florida Rum that is sweet and vibrant, yet dark and mysterious due to its Florida Everglades origin Black Strap Refiners Grade Molasses that’s distilled carefully and then aged in bourbon barrels (80°; SRP: $34.99 for 750ml). John Drew ‘Rye Whiskey’ is distilled in Canada, then aged in Toasted Oak Barrels for 4 years. The flavor is rich with caramel, clove, vanilla, honey, oak, and orange peel with a soft lingering finish, indicative of the flavor profile that Jonathan Drew envisioned (90°; SRP: $49.99 for 750ml).” “The movement for John Drew Brands has been like a tidal wave building up for the past six years,” said Jonathan in a press release. “When we announced to the world our intention to get busy-wizzy in this space, people didn’t realize the level of belligerence that we were bringing with the release of Brixton Mash Destroyer,
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Davidoff announced the release of its Master Selection Series cigars, which are created by Davidoff Master Blender Eladio Díaz each year for his own birthday. The cigars are being made available for sale to the public for the first time. Master Selection Series 2013 and 2016 had already been released in the U.S. in June. The releases of Master Selection Series 2010 and 2011 were scheduled for August. The 2007 and 2008 editions are scheduled for release in September. Here’s an overview of what’s in each of Eladio’s Master Selection Series blends: •
Series 2013 is a blend of Nicaraguan tobaccos with an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper.
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Series 2010 is a blend of 10-year-old Dominican tobaccos and a Mexican San Andrés wrapper.
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Series 2007 is a blend of Dominican tobaccos with an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper and a hybrid Olor/Piloto binder.
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Series 2016 features Nicaraguan fillers and a Dominican wrapper.
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Series 2011 is a three-country blend, bringing together Nicaraguan fillers, a Mexican binder, and an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper.
•
Series 2008, also a three-country blend, packs the biggest punch. This strong cigar
Casa de Montecristo announced its acquisition of the Boca Raton-based Prime Cigar & Wine Bar (now called Casa de Montecristo by Prime Cigar), which is now the 17th brick-andmortar cigar lounge for the business. Prime’s founders also opened Casa de Montecristo by Prime Cigar & Whiskey Bar in Miami and will continue to own and operate that store under a license agreement. “Casa de Montecristo’s acquisition of our Boca Raton location will take Prime Cigar & Wine Bar to a new level of superior service, selection, and value for the enjoyment of our members and local adult consumers,” said Ryan Leeds, co-owner of Prime Cigar & Wine Bar. In addition, Casa de Montecristo announced a naming rights agreement with Arizona-based Churchill’s Fine Cigars, which will add the Casa de Montecristo name to four lounges (two in Phoenix, one in Tempe and a fourth in Glendale). “This strategic acquisition in Florida and naming rights agreement in Arizona continue to catapult us to our overall mission to be the premium cigar lounge destination, delivering the highest quality selection, service and experiences for all adult cigar smokers,” said Casa de Montecristo CEO Steve Lochan.
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La Aurora ADN Dominicano Kirk and Sweeney 23 Years When we received a package from Kirk and Sweeney that included a bottle of their outrageously good 23-year-old rum, it didn’t take us long to decide what cigar to pair with it. Kirk and Sweeney, named after the infamous Prohibition-era schooner that smuggled rum from the Caribbean to the northeastern United States until its capture in 1924, is produced at the Bermúdez Distillery in Santiago de los Caballeros, Dominican Republic. If you recognize that Dominican city’s name, you’ve been paying attention. Santiago de los Caballeros is the capital of the province of Santiago, which is the hub of the Dominican Republic’s substantial cigar industry. So in spite of the rum’s very American sounding name, it carries a very Dominican DNA. We reached for a new release from the cigar manufacturer with the deepest Santiago roots, the La Aurora ADN Dominicano. ADN Dominicano, Spanish for Dominican DNA, is La Aurora’s latest nod to its homeland and its tobaccos. Among the leaves that comprise the filler blend for this cigar is andullo, a patently Dominican style of tobacco. It’s different not because of the seed varietal or even the growing region, but because of the unique fermentation process that the tobacco goes through on its way to being used in the cigar. The initial part of the andullo process is similar enough to the process undergone by most tobaccos destined to be in cigars. It is harvested and hung to dry (or cure). When it comes time for fermentation, rather than stacking the tobacco leaves in piles, called pilones, the tobacco is stuffed into a large palm pod and wrapped tightly using ropes. The process is repeated numerous times, compressing the leaves even more with each wrap until the tobacco in the pod fuses together forming what looks like a tall, solid, tobacco pole (usually ranging between 4 to 6 feet in length). La Aurora then takes this, slices off pieces of andullo, and incorporates it into the filler. This tobacco brings an injection of strength and flavor to an otherwise mild blend.
THE PAIRING The 23-year-old rum is silky and full with notes of caramel, oak, vanilla, and a touch of spice. Enjoy the rum for a few sips on its own before bringing in the cigar. Then fire up the La Aurora ADN Dominicano and let its rich cedar and spice interact with the sweet, boozy caramel in the rum. It brings out a previously undetected leather and cream in the cigar that works beautifully. LOCATION: Downtown Cigar Bar of Ft. Lauderdale (downtowncigarbar.com)
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Cigar Snob
90 CS/02 Belicoso
Built by Masters. Crafted Through Time. Inspired by the pioneering architects of mid-century modernist design, the 26 unique blends of rare, vintage tobacco in Case Study pay homage to the architects of flavour, and exemplify the Master Blenders' craft and expertise.
Master Editions
Limited Editions
Factory Occidental Cigar
Factory La Aurora
Factory Occidental Cigar
Factory Occidental Cigar
Factory Plasencia Cigars
Wrapper Ecuador Habano
Wrapper Corojo Ecuador
Wrapper Mexico, San Andres Maduro
Wrapper Ecuador Connecticut
Wrapper Nicaragua Habano
WARNING: Cigars contain many of the same carcinogens found in cigarettes, and cigars are not a safe substitute for smoking cigarettes. This product contains chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects and other reproductive harm.
#CaseStudyCigars VenturaCigar.com Š 2017 Ventura Cigar Company. All Rights Reserved.
LOUISVILLE AND INDIANAPOLIS
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EVENTS IPCPR WELCOME PARTY SPONSORED BY MACANUDO INSPIRADO Las Vegas
General Cigar was the sponsor of the welcome event at this year’s IPCPR Trade Show in Las Vegas. The event featured not only great drinks and food, but also a comprehensive cigar tasting area which offered guests the opportunity to examine and even sample each element of the Macanudo Inspirado blends. Cigar Snob was also a sponsor of the event. We brought the models and photo booth.
Kevin Levi, Carolee Martin and Rick Hopkins
Steve Abbot and Mat Binder
Jacob Filand and Blair, one of the event’s Cigar Snob models
Charlie López, Reina and Lázaro Almuiña
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Gaston Rappaccioli and Hannia López
Ron Melendi and Glynn Loope
Néstor Andrés Plasencia, Kelly Shea, Néstor Plasencia and Javi Carranza
Clay Roberts and Frank Herrera
Omar and Ivonne de Frías, Nilsa Pérez-Cruz, Ricardo Pérez and Shannon Strand de Mercado
Manuel Herrera and Juan Carlos Fondeur
Luz and Chris Normand and Mari Mena
Boris Grossman, John Fable, William Pink and Loren Camberato
Brian and Susan Telford, Craig Cunningham and Renee Palermo
Berta Bravo, Lanson and Ashia Siazon and Dan Miyahira
José Manuel Victoria, Nicolás Jiménez and Ivan Ocampo
Steve Browne and Alexander Ogilvie flanked by Cigar Snob models Britt and Veronica
Theodore Loebenberg and Charles Kaiser, Jr.
Carlos Padrón, Gustavo Plasencia, M.D. and Néstor Plasencia
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