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.
Welcome to the first edition of Clock’s Monthly Burn! This newsletter is based on the top 5% of cigars from my personal notes dating back to 2010. Each month, I’ll release a list of four cigars you can’t miss. Cigars that range from “wow, that was phenomenal” to a moment of zen.
No ads. No caveats. No “so-so” cigars. Just four cigars you should drop everything to smoke (and where to get them).
Best,
Matthias Clock
CLOCK’S MONTHLY BURN
Davidoff Yamasa Toro
Tasting notes: The closest thing I’ve had to a religious experience with a cigar in years. Notes of charred oak, pepper, and smoked salmon abound. Full bodied but smooth as silk. In the second half the wood-smoked flavor draws back revealing a semi-sweet chocolate that is balanced with pepper.
Cornelius & Anthony Daddy Mac
Tasting notes: What. The. Hell. I don’t remember the last time a new boutique brand knocked my socks off like Daddy Mac. Opens full of charisma with cinnamon, coffee cake, cedar, and grass. Unbelievably complex throughout, moving to almonds, milk chocolate, and spice. Buy wherever you can.
Montecristo Espada
Tasting notes: A breath of fresh air from Montecristo. Traditional notes of wood and hay, with additional cocoa and light pepper notes. The warmth, smoothness, and dynamism of this blend make it a must-buy. Check out my top three favorites from Montecristo in my post on the best Montecristo cigars.
Avo Classic Covers Vol. 3
Tasting notes: I was warned by a staff member at Davidoff Brookfield Place that this cigar would be highly complex, but I wasn’t prepared for what I experienced. Exceedingly cool smoke brings with it notes of cedar, black pepper, and herbal notes. A feast. Buy it.
“Time beautifully filled” – that’s the Davidoff philosophy, and nowhere in NYC is it more evident than in their spectacular 2,000 square foot flagship store nestling in the beautiful Brookfield Place shopping center.
Like so many other old-school NYC cigar lounges, “Davidoff of Geneva – since 1911” gives off a very classy vibe, but unlike others there’s nothing old school about this bright, thoroughly modern establishment.
However, there’s definitely an air of serenity surrounding you as you check out the retail section before exploring the glass, copper and dark wood humidor – the only place on earth to find the Davidoff NYC Downtown Exclusive, specially commissioned just for this store.
This elegant, well-balanced Belicoso, with its aroma of honey and sweet roasted nuts, is the perfect accompaniment to your first coffee of the day. And you’re more than welcome to bring that coffee – or any other kind of non-alcoholic beverage – into the lounge with you, as refreshments aren’t available for purchase there.
And of course you’ll also find the full Range of Davidoff cigars in the humidor as well, together with offerings from Padrón, Arturo Fuente, My Father Cigars and Illusione, to name but a few.
Plush leather seating beneath the spectacular chandelier and tobacco-leaf themed art installation in the lounge itself caters for every kind of smoker: there’s table seating for sociable groups, paired seating for one-to-one conversations and large lounge chairs set apart for those preferring their own company while enjoying a smoke.
This store is the perfect example of Davidoff’s philosophy of “Time Beautifully Filled”, so where better to fill your time – beautifully – than at “Davidoff of Geneva – since 1911”?
A couple of years ago, I wrote a breakdown of my two favorite cigar websites for great cigar deals. Over the years, it’s been one of my most popular posts, so I want to expand on the topic.
In the last few years, a number of newcomers to the online cigar market have emerged, including Cigar Federation, Atlantic Cigar, and more. And of course, you’ve got all of your traditional online retailers like Thompson Cigar, JR Cigar, and Cigars International, which for me are generally a snoozefest, offering samplers that sound great but are ultimately disappointing.
But I know what you’re thinking: “Matthias, hurry up and tell me where to buy cigars online!”
I will. But before I get to my updated list of best places to buy cigars online, something to keep in mind. Price is not the only factor I consider in this list. I’m looking price, selection, online experience, and also what a website brings to the table that is new and fresh.
I’m a big fan of Famous Smoke Shop. Not just because their website is easy to navigate or because they have great customer service. They have a great selection and, after ordering dozens of times through them, I find all of my cigars are shipped with packaging that preserves the integrity of the cigars. If you are looking to buy cigars for friends, loved ones, or even yourself, start there. Famous also have an innovative take on the “deal a day” fad that happened back in the early 2000’s. Yep, I’m talking about cigarmonster.com, still one of my favorites to buy cigars from.
If you want the best deals on cigarmonster.com, don’t refresh your browser once an hour. Instead, log in every Friday for the Mega Monster Mashup where they feature all of the deals that they ran earlier in the week.
That’s right, it made the top of my list once again. Why? A few reasons. First, I’ve ordered many a box of cigars on this website, and I’ve never had any problems with availability, shipping, or cigars being mysteriously substituted for other cigars because “we didn’t have it in stock.” *cough* Thompson Cigars *cough*
Second, I’ve gotten some flat out amazing deals on this website. A few months ago, I ordered a pack of 10 Room 101 Uncle Lee cigars, which I think exemplifies the dried cedar/leather flavor profile better than almost any cigar I’ve smoked. The price? Less than $40 for the box.
So price is one thing. Third, though, this website focuses mostly on packs/boxes of cigars, not samplers. That means you do a lot less wading through crap deals and can focus more on finding awesome lots to bid on. If you find you want a different spin on cigar auctioning, you can also check out Cigar Auctioneer, which offers a similar service.
Although this website doesn’t get many points in the web design / user experience category, it does get some big points for the sheer breadth of cigar companies that it features, including many great boutiques. Take a look at the Smoke Inn Microblend Series, which is basically a sampler of some of the best boutique releases on the market (ok, ok, some of them aren’t strictly “boutique” companies in the traditional sense, but they aren’t General Cigar co’s either).
The Worst Websites to Buy Cigars
So now that you know my three favorite websites to buy cigars on, here are some scammy cigar websites to avoid.
That’s right folks, one of the world’s largest online cigar retailers is getting dropped on my shit list. Why? Because if you place an order with them, you could expect a call from a pushy sales rep trying to get you to sign up for some ridiculous cigar of the month club. No biggie though, right? Just say no!
Except even when customers say no, Thompson still signs them up. Read here and here. Unfortunately, Thompson Cigars seems to be a sad example of a company getting too big and sacrificing its integrity to maintain sales targets set by higher-ups.
Thompson isn’t the only company involved in these kind of schemes: just the one that’s gotten caught the most often. The take-away here? Be very careful to check with any salesperson on the phone that you aren’t being signed up for any additional services, and check your bank statement at the end of the month to doublecheck. Once you’ve decided a retailer is trustworthy: stick with them!
I’ve never purchased through Solo Cigars, but I’ve read on countless internet forums now that, not only do they sell fake Cuban cigars, but they’ve also been involved in creating fake accounts on popular cigar forums to try to get people to change their mind about the retailer. Just google their name and look at result 2 – 10. You’ll get the idea. Key point here is: always check the reputation of any cigar retailer you purchase from. Just google their name and add “reviews”.
Do you have a favorite cigar retailer that should be on this list? Or, if you have a question about a cigar retailer, or a comment (good or bad), drop it in the comments section below.
It isn’t often that I get to review a whiskey from my home, the Pacific Northwest. From what I can tell, Oregon and Washington have been just as affected by the craft whiskey fever going on, and I’m thankful for it. The Northwest has a rich tradition of craftsmanship. You could even call us the original hipsters (step aside Brooklyn). That isn’t to say every whiskey produced in the NW is amazing, but I have to say there are only a few other states that I’ve been as impressed with as Oregon and Washington.
Ok. /endrant. On to Westland Whiskey. In my conversations in the New York City whiskey community, the name had simply come up too often as a recommendation for me to turn down. So when I saw a bottle of this Westland American Single Malt Whiskey (also known as Westland American Oak Whiskey) off of my subway stop on 30th Ave in Astoria, I knew the time was right. And now, months later, I’ve opened the bottle and am working my way through for this review.
Casks: Cooper’s Select New American Oak, Cooper’s Reserve New American Oak, First Fill Ex-Bourbon
Price: ~$70
Appearance
To start with, I’m a big fan of the way that Westland has branded themselves. Unlike many American whiskey companies that continue to play off of the (rather tired) “wild west” motif, Westland blends a number of aesthetics: a straightforward American-esque typeface, a great slogan (“Thoughtfully Made”), and a label design that speaks not only to the Northwest but — and I know I’m reaching here — is also reminiscent of the tribes native to the Pacific Northwest.
The whiskey itself is a deep golden honey color. When I swirl the whiskey in my glass, the legs are long and thick, which prepares me for the medium to full bodied texture I’m about to sip.
Nose
On the nose, I pick up malty notes along with oak, balanced fruitiness (fresh-sliced apples and oranges), and hints of caramel.
Flavor
As indicated on the nose, this whiskey is medium-full bodied in texture, yet the finish is still remarkably clean. Flavor notes include vanilla, baking spices, oak, sweet maltiness, light pepper, and a buttery finish.
Conclusion
Surprisingly, for all of the rave reviews I’ve heard of Westland in conversation with whiskey lovers and even the guys at Park Ave Spirits, I’ve seen somewhat underwhelmed reviews at some popular whiskey websites. Now, it is true that this whiskey retails for about $70, which compared to many other American Whiskeys is high. But this whiskey is unique because it combines the charisma and dynamism of American whiskey with the craftsmanship and balance of the Scottish. Strongly recommended.
1888: the year that Don Andrés Brugal Montaner introduced his first dark rum to market – and the also the name of Brugal’s most enthralling rum (yes, you see where this review is going). Brugal 1888 has long been a favorite of mine, so it’s about time I finally sit down to write an organized review. This rum carries all of the hallmarks of Brugal rum (signature dryness), but is given added complexity and texture after being aged 6 – 8 years in ex-Bourbon American oak casks, followed by first-fill Spanish Oloroso casks for a total aging of 8 – 12 years.
My first taste of Brugal 1888 was actually at one of our events at the Carnegie Club in 2014. I was blown away. And I remain so.
Specifics
Name: Brugal 1888 (Ron Gran Reserva Familiar)
Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
Age: 8 – 12 years
ABV: 40%
Aged in: Ex-Bourbon White American Oak, Spanish Oloroso Sherry
Appearance
I don’t think I can name another spirit, perhaps with the exception of Aberlour A’bunadh, where the influence of the sherry cask finish is so pronounced. This rum is stunning, in appearance and in flavor. The bottle, with an angled look more fitting a crystal decanter, only adds to this spirit’s sense of luxury.
Nose
The nose has a heavy texture, full of fruit, dates, molasses, and a bit of the sherry cask finish. Intense, pungent, sweet – in a phrase, ready to kick ass.
Flavor
The mouth feel is heavy and intense. This sipper comes in smooth, turns up the flavor, and then the sipper enjoys a nice, long, sweet finish. What I find so unique, striking, and lovely about this rum is it’s ability to present a sip that is full bodied, complex, palate-saturating, yet still dry compared to many other rums which can bring great flavor but at the cost of the sipper feeling like he’s drinking cough syrup.
Finish
Long, smooth, and satisfying, leaving notes of charred wood, honeyed bread, and spices.
Conclusion
Rum sippers: finish up your current drink and make your way to the liquor store.
Whiskey sippers: put your drink down now and pick up a bottle. You will be glad you did.
1888: the year that Don Andrés Brugal Montaner introduced his first dark rum to market – and the also the name of Brugal’s most enthralling rum (yes, you see where this review is going). Brugal 1888 has long been a favorite of mine, so it’s about time I finally sit down to write an organized review. This rum carries all of the hallmarks of Brugal rum (signature dryness), but is given added complexity and texture after being aged 6 – 8 years in ex-Bourbon American oak casks, followed by first-fill Spanish Oloroso casks for a total aging of 8 – 12 years.