Moore & Bode is one of my favorite American boutique cigar manufacturers. I love recommending the brand to my cigar enthusiast friends for a few reasons. First, they have a track record of thirty years in the business (more than most companies). Second, they go out of their way to experiment with new techniques, blends, […]
For Adventurous Chameleon Flavor Lovers Neat Before and After Dinner photo courtesy Compass Box Whisky Company Whisky Reviewed: This is Not a Luxury Whisky Distiller: Compass Box Region: Mixed Islay & Highland Malts, Glasgow & Lowland Grain Whiskies ABV: 53.1% Suggested Retail Price: $250+ Distiller Rating: 92 The Whisky Shelf Rating: Top Shelf Mark’s Review […]
Today is a bit of a blast from the past. Though we typically like to review newer additions to the cigar world, today we’re reviewing the La Herencia Cubana CORE, a blend from AJ Fernandez that was originally released back in 2012 before he was the tobacco superstar that he’s recognized as today. The cigar […]
A Subtle Balanced Chameleon for Apprentices and Enthusiasts Neat Before and After Dinner photo courtesy Diageo Whisky Reviewed: Johnnie Walker Blue Label Distiller: Diageo Region: Primarily Speyside ABV: 40% Suggested Retail Price: $150-$250 (Watch Out!!) USC Rating: 97 Distiller Rating: 90 Whiskey Wash Rating: 92 Mark’s Review OMG, the aroma is incredible, maybe life changing! […]
If you’ve followed us as we’ve written over the last few years, you may have noticed a dearth of reviews of cigars from Padron. I didn’t realize until recently just how few Padron cigars we have reviewed, so I added a few into the rotation for the next couple of weeks. The Padron Family Reserve […]
Subtlety Reigns Supreme for Apprentices and Enthusiasts Neat Before Dinner or with a Light Meal photo courtesy of Diageo Whisky Reviewed: Cragganmore 12 Distiller: Diageo Region: Speyside ABV:40% Suggested Retail Price: $60+ Wine Enthusiast Rating: 90-95 USC Rating: 94 Distiller Rating: 86 Mark’s Review Saturday night at a local restaurant and there it was, the […]
“Family” is a cherished value in the world of cigars. Families preserve the hard work that the founder put into building the business, and give next generation an opportunity to leave their mark. Thus, as a family member of a cigar family, you need to pick something to learn be it operations, sales, blending, or […]
Power Flavors for the Enthusiast in Cocktails with or AS Dessert! photo courtesy of Diageo Whisky Reviewed: Ron Zacapa Sistema 23 Solera Distiller: Zacapa (Diageo) Region: Guatemala ABV: 40% Suggested Retail Price: $45 Distiller Rating: 92 Rum Howler Blog Rating: 91 Mark’s Review So I walk into the Carnegie Club for Fine Tobacco NYC’s cigar […]
A Flavor Chameleon for the Enthusiast Neat Before Dinner or After Whisky Reviewed: Dalmore Cigar Malt Reserve Distiller: Dalmore Region: Speyside ABV: 44% Suggested Retail Price: $125 Distiller Rating: 90 Wine Enthusiast Rating: 95 Mark Garbin’s Review: Yes. You can drink this gem even if you don’t smoke. On the nose, relish in floral aromas […]
George A. Rico of Gran Habano has been blending cigars in his Honduran factory for years using high quality tobacco from a number of countries and developing many unique and stylish blends. His Gran Habano Gran Reserva Corojo No. 5 is rolled in Honduras and uses a Nicaraguan wrapper and binder with a Costa Rican […]
Power Flavors for the Hedonist in Cocktails (BOOM!) or After Dinner Whisky Reviewed: Craigellachie 10 Year – Single Cask Nation Bottling Distiller: Craigellachie Region: Speyside ABV: 67.3% Suggested Retail Price: $125 Mark’s Review To paraphrase a mid-20th Century joke: Do you have Sir Walter Raleigh in a scotch bottle? Well, let him out! That happened […]
I smoke a lot of cigars every year. Almost 100 cigars reviewed, and a few more outside of the reviews. That means smoking some really great cigars, and some not-so-great cigars. So I’m always excited to smoke a blend that received scores like the Cigar Aficionado 96-rated Perez Carillo Encore. Although EP Carrillo is a […]