Here’s a “place to know” for all of you luxury livers in Tribeca. AIRE Ancient Baths New York is taking an ancient Romanesque look at public baths and spa.
According to the website:
Aire Ancient Baths is a retreat that brings to life the history of our ancestors who turned the public baths into a feast for the senses.
At the end of the 5th century B.C., the upper classes of Ancient Rome attended the magnificent bath houses to enjoy the pleasures of the public bath (thermae). They were true palaces.
The bathing ritual began in the “Tepidarium”, the warm-water pool, then went on to the “Caldarium”, the hot-water pool or the high-temperature steam room “Lanconicum”, and lastly to the “Frigidarium”, the cold-water pool. This ritual was repeated three or four times. Immediately afterwards, the “tractatores” or masseurs stretched the muscles of the guests who then went to the “unctores” who anointed them with fragrant oils.
The Ottomans and the Arabs also considered the baths as a place to meet, rest and socialize.
October 4, 2012 (Tampa, FL) — This holiday season is all about affordable luxury. We have developed several new products geared at providing you the most “bang for your buck” without compromising taste, quality and construction. Take a look at some of the new items scheduled to hit shelves just in time for the 2012 holiday shopping season.
Brick House Ashtray Combo
The Brick House Ashtray Combo features 3 handmade Brick House cigars set in a 2 finger custom ceramic ashtray. Originally a Cuban cigar, the Brick House brand was revived in 2009 as a Nicaraguan puro and quickly earned a spot in Cigar Aficionado’s prestigious Top 25 Cigars of the Year. Critics have noted the brand’s “subtly sweet flavors of nougat, caramel and pepper” and “well-constructed” body. The Brick House Ashtray Combo gift set includes 3 Brick House cigars in the popular robusto size. A beautifully crafted Brick House ashtray features the brand’s historic label; a depiction of the founding family’s Brick home for which the brand is named. With an MSRP of just $29.95, the Brick House Ashtray Combo makes the perfect holiday gift. For more information about Brick House cigars, go to www.brickhousecigars.com.
Gift Set Includes:
Three Brick House Cigars (robusto)
One Brick House Ceramic Ashtray
Suggested Retail $29.95
Diamond Crown Holiday Collection
More than just a gift, the Limited Edition Diamond Crown Holiday Collection features three Diamond Crown Cigars not available anywhere else. All superbly crafted in a larger double belicoso (6 3/4″ x 54) size, the Collection offers the exquisite taste of the Diamond Crown family in three different wrappers and three different blends which are not commercially available. All three cigars are carefully packaged in a luxurious leather carrying case and Diamond Crown gift box for the holidays. The supply on this collection is extremely limited and will only be available at select Diamond Crown accounts.
Gift Set Includes:
Leather Carrying Case
One Diamond Crown MAXIMUS
One Diamond Crown Julius Caeser
One Diamond Crown Cameroon Select
Suggested Retail: $57.50
Diamond Crown American Series Humidors
Over two hundred years ago, our forefathers were known for making the finest quality furniture pieces out of the hearty Cherry hard wood that grows deep in the Adirondack Mountains. Today, we are proud to use those same time-honored traditions to bring you The Diamond Crown American Series Humidors® exquisite humidors made from American hardwood on American soil.
Each Diamond Crown American Series humidor begins as a six-sided box and then is cut open to form separate lid and base sections. This ensures that the lid and the base will always be flush and fit properly. As an added benefit, the lid and base are hinged with piano hinges for a sturdy, but smooth and precise closure.
All Diamond Crown American Series humidor interiors contain the finest Spanish cedar which offers a distinct aromatic character that enhances and preserves the flavor of premium cigars. In addition, every American Series humidor is equipped with the newest generation of the Diamond Crown IMAS® humidification system and the Diamond Crown adjustable digital hygrometer to maintain optimum conditions for appropriate storage.
Available in Fall 2012, the Diamond Crown American Series is offered in three sizes, The Delaware, The Jefferson and The Washington with a suggested retail between $300 and $375. All Diamond Crown humidors come with a lifetime guaranteed warranty.
London, 2012 – The outstanding international growth of WILLIAM LAWSON’SR Blended Scotch whisky has been recognised by the IWSR (International Wine & Spirit Research) in its recently published 2011 Elite Brands list.
The Bacardi-owned whisky has successfully established itself in the Elite Brands list for a 5th consecutive year and is proud to have risen three places to number six in the list this year; ranking higher than any other Scotch whisky.
WILLIAM LAWSON’S passed the milestone of achieving impressive sales of more than 2 million nine litre cases worldwide last year and has also recently been acknowledged by the IWSR as the fastest-growing of the 2011 Top 50 international spirits brands, with a massive 46.1% value increase in 2011 vs. 2010.
The strict criteria to join the Elite Brands list set by the IWSR has remained unchanged since 2007, but has become tougher to meet in recent years and as a result the list has reduced from 22 brands in 2009 to just 11 brands this year.
The IWSR is one of the most comprehensive suppliers of volume and value data for the global drinks industry.
An Elite Brand must sell more than one million cases worldwide, and demonstrate an international presence, with at least 40 per cent of sales outside its main market. These spirits must also achieve a consistently steady compound annual growth rate of 5% over the last five years. WILLIAM LAWSON’S achieved a hugely impressive Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 10.4% over the last five years.
France is a major market for WILLIAM LAWSON’S, accounting for one-third of all sales; while Belgium, Portugal, and Spain are also important established markets. Over the last year the brand has enjoyed strong growth in Eastern Europe and Latin America; in particular Russia, Venezuela, Ecuador and Uruguay, where the brand has been in market for less than four years.
Esther Park, Global Marketing Director, WILLIAM LAWSON’S Scotch whisky, commented, “WILLIAM LAWSON’S continued presence and even higher ranking this year in the Elite Brands list is a huge accolade. We have had an incredible year around the world, with success in both established and developing markets. We are delighted to achieve this recognition and are proud to take our place amongst the world’s elite spirits.”
www.williamlawsons.com
NOTES
WILLIAM LAWSON’S and GLEN DEVERON are trademarks
About the IWSR’s Elite Brands List Criteria The criteria required to become an Elite Brand remain unchanged since 2007.
Brands must sell over 1m cases worldwide, with at least 40% of sales outside their main market to demonstrate international presence, and also maintain a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of at least 5% for the last five years of growth – i.e. 2006-2011 – to demonstrate sustained growth.
About the IWSR
The IWSR is the leading provider of data on wine, spirits and RTDs. The IWSR’s database, essential to the industry, is used by all of the largest multinational wine and spirits companies, as well as many more local companies. The IWSR has a unique methodology which, by tapping into local country expertise, allows us to get closer to what is actually consumed and better understand how markets work. The IWSR conducts face-to-face interviews with 1,200 companies in 115 countries each year, with further input from 350 companies. The IWSR tracks overall consumption and trends at brand, quality and category level for wine, spirits and RTDs, and aims to provide data that is as accurate and detailed as possible.
October 2, 2012 — Habanos, S.A. is pleased to present the new Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure de Luxe, an exclusive release aimed at La Casa del Habano franchise stores with more than 140 stores all around the world.
Hoyo de Monterrey is one of the most historic Habanos brands. Hoyo de Monterrey owes its origin to the town of San Juan y Martinez, which lies at the heart of the Vuelta Abajo tobacco zone in Pinar del Rio, Cuba. Here the Hoyo de Monterrey plantation, one of the great Vegas de Primera , can be reached through a gate on the town’s main square inscribed “Hoyo de Monterrey, José Gener. 1860″.
The flavour of Hoyo de Monterrey’s blend makes it an attractive choice for those who seek a delicate yet aromatic Habano that is lighter to the taste but with great elegance and complexity.
The brand is renowned for its Double Corona and for the range of medium and slender gauge vitolasknown as the Le Hoyo Series. There is also the prestigious Epicure Series, the No. 1 and No. 2, to which the longer Epicure Especial was added in 2008. Now the Epicure de Luxe is added to the Epicure Series in this special production for La Casa del Habano.
All sizes are, “Totalmente a mano tripa larga” – totally handmade, long filler – using filler and binder leaves from the Vuelta Abajo tobacco zone.
The factory name selected for this special production is Mágicos (ring Gauge 52 x 115 mm in length) is highly appreciated by Habanos smokers, that will now have the occasion to enjoy it within the Hoyo de Monterrey brand with its own features of flavour and aroma.
Each box of this special production contain10 Epicure de Luxe in a Slide Lid Box type. All Habanos have been produced Totalmente a Mano con Tripa larga –Totally Hand Made long filler- by skillfull rollers in Cuba’s factories.
Especially for those connoisseurs who prefer the elegant taste and aroma unmistakably found in the brand, this exclusive vitola will be available soon in the La Casa del Habano stores worldwide.
Brand: Hoyo de Monterrey
Commercial name: Epicure de Luxe
Factory name: Mágicos Measures:
Ring gauge 52 (21,43mm) x 115 mm. in length
Presentations: Slide Lid Box (SLB) of 10 units
As a FineTobaccoNYC.com Contributing Editor and CRAAmbassador, I was happy to attend the event and see my friends Louis and Chris (among others) at the Madison Ave. shop.
For the tenth anniversary, we commissioned URNY, a local Brooklyn artist to create some artwork that expresses the spirit and attitude of the Zino line. Guest met the artist as they were at the shop creating their great artwork and also signing giveaways and boxes for those who purchased a box of these great smokes. This new blend of cigar is a spectacular medium bodied smoke in a Toro format.
Big Ronnie and the Artists; Fernando Romero & Mike BacaFernando & Mike of UR New York
Fernando & Mike of UR New York
It was a very nice catered event with a complimentary Chivas Blended Scotch Whisky bar. A great evening at our Madison Avenue Lounge.
