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Lexington Bar & Books: For Your Eyes Only

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Lexington Bar and Books

It’s a chilly Saturday night; all is eerily quiet on the Upper East Side. Not a soul on the sidewalk, and not a car on the street. I cross East 77th Street and immediately catch sight of two identical Jaguars with the engines running opposite a sign that reads: “Bar & Books: New York; Prague; Warsaw: The Most Refreshingly Civilized Places to Meet.” I walk in, and I am greeted by Muhammed; a tall and imposing, yet soft-spoken gentlemen in long coat with brass buttons who offers to take my coat. After thanking him, I ask him for permission to take his picture for this article. He politely but unflinchingly declines my request as he moves towards the door, bidding me to come inside.

As the door opens, the serene quiet of the passageway is swept away by the din of clinking glasses and loud conversation, all wrapped up in a layer of fusion Jazz music. The room is smoky and very dimly lit; indeed, most of the faces are barely more than silhouettes; and probably intensionally so. The light shines through the place just enough for me to recognize that the crowd is made up of tightly-knit groups of young professionals, most of whom don’t look a minute over 30.

Business is booming tonight; the place is just short of completely packed. A beautiful brunette in a red dress and a blazer approaches me and escorts me to a low-set table the size of a nightstand with two square cushion chairs on each side. It’s a a comfy spot, with the authentic fireplace just a few feet away and a framed, autographed copy of David Talbot’s Brothers: The Hidden History of the Kennedy Years located just above the table. As the beautiful brunette silently departs to give me time to decide what I’ll have, I take the opportunity to observe the immense activity around me while I decide. The many patrons are mostly members of groups, and they all appear to stay within their respective groups; never venturing outside their immediate sphere of conversation. I take particular notice of two suited gentlemen seated far off in the corner, seemingly in the middle of a most pertinent conversation. They constantly, sometimes nervously, look about the room, especially when a patron or server passes by them; it’s as if the subject of their discussion is highly classified. Witnessing this dynamic in varying degrees throughout the place, I feel as if I’m somewhere in between the Godfather and Dr. No.

Just to my right is a large group; gorgeous blondes in elaborate dresses sporting foreign accents on one side of the table and American guys with unbuttoned collars and cigarettes on the other. I ask the woman nearest to me to take a picture of me so I can test the lighting’s effects on the camera; she smiles and takes my phone. After snapping a few shots, she speaks to me in a thick Russian accent, gently tapping the seat next to her with her long, bright red fingernails, inviting me to join her and her friends. Just as I’m about to leave my own seat, I catch the woman’s friend not-so-subtly shaking her head in disapproval. Not wanting to be that guy, I kindly excuse myself and adjourn to my original seat just in time for the mysterious beautiful brunette to return asking me what I’ll have.

Everything on the extensive menu looks fantastic, of course; the wine selection features not only top-notch reds and whites, but a lineup of different champagnes as well. Yet, one particular drink catches my attention: the Monkey Business. It’s a house cocktail consisting of vodka, St. Germaine, lime, ginger beer, mint, and cucumber; I ask her for it without thinking twice. I decide to pair it with the all-Dominican Purito. At just 4 ½” x 32’, it’s the smallest member of the Bar & Books house blend. After placing my order, I finally get my server’s name; Gina. Sadly, she also politely declines a request for a photo.

The Purito packs a hell of a punch for a cigar its size; its flavors are rich and full, yet also quite sharp and spicy, leaving the tastebuds nourished with every draw, albeit slightly singed. The Purito’s aroma is fantastic; a full-bodied cloud of sweet nutmeg graces the air with every puff I take. The Monkey Business keeps the Purito almost perfectly in check; the subtle smoothness of the vodka with the mint and cucumber, in combination with the sweetness of the ginger beer, provide a balancing, alkalizing effect to soothe over the acidic notes of the smoke.

As I head out after paying the bill, Muhammed hands me my coat, giving me a smile while two older gentlemen leave c-notes for him as tips. As I step out of the noisy lounge and back into the barren streets, I see the gentlemen get into the back seats of the matching Jaguars, and they depart in formation.

Wow! The smoke and the drink were excellent, beyond any shadow of a doubt. However, if you wish to enjoy Lexington Bar & Books to the fullest, bring at least one friend along. This is a place where privacy is top priority; after all, what would an intimate evening on the Upper East Side be without privacy?

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Scenes from Club Macanudo

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club macanudo

The Upper East Side is its own entity. It’s high-class (and high-rent, I might add), it’s old money, it’s calm, it’s sophisticated, and it’s old-fashioned; Club Macanudo is no exception to the Upper East Side norm.

I walk up three blocks from the N train stop on 59th and 5th and hang a right past Madison, and the be-suited doorman kindly asks me for my I.D. After we share a hearty laugh over the long hair on my license picture, he gracefully opens the large wood-and-glass door.

 

As I walk up the marble stairs past the enormous framed mosaics of old gilded cigar wrappers, I enter the lobby, illuminated by lamps with tobacco leaves as lamp shades, and centered around a brilliant   carved-wood reception desk is. The smoky air, bronze-tinted walls, and leather furniture occupied by sophisticates dressed to a tee reminds me of the lobbies of the Hotel Plaza and the Hotel Parque Central when I visited Havana.

Suddenly, I’m brought back from my self-imposed nostalgia trip by Jeffrey, a dashing-yet-soft-spoken young man who apologetically informs me that I’ll need to wait for a table. Paolo, the manager, is with him, and he assures us he’ll personally see to it we have the first available table. I look towards the main room and notice there’s a particularly big crowd for a Wednesday night. No problem, though. Jeffrey kindly escorts me to the bar, where my old man and I enjoy some Gin & Tonics as a music trio belts out Sinatra. The music brings the volume level up a few notches; yet, the atmosphere remains surprisingly calm, with all of the patrons enjoying each other’s company.

I notice a gentleman with a perfectly-trimmed beard next to me smoking a ‘64 Padrón. I compliment his choice, and not even two minutes go by before we’re sharing jokes, talking music and religion, and exchanging email addresses. While my new friend Brian and I are carrying on, we’re joined by Rachel, a Doctor Who fan from Alabama who moves in to compliment me on my bow tie, which reminds me of Matt Smith’s Doctor.

The fun makes the wait go by in a flash; right when it seems we were just getting started, Jeffrey comes over and escorts my old man and I to the first available table, just as Paolo promised. We part ways with Brian and Rachel and follow Jeffrey to our table, strategically located across from a large painting depicting larger than life figures like JFK and Sigmund Freud smoking cigars together. There’s a group of middle-aged professionals sitting at the table next to ours, loudly enjoying their prominently-displayed Cuban Cohibas with their cocktails.

Club Macanudo

The gold-plated menu has everything: Signature Libations, dinner items, and the biggest cigar selection I’ve ever seen on a menu. It’s a no-brainer; we order a Tartar Pyramid, Maryland-Style Crab Cakes, and a plate of Sliders, all of which are made to perfection. We slowly wash them down with a Granhattan, one of the club’s Signature Libations, consisting of High West Double Rye whiskey, Sweet Vermouth and Grand Marmier, with lemon peel garnish on the glass’s rim. My old man notes the accentuated efficiency and professionalism of the staff every chance he gets, and the point isn’t lost on me.

We finish off with a nice mild cigar, something Macanudo specializes in. My old man selects the Hampton Court, a 5 ½ x 42 connecticut robusto, while I help myself to the Thames, a hefty 6 x 50 toro. Macanudo has been accused of downgrading on the quality of their cigars by some aficionados in the aftermath of being acquired by General Cigar Company. I find such accusations completely without merit when it comes to the Thames. It’s draw is but an iota short of flawless, and the mild, creamy cedar flavor is free of any sour or bitter notes. This means the cigar was aged perfectly, and not rushed through the years-long aging process. At the same time, the flavor is deep and rich, which makes the equally rich and sharply-flavored Granhattan an excellent compliment to the Thames.

Paolo the manager comes over to personally inquire about our evening; we compliment him on not just the quality of the food, drink and cigars, but also on the quality service of the staff. He obliges with a big smile when I ask for a photo with him, eagerly adjusting his tie before putting his arm around me for the camera.

We pay the bill, thank the staff a few more times, and head out into the night. It’s hard to say goodbye in this instance, but with the high quality present in every facet of its business, you can bet your life I’ll be back in Club Macanudo sooner than later.

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Feature: Graycliff Cigar Factory at Graycliff Hotel, A “Cigar Oasis”

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Graycliff Cigar Factory

Last month I had the pleasure of taking a day trip to Nassau Bahamas. My one and only plan was to visit the Graycliff Hotel to learn about their cigar making process, techniques and the quality that’s synonymous with the Graycliff brand. Graycliff Hotel was purchased by the Garzaroli family in 1973 and is the premier five star hotel and restaurant on the island as well as housing the largest wine cellar in the Caribbean. The historic mansion and its property boasts  a welcoming reception area, opening air dining and Himalayan salt pool, all of which  cater to the cigar enthusiast.

Upon entering the hotel you can smell the sweet aroma of a cigar in the lounge. With antique leather chairs, showcases of spirits, paintings and a piano you quickly envision a sense of calm and quiet reflection that guests enjoy puffing away on any given day.  Within a few minutes I was greeted by a lovely woman who guided us to the Graycliff Cigar Factory.  I could have easily wiled away the afternoon enjoying cigars and spirits right there however I needed to visit the factory where they make the cigars I’ve enjoyed for the past sixteen years.

As I made my way through the old stone walkway palm trees adorned the property along with statues and an elegant pool that truly gave you a sense of the sophisticated history of the hotel.  Just before I approached the factory I was taken back by the largest Cigar Divan I have ever seen. The Divan had a large ceiling with fans, lounge chairs, couches, wrought iron tables and a free standing humidor.  This is the perfect respite to grab a cigar from the factory and sit with a smoke enjoying the scenery. I’m sure it was no coincidence that the divan is right by the entrance to the cigar factory.

Cigar Divan:

The steps that lead to the Graycliff Cigar Factory:

Graycliff Cigar Factory

Upon entering the factory there is a lounge and bar offering espresso and spirits. Alongside is a cabinet humidor containing six lines of the Graycliff portfolio. The represented cigars where: Graycliff Originale, Graycliff Professionale, Graycliff Emerald, Graycliff Crystal and Graycliff Espresso. I was met by Adam Collins the General Manager for Graycliff. Adam is a very personable individual who greeted me warmly. As I shook hands I was given a Graycliff Professionale PG and lit it up immediately. The sweet and earthy flavors of the Professionale made it the perfect first smoke of the day. As I entered the epicenter of the factory which is their boutique rolling room I observed several rollers meticulously rolling vitolas for various Graycliff lines. Graycliff prides itself on perfectly rolled cigars and seeing firsthand you appreciate the dedication to the craft. Adam oversees the day to day operations as well as maintains the quality control and works on blends. In speaking with Adam you can see the passion in his eyes and the excitement he gets from working on a blend and speaking about the factory.

One particular roller that caught my eye was a gentleman rolling what appeared to be a free-form cigar or a cigar without a mold. This is extremely difficult to do as keeping a cigar’s measurements and consistency takes a keen eye and skilled hand. The individual in question was Master Roller Miguel A. Lavadie Duconger who is one of the last free form cigar rollers in the world.  As it turns out he was rolling the John Howard Graysmith line which is the ONLY commercial line of cigars dedicated to the free hand cigar rolling style. Miquel makes the cigar using the “Entubado” method which takes the individual filler leaves and rolls them into scroll-like tubes placing them next to each other in the bunch. This method although more time consuming creates more airflow and a better draw and burn making it a more satisfying cigar of very high quality. Watching Mr. Lavadie Duconger work was observing a master at his craft.  I’ve visited cigar factories before, seen rollers at their respective tables and even watched rollers attempt free hand cigars but NOTHING like the quality and consistently I saw at the Graycliff Cigar Factory.

Master Roller Miguel A. Lavadie Duconger rolling “Free Form”

The John Howard Graysmith which Miguel is responsible for has two vitolas:  “Cannon” a  60 x 7 Parejo and “Buccaneer” a  60 x 7 Piramide. Both cigars have uncut or “shag” feet.  The JHG line pays homage to the original way cigars were rolled as well as a nod to the famous pirate John Howard Graysmith whose exploits were legendary and who built the Graycliff Mansion.

John Howard Graysmith Buccanner and Cannon Cigars:

JHG-BUCCANEERJHG-CANNON

As impressive as the rolling room was Adam took me to the aging room where cigars are stored, bundled and readied for future shipping. Adam oversees fermentation and processing which is a testament to his hands on style of management and adherence to complete quality control. Returning to the rolling room I was able to light up a Graycliff Espresso Pirate which is my personal favorite of the line.  The Espresso pirate yielded rich notes of mocha, leather and a bit of spice.  The cigar was wonderfully balanced in the medium to full bodied range.

As I toured with Adam he took me down a hallway which I would call the “Cigar Education Wing”. Part tobacco education part museum this area sports framed cigar posters such as tobacco leaf classifications in which primings of each leaf are listed, cultivation methods, manufacturing, and the history of cigar making. Walking the hall and reading the informative descriptions gives a cigar enthusiast quite a lesson on how a cigar goes from the field to your hand. This is the first of its kind I’ve seen and shows how the company wants their consumers to understand the process as well as enjoy their cigars.

Cigar Education wing:

It was at this point I met up Paolo Garzaroli president of Graycliff Cigar Company. I’ve met Paolo on several occasions and I can say he has a true passion for quality, tremendous vison and is a gentleman who believes in family and building relationships with people.  Paolo directed me to the display cases that showed cigar memorabilia such as presses, molds and cutters. On the adjacent wall there were photos of celebrities enjoying Graycliff cigars and even such luminaries as Nelson Mandela. The impact Graycliff has had on the industry and consumers is demonstrative in these photographs.

Showcase of cigar memorabilia:

Celebrites and Heads of State enjoying Graycliff Cigars:

Much to my dismay I had to leave all too early as I had a ship to return to. Visiting Graycliff was a priority as well as the highlight of my trip. I thanked Adam and Paolo profusely for the cigars, tour and hospitality. If you visit the Bahamas you NEED to visit Graycliff or do one better and stay on the property. You will be educated, satiated, and puffing away in paradise. I will return as a guest and spend more time at Graycliff which I now call the “Cigar Oasis”.

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McAfee’s Benchmark No. 8 Straight Bourbon Review

2 1 8.5k

McAfee's Benchmark No. 8 Straight Bourbon

Like many whiskey enthusiasts, I am always in search for the perfect value bourbon.  My standby, for years now, has been Evan Williams 1783 — and it still is. But last week I dropped by Astor Wines on 4th st and happened upon McAfee’s Old No. 8. For $9, it’s about $11 below what I’m used to paying for 1783, so I figured I’d give it a try.

Specifics

Type: Bourbon Whiskey

Distillery: Buffalo Trace

ABV: 40% (80 proof)

McAfee's Benchmark No. 8 Straight Bourbon

Nose

Can’t say it’s the most interesting nose: fairly typical bourbon notes of caramel, vanilla, and some ethanol.

Flavor

This is where this $9 whiskey is really special. Here’s why: a decent medium bodied texture, remarkably low ethanol burn, and some decent, if mild flavors. Caramel, breadiness, some rye spiciness, and mild fruitiness. The most notable quality about this whiskey is what it lacks: harshness and unenjoyable flavors.

Palate

Fairly short finish here. Some vanilla and light spices. Not much to report.

Conclusion

This is easily one of the best $9 whiskies I’ve ever had. What I love about how this whiskey is put together is how it doesn’t make the mistake that so many others make of getting ambitious and trying to introduce too many flavors without the maturation to back it up.  This is not the most interesting whiskey in the world. But for $9, this is a pretty great deal and deserves a shot and for me, a spot on my (admittedly bloated) liquor shelf.

Final Grade: B+

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The Nat Sherman Townhouse: A Temple of Tradition

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Nat Sherman Townhouse
12 E 42nd St, New York, NY 10017, Btwn 5th Ave and Madison

The Nat Sherman Townhouse stands as a calm safe haven of history and tradition in the perpetually fast-paced, tourist-infested, modern flurry that is Midtown Manhattan. It’s subtle and unassuming on the outside; a little two-story, three floor townhouse with a classic facade, sandwiched in between two behemoth modern skyscrapers, a bit like the Little’s house in the Stuart Little movies. However, much like the Doctor’s T.A.R.D.I.S., the Townhouse is bigger on the inside than it would seem to the passer-by. Upon entering through the double glass doors around noon, I find myself in a spacious, ornately decorated lounge, the golden ceiling high up above my head. All I can hear is “Your Song” by Elton John playing on the radio.

Cliff Gold
From left: Cliff Gold, Charlie Freeman

Before I can pick my jaw back up off the floor, a gentleman comes up to me and cheerfully greets me. He has no name tag, but he dons a tailored blazer with a US Army lapel pin and a pocket square, and sports a meticulously trimmed whitish grey beard. His name is Cliff, and he addresses me by name, remembering me from my sporadic previous visits. He gently escorts me towards the back of the Townhouse, where the walk-in humidor is.

I’m greeted inside by Barry, a humble longtime veteran of the cigar industry whose sole display of pride is a subtle lapel pin indicating his official certification in all things tobacco. He remembers me too, greeting me by name; he asks me about how Fine Tobacco NYC’s latest event with Hiram Solomon went, and mentions seeing me in some the event photos. He immediately escorts me towards the Pan Americana shelf, where he knows one of my all-time favorite Sherman cigars reside. Barry professionally stands in the corner, allowing his many customers to take all the time they need in choosing their cigars, all the while exchanging jokes and tidbits of stories with them without losing a beat. I grab my Pan Americana and purchase it with Ryan, one of the younger members of the crew. As he compliments me on my bow tie, I can’t help but notice his suit is tailored to perfection, giving me, and even the older guys a run for our money.

I initially have to stand, due to there being only about a dozen places to sit. No worries though; it gives me ample opportunity to converse with the amiable metalheads coming in from out of town for the first time to catch Black Sabbath at the Garden later tonight. Standing up also lets me admire up close the many ornately decorated humidors, signature cigar accessories, and framed pictures and autographed memorabilia by celebrities like Frank Sinatra up close while the radio plays John Lennon’s “Watching the Wheels.” The crowd is mainly a healthy mix of young and old men, with very few women to be found; not surprising, since the decor gives off more of a turn-of-the-century man cave vibe than anything else.

The Pan Americana cigar I’m smoking is what you’d get if you took the Townhouse itself and tried to make a flavor out of it based on its vibes, aesthetics, and feel. It’s thick and well-drawn, and its flavor is about as richly earthy as you can get. Brilliant, to put it in one word.

A space eventually opens up, and I take a seat in one of the four chairs centered around a grand ashtray, right next to the register. I’m immediately drawn into a conversation between a construction worker named Roland and a Romanian American gentleman about the GOP primaries. The conversation is soft-spoken and enjoyable, despite the touchy subject, and it transitions seamlessly into Roland telling us about the time he unknowingly ended up offering a puff of his cigar to Paul McCartney on the street.

I go up to Leonor, the lovely female staff member, if I’m permitted to break out a cigar I brought from home. She smiles and approves, asking me if there’s anything else I need. I ask if I can take a picture with her. She again says yes, and after a few well-placed one liners, Cliff gladly plays photographer. Roy Orbison’s “Pretty Woman” is playing by this point, seemingly on cue. I'm even lucky enough to catch sight of Yakub, one of the Townhouse’s managers. His wool and silk blazer, vest and bow tie combination alone, also meticulously tailored, indicate his rank; again, no need for a name tag. He greets me on his way downstairs and agrees to pose for a quick photo with Adam, another longtime staff member. It's a temporary reprieve from the great responsibility that comes with managing one of the City’s most iconic cigar lounges, but as the photo shows, Yakub joyfully carries a heavy weight on his shoulders.

Cigars are smoked, more stories are told, jokes are exchanged, wisdom is passed down, good times are had by all. Next thing I know, it’s 4:30. As I prepare to leave, the staff and my smoke mates bid me farewell one by one. It certainly wasn’t my first time smoking at the Nat Sherman Townhouse, and it certainly won’t be my last, if I have anything to say about it.

But that doesn't make it any harder to leave.

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