After more than 6 months of seeing Emilio Cigars pop up on my Facebook and Twitter feeds, I caved and decided I’d give the AF1 and AF2 a try. This is the first of two reviews. As far as pairings go, I originally decided to just have some water on hand. The AF1 surprised me so much that I ended up going inside to make a fresh pot of coffee – at 8pm. Disclaimer: these cigars were provided free of charge by Gary Griffith, head of Emilio.
Blend Specifics: Wrapper: San Andreas Maduro Binder: Nicaraguan Filler: Nicaraguan
Appearance & Construction
Perhaps the most notable aspect of most cigars is the band. Not so with this cigar. The band is humble, with black and gold letters. What is noticeable, however, is the dark wrapper. The cigar is springy to the touch, a bit more than average. Smell on the foot is predominantly hay, nuts, cherry, and cocoa. There was also a good bit of plume.
Doodling with smoke
Taste & Smoking Characteristics
The first thing I notice when I put this cigar in my mouth is the immediate tingling on my lips. The smoke kicks off with a spicy punch, but remains cool. I’m actually really appreciative of the looser draw at this point as I’m really bringing in a lot of flavor on each puff. After about a minute, the cocoa notes become pretty obvious, though on second glance what I really taste is nice, smooth, dark chocolate. Very pleasant.
About an inch in, the spice has really backed down, letting the dark chocolate take center stage and I am really enjoying this stick. I went inside to make myself a pot of coffee, figuring it would pair well with this stick. And boy was I right.
About halfway through this cigar, I notice the spice picking up again. A welcome transition even though I was enjoying that smooth cocoa so much. Near the end, the dark chocolate again takes center stage. Absolutely fantastic.
Conclusion
I loved this cigar, but I should point out that that is primarily because this cigar showcased one of my favorite flavor-profiles: smooth espresso and dark chocolate. If you’re into that profile, then you just can’t go wrong with this cigar. If you enjoy cigars with a brighter profile, this might not be the cigar for you. However, if you’re in the mood to branch out into a different profile, this IS the cigar for you.
A few days after smoking my first Cremo cigar, I received an email from President of Cremo Cigars, Walter Santiago, thanking me for taking the time to review his cigars. Our review of the Cremo will be out later this week, so stay tuned. He also let me know that Cremo is running a give-away for a box of free Cremo cigars. Details are below!
~~~
Cremo Cigars
The weather is getting nice and people are lighting up cigars, which means one thing: CONTEST TIME! Here at Crémo Premium Cigars we know that summer is coming and you can enjoy more cigars out on your deck, in your favorite lounge, or at home in a comfortable chair. The only thing missing is a Crémo. Great day, great place, so you need a great cigar. We have a goal of 1,000 “likes” on our Facebook page. To get there we are holding a contest for the first 1,000 people that like our page.
Once we hit the 1,000 mark, we will draw from that crowd and they will win a FREE BOX!
The sooner we get to 1,000, the sooner we can get that box out to you. If you’re the lucky winner, you not only get a box of cigars, you also get to choose which size you want! So, if you like Robustos, the Excelsior is coming your way. Toro more your size? Intrepidus will be in the mail. More traditional size? Then our Corona Gorda, Magnum Opus, will be shipped to you. Whichever size you prefer, you are sure to enjoy these fine cigars.
We hope to see you on our fanpage as well as enjoying a Crémo.
One of our goals at FineTobaccoNYC has always been to encourage the culture of fine tobacco wherever it is found, and also to preserve the spirit of the connoisseur. So, when I kept bumping into an incredibly unique type of hand-crafted cigar art online, I had to know more. What I found is more proof that when the art and enjoyment of fine tobacco evolves from a hobby into a passion, new products, works of art, and traditions are born. That is the basic story of David Gerena, a graffiti artist who grew up in the Bronx and now paints cigar art for clientele around the country.
I caught up with David to learn more about his life in the art world, his passion for cigars, and his vision for merging cigars and painting. Throughout the course of the interview, I found David to be winsome and good-humored, a true brother of the leaf. Below is his story.
Kaos
FT) Tell me a bit about your artistic background. What was it that got you into art?
DG) I’ve been drawing ever since I had a Crayola in my hand.It’s something I naturally gravitated to. The Flintstones animated TV seriesand Marvel comics helped fuel my passion as a kid. I studied “How To Drawand Paint” books at a young age which helped me with shapes and shadowsearly on. In elementary school in The Bronx NY I was the kid that wasalways doodling. I spent my time making flip animations in the class text books—notexactly what the school had in mind. In junior high school around 1980 I gotinto graffiti, eventually gaining recognition through my murals in NYC underthe graffiti tag name KAOS.
FT) Graffiti, huh? Did that ever earn you a sprinting match with the police?
DG) [laughs] I’ll take the fifth on that one.
David’s Graffiti art in NYC
FT) Ok, so it sounds like art has always been an important partof your identity. Tell us a bit about your love of cigars.
DG) I started smoking cigars when I was around 17 years old. Noone around me smoked cigars. My friends smoked cigarettes, so I tried one butdidn’t like the taste. I saw the Berrings at the local grocery store in thealuminum tubes as a step up from their other selections of Te-Amo and Blunts.So I got a Berring and found it enjoyable. From there I went to Macanudo HydePark Cafe’s. I’ve tried a lot of cigars since then. I prefer a medium/medium cigar in a 5″-6″x 55g-60g. My box is full of Fuente Don Carlos #2’s, King B’s, WOAM’s, and Short Stories. Some Padron ’26’s and ’64’s, and to break it up the mild/medium CAO Gold Vintage Bouchons.
“Skull Smoker”
FT) Glad to hear your taste has improved since your days smoking Berrings! At what point did your passion for cigars merge with your passion forart?
DG) I’ve always smoked while painting and one day without a topic to paint I decided to pay homage to one of my favorite cigars the Arturo Fuente Hemingway Short Story.
FT) With so many cigars to choose from, how do you decide which cigar to paint, or what story to tell?
DG) Each cigar has a story to tell , and those stories are the inspiration. “If cigars could talk” right? [laughs] I’m just the messenger, I put it on canvas. I’m actually painting all types of cigars now. Through my painting I’m meeting a lot of brothers of the leaf (BOTL) who are recommending some good smokes. I definitely wouldn’t paint a cigar I personally didn’t enjoy. Besides that, if a BOTL commissions me to paint a smoke he likes, I’ll paint it.
FT) So you do craft custom artwork for clients?
DG) Yeah I do commissioned paintings aside from my own. I also enjoy doing murals for clients because it gets me out of my studio. It’s a nice break, traveling to new places, meeting new people. I have plans for some art shows coming up. Those are fun and I enjoy the energy.
FT) Tell us a little bit about your favorite piece of cigar art that you have created.
DG) Each one has a different meaning for me so it’s really hard to pick just one. I just finished a painting of an old cigar roller’s hand rolling a cigar I’m really diggin’. I’m fond of the cigars laying in a setting, letting the cigar and it’s surroundings tell a story…Then again the paintings with people smoking are nice. It’s really hard to decide. Being a cigar aficionado I love them all.
FT)What is it about your technical style that makes you a unique artist?
DG) As a self taught artist, Marvel Comic books and The Flintstones animated television series were my tutors as a child. Later as a teenager graffiti spray-paint cans became my pallet and my passion.
The subjects in my work maintain a somewhat flat appearance yet cast shadows. My shapes dance between 2D and 3D, large flat plains of color coexist with chiseled surfaces. The distinction between the two is occasionally blurred. My paintbrush strokes are mostly squared and rarely do I use more than three different size brushes in one painting. The colors change with each stroke as much as possible. In some small areas of my paintings I like to leave the canvas unpainted. I also use a dry brush, the paint catches the weave and shows the texture of the canvas. The different application techniques of materials add another dimension to the painted image.
In life there are roots, in my style of painting those roots lay in Graffiti, but one must grow. Nowadays I prefers oils and canvas as my medium. Brushes and oils have allowed me to branch out and extend the reaches of my vision beyond the spray-can. Those visions are sometimes distorted, other times crystal clear, yet they always tell a story.
FT) Do you have any long-term goals with your painting?
DG) Ultimately I’d like to help animals by starting a charity. I have a soft spotfor Pit Bulls. I have three of which two are rescues. They’re such a misunderstood breed, and so over-bred. The shelters and pounds are filled with them.
FT) If you could have your cigar art displayed anywhere, where would it be and why?
DG) I think the MOMA (Museum Of Modern Art) in NYC right next to a Picasso would be pretty cool. Being from NY and a painter practically my whole life, it’d be one serious opening party for me. Really though, some of my new stuff I have comingout of people smoking would fit right in. MOMA, are you listening?
FT) Thanks for taking the time to sit down and share your passion for cigars. On afinal note, where can the cigar aficionado’s reading this view and buy yourart?
DG) My work can be seen at my website www.revolutionpaint.com/paintings. All my contact info is there. Anyone looking for an original oil painting, a commissioned piece, or print can reach me through my website. My work can also be seen on www.facebook.com/davidgerenapainter. People can feelfree to friend request me on Facebook. I usually post pics as I’m painting, andlinks to Youtube videos I’ve made. When I’ve finished video taping a painting I post those up. These videos show the paintings in progress, smoking as I paint, with cameos by my dogs every so often. Good Times…
FT) Thanks for the interview, David. We’re looking forward to seeing more of your art released soon!
~~~
FineTobaccoNYC – Gerena style
David is what I would consider a pioneer in the emerging cigar art community. It was refreshing to talk to someone who is on the cutting edge, but who also is very down to earth and truly passionate for cigars.
After the interview, David had a surprise prepared for me. Apparently, he used some of his graffiti talent to create a piece of artwork specially for FineTobaccoNYC. I want to give him a huge shout out for his work and for his time. I’d recommend taking a few minutes to dropping by his website, viewing his art, and maybe even purchasing it if you’re looking to create that special aficionado vibe.
In the work of anyone reviewing cigars, chances are you’ll find yourself with many great cigars to choose from. In over a year and a half, I have, to my great shame, never reviewed a La Aurora cigar. So, after stocking up on a few of their sticks, my first up for review is the La Aurora 107 Corona. The 107 is somewhat legendary among seasoned smokers, and now I can say I know why. And now it is my pleasure to explain the reasons from my perspective.
The setting for this review will be hard to beat. A beautiful early-summer day with a gorgeous view of the Manhattan skyline, Buena Vista Social Club in the background, and a hot cup of coffee all combined to make this a memorable experience.
Appearance & Construction:
I can’t say that the construction on this cigar is entirely flawless, but with how beautiful the dark, golden brown Ecuadorian wrapper is, I can’t say I care. The cigar invites the smoker in with rich color tones, slight toothiness, oiliness and a rough texture that feels good on the fingers. In fact, the cigar was so inviting that I almost slobbered on it when I put it in my mouth (ok, I admit it: I actually did slobber on the cigar – it smelled that good). It is triple-capped and slightly springy when squeezed gently. The cigar has a beautiful band, with a lion’s head taking center stage, flanked by red, white, and gold. The smell of the wrapper is exquisite – notes of sweetness, rich chocolate, and natural tobacco. From what I can tell, the draw on this cigar tends to range from perfect to slightly loose.
Taste & Smoke Characteristics:
The texture of the smoke all throughout this cigar is what I would describe as creamy smoothness. This is interesting considering the spice that builds throughout the cigar. I consider this to be a pretty complex cigar. The cigar opens with a very unique granola, which some reviewers have accurately described as having hints of cinnamon. About half an inch into the cigar, I’m surprised by a very interesting flavor that reminds me of the torched, top layer of creme brulee. Delicious. Throughout the smoke, though, one note eluded me – something like a lightly buttered caramel. As the cigar burns low, the spice picks up pleasantly. Then, the experience is over, and I am sad until I realize I have 5 more in my box.
The original cigar holder
Conclusion:
I would recommend this cigar to anyone. The price point is great, the cigar delivers huge amounts of flavor and complexity while not overwhelming the smoker. I’m looking forward to smoking many more of these.
A few months back we released this question for debate from our readers. So far, it looks like the general consensus is that Cuban cigars are indeed overrated. But the margin on the votes is not incredibly large. Cast your vote and tell us why you do or don’t think Cubans are overrated.
Earlier in March I had the pleasure of visiting Greenville, SC (the American South) for the first time in my life. I took a plane from LGA to Charlotte, then down to Spartanberg International in South Carolina for a three day stay. I knew I was in for a bit of culture shock, but I had no idea how beautiful the South actually is, how nice the weather and people are, or (and I enjoyed this), how prevalent advertisements for cigars are, even at the airport.
Needless to say, I arrived at my hotel room fully briefed on the local cigar shops in Greenville. I dropped off my bags, took a walk down Main St., and made my first of what would be four visits to The Cigar Boxx, located a block off of Main. Walking in the door, I was immediately greeted by Paolo, the shop owner. Paolo showed me his selection in the walk-in humidor and recommended the Casa Fernandez Miami Reserva (a great cigar, by the way). He also told me a bit about the shop itself, which has been open more than ten years now.
Casa Fernandez Miami Reserva - a fantastic smoke
Inside the humidor
The Cigar Boxx is a one-of-a-kind lounge, with a unique layout. The shop has a walk-in humidor, a wall racked with an impressive selection of wines, a large storefront lounge area with plenty of natural light, member humidor wall, and a dark and cozy den area that is decked out in southern style and complete with a large flat screen TV.
The wine selection
Member boxes
The den
But, back to the humidor. With a large, street facing window, the walk-in humidor is more than visually inviting. It sports an extensive selection of premium and boutique cigars, and of course at price points well below what we find in New York City. I picked up a King Havano Black Knight, a stick which easily sells for $18+ in the city, for just $10. Other stand-out cigars in the collection included Berger & Argenti Entubar, Casa Magna Colorado, SWAG, Alec Bradley, and more.
Paolo: Owner, Host, Aficionado
The real heart of Cigar Boxx, though, is Paolo (above). During my visits, I found Paolo to be incredibly knowledgeable about cigars and the industry. He was also incredibly hospitable, offering excellent cut and light service, making delicious coffee for customers, and introducing new customers to the true cigar experience.
In any case, it goes without saying that I highly recommend this shop to anyone. It has a great vibe, good selection of excellent cigars, and great management. And, it sounds like there are even more good things coming in the future. Paolo also mentioned that he is planning on opening a new location across the street, complete with food and full bar service. If the new location rivals the original Cigar Boxx, Greenville residents should consider themselves lucky.
Refugio Cigar House - 635 Lorimer St. Brooklyn, NY
A little over a year after opening, Refugio Cigar House has begun to shift the paradigm on the neighborhood cigar lounge. Located at 635 Lorimer St. in Brooklyn, the shop has quickly gained a reputation for friendly service, great cigars, and an atmosphere of relaxation fitting for the art of smoking. The shop sports a great Cuban vibe and appeals to regulars and the average passer-by. FineTobaccoNYC event subscribers might remember that we hosted Refugio’s Grand Opening event in January of 2011.
The owners, Mike Lopez and Jimmy Brigadino, make a point to hang out at the shop to greet passers-by, customers, and regulars alike. Mike says he envisioned the shop to be “a refuge for cigar smokers in the fast-paced city of New York.” David Alicea, an event coordinator at FineTobaccoNYC says he has enjoyed seeing Refugio create “an experience that is friendly, family oriented, and that introduces others to true cigar culture.” Another key to the Refugio philosophy is that the shop’s regular events are free, and feature no bottling fee for smokers bringing in drinks to pair with cigars.
On any given week, Refugio hosts cigar events with New York’s Grown & Sexy cigar group, and FineTobaccoNYC. Tuesdays are movie night, Wednesday is the regular Grown & Sexy HERF, Sunday is MOB Wives night, and once a month the shop hosts a poker night.
Although Refugio carries a variety of premium cigars, Mike and Jimmy have made it a point to support high quality boutique brands entering the market, like Reinado Cigars and Hispanola Cigars (both good friends of FineTobaccoNYC – I highly recommend you taste both). The main attraction at Refugio though are their house blends, which I would easily consider some of the best house blends in the city. Aside from being well constructed and composed of quality tobacco from Nicaragua, Dominican Republic, Peru, and Brazil, Mike has gone the extra mile to offer customers truly unique smoking experiences.
The Witch’s Broom, for example, is rolled by a veteran cigar roller of the prestigious Davidoff factory. The stick has a Brazilian Mata Fina wrapper, and Nicaraguan, Dominican, and Peruvian filler. What makes the cigar special, however, is the vitola, with exposed tobacco on the foot, resembling , you guessed it, a broom. Alicea describes the cigar saying, “with the Witch’s Broom you’ll get notes of black pepper, coffee, and an earthy, but very smooth texture. The cigar is a solid medium in terms of body, and a real joy to smoke because of the special vitola.”
Another signature house blend is the new Boxed Press Torpedo. With an Ecuadorian wrapper and Nicaraguan and Dominican filler, it is the new home run of the shop. The box press was made famous by the Padron family, and Refugio’s version is a fantastic take on the popular shape. Smokers will notice hints of chocolate, leather, and black pepper.
The Box Press - debanded
Aside from cigars, the shop now sports member boxes (membership comes with a complimentary bundle of cigars), renovated lighting, and new fans for air circulation. When the shop first opened, ventilation was a noticeable problem, but the new redesign has really completed the vibe of the shop.
This just about captures the spirit of Refugio Cigar House when it's time to party
In short, Mike and Jimmy have done a fantastic job creating a true refuge for the New York City cigar smoker. If you live in the city or are visiting, forget about your regular Cigar Inn or Club Mac visit and experience something new. If you take my advice, you might find yourself frequenting this New York City gem.
On March 16th, FineTobaccoNYC sponsors Alec Bradley cigars at Havana Dreams.
At this event, Alec Bradley cigars will debut their new box pressed Maduro, so it isn’t one to miss. The event is also special as it is the first FineTobaccoNYC event at Havana Dreams, which is perhaps the oldest cigar lounge in Queens — at least, it seems reasonable to assume that considering they are still able to serve wine to their patrons. This presents guests with the opportunity to experience a rare piece of New York City history, all while enjoying cigars and a glass of wine.
We’re looking forward to having a good group of friend at the event, so if you want to experience a location that many smokers are unaware of, or just want to come make new friends, follow the link below to RSVP. Here are the event details:
Have a bottle of something good that you just haven’t cracked open yet? Or, another bottle that’s already opened that needs a bit of help? “Open That Bottle Night” was started in 2000 by Dorothy J. Gaiter and John Brecher of the Wall St. Journal. Since then, the event has gained popularity in the wine and spirits world – now it is just waiting to be popularized in the cigar world!
Join your friends with FTNYC and Refugio Cigar House this Saturday from 6:00pm – 1:00am for a great “Sip & Smoke” Rum and Cigar pairing with lots of specials.
The event will feature:
– No cutting/BYO fee – Refugio Cigar House is raffling off one of their new membership boxes! The membership humidor is good for one year – a huge value. – Cigar raffles – Sip & Smoke talk on the art of pairing Rum & Cigars.
The event is free and open to all lovers of the leaf and for everyone who loves a good sip!
After a few months on vacation from reviewing cigars (FTNYC has been busy hosting events all over New York City), it was with great excitement and a bit of apprehension that I chose to review the Reinado Habanito. Excitement because I’ve long been a fan of Reinado Cigars, and apprehension because I’ve found owner Antonio Lam’s cigars to be delicious, yet difficult to describe at times because of their complexity.
For a bit of background, I’ll quote from StogieGuys.com:
“Reinado, Spanish for “reign,” is gaining traction at tobacconists across the country as more and more cigar enthusiasts become exposed to the brand through mainstream cigar publications and the online community. I’ve been a fan since last October. That’s when I reviewed the Torpedo, a great smoke with notes of leather, espresso, and cherry.”
And now for the review.
Blend Specifics:
Size: 4×38
Wrapper: Nicaraguan
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Appearance & Construction:
The first thing that I notice about this cigar is the deep golden brown color of the Nicaraguan wrapper. There is a rich texture (including a bit of tooth) that makes the cigar very inviting to smoke. The label features a combination of deep red, gold, and off-white that I really enjoy and am glad is used across the board on Antonio’s cigars. The cigar is triple-capped, and there are a couple of substantial veins, though I haven’t found this to be characteristic of Reinado cigars in general. We’ll see how it pans out with the burn.
Pre-light draw:
The scent on this cigar is a kind of bright natural tobacco, which leads me to believe that this cigar will have the all of the spice characteristic of Reinado’s other sizes. On the foot I can smell granola, natural tobacco, and something resembling coffee.
Taste & Smoking Characteristics:
The cigar kicks off with a bit of pepper on the tongue and notes of coffee, a wonderfully smooth sweetness and a bit of floral on the back-end. And by the way, if that description didn’t make a lot of sense, I apologize. Every time I’ve smoked a Reinado cigar, I’ve been surprised by the smoothness, richness, and complexity of the taste, so much so that I have a difficult time describing it. Flavors tend to jump and pop. For a few minutes, I taste almonds, with floral fading in and out, and then the almost transition to coffee notes.
At the end of the first third, the body of the smoke picks up, and so does the spice. The cigar has required a minor touch up, but it hardly detracted from the smoking experience. Also in the mix of taste is a an enjoyable cinnamon, reminding me of fresh snickerdoodle cookies. At about halfway, the body continues to build, and the spice spreads over the palate. I found in the duration of the smoke that the body of the cigar increased, and so did the tastes of pepper and cinnamon. I was also surprised to find near the end that I received a pretty significant nicotine kick, which surprised me considering the size of the cigar.
Conclusion:
Reinado seems to have recreated their signature taste, with a few shifts in balance, that the discerning cigar smoker will find very enjoyable. My only regret was not pairing this cigar with a bold cup of coffee like I normally do with Reinado.
