Matthias Clock

About Matthias Clock

Brand evangelist, digital marketer, cigar and spirits expert specializing in consumer tasting and educational events. Matthias made the long trek from his hometown of Portland, Oregon to New York City in 2007, and in nine years has hosted more than 120 events and helped promote and launch dozens of cigar and whiskey brands in the U.S. In 2016, he joined the Cigar Journal Tasting Panel, blind-reviewing pre and new release cigars.

Posts by Matthias Clock:

AVO Unexpected Tradition Review

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AVO Unexpected Tradition Review

Up for review today is another new release from AVO Cigars, the AVO Unexpected Tradition. The Unexpected Tradition is one of four new releases in the Unexpected series, and it’s the first of the series to be reviewed here on Fine Tobacco NYC.

As mentioned on other reviews, I’ve been a huge fan of AVO Cigars since getting hooked on their Classic Covers line which to my great sorrow was discontinued. I believe these were some of the brands greatest blends, so it’s heartbreaking to see the number of retailers carrying them dwindle to zero. So with any new AVO release, I’m always hoping that they’ll bring something back that’s similarly powerful, complex, and enjoyable.

There’s only one way to find out if the Unexpected Tradition fits the bill. Let’s light up.

Appearance & Construction

The most striking thing about the AVO Unexpected Tradition is its marvelous wrapper, which has a very attractive golden dark brown coloration, a fine texture, and one or two major veins. What’s not impressive is the triple cap, which was applied so lazily that the top cap is actually hanging off of the cigar. Not a good sign but the problem is resolved when I cut the cigar.

AVO Unexpected Tradition Review

The draw is fairly unrestrictive, about a 6/10 in terms of amount of restrictiveness. The cold draw is traditional (heh) AVO, with some wood, light spices, and a sweet fruitiness. The aroma off of the foot is tantalizing, and quite sweet, with barnyard, cocoa, baking spices, and forest (moss + tree bark).

Flavor & Smoke Characteristics

Once lit, the AVO Unexpected Tradition generates quite a bit of tasty, spicy smoke. I’d describe the flavor categories (in order of prominence) as spicy, bitter/salty, and sweet. The spicy notes are of grilling spices and grilled bell peppers, with bitter wood coming in second and sweet chocolate and cream on the finish. Body I’d put at just under medium, with strength just above medium. Smoke production is good, and after half an inch the burn seems in good shape and the salt and pepper ash is holding strong.

By three quarters of an inch in, the AVO Unexpected Tradition starts to evolve, with the fruit note from the smell off of the foot of cigar entering into the mix, and a charcoal note saddling up alongside it that actually complements the sweetness of the fruity note quite well. At this point, the cigar is erring on the side of sweetness and both body and strength have met in the middle at medium.

AVO Unexpected Tradition Review

As the ember reaches the beginning of the second third, the cigar evolves even more, with the body and strength both climbing back up above medium. The smoke is impressively flavorful, with balanced notes of charred wood, fruit, creaminess, and that traditional AVO grassiness. The retrohale is a bit simpler, with just some dusty wood and a bit of the fruit from the palate. It all comes together quite nicely, though the smoke is fairly astringent which means a glass of water is a good thing to have on hand. Construction is still excellent, with just a slight waviness in the burn.

The cigar continues on in mostly the same way, though with some resurging spice, until close to the final third, where a nice vanilla note peeks through on the palate and the aroma of the smoke. There’s also a bit of savory spice as well, alongside primary notes of charred wood, creamy chocolate, and vegetal. The smoke is also a lot less astringent, which is nice. But it does really begin to heat up at about an inch and a half from the finish line, muddying the flavors and introducing harshness. So, not a perfect ending, but still a wonderful cigar.

Conclusion

I haven’t been wowed by many of AVO’s newer releases, but I loved the AVO Unexpected Tradition. It has everything I like about my favorite AVO cigars, and then some.  Excellent flavors of charred wood, fruits, cocoa, AVO grassiness, vanilla, spices and much more. And more impressively, the smoke is mostly in balance the whole way through, giving that great impression of the cigar experience being akin to a full meal. The only flaw shows up in the final third, with the smoke heating up and becoming a bit harsh.

If they had released this cigar as the annual limited edition cigar, I’d be totally satisfied. So I’m even more happy then because this cigar has the added benefit of being a regular production blend.

Highly recommended. A very well thought out and executed blend.

Final Rating: 92

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AJ Fernandez to Distribute Viva La Vida Cigars

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Miami, FL, September 12, 2019– AJ Fernandez will not only manufacture Viva La Vida cigars, but also distribute the brand as well.  Former New York City cigar retailers Billy and Gus Fakih released the brand in March and have now agreed to use AJ Fernandez’ sales force across the country. Billy and Gus will actively remain running daily operations which includes store visits, events and overall brand management.

Viva La Vida comes in five sizes, Robusto, Toro, Torpedo, Gran Toro and Diadema Fina.  The cigars range in price from $10.50 to $14.50 before taxes.

“I have known Billy and Gus since I launched the San Lotano brand,” says A.J. Fernandez, “and they were one of the first and best supporters while operating the Cigar Inn in New York City. We maintained a great relationship since then, after they sold the store. I’m proud to not only call them business associates but great friends as well.”

Viva La Vida is draped by a silky smooth Habano Oscuro 2000 wrapper, which is accentuated by a Corojo 99 binder and Criollo 98 filler tobaccos, all from AJ’s farms in Nicaragua.

Billy Fakih thus explains “Our friendship with Abdel started from the early years of San Lotano cigars, when he visited our cigar shop ‘New York Cigar Inn’ in Manhattan back in 2010. The friendship grew throughout the years and it was based on a simple thing called trust. What attracted us to Abdel was not only the great cigars he blends and creates, but also how loyal, humble and disciplined he is which reflects in his cigars.

Gus Fakih adds “The relationship we created with AJ on a business and a personal level is special, and I’m so proud and excited to call AJ a real brother and a humble human, down to earth with a big heart, a great addition to our family.
Looking forward to growing our business relationship to much higher levels with one of the best in the industry.”

 

Through a fusion of inherited techniques and learned patience, AJ has developed proprietary tobacco grown from the most prized seeds harvested exclusively on his family farms.  Perhaps the most essential quality of an AJ Fernandez cigar is not tangible. It is passion and discipline that motivates AJ to produce world renown premium cigars. The motivation that flows and radiates from AJ are contagious and palatable throughout all the artisans who hone their craft and skills under his hands-on tutelage throughout Nicaragua.  All these attributes stem from humble beginnings in San Luis, Pinar del Rio, Cuba where the Fernandez family heritage began.

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If you would like more information about this topic, please contact Frank Santos at 786.800.5329 or email  Frankie@AJFcigars.com.

Montecristo Espada Oscuro Review

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Montecristo Espada Oscuro Review

Up for review today is the Montecristo Espada Oscuro, a highly anticipated release from Altadis. Why anticipated? I can’t speak for anyone else, but since the original Montecristo Espada is probably my favorite blend from the brand, I was thrilled to hear that there would be a new blend to take on the name.

Here’s what Eddy Guerra, Sr. Brand Manager at Altadis had to say about the Espada Oscuro:

“We are extremely excited about the Montecristo Espada Oscuro. The success of the original Espada we felt, gave us mandate to push the envelope, to give our customers another great blend that can proudly sport the Montecristo Espada band.”

So let’s get to it and see if the Oscuro can live up to the Espada’s well-earned reputation.

Blend Specifics

  • Cigar Reviewed: Montecristo Espada Oscuro
  • Wrapper: Nicaraguan habano rosado oscuro
  • Binder: Nicaraguan
  • Filler: Nicaraguan
  • Size: 6 x 50 (guarde)

Appearance and Construction 

First, the look and feel. The Montecristo Espada Oscuro comes presented in a sleek double banding that features a dominant black and gold color palette. Near the bottom of the large secondary band is a note that reads “Blended by Grupo de Maestros in Dominican Republic and made in Nicaragua by Plasencia Family.”

Removing the bottom band reveals the dark, oily oscuro wrapper which has minimal veins, an oily texture, and one water mark which you can see on the photo below. After clipping the cap with a straight cut, the pre light draw is fairly unrestrictive (about a 6/10 in terms of amount of restrictiveness). The cold draw releases flavors of citrus, cocoa, barnyard, and some hay. Taking a whiff off of the foot of the cigar summons strong and cool notes of cedar, coffee, cocoa, Cognac and stone fruits. 

Flavors and Smoke Characteristics

Once lit, the Montecristo Espada Oscuro produces thick, rich smoke that has a spicy texture and a largely sweet, creamy flavor. What I really love about the opening is, despite featuring a wrapper not typically found on Montecristo cigars, I can still clearly sense the cedar and floral notes that I associate with other Montecristo blends. As the cigar progresses to about a half inch in, a bitter black coffee note hits the palate, balancing well against the spicy and sweet components of the smoke. Strength wise, I’d put the beginning of the cigar at medium to full in body and strength. 

Montecristo Espada Oscuro Review

It’s an excellent start to the cigar, and it seems that was just the start because at an inch in, the strength increases even more. There’s now a significant black pepper note hitting both the palate and the retrohale quite hard (if I were honest, maybe a bit too hard to stay in balance with the other flavors). Still, I’m enjoying the power this cigar is offering and I have no doubt it’s intentional. 

The ash drops after the first inch and a half and, though the burn was perfect up to this point, it does start to stray by the beginning of the second third. Around the same time, the balance of flavors shifts very nicely towards cedar, floral, and strong coffee with pepper layered beneath. The change is mirrored on the retrohale which becomes a lot more manageable and features charcoal, black coffee and toasted bread. 

In the final third, the strength drops down to medium and the coffee notes condense into something more like espresso. There are also some new flavors, including a powdered sugar note that is just delicious and adds nice complexity to the smoke. This is about where I’d start to worry about the smoke heating up too much to continue, but in this case I’m happy to find that the cigar smokes cool all the way to the end. 

Conclusion 

The Montecristo Espada Oscuro is probably the most aggressive cigar from the brand that I can remember, with the possible exception of the Grupo de Maestros Private Batch III. 

That said, the Espada Oscuro is an excellent cigar and I think it fills a nice niche in the Montecristo portfolio, especially when compared to other releases like the Montecristo Nicaragua and original Espada. It’s hard to say whether I like the Oscuro more than the original Espada, but it certainly comes close. The only critique I’d offer for the Espada Oscuro is that at times the spice and pepper notes dominate the other notes which are great and deserve more of the spotlight. 

In either case, it is absolutely a cigar to pursue for any fans of Montecristo or Plasencia tobacco.

Final Rating: 91

Plasencia Alma del Fuego Panatela Review

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Man, Plasencia Cigars has been on a roll in 2019. Not only have they continued to expand their self-branded cigars with blends like the one up for review today, they’ve also had a series of big hits with collaborations on blends for Montecristo, Trinidad, and (coming soon) RyJ.

All that to say, that’s why I was so excited to get to review the new Plasencia Alma del Fuego panatela which arrived in my monthly Platinum Box from Luxury Cigar Club. I just had to know if the new release could live up to the reputation developed by the Alma del Fuerte.

Appearance & Construction

The Plasencia Alma del Fuego is visually striking, with three total bands: two near the cap and one on the foot. The red and white color scheme is eye catching, as is the flat design approach of the overall asthetic. The outer wrapper on the other hand is positively rustic, with some very noticeable veins as well as some visible inconsistencies in the shape of the cigar.

When squeezed gently, the cigar has a bit of give that is consistent down the length of the cigar. The draw is ideal, about a 7/10 in terms of restrictiveness though I’m not sure what will happen once the closed foot opens up. The cold draw is a mix of cooking spices, toasted bread, and sweet coffee.

Flavor & Smoke Characteristics

Once lit, the Plasencia Alma del Fuego opens with hearty, medium bodied smoke that contains notes of hot spices, vegetal, white pepper, coffee, and a sweet floral flavor. Overall, the smoke is balanced between spicy, bitter, and sweet flavor categories. The retrohale mirrors this experience. Like the wrapper, a very rustic smoking experience. Smoke production is on point, and the smoke, though spicy, is cool. It’s an excellent start and a flavor profile I can’t say I’ve experienced before, which is awesome.

The first ash holds for more than an inch and a half, with a mostly straight burn. Here the balance shifts more toward the spicy end of the spectrum and the smoke hits the tip of the tongue hard. The profile is a mix of charcoal, black and cayenne pepper, oak, and a funky vegetal note that would likely be awful on its own but is great next to the other flavors. Good complexity.  

In the second third, the strength and body start to creep up into the medium plus range. The funky vegetal note takes the spotlight, at times becoming a bit overly aggressive but still very enjoyable. At the same time, some cocoa and cream notes sneak in, balancing the spicy and bitter notes well. Interestingly, the sweeter notes also find their way into the retrohale, which is smooth and rich with notes of finely ground black pepper and cocoa. Throughout the second third, construction is effortless: a great burn, excellent smoke production, and a well structured ash. Excellent. 

In the final third of the Plasencia Alma del Fuego panatela, the flavors start to condense, with strong notes of charred cedar planks, espresso and cooking spices. It isn’t nearly as complex as the first two thirds, but it is a fitting conclusion. Construction never wavers, and the smoke only heats up in the last inch. 

Very enjoyable.

Conclusion 

I was really looking forward to smoking the Plasencia Alma del Fuego because of my love for the Alma Fuerte. However, I wasn’t prepared to like the Alma del Fuego even MORE than the Fuerte. 

It’s a cigar that carves out an entirely new flavor profile full of robust pepper, smoked meats, charred wood, and vegetal on one side and coffee, cocoa and cream on the other. Even more impressively, the balance of flavors shifts throughout, making it a riveting cigar to smoke and a likely contender for our Top 10 of 2019 list.

Go buy this cigar. I suggest spending some time alone smoking it so you can get the full experience.

Final Rating: 94

The 6 Best Cigar Channels to Watch on YouTube

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As passionate as cigar smokers are, the overall community is actually quite small compared to other industries like spirits or men’s fashion. That means there are less YouTube channels for cigars than there are for other related industries, but it doesn’t mean that there aren’t some great channels out there.

On a whim I’ve put together a list of the cigar-centered YouTube channels that I’m subscribed to. They each have their own unique vibe and offer different kinds of value, so check them out. Maybe you’ll find your new favorite youtuber!

The Best YouTube Channels for Cigar Lovers

Mister Lancero

For cinematic cigar reviews

Relatively new to the scene, Mister Lancero electrified the Instagram and YouTube community with his highly produced videos featuring energetic music, stunning shots of LA and a chill but knowledgeable personality. I’ve been a huge fan of his videos since he first started, and I really hope he starts posting more significantly and even expands into new content. He videos are produced at a level of quality that the cigar community deserves but rarely gets.

Imperfect Pairings

For adventures in the world of cigar and spirits pairings, hosted by a major industry figure

If Mister Lancero is brings world-class YouTube production quality, Imperfect Pairings brings the adventure and personality that most review channels sorely lack. The channel was founded by Omar de Frias of Fratello Cigars, a boutique cigar brand that exploded onto the scene with great blends in 2013. Each episode, he explores new and unlikely pairings for his blends.

Cigars Daily

For big personality and great tips + tricks

If you’re looking for a big personality to guide you through your cigar journey, Tim Swanson over at Cigars Daily is a great choice. He started his journey on TNT Cigars, and after growing that channel monumentally decided to strike out on his own.

On his channel you’ll find cigar reviews, guides on major cigar topics like beginners cigars, and a lot more.

Cigar Dojo

For cigar reviews and fun conversations

Cigar Dojo makes the list here for a few reasons. First, their videos are fairly well produced. Second, they have some truly unique videos, like where they crack open a barrel of barrel aged tobacco (very cool). Lastly, because they own the largest cigar social app on the app store as well as a website full of reviews, they’re able to do video interviews with significant industry personalities.

Dutchcigars

For Cuban reviews and expensive accessories

Interested in Cuban cigars and/or extreme luxury cigar accessories? Dutchcigars is your channel. On his channel, Dirk reviews some of the rarest Cuban cigars on (and off) the market, as well as extremely expensive accessories. He’s got a chill attitude, is very knowledgable and will teach you something new, especially if you’re new to the world of Cuban cigars. He also has an active Insta profile with over 30k followers and posts some great content.

halfwheel

For very honest, knitty gritty reviews and anything IPCPR

Known by many as the leader in cigar industry news, haflwheel also has a YouTube channel where they mostly post (thousands? millions?) of IPCPR videos. But they also have video reviews where they do a great job of going in depth on new products, and most importantly giving the honest truth about whether they recommend buying or not. If there’s one source you can trust to not give you bullshit “yes man” reviews, it’s halfwheel.  Just be prepared to sit through a few minutes of detail that may or may not feel relevant.

The above are the cigar YouTube channels that I enjoy. There definitely are many more out there, including Cigar Vixen, Cigar Obsession, and more – so do your own research and let me know if I forgot to mention any in the comments!

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