If you’re a cigar smoker on Instagram, you’ve probably seen some of Billy Rothwell’s (@bk23xxiii) photos on your feed. He’s grown a large Instagram following by capturing an essence of luxury that is hard to find elsewhere. I had the pleasure of meeting Billy at Davidoff Brookfield Place at an event put together by Eric […]
Given the global pandemic, it goes without saying that Fine Tobacco NYC events are indefinitely on hold. While we’re disappointed, it does provide an opportunity to focus more on telling the stories of our members, those cigar and spirits aficionados who have attended our events over the years. After all, events aren’t abstract–it takes people […]
Droplets of water ricochet off the brown marble base of the waterfall taking flight into the air, creating a cool mist in the immediate surrounding space. People in business attire bury their faces into their cellphones, shoving food into their mouths. After choosing a seat by the base of the waterfall, I dive into my […]
Subtle Single Malt Neat Before Dinner or with Light Food Whisky Reviewed: Oban Little BayDistiller: Oban (Diageo)Region: West HighlandsSuggested Retail Price: $60ABV: 43%USC Rating: 94Distiller Rating: 91 Mark’s Review The love and care Oban puts into this product is at once obvious. Start with a sweet dried fruit sensation and savor the golden liquid as […]
After a six week break from reviewing and blogging, we are finally back! Why the break? The usual sort of excuse: a new job, new responsibilities, and a ton of new things to learn edged blogging out (but only by a little). So we open our 2020 reviews with a review of the Padron Family Reserve […]
It was the worst of lists, it was the best of lists. We had little before us, we had everything before us. Please forgive the Charles Dickens inverse thievery but a recent evening evoked those thoughts. Price of a college degree, I guess! It all started with a Board of Directors dinner at Bobby Van’s […]
Up for review today is the Protocol Sir Robert Peel Natural from Cubariqueno Cigar Co. Produced at the La Zona factory in Esteli, Nicaragua, the cigar features an Ecuadorian rosado wrapper over Nicaraguan binder and filler tobaccos. Blend Specifics Cigar Reviewed: Protocol Sir Robert Peel Natural Wrapper: Ecuadorian rosado Binder: Nicaragua Filler: Nicaragua Size: […]
Alec Bradley cigars are almost always associated with a fuller bodied cigar in terms of strength. Alan Rubin, the founder of Alec Bradley wanted to create a different kind of product that could be enjoyed by the everyday smoker. The Medalist successfully carried out that profile by using a shade grown Honduran wrapper, Honduran binder […]