On Saturday, January 28th, the FineTobaccoNYC crew celebrated the grand opening of X.O. Cigar Lounge, a beautiful lounge located in the Bronx. If you haven’t been, be sure to drop by their website for more information and make your way out. As one cigar aficionado said of the shop owners, “they did this right.” Approximately 50 cigar smokers attended the event, including members of New York’s Grown & Sexy Cigar Group. The event was sponsored by Hispanola Cigars. We were privileged to enjoy the company of President Hugo Melo, as well as Michel Dominguez.
Hugo Melo of Hispanola (left) and Matthias Clock of FineTobaccoNYC
The event went on late into the night, with great food and great cigars. FineTobaccoNYC is proud to regularly partner with Hispanola Cigars – they are a cigar company to keep your eye on. Their four fantastic blends are creating a lot of buzz in New York City, and selling out at shops around the country.
Below are a few shots of the event. To come to our free events, smoke great cigars, and meet other like-minded individuals, sign up for the event mailing list.
This email went out to all FTNYC event subscribers – sign up for the mailing list to make sure you get word of exclusive events first!
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Ladies and gentlemen of the leaf,
After a long summer of awesome events, it is my pleasure to announce two upcoming fall FineTobaccoNYC events. But first, two quick updates. The first is that FineTobaccoNYC is now officially sponsored by Astoria Imperial Cigars – we’re proud to be supported by such a great lounge and look forward to developing a business relationship. Second is that FineTobaccoNYC, courtesy of Kelvin Batista, is now maintaining the largest and most comprehensive cigar event calendar in the New York City area. Click the link and bookmark it!
Now for the events! If you plan on coming to either, email me at matthias.ftnyc@gmail.com and RSVP yourself plus however many guests you’ll be bringing!
Diamante’s 2nd Anniversary Party – Saturday, 11/05/2011
We at FineTobaccoNYC are proud to sponsor this special occasion of one of my favorite cigar lounges. The event runs almost all day, so stop by and say hi to David Diamante himself, and come smoke out with the FineTobaccoNYC squad. I’ll be there along with Kelvin, James, Tim (the most recent addition to the FTNYC team), and plenty of friends. There will be a DJ, a raffle, big prize giveaways and no BYO charge! Come support a local shop and have a good time doing it!
The FineTobaccoNYC “Lazy Sunday Pipe Smoke” at Velvet Cigar Lounge – Sunday, 11/13/2011:
For all of you I’ve heard say you want to learn more about pipes (tobacco, packing, lighting, etc), FTNYC is hosting its first everpipe-smoking event! We will be spending a relaxing Sunday afternoon experiencing the new and exclusive pipe tobacco blends at Velvet Cigar Lounge, and I’ll be giving a brief pipe 101 class. Dan Bsharat, owner of Velvet, has also offered to waive the BYO fee and open the lounge early exclusively for the FineTobaccoNYC event. The shop will be selling pipes, tobacco, and their premium blend cigar, the (fantastic) Velvet Bowery.
The FineTobaccoNYC team is happy to announce that the largest, most comprehensive NYC area cigar event calendar is now online.
The calendar will be updated constantly as event announcements come in from around the internet, cigar shop mailing lists, and word of mouth. You can find the calendar here, or by clicking the link on the navigation bar above. We will also be posting our own special events on this calendar, so be sure to stay tuned. Daily event announcements are also made on the FineTobaccoNYC Facebook page. Click here and “Like” our page to get instantaneous updates.
To submit an event to the FineTobaccoNYC calendar, email Kelvin Batista using the email address linked here.
A few months ago FineTobaccoNYC hosted a rooftop HERF with Maraya Cigars. We had the pleasure of having John Nubian and Dan-ell Morales from CigarFilms.com drop by and film the event. They interviewed founder of FTNYC Matthias Clock as well as Senor Cigar Kevin Bristow from New York Grown & Sexy in the City cigar group. Check out that sunset!
http://youtu.be/DAyXW753P_w
If you’d like to come to a FTNYC, they are open to all cigar smokers! Simply drop by our home page and submit your name and email address!
Once again I find myself where my love affair of cigars began over 10 years ago, in front of my house on a humid summer night watching the cars and the people go by—which in New York City is never a dull moment. Tonight I find myself accompanied by a CAO CX2 that has been resting in my cooler for a little over 7 months. This will be the first of a series of reviews and it will be something of a CAO trifecta (CX2, LX2 and MX2).
Unfortunately, the CAO CX2 is currently a Famous-smoke.com exclusive and no longer available at your favorite cigar shop. This particular stick and gets its name from a double dose of cameroon in the wrapper and binder and surprisingly enough Colombian and Nicaraguan filler which I find to be an interesting blend to say the least.
At first glance I can’t help but notice the black band with gold lettering that reminds me a woman’s one piece bathing suit, albeit a sexy black one. Take a look at the wrapper and you see a smooth Cameroon leaf with a slight sheen. No blemishes with minimal tooth.
Taste & Smoking Characteristics
The first draw immediately gives away the Cameroon contents of the CX2 with its characteristic grassy/spice that is consistent of Cameroon tobacco. As the stick progressed it shifted to a slightly dry and leather. Right around the end of the first third what appeared to be some tunneling action taking place right before my eyes drew my attention. Keeping a close eye, I hoped for the best and prepared for the worst.
As I progressed into the second third, there were no changes or anything interesting to note just a continuation of the grassy/ leather flavors I am not particularly fond of. Consequently, I found watching the burning characteristics more interesting. I must say, the tunnel action corrected itself and I was left staring at the ash.
In the final third, there were no changes in flavors. However, I must say the ash has not been pretty. Since I first lit this cigar it has been blotchy and somewhat flaky.
Conclusion
Overall the CX2 was an uneventful smoke. The grassy/spice held a firm grip on the taste profile and would not let go. Nevertheless, consistency is key here and if you’re a fan of Cameroon this stick will give you plenty. I must say I have smoked this stick numerous times and I feel confident saying I personally don’t like it. Cheers
It’s a beautiful day out in Astoria, Queens – not a cloud in the sky, 85 degree weather, and a beautiful back yard to smoke in. I haven’t reviewed in a while, so I figured I’d give this La Floridita Fuerta sitting in my box a try. I didn’t pair any drinks with this cigar besides a glass of water.
On first glance, this stick seems to be very well constructed, has a good weightiness in hand, and has a great oily sheen. Unfortunately, after closer inspection, it also seems that it is packed a bit unevenly. I’m not a huge fan of the black, white and gold band from an aesthetic standpoint. “La Floridita” is displayed in large Times New Roman font, which makes it appear as if whoever created the label didn’t put a lot of thought into it. The aroma off the foot of the stick, however, is pretty good: hints of leather, a bit of spice, and dark chocolate.
Taste & Smoking Characteristics
I was a bit surprised with how this stick kicked off. From what I smelled off of the foot pre-light, I was expecting a bigger kick than I got. The flavor introduced itself as an earthy, bitter cocoa, lacking any of the spice I imagined would be there. The smoke has a certain heavy thickness to it that seems to mask some of the flavor. About a half-inch in, the taste opens up a bit, the earthy sweetness pulls way back to reveal what I’d describe as a sort of savory, meaty flavor with a bit of woodiness and spice on the retrohale. Unfortunately, there’s also a slightly fermented finish, which is probably indicative of a lack of time spent in the humidor – my fault!
At 2/3, I’m a bit torn. I’m tempted to say that I’m a bit bored with the flavor profile, but it is possible that this Ligero blend just isn’t my cup of tea. I would like a spice that’s a bit more discernable – at levels this low it just seems like the cigar can’t make up its mind! By about halfway through, I haven’t noticed a lot of change, except for a brief, maybe 2 minute transition into an earthy, sweet, dark chocolate that is very enjoyable. I can also say that the construction is excellent. At halfway, I still haven’t ashed the cigar and the burn is straight.
The final third is where this stick really picks up. The spice on the tongue increases, and the flavor profile becomes a mix of earth, leather, and pepper. Enjoyable, but a little too late in the game for me.
Conclusion
This is not a bad medium to full bodied cigar, and for $5 a piece, it won’t break the bank. There are, however, better sticks for the price. I’d say it is worth a shot if you want to try something new because it is unique, but I probably won’t be picking up any more with so many other great sticks out there that I know I can rely on.
Unless you have been living under a rock for all of your cigar smoking life then the name José Garcia a.k.a. “Don Pepin” should ring bells. His cigar blends have reached cult status throughout the industry and throughout the world. That being said, this stick has been on my “get to” list for some time now I was eager to get my hands on some, especially in the Generoso(Toro) vitola.
First look at this stick and I must say it just looks classy. The band was well balanced and elegant. The wrapper was clean, satin and chocolate in color, very smooth with a slight tooth with no visible imperfections
One classy band, even through the cellophane
Taste & Smoking Characteristics
First third: Consistent with Don Pepin cigars, this stick starts off zesty, with spice just dominating the palate and rich creaminess, wood and leather in the background. If your anything like me, you love to see great amounts of smoke and this stick proved to be very visually pleasing. As I progressed the burn was razor sharp and the bright white ash proof of excellent tobacco. Close to end of the first third the spice starts slowly to diminish leading into the second third.
Second Third: There was a slow transition from a zesty spice to a rich creamy flavor which I must admit I found delicious and entertaining. As I proceeded the flavor would ever so slightly change between creaminess, wood, leather and a subtle tease of spice in the finish.
Final Third: The last third was a continuation of the second except that this time the flavor profiles were present for a longer amount of time as to give me there last hurrah or final appearance. In the following order I bid farewell to the rich and creamy, the smooth leather and the shy zesty spice that was lingering ever so slightly in the background. Following this great show the cigar lost its energy and while never getting harsh, it did get woody and dry and due to respect I layed her down and watched another good stick turn to dust in the wind.
Conclusion:
Overall, this stick was just shy of being full flavor and full strength. There was plenty of complexity for those willing to pay attention and while the changes were subtle I believe they were enough to satisfy even a picky snob such as myself especially at the price point of $10-12. I absolutely recommend.
On Sunday, June 19th, FineTobaccoNYC celebrated the summer with Maraya Cigar on a FiDi skyscraper overlooking Manhattan. In all, about 40 people attended from around the city and from different groups including New York Grown & Sexy Cigar Group and Cigar Films (their video about the event will be up soon!). The night was full of cigars, drinks, networking, friends, and was a huge success for the cigar community.
Kevin Joyce from Maraya
At the event, Kevin Joyce from Maraya announced that for the event FineTobaccoNYC event guests could buy a Maraya cigar and receive a voucher for ½ off a cigar at Maraya Shop. Also, Maraya entered anyone who bought a cigar into a cigar raffle.
The fellas from cigarfilms.com were there to shoot footage and enjoy the beautiful scenery from the Financial District rooftop, which was great. Smoked that night were Velvet Cigars, Maraya, Refugio Cigar House, 601, Davidoff, Perdomo (Lot 23 & Champagne), Rocky Patel Decade, and HERF cigars. Of course, there were many more as well, but I can’t remember that long of a list. Everyone at the event also had a chance to enjoy one of Diamond’s INCREDIBLE seasoned hamburgers. I didn’t believe it at first and was already full after having already eaten, but after one bite I couldn’s stop eating. Thanks Diamond! Looking forward to more of your burgers soon!
Diamond with cigar in hand and a batch of his amazing hamburgers
FineTobaccoNYC events are open to smokers of all ages, backgrounds, and experience. You can follow FineTobaccoNYC on Facebook and Twitter for details on events, but for event specifics and invites, sign up for our event mailing list on the upper right side of this page!
Until the next event (tomorrow night at Refugio!), long ashes and happy smoking!
Below is an email invite sent out to all FineTobaccoNYC Members. If you want to know about all FTNYC events, sign up for the mailing list with the form on the right —>
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Ladies and Gents of the Leaf,
I hope you all are enjoying this gorgeous weather in NYC. Thanks to everyone who came out for our last two events in the Financial District. I just got the recap up of our event with Reinado, so if you missed that event you can read about it and see pictures here. Also, if you’re on Facebook, take a second and “Like” FTNYC if you want to stay in closer contact and connect with other FTNYC members online.
Now for the next event. FineTobaccoNYC is an official sponsor of Concord, a cigar, wine, and networking event held by my good friend Bigeye Desyns. Entry is $15 and is all-inclusive: cigars, wine, and more. The event will be held in downtown Brooklyn on Saturday, July 9th from 8:00pm – 11:30pm. The event will be incredibly classy and a time for you to be able to bring a group of friends, network with other cigar smokers, and enjoy the good life. Details of the event are below. To RSVP for the event, drop by the Concord event page and hit “RSVP.” For those of you who don’t have Facebook (how old fashioned!) you can RSVP by shooting me a reply email at matthias.ftnyc@gmail.com and I’ll get you on the list.
Event Details:
Where: 35 Lafayette Ave Between St.Felix St & Ashland Pl, Brooklyn, NY
When: Saturday, July 9 · 8:00pm – 11:30pm
What: Cigars, Wine, Whisky, Networking
What to bring: $15. Optional – a bottle of your best to share, cigars, etc
Dress: wear your best!
I hope to see you all there! It’s going to be a great night of music, networking, and the good life. So take a few hours the Saturday of the 9th and relax with us!
Warm regards,
Matthias Clock
FineTobaccoNYC
p.s. if you have friends who enjoy networking, a good cigar, and friends, have them send me an email to sign up for the mailing list, or just forward them this link to sign up.
On Saturday, June 18th, cigar smokers from around the city came out for the FineTobaccoNYC Financial District HERF, sponsored by Antonio Lem and Reinado Cigars. The event ran most of the day, from 3pm in the afternoon to 11pm at night. We had to reschedule from Friday because of stormy weather, and am I glad that we did! The weather on Saturday was a gorgeous 80 degrees with just enough clouds and a slight breeze. The view from 350 feet was spectacular, and the smoking was great. You can find all of the pictures on our Facebook page.
The crowd was a great mix, so everyone who came made new friends and smoked with old ones. Kevin Bristow and others from New York G&S showed up as well. Take a second and check them out on Social Cigar!
FTNYC members brought their best sticks, and Dave Alicea blessed future FTNYC events with a beautiful porcelain San Cristobal ash tray. I could tell the event was fully underway when we had to empty the ash trays three times to accommodate all of the ash! Throughout the day there were at least 25 FTNYC members that showed up to the free event.
Antonio (left) with Kevin Bristow, myself and Bigeye
Antonio Lem from Reinado also showcased his uniquely fermented Nicaraguan puro cigars. When you get a chance, head over to his website and pick a few up. His cigars have gotten great reviews, and after smoking a few (including the one I’m smoking now), I can say that they live up to the reviews.
Kelvin and the wife!
FineTobaccoNYC events are open to smokers of all ages, backgrounds, and experience. You can follow FineTobaccoNYC on Facebook and Twitter for details on events, but for event specifics and invites, sign up for our event mailing list on the upper right side of this page!
Until the next event (this Friday!), long ashes and happy smoking!
