Page 140 – Fine Tobacco NYC

February 8, 2015

Cigar Reviews cigar review, Circa Tobac, El jeffe, Randolph Beers, Soho Cigar Lounge, Soho Cigars

Cigar Review: SoHo Cigars El Jeffe

Randolph Beers

1 0 3.0k

Blend Specifics

Vitola: 6” x 52 Box-pressed Torpedo (advertised as a Toro)

Wrapper: Brazilian Maduro

Binder: Nicaraguan

Filler: Nicaraguan

Appearance and Construction

The El Jeffe has a dark brown wrapper with a slight reddish tint and darker spots throughout. The wrapper has a smooth satin feel, invisible seams and a variety of veins the run the length of the leaf. Some very small, some medium sized, but nothing too large or thick. There’s a pinch on the leaf from the pressing process but other than that, a very nicely constructed cigar with an added double cap on the torpedo-shaped head. There’s an even sponginess and the foot shows an even and dense bunching.

Cold Aromas: On the wrapper there is a light cayenne pepper with a bit of earth, which is also on the very light side. Woodiness starts to come up as well. On the foot there is a mix of cayenne and black pepper, cocoa, sweet tobacco, a touch of coffee bean and a slight oak. The cold draw opens to a nice even tension, with a sweet wood and tobacco, a little white pepper but nothing heavy, and a hint of espresso is left behind on the lips.

*Note: I am removing the band early because it is too loose and will keep sliding around for the duration of this review. The band is a thin paper and is loose enough to slide right off the cigar. Will still be shown through the progression photos of this review.

Flavor & Smoke Characteristics

First Third: A nice even draw and the first notes are a blast of red pepper followed with an oak core, a little cedar and salt. The smoke is dry on the palate but is very smooth and has a smooth mouth feel. Not gritty at all, but more velvet like. The burn line is near razor sharp but not quite there, though it does have a nice look to it. Ash is light grey with slightly darker rings and is very tight. This cigar has a nice and easy draw, which is something I keep noticing when I take them, with just the right amount of tight tension and the ability to produce a good amount of smoke. The smoke also pours off the foot quite freely between draws. As the first third progresses, notes of cedar come up a bit with espresso coming into the fold. The oak gets a bit deeper, and the pepper is still present but has dropped back a little. Though it does leave a bit of a spice tingle on the roof of the mouth and tongue. There’s also a creeping in of licorice on the draw that last through to the early part of the finish. The ash is holding well and the burn is staying even and consistent. The aroma is also very pleasant, with a mix of leather and oak, a bit on the strong side but not overwhelming. The profile toward the end of the first third is medium to full in body, medium to full in flavor, and medium to full in strength. The ash fell off as one solid chuck at 1.5 inches.

Second Third: Starting the second third the flavors are holding steady, with the espresso coming up a bit, the pepper still dropping back and the same with the licorice. Leather is now making itself present on the retrohale, with a bit of char on the draw and the smooth oak still holding the core. The salt is way down and the mouth feel is still very smooth but dry. The cigar is holding an even burn line and there’s a sweet note that comes in on the finish. The second third is medium to full in body, medium to medium to full in flavor, and medium to full in strength. At this point things are staying pretty consistent with not much change. Also to note, this cigar burns fairly cool, which is always a plus. Progressing through, as the flavor in general starts dialing back, a chocolate comes in and mixes nicely with the sweet tobacco and espresso notes. The oak is still the core but as stated, the flavor on the whole is coming down. The cigar is becoming very mellow, an easy going smoke with creamy plumes.

Final Third: Into the final third things are staying pretty consistent with not much change from the second third. There was a moment of a tarty cherry coming at the transition point but quickly faded. Overall, the flavor is moving down and the profile is medium to full in body, solid medium in flavor and medium to medium to full in strength. Through the second and final thirds, the finish has been clean and short and the characterizing notes are a light oak, espresso, with hints of chocolate and sweet tobacco and a touch of char lasting through. The strength does pick up a bit more at the very end but not much else than that.

Final Thoughts

I don’t know why, but I’m generally leery about house blends. Maybe due to the anonymity to their production, tobaccos used, or even their blending process. The SoHo Cigar El Jeffe is contrary to that belief, as throughout the session one can taste the quality of tobacco used is of a generally good selection. Though the first third starts off very flavorful, that soon changes in the second and final thirds, opting for a more power-based profile rather than a flavor focused one. The cigar stays consistent in burn, smoke and ash production throughout, and the aroma stays pleasant as well. The main notes encountered are an oak core with notes of leather, espresso, chocolate here and there, a good amount of spice early on and licorice. There was a brief moment of cherry and wished that stuck around longer. In all, a decent cigar, and an exceptional house blend.

Similar cigars would be Tatuaje’s core lines, characterized with a big kick in the front and very mellow from then on.

Smoking time was 2 hours.

Grade: B

January 26, 2015

Cigar Reviews la hoja cigars, La Hoja Clasica 1962, Randolph Beers

Cigar Review: La Hoja Edicion Clasica 1962

Randolph Beers

1 0 3.0k

This cigar was featured at our last Straight Up & Toasted cigar and whiskey tasting event. The Clasica is a new release from La Hoja Cigars, one of New York’s most up-and-coming brands known for it’s dedication to quality, construction, complexity, balance, and flavor.

Blend Specifics

Vitola:Toro 5.5” x 56 soft box-pressed

Wrapper:Ecuadorian Corojo

Binder: Dominican

Filler:Dominican

Appearance and Construction

The Edicion Clasica has a dark chocolate wrapper with minimal smallish veins, a very slight oily sheen, and a very smooth dry satin texture. The seams are visible but the wrapper is noticeably wrapped well around the cigar and still shows good construction. A nicely applied double cap, and comes packaged with a foot band. The cigar also has an even sponginess throughout and the foot shows an even dense bunching.

Cold Aromas: On the wrapper, there is cedar, a touch of earth and not much else. On the foot, there is cinnamon, a touch of white pepper, a hint of chocolate, and overall on the sweeter side. The cold draw is salt, cedar, a bit of earth and musk, which makes present the good amount of fermentation and aging this tobacco has gone through. Also to note, the wrapper tobacco leaves a salty taste on the lips from the head of the cigar. The draw is an even to slightly loose tension, which is great.

Flavor & Smoke Characteristics

First Third: The first notes give way to a very soft white pepper, salt, a touch of cedar, and a bit ofmusk. A nice cream with a bit of a gritty earth on the finish rounds out the initial draws. From the start of the cigar the mouth-feel and retrohale of the smoke are exceptionally smooth. The aroma is characterized of cedar, dark chocolate, earth, and leather notes. Staring off with a close to razor shape burn, the ash is tight but fragile looking (flaky, but not) and is a pale gray with slightly darker, very thin ring lines. The smoke is medium to full in body, medium to full in strength, and medium to full in flavor. Progressing through the first third, the earth, cedar, musk, cream and leather take hold as the main notes, with minor notes of salt, dark chocolate and a slight soapy floral. The smoke is still very smooth, with a clean crisp finish in the mouth, while leather and salt last through on the finish in the nose. The smoke is overall very dry feeling, and cool with no spices to be found. Only a touch of white pepper comes through here and there. Toward the end of the first third, a touch of bitter cinnamon start to also last on the finish.

Second Third: Transitioning from the first to second third, a little spice comes up, but only last for a moment and primarily on the tongue. Notes are still characterized of earth, leather, musk, even though it has come down a bit, cedar, chocolate, salt, and a slight floral. The ash fell off on its own as one solid chunk at 1.5”. The cigar starts to lose its razor sharp burn and seems to do so when the wrapper leaf is overlapping another part of the wrapper leaf with concentration at the seam. Though, the cigar is still performing well and flavors aren’t being lost due to the burn. It may need a minor touch up here and there. The chocolate comes up a little, with now entering a slight espresso note to complement, while the salt has moved down a bit. The earth, leather and cream are still holding strong. The aroma is also still of leather and salt notes. The smoke is medium to full in body, medium to full in strength, and now moving up to full in flavor. The smoke stays fairly cool as the cigar progresses through the second third. This cigar also gives off nice creamy plumes of smoke.

Final Third: Starting into the final third, I did have to give the cigar a minor touch up. The flavors are still holding with the cedar and leather taking the fore, with the earth moving down just a little. The espresso has come up a bit with the chocolate; the salt is still moving down but sticking around. The band is a self-adhesive and comes off cleanly. The musk is making more of presence in the aroma and the profile is still holding at medium to full in body, medium to full in strength, and the flavor moving back down to medium to full. The cream is also lasting through the finish, while the smoke in the mouth is getting slightly grittier and the retrohale being very smooth. As the cigar gets down to the nub, the chocolate and espresso both begin to last on the finish, and the smoke stays fairly cool. The leather, earth, cream, musk, and cedar still hold their notes quite strongly to the end.

Final Thoughts

This cigar screams class, from its top-notch construction, to its choice selection of rare filler, binder and wrapper tobaccos, its complex earthy profile and extremely smooth smoke production. All these characteristics make up an exceptional cigar and a one-of-kind experience. Though, I did have to touch it up a couple times throughout the session, each time was only a minor case. The cigar, its construction and flavors held strong and never strayed away from its intentions of providing a fine experience. The complexity lasts through the duration of the smoke, with its major notes being leather, earth, musk, cedar, and cream and minor notes of salt (though, the salt is a major and minor note, depending on where in the session one is experiencing this note), dark chocolate, and very slight hints of espresso, floral notes, and white pepper.

Grade: A

January 12, 2015

Announcement

Cigar Inn Wins 2014 NYC Cigar Lounge of the Year

Matthias Clock

1 0 4.1k

Before we get into the results of the third-annual New York City Cigar Lounge of the Year Award, I want to make a moment to thank the over 200 NYC cigar smokers who voted in this year’s contest. It was our largest voter turnout yet and we saw some really great comments roll in on the strengths and weaknesses of the different cigar lounges and cigar bars in the city. I’m also happy to announce that, as a service to NYC cigar smokers, we will be delivering the positive and constructive feedback to each cigar lounge in the city that requests a copy in the hopes that they will use the feedback to improve operations and provide even better customer experiences in the future. Now on to the main business. This year saw our closest race yet. After a week of voting, there was no majority winner, so we had our first runoff vote between the three lounges with the most votes:

The Finalists

1. The Cigar Inn (Manhattan)
2. Blew Smoke Cigar Room (Brooklyn)
3. Merchants NY Cigar Bar (Manhattan)

Honorable mention: Maxis Cigar Shop. I have to mention Maxis Cigar Shop in Franklin Park because of the large number of write-in votes they received! In their comments, voters for this shop mentioned selection and friendliness of staff and patrons as the main reasons for their votes.

In third place overall: Blew Smoke Cigar Room with 14% of the runoff vote. Although this cigar lounge is a relatively recent addition to the NY cigar lounge scene, it has quickly gained a following as a hip hangout in Prospect Heights, Brooklyn. Voters frequently mentioned the quality of patrons and friendly staff as their reason for voting for Blew Smoke. In second place overall, with 33% of the runoff vote is Merchants NY Cigar Bar. In 2012 and 2013, Merchants received just handful of votes, so it is equally remarkable that they have jumped to the #2 slot. Voters recommended Merchants because of its decor, staff friendliness, and availability of full bar and food menus. Congratulations to Blew Smoke and Merchants! Now, without further ado, we announce the winner of the 2014 NYC Cigar Lounge of the Year Award. And the winner is…

The Cigar Inn

For the third year in a row, The Cigar Inn has won our coveted award with just over 53% of the total runoff vote. As in previous years, Cigar Inn won for a variety of reasons, including friendly staff, selection of premium cigars at competitive prices, ambiance, and clientele. What stood out among the voters, however, was one word: hospitality. Here we’ll quote a few voters explaining why they chose Cigar Inn:

“The value of cigars offered, the environment and the staff. Bring all this together and the experience brings me back every time I step into the city.”

“The owners treat everyone like they’re special. Whether you’re buying one stick or five boxes, you’re always welcomed.”

“The 73rd St location has figured out the right balance between allowing new folks to enjoy themselves without subtracting from the regulars’ experience. To me, creating that brotherhood is what the cigar lifestyle is about.”

“I’ve been to pretty much all of the cigar lounges in the city, and the ONE and ONLY thing that distinguishes the CIGAR INN from the rest is the HOSPITALITY, warmth, and level of service of the management team.”

Speaking from my own experience, I can say that all of these observations are true. That’s why when I have a few hours free to smoke a cigar, Cigar Inn is my go-to spot. What’s even more incredible to me, however, is that they have managed to create this experience and expand to new locations in a city so rife with costly anti-tobacco and anti-smoking regulations.

Billy, Gus, and Bass: you have created something truly special at The Cigar Inn, and so for a third year in a row we are proud to honor you and your establishment as the NYC Cigar Lounge of the Year. Warm regards, Matthias Clock Founder, Fine Tobacco NYC Note to cigar lounge owners: to request your copy of feedback from your voters, email Matthias at matthias@finetobacconyc.com.

December 30, 2014

Announcement

Voting Open for 2014 NYC Cigar Lounge of the Year Award

Matthias Clock

1 0 2.6k

It’s that time of the year again! Voting is now open for our third annual NYC Cigar Lounge of the Year Award. For the last two years, Cigar Inn has been voted the best cigar lounge in New York City with commanding leads both years. Now, New York City cigar smokers will decide who will win the honor in 2014. Results will be announced in early January.

Click Here to Cast Your Vote

In addition to a simple vote for best cigar lounge, the survey also asks voters to describe the strengths and areas of improvement for the lounge they vote for.

Note: if you can’t find the lounge you want to vote for on the list of options, type it in to the “other” field and it will be added as the voting goes on.

You can read about the results of the last two years by clicking the links below.

2012
2013

December 22, 2014

Cigar Reviews 90 Miles Cigar, cigar review

Cigar Review: 90 Miles R.A. Nicaragua Limited Edition Lancero

Randolph Beers

0 0 4.6k

A few weeks back, I had the pleasure of meeting Yadi from Flor De Gonzalez Cigars, and she passed along the brand’s newest release, the 90 Miles R.A. Nicaragua L.E. Lancero for review. I’m very pleased to present this cigar.

Blend Specifics

Cigar: Flor De Gonzalez 90 Miles R.A. Nicaragua L.E. Lancero

Vitola: Lancero 7” x 38

Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano

Binder: Nicaraguan

Filler: Nicaraguan

Appearance and Construction

The 90 Miles has a dark chocolate wrapper with a few darker blemishes and a mottled look and texture. With minimal veins and tight invisible seams, a closed foot and a nicely applied double cap with pig tail. The wrapper is slightly oily with a little bit of sheen, a satin feel with minimal to no tooth. A densely packed feel make this a nicely constructed cigar.

Flavor & Smoke Characteristics

Cold Aromas: Off the wrapper, there are hints of cedar and chocolate, though not a strong wrapper smell. The foot is closed so one won’t get much from there, either. However, the cold draw gives way to a touch of spice, a little dry wood and cedar, notes of herbs and a hint of black pepper. Also to note, a semi-loose draw but should definitely be ok, and at the head of the cigar, the bunching looks very nice dense.

First Third:Lots of spice to start, with a good amount of grass and hay, with some chocolate and a slight meatiness like broiled chicken. Notes of cedar are apparent, as well. The draw is just right, and there’s also a good amount of white pepper. As the initial spice settles, a dark chocolate comes more to the front. This cigar gives off very nice plumes of smoke, very thick and chewy right from the start. The burn line isn’t even nor razor sharp but the performance is just fine. There’s a lingering sweet note that’s also complemented with a touch of black licorice and raisins. The ash forms in nicely burned rings and is of medium to light grey tone with dark spot intermixed. There are also notes of buttery bread, and the smoke itself has a buttery smooth feel. The ash fell off on its own at about the 1 inch mark. There’s also a metallic undertone that lasts through the finish complemented with a spice on the finish but it’s not heavy and doesn’t linger too long. In general, the finish is quite short and crisp with the exception of the metallic note. The smoke is full in body, full in strength and full in flavor. The first third shows the beginnings of a generously complex cigar. The aroma of the foot and the room are very woodsy. Though the smoke leaves a nice tingle on the tongue, the smoke is very smooth, and the finish last slightly longer in the nose than it does in the mouth. This cigar also gives a very nice, invigorating head feel early on, which some will find very relaxing and it burns quite cool.

Second Third: Starting the second third, the chocolate and raisin take hold on the draw, followed by a dark wood characteristic that has a good, strong tobacco note. Spice is still present, though on the low side. The metallic tongue feel and finish is still present, as well. Adding to the aroma now are touches of raisin and leather; the leather is also in the smoke but isn’t really that strong. The smoke is still holding at full in body, full in strength, and full in flavor and is teamed with thick plumes of rich, chewy smoke. The finish is starting to last a bit longer in the mouth, characterized by dark chocolate, wood, and leather notes. Throughout, there’s also a good amount of saltiness that rounds out the profile, and pulls the fermented tobacco notes forward more. Also, the saltiness is starting to last through longer on the finish.

Final Third:Entering into the final third, the heat has started to build up; the salt is also all over the palate, on the draw and the finish. This is combined with notes of wood and leather taking the fore and the chocolate and raisin dropping back. The cedar is also still present. The thick paper band is held by a glob of glue in the traditional manner, and can be a little tricky taking off but with some patience comes off in one piece.The smoke is still very complex, and states that this cigar is complex throughout the session. Smoke is still full in body, full in strength, and full in flavor. The bready-ness comes back into the fold but has dropped the buttery characteristic and has become drier. Though the smoke is still rather smooth, a touch of grit becomes present. The cigar is also quite mouth watering throughout and most likely due to the salt content in the smoke. The final draws of this cigar culminate to a combined complex flavor and the notes become indistinguishable from one another and are more difficult to pick out, but warms up to an overall nuttiness.

Final Thoughts

The first thing to note is this cigar’s complex profile throughout the whole smoking session, centered around wood, chocolate and raisin, with strong hints of leather, salt and bread. The pepper and spice are noticeable throughout but act more as peripherals to the profile instead of being major notes themselves. The cigar finished at full in body, full in strength, and full in flavor and proved to be unwavering throughout the duration. This cigar carries very enjoyable thick, rich plumes of smoke and the draw remained quite consistent. There were times in this session, I kept thinking to myself the similarities between this 90 Miles cigar and Cuban-styled cigars with its combined saltiness, head feel and dewiness. A general slow burner for cigars of this vitola, and carries a very relaxing feel. One that is best enjoyed after a good meal and sipped slowly. Though it did require a couple minor touch-ups, they weren’t anything that took away from the cigar’s characteristics and it preformed phenomenally.

Similar cigars would be Don Pepin Garcia La Duena in Petite Lancero, Murcielago by Espinosa y Ortega, Smoking Jacket, and Man O’ War Ruination

Smoking time was 1 hour and 40 minutes

Grade: A / A+

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