FineTobaccoNYC

Matthias Clock – Director, Event Manager
I am a young professional living out in Astoria, Queens. Originally from Portland, Oregon, I enjoy spending my spare time discussing politics, playing the guitar and piano, dancing tango, and smoking quality cigars. I discovered and fell in love with fine tobacco in 2007. I enjoy learning about the culture, history, and etiquette of fine tobacco.  I love hanging out at cigar lounges in the city, but will always take a relaxed evening at a park with friends (when weather permits).  Some of my favorite cigars are the Rocky Patel Summer Collection, the Casa Magna Colorado, and the Sancho Panza Double-Maduro. FineTobaccoNYC is a natural extension of my love of cigars, pipes, New York City, and people. Contact me at matthias.ftnyc@gmail.com!

 

 

 

 

 

David Alicea – Event Coordinator
Why cigars?  At the time 14 years ago I was hanging out with a co- worker of mine at the time who liked cigars.  He suggested the Padron 2000 natural robust size. Now I had no idea what or how I was supposed to smoke cigars.  But I really did like it, so from that point I wanted to know everything there was to know about cigars. The road has been long and filled with many perils!

However it also had a lot of new experiences, flavors, aromas! Opus x, Padron, Davidoff Millenium, Don Carlos, Rocky Patel 1992 vintage, Don Pepin blue label, Tatuaje Black,  for to name all of them would take forever!  So after a few years in the tobacco industry I decided I needed to go back to my true passion which is art. But I really enjoyed meeting new people, hearing stories and most of all smoking.  So once again here I am smoking and looking for more stories!!

 

 

 

 

Kelvin Batista – Contributing Writer, Event Coordinator

I’m a cigar enthusiast who discovered the marvelous world of cigars over ten years ago and have been captivated ever since. Among other things, I’m excited to bring a fresh new perspective and serendipity to FinetobaccoNYC  including in depth cigar and cigar related reviews as well as event planning.

It is my pleasure to be a part of  FinetobaccoNYC and bring  people together to promote and preserve connoisseur culture in New York City. If you have any questions or want to contact me, you can email me at Mr.KelvinBatista@gmail.com.

 

 

 

 

 

James Bollen – Contributing Writer, Photography

I am originally from Missoula, Montana but I am happy to be in New York City. In my spare time, I enjoy reading at coffee shops, discussing philosophy and politics, and discovering new places in the five boroughs. My first encounter with cigars was at the New Orleans Jazz Festival; a cigar store nearby had rollers and the shop smelled beautiful. A few years later, my first experience with a cigar was for a paper I wrote for my college writing class, I had a Montecristo White Rothchilde. Since then, I have enjoyed learning cigar etiquette and history, the cigar making process, and about cigar body, flavor, and aroma. I frequent different cigar lounges around the city to relax and hang out with friends, which is the best way to enjoy a cigar. I enjoy FineTobaccoNYC because it works to spread knowledge of places to smoke in the city and to build friendships in the cigar community. Currently my favorite cigars are the Gurkha 1887, Illusione, and Graycliff Red Label PG.

 

 

 

 

Tim Wainwright – Contributing Writer, Social Media

I am a bit of a jack of all trades: student, political activist, entrepreneur, geek, and wanna-be connoisseur of all things refined and good (in the truest sense of the word). I was first introduced to the lifestyle of a gentleman by my father, an English preacher with a fondness for the old-school, hard knocks, Port, and the occasional cigar. He gave me my first cigar when I was 16, and bought me my first pipe shortly thereafter. Since then I have made small but significant steps in advancing my pallet. I enjoy the Rocky Patel Decade, The Oliva Series G, and the Diamante’s Chisel. I enjoy Latakia and English blends of pipe tobacco. Interests: Coffee, Movies, Kindness, Writing, Social Media Marketing, Improv Acting, Charity, Sticking it to the man, shootin the j, fine dining, monocles, sailing, fencing, boxing, being a man, God, Church, panache, savoir-faire, and devil-may-care attitudes. Disinterested in: Adults who are still teenagers, big-government conservatism, people who say they hate to read, making fun of the little guy, and MTA service changes.