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Ladies and gentlemen of the leaf,

We at FineTobaccoNYC are proud to sponsor this special occasion of one of my favorite cigar lounges. The event runs almost all day, so stop by and say hi to David Diamante himself, and come smoke out with the FineTobaccoNYC squad. I’ll be there along with Kelvin, James, Tim (the most recent addition to the FTNYC team), and plenty of friends. There will be a DJ, a raffle, big prize giveaways and no BYO charge! Come support a local shop and have a good time doing it!

For all of you I’ve heard say you want to learn more about pipes (tobacco, packing, lighting, etc), FTNYC is hosting its first everpipe-smoking event! We will be spending a relaxing Sunday afternoon experiencing the new and exclusive pipe tobacco blends at Velvet Cigar Lounge, and I’ll be giving a brief pipe 101 class. Dan Bsharat, owner of Velvet, has also offered to waive the BYO fee and open the lounge early exclusively for the FineTobaccoNYC event. The shop will be selling pipes, tobacco, and their premium blend cigar, the (fantastic) Velvet Bowery.

The FineTobaccoNYC team is happy to announce that the largest, most comprehensive NYC area cigar event calendar is now online.

The calendar will be updated constantly as event announcements come in from around the internet, cigar shop mailing lists, and word of mouth. You can find the calendar here, or by clicking the link on the navigation bar above. We will also be posting our own special events on this calendar, so be sure to stay tuned. Daily event announcements are also made on the FineTobaccoNYC Facebook page. Click here and “Like” our page to get instantaneous updates.

To submit an event to the FineTobaccoNYC calendar, email Kelvin Batista using the email address linked here.

Check back often, and long ashes!

Warm regards,
Matthias Clock
Founder, FineTobaccoNYC 

Many times we accompany cigars with our favorite libations and tonight I give the spotlight to a scotch that perhaps is the highlight of my evening and overshadows the cigar in mention. Tonight I chose a cigar which I think pairs well with the Balvenie Double Wood. After much testing I have come to the conclusion that cigars and scotch are much harder to pair than say rum or coffee. However, I tend to lean towards lighter and milder cigars with my scotch and have been pleasantly surprised.

I usually have a hard time wanting to smoke a Connecticut shade wrapped cigar due to the simple fact that I find myself more often smoking after a good dinner and I would much rather smoke a cigar with more flavor, body and strength. Until recently, my lighter sticks have been reserved for my unusual morning smokes and I now find myself grabbing one to pair with my spirit of choice which happens to be rum at the moment.

Nose and appearance: After pouring a dram into my glass and getting the cigar  ready, I took a bit a time to appreciate the spirit and really enjoy the moment. My little ritual is to lightly swirl the glass, letting the whisky coat the glass and watching how it sticks to the sides of the glass at the same time allowing for evaporation. While not out of the norm, I also take time to put my nose close to the glass and breathe. Taking my time to get closer, the smells become stronger being careful to avoid the alcohol burn.  Right away the scents that come to mind are light fruity, transparent, airy, floral, dried fruit that is not in any way overpowering.

Taste: The first sip is a billow of flavor that coats the palate with oak, woody flavor followed by a very light vanilla and a hint of honey. I kept it neat as there was no need to add water. It is light in flavor and only 43 percent alcohol and I found no reason to further dilute. In addition, the finish was short, plain and lacking in my opinion. As I progressed the taste slightly shifted, the honey flavor became more pronounced and the aroma was more of orange and honey. Best to let sit for a bit before drinking. Overall, the Balvenie 12 Double Wood is simple and easy. A great welcoming to the wonderful world of Scotch Whisky.

Now for the cigar,

The Perdomo Habano line consist of the Connecticut, Corojo and Maduro. All of which have distinctive taste. I made an effort to try all three in the past and tonight I chose what I thought would pair the best with tonight’s dram of choice. I have smoked this stick plenty of times before and has been part of my stash for over a year. This stick in particular has been laying dormant for about 10 months next to its brothers and sisters waiting for the right opportunity to fulfill its destiny.

Blend Specifics:
Vitola: Gordo (6 x 60)
Wrapper: Connecticut
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua

Appearance and Construction:
Construction was great, but whenever I have a Connecticut shade wrapped cigar I tend to pay very close attention to the wrapper. They tend to be thinner and therefore prone to ripping spreading and just creating a menial experience. While this cigar did manage to rip and cause a mess, I kept my composure and marched on. The wrapper was lumpy and opaque which is consistent with all the onthers I’ve had.

Taste & Smoking Characteristics:

First puff reveals a woody, toasty like toasted almost burnt bread, peanut shell flavor that is followed by a medium and slightly peppery finish. I tried this before I had tasted the scotch which is a great way to distinguish between the cigar and the spirit. Throughout the first third I kept thinking the Balvenie had more strength than the cigar and although it was also woody they complimented one another quite well. Alone I find this cigar to be not as enjoyable. As the stick progresses it becomes more acrid and depressing. However together the spirit does a great job to mask the flavors I don’t like.

Conclusion

Early on, the wrapper did rip on me and continued to expand making that the point of no return. I almost reached the last third before I laid her down to sleep. I don’t want to recommend this stick because I feel that there are much better Connecticut wrapped cigars that are better expressions of what is perhaps the most popular wrapper in the United States.

Overall Score: B-

Kelvin Batista (mrkelvinbatista@gmail.com)

“Stay Young, Stay Foolish” Steve Jobs

I felt confident and assured with Oscar once I sat down in the soft brown leather chair. He  asked me how I wanted to style my hair and he gave me the classic tapered haircut allowing me to  style it different ways. From then on, he did his art and conversed, and it was a treat.

While Maya began cutting my hair with large barber scissors, he changed to shorter scissors  for styling. He styled my hair quickly and precisely. While he was cutting my hair, I noticed there  was an ashtray, to enjoy a cigar, while having a haircut. Oscar trimmed my hair, we conversed about life, and he initiated small talk that is a necessary skill. Maya passed this part with high marks.

Next, he proceeded to shave my neck with a razor. Maya used all the angles of the straight razor for a closer shave. He shaved my neck at a nice pace then applied a little shaving cream to get a closer neck shave with the straight razor. I could feel him using all the parts of the blade on my neck for a clean shave.

After the neck shave, Maya gave me a neck and face massage. He put an electronic massage tool on his left hand and his right hand followed the movement. This was amazing; the massage relaxed my facial and neck muscles easing the tension from the past months.

I was now done with the summer deal I had purchased and I was very pleased with the result. Maya is enjoyable to talk with, a fine conversationalist, snazzy dresser, and a fantastic barber. I highly recommend Oscar Maya the next time you need a haircut. Schedule at Maya’s website hairdoneright.com and check out this video for an idea of his work, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVMEs89MULg&safety_mode=true&persist_safety_mode=1.

Oscar Maya recently began working at a hair salon located on 123 5^th Avenue between 19^th and 20^th Street. You can still expect a great haircut but now instead of cigars, there are “pretty blonds and brunettes” in the store. I encourage you the next time you need a hair cut stop by Capelli D’oro, http://www.capellidoro.com/, to let Oscar style your hair and you can call Maya at (646) 789-2528.

Conclusion: A

 
   Ladies and Gentlemen, tonight I  enjoy a CAO MX2 while bathing under the 
street lights.  After much time this stick is given a  frolic welcoming. Right away,  
I must confess this is my favorite of the CAO “Trifecta” the other two of which have been  
previously reviewed here(CX2 and  LX2).  In continuation with the "X2" theme, this particular 
stick was named after the double maduro leaf found in the wrapper as well as the binder.

Blend Specifics: 
        Vitola: Toro (6 x 54)
	Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro,
	Binder:Brazilian Maduro
	Filler:long-fillers from Nicaragua, Honduras, Peru, and the
	       Dominican Republic

Appearance and Construction
	This cigar has a blatant dark wrapper that feels very toothy to
the touch, with two very noticeable veins running the full length of the
cigar which I found personally obtrusive.  The color on this stick was
somewhat spotty and appeared dirty.  Although, the pre-light smell was
pleasant the cigar is not very appealing to the eye and a little further
gaze revealed the cigar to be somewhat crooked.The Band looks very different
than that of the LX2 but some what resembles the CX2 without the curves. With
clean lines and its sophisticated look it has a subtle elegance and maturity
that I think is perfectly understated however, it does somewhat resemble the
iconic cat burglar mask.  Accordingly, I chuckled and proceeded to cut and
light. 


Taste & Smoking Characteristics
          Delicately holding with one hand and a quick snip with the other....
easy straight cut.  Test the pre-light draw(perfect).  Pulled out my Xikar
EX lighter and began toasting while rotating the cigar to achieve that
perfect red ring. A sequence that has been practiced often and perfected
over the years. First taste profile that comes to mind is expresso coffee
just like mama makes the old fashion way with the strainer. Shortly after
the spice starts to linger in the background and remains there. As I
continued to puff away the short spice and woody  finish continued and I
tasted what I though was very much like toffee like someone was playing
with an off/on switch.
	Visually, the ash revealed to be a beautiful light grey and tight.
The burn in general was flawless. I should mention that this stick has been
in my humidor for over 7 months.
	By the end of the first third I had a sudden craving for a dark
stout beer so, I picked up a Guinness (all I could find).  The pairing
really brought out the coffee in the stout and I thought paired pretty well.

       Something I picked up on about the beginning of the second third was 
a faint taste of mesquite, BBQ or perhaps Beef Jerky. It was so weak it could 
have been provoked by anything. As I continued the flavors was white pepper and 
wood, spice and BBQ became more pronounced in the finish.  The ash finally lost 
its grip and fell about halfway through the second.

	By the last third the excitement went away and the stick became pretty
dull.  I even got a little unpleasant taste which  I can almost bet it was the
Dominican tobacco stopping by to say hello.  By that time, I was ready to say
goodbye and chucked it in my good ole coffee can that William J. Dawson would
call “My Bin of Mortality”.

Conclusion
	In general, I was hoping the first third wouldn’t end. That being said,
this stick is fairly popular and I recommend picking one up to try even if for
only the first third or if you like a full body full flavor stick. Cheers!

Final Grade; B

A few months ago FineTobaccoNYC hosted a rooftop HERF with Maraya Cigars. We had the pleasure of having John Nubian and Dan-ell Morales from CigarFilms.com drop by and film the event. They interviewed founder of FTNYC Matthias Clock as well as Senor Cigar Kevin Bristow from New York Grown & Sexy in the City cigar group.  Check out that sunset!

If you’d like to come to a FTNYC, they are open to all cigar smokers! Simply drop by our home page and submit your name and email address!

Blend Specifics:

• Vitola: Toro (6 x 50)
• Wrapper: Nicaragua
• Binder: Honduras
• Filler: Dominican and Nicaraguan Ligero

Appearance and Construction:

I cant help but stare at this wrapper.  I find it cool looking, young and hip. It is made up of a two large bands which have a tribal flame and barbed wire with raised gold lettering. The second band read “Fortaleza Trez” which I have yet to find what that means(if you know please share). Further visual examination reveals a tight wrapper with very little tooth and large pronounced veins. All in all it’s a good looking stick with a delicate shimmer.

Taste & Smoking Characteristics:

In the first third, prominent flavours on palate are light wood and nut, I thought the smoke was a bit dry with a touch of spice on the finish. Toast/baked bread came to mind as does an oak. The first third  proved to have some complexity and yet it was still smooth with an easy pull, good amount of wood through the nose and unlike many others prior to me I had no problems with the burn.  I should also mention that I had this stick resting for about 6 months.

Surprisingly the spice really started to pick up in the second third. I got a kick of spice for about 10 minutes that was really good but shortly after died off. In Retrospect, there was small amount of cinnamon which I’m always looking for but admittedly tough to come by in a Dominican stick.

The last third presented itself with a slight spice in the finish and an almost charcoal flavor that coats the palate. The bitter pepper finish kept going longer and longer and I was enjoying the woody nose as the stick started becoming hotter and a bit harsh.

Conclusion:

If I don’t enjoy a particular stick,  I will not hesitate to put it down and somewhere and around the last third I must admit the idea came to mind. But, these reviews are not about me there about you guys so It was a fight to the finish. I have smoked this particular stick before and I wasn’t expecting much difference but I must say, this stick did burn better than all the other ones.

I would go out on a limb and say  the majority of  filler in this cigar is Dominican.  It  has all the taste characteristics of medium grade Dominican tobacco and frankly, I had a hard time tasting the Nicaraguan tobacco. I wonder how much is actually used.

Although, slightly  better than the CX2, which I previously reviewed here. I personally think its important to try all the cigars in a particular series (CX2, LX2 and MX2) and ideally from the lightest to darkest within a decent amount of time to truly appreciate and perhaps apprehend  the manufactures intentions. I am not crazy about the first two sticks in this series but if you could find it give it a shot. I would say this stick goes well with a good scotch or something that will perhaps overpower the charcoal finish. As you can probably guess my next review will be the lovely MX2 which I look forward to smoking again after a couple of months.

Cheers!

Final Grade; B-

Once again I find myself where my love affair of cigars began over 10 years ago, in front of my house on a humid summer night watching the cars and the people go by—which in New York City is never a dull moment.  Tonight I find myself accompanied by a CAO CX2 that has been resting in my cooler for a little over 7 months.   This will be the first of a series of reviews and it will be something of a CAO trifecta (CX2, LX2 and MX2).

Unfortunately, the CAO CX2 is currently a Famous-smoke.com exclusive and no longer available at your favorite cigar shop.   This particular stick and gets its name from a double dose of cameroon in the wrapper and binder and surprisingly enough Colombian and Nicaraguan filler which I find to be an interesting blend to say the least.

Blend Specifics:

Size: Toro 6×54
Wrapper: Cameroon
Binder: Cameroon
Filler: Colombian and Nicaraguan filler

"Tell me that doesn't look like a swimsuit!"

Appearance and construction

At first glance I can’t help but notice the black band with gold lettering that reminds me a woman’s one piece bathing suit, albeit a sexy black one.  Take a look at the wrapper and you see a smooth Cameroon leaf with a slight sheen. No blemishes with minimal tooth.

Taste & Smoking Characteristics

The first draw immediately gives away the Cameroon contents of the CX2 with its characteristic grassy/spice that is consistent of Cameroon tobacco. As the stick progressed it shifted to a slightly dry and leather. Right around the end of the first third what appeared to be some tunneling action taking place right before my eyes drew my attention. Keeping a close eye, I hoped for the best and prepared for the worst.

As I progressed into the second third, there were no changes or anything interesting to note just a continuation of the grassy/ leather flavors I am not particularly fond of.  Consequently, I found watching the burning characteristics more interesting.  I must say, the tunnel action corrected itself and I was left staring at the ash.

In the final third, there were no changes in flavors.  However, I must say the ash has not been pretty. Since I first lit this cigar it has been blotchy and somewhat flaky.

Conclusion

Overall the CX2 was an uneventful smoke. The grassy/spice held a firm grip on the taste profile and would not let go. Nevertheless, consistency is key here and if you’re a fan of Cameroon this stick will give you plenty. I must say I have smoked this stick numerous times and I feel confident saying I personally don’t like it. Cheers

Final Grade: C

It’s a beautiful day out in Astoria, Queens – not a cloud in the sky, 85 degree weather, and a beautiful back yard to smoke in. I haven’t reviewed in a while, so I figured I’d give this La Floridita Fuerta sitting in my box a try. I didn’t pair any drinks with this cigar besides a glass of water.

Blend Specifics:

Wrapper: Honduras
Wrapper: Honduras
Wrapper: Nicaragua
Length/Ring Guage: 5×50

Construction & Appearance

On first glance, this stick seems to be very well constructed, has a good weightiness in hand, and has a great oily sheen. Unfortunately, after closer inspection, it also seems that it is packed a bit unevenly. I’m not a huge fan of the black, white and gold band from an aesthetic standpoint. “La Floridita” is displayed in large Times New Roman font, which makes it appear as if whoever created the label didn’t put a lot of thought into it. The aroma off the foot of the stick, however, is pretty good: hints of leather, a bit of spice, and dark chocolate.

Taste & Smoking Characteristics

I was a bit surprised with how this stick kicked off. From what I smelled off of the foot pre-light, I was expecting a bigger kick than I got. The flavor introduced itself as an earthy, bitter cocoa, lacking any of the spice I imagined would be there. The smoke has a certain heavy thickness to it that seems to mask some of the flavor. About a half-inch in, the taste opens up a bit, the earthy sweetness pulls way back to reveal what I’d describe as a sort of savory, meaty flavor with a bit of woodiness and spice on the retrohale. Unfortunately, there’s also a slightly fermented finish, which is probably indicative of a lack of time spent in the humidor – my fault!

At 2/3, I’m a bit torn. I’m tempted to say that I’m a bit bored with the flavor profile, but it is possible that this Ligero blend just isn’t my cup of tea. I would like a spice that’s a bit more discernable – at levels this low it just seems like the cigar can’t make up its mind! By about halfway through, I haven’t noticed a lot of change, except for a brief, maybe 2 minute transition into an earthy, sweet, dark chocolate that is very enjoyable. I can also say that the construction is excellent. At halfway, I still haven’t ashed the cigar and the burn is straight.

The final third is where this stick really picks up. The spice on the tongue increases, and the flavor profile becomes a mix of earth, leather, and pepper. Enjoyable, but a little too late in the game for me.

Conclusion

This is not a bad medium to full bodied cigar, and for $5 a piece, it won’t break the bank. There are, however, better sticks for the price. I’d say it is worth a shot if you want to try something new because it is unique, but I probably won’t be picking up any more with so many other great sticks out there that I know I can rely on.

Final Grade: B-

Blend Specifics:
Toro(6×50)
Wrapper: Nicaraguan Corojo
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua

Apperance & Construction

First look at this stick and I must say it just looks classy.  The band was well  balanced and elegant. The wrapper was clean, satin and chocolate in color, very smooth with a slight tooth with no visible imperfections

One classy band, even through the cellophane

Taste & Smoking Characteristics

First third: Consistent with Don Pepin cigars, this stick starts off zesty, with spice just dominating the palate and  rich creaminess, wood and leather in the background.  If your anything like me, you love to see great amounts of smoke and this stick proved to be very visually pleasing. As I progressed the burn was razor sharp and the bright white ash proof of excellent tobacco.  Close to end of the first third the spice starts slowly  to diminish leading into the second third.

Second Third: There was a slow transition from a zesty spice to a rich creamy flavor which I must admit I found delicious and entertaining. As I  proceeded the flavor would ever so slightly change between creaminess, wood, leather and a subtle tease of spice in the finish.

Final Third: The last third was a continuation of the second except that this time the flavor profiles were present for a longer amount of time as to give me there last hurrah or final appearance.   In the following order I bid farewell to the rich and creamy, the smooth leather and the shy zesty spice that was lingering ever so slightly in the background. Following this great show the cigar lost its energy and while never getting harsh, it did get woody and dry and due to respect I layed her down and watched another good stick turn to dust in the wind.

 Conclusion:

Overall, this stick was just shy of being full flavor and full strength. There was plenty of  complexity for those willing to pay attention and while the changes were subtle I believe they were enough to satisfy even a picky snob such as myself especially at the price point of  $10-12.  I absolutely recommend.

Final Grade: A-

Cheers,

Kelvin Batista

Mr.KelvinBatsita@gmail.com