Looks like Nat Sherman is continuing its big push forward with more new blends. Take a moment and read this release from Michael Herklots’ blog about their newest Bench release. I picked up a few of these the other day and a review will be forthcoming.
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La Aurora, the Dominican Republic’s oldest cigar factory, has teamed up with Nat Sherman to offer two very special cigars to the Tobacconist’s loyal customers at their Flagship Townhouse Store.
These cigars were manufactured in 2007 in their Dominican factory. The blends were part of the development of the La Aurora Excepcionales, a cigar made exclusively available to a small group of New York City retailers.
“We had three blends we really liked”, said Michael Herklots, who worked closely with La Aurora’s Manuel Inoa on the project. “Ultimately we chose a blend for the Excepcionales, but there were two other blends that we really liked and decided to make a very small production of them to use sometime in the future.” On a recent visit to La Aurora, Herklots inquired about the small production of the other two blends. And, fortunately for Nat Sherman, they were resting in the company’s vast aging room.
La Aurora agreed to make the small amount of cigars avialable for Nat Sherman’s exclusive Bench Collection- a series of small production cigars that use harder-to-get tobaccos in more artisenal style blends.
Both cigars are available in limited quantities boxes of 20 cigars
Michael Herklots from Nat Sherman writes on his blog that Timeless Collection (reviewed by me here) is set to expand!
After the incredibly successful launch of the Nat Sherman Timeless Collection, in February of 2012, the line is expanding. The first Timeless Collection cigars were manufactured in the Dominican Republic by MATASA. Now, a new blend will join the ranks of the Nat Sherman Timeless Collection made in Nicaragua by Plasencia Cigars S.A.. These Nicaraguan puros will be available in three box-pressed formats, 4″ x 52, 5″ x 56 and 6″ x 60. The cigars will be packed in black boxes of 21 cigars adorned with Nat Sherman’s signature in Gold. The new additions will be featured at the 2012 IPCPR convention in Orlando, FL and are scheduled to ship to retailers by September.
Nat Sherman Timeless 452 $140/box of 21 cigars MSRP
Nat Sherman Timeless 556 $160/box of 21 cigars MSRP
Nat Sherman Timeless 660 $180/box of 21 cigars MSRP
In Addition…
We’ve also added two new sizes to the Dominican-made Timeless Collection. These new formats will be offered in the same slide-top 20 count boxes as the rest of the Dominican-made Timeless Collection. The Especiales will be a traditional lancero format at 6″ x 38 with a pigtail cap. The Divinos is a small perfecto measuring 5″ x 32/50/36.
Nat Sherman Timeless Especiales $124/box of 20 cigars MSRP
Nat Sherman Timeless Divinos $160/box of 20 cigars MSRP
Below is a list of this week’s cigar deals and events from the management at Papa Juan Cigar Room.
Monday – Saturday: Papa Juan Happy Hour- From 12pm-5pm with the purchase of a cigar you receive waived beverage fees. We also have buy any two cigars and receive a complimentary “Papa Juan House Blend”.
Tuesday: “Hispaniola Tuesdays” From 6pm- 12am women who come in receive a complimentary “Papa Juan House Blend”, and we also feature a “Hispaniola Cigar of the Week” in which we pick out a cigar from the Hispaniola portfolio and price it at $10.00. This week’s featured cigar will be “Los Conquistadores”
Wednesday: “Papa Juan Ladies Night” From 5pm-12am ladies who come in will receive a complimentary “Papa Juan House Blend” and for the rest of the night receive waived beverage fees.
Cigar Inn has always been a great place to smoke, and now patrons can expect even more. For just $20, anyone buying a box of cigars can have a custom design painted right on to their box. All customers have to do is submit a photograph to be painted on the box and wait about two weeks.
From the Cigar Aficionado release:
“All paintings are being done by New York-based artist Elena Yakovleva. Yakovleva, a graduate of Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, is the talented artist that Cigar Inn commissioned to paint a mural for its 1016 2nd Avenue location.”
I don’t often buy boxes of cigars from anywhere, let alone Cigar Aficionado (NY tobacco taxes are killer), but if I ever do buy an exclusive from Cigar Inn, this will definitely be a feature that I’ll be tacking on.
For personality and atmosphere, its pretty close to impossible to beat Diamante’s. Located on South Oxford Street in lovely Fort Greene, Diamante’s is easy to get to: its just a few blocks away from the 2, 3, 4, 5, B,Q, C, G, N, R, or D trains.
Let’s talk about the decor. When approaching Diamante’s, you’re immediately greeted with a homegrown exterior. The classic Cigar Indian statue is complemented by Diamante’s unique “smoking cigar” hanging sign above the door. The interior just raises the bar on class. Although the lounge has only been open for a couple of years, it looks like it’s been in Brooklyn for a hundred. The place is entirely decked out in antique wood hauled in from out of state, and there are enough leather couches and armchairs to seat small groups or big parties in equal comfort.
A great place to hang out with friends? Check.
The walls and mantlepieces are covered with boxing photos and posters, and vintage family photographs of well-dressed gentlemen smoking cigars. Both these, the distinctive dancer’s pole on top of the bar, and the non-stop sets of brilliant music are all calling cards of the lounge’s owner, David Diamante.
Everything in the lounge is a reflection of the style of its owner. Dave is a tall, charming looking man with famous dreadlocks hanging down to below his waist. After being the DJ at one of New York’s hottest nightclubs, Scores, for many years, Dave aligned his career with another passion: boxing. Diamante now works as a boxing ring announcer, and has called major fights on HBO, ESPN, and other networks.
More of the interior
This success led him to an alliance with another Brooklyn icon: Diamante just completed his first season as the “voice” of the Nets, partially owned by rapper Jay Z.
With the lounge located just three blocks away from the Nets’ new home, the Barclays Center, Dave is only optimistic about the future of the shop.
The last two things I should mention about this lounge are the events, and the distinctive cigar selection.
Diamante’s has many regular events. It frequently lights up a classic, black and white movie–you know, the kind where the men were men, and cigars were being smoked constantly. On many Tuesdays, the lounge hosts a “Classic Fight Night”…Dave and the regulars turn on one of history’s most infamous fights and relive it, with a live analysis from the owner who has himself met many of these fighters. The lounge also has tried to pay special attention to female cigar smokers, with its “Ladies’ Nights” every Wednesday.
Finally, the selection. Diamante’s carries a wide range of premium cigars. They are all good, but let me emphasize that the pricing is premium. But please don’t miss their house blends in your rush to check out their good selection. These are all good smokes: I recommend either the Hemingway or the Chisel.
Enjoy–and don’t forget to spread love (its the Brooklyn way!).
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 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.
The Cigar Inn, with two locations in Manhattan, manages to have an atmosphere that is incredibly sophisticated and extremely friendly.
My first stop today was the 1st Ave. location of Cigar Inn, where I spoke with Bill Sakih, the owner. This smaller store and lounge, which can hold about 15 customers at a time, has been around since the mid-90s. Soft jazz was playing in the background, as two small groups of men seated on leather couches chatted about sports and current events-the regulars as Billy called them. “This place is really friendly, a place where people create friendships. The regulars go out to dinner, take trips, plan golf outings…”
The Cigar Aficionado Lounge
In addition to the large walk-in humidor with an impressive selection, the store sells all sorts of products for men: ties, cufflinks, shaving supplies, money clips and watches. Additionally, Cigar Inn is a great place to shop for smoking accessories: pipes, ashtrays, lighters and cutters.
If you’re looking to buy a humidor though, your best bet is to head to Cigar Inn’s other location on 2nd Ave. near 54th St., which has been open for about 2 years. The humidor selection is top notch. They also carry all of those various products for men, with the bonus of having a fully functioning barbershop. You have to call ahead for an appointment.
Billy was quick to boast that the 2nd Ave location has the only lounge and humidor that is endorsed by Cigar Aficionado magazine. The lounge is magnificent, with leather couches and armchairs, flat-screen televisions, great natural lighting, and plenty of space. And the humidor is, or course, fully stocked with one of the best selections in New York.
After chatting for a while, I asked Billy what he was smoking these days, and he handed me a La Aurora, his current favorite. “On the house,” he said. I’ll definitely be back to let him know what I thought.
Long story short: both Cigar Inn locations are fantastic spots to smoke a cigar. As soon as you get a few hours free, drop by one of Cigar Inn’s two locations, kick back in a lounge chair, and enjoy a good cigar. You’ll be glad you did!
The Cigar Inn (2nd Ave) Humi
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Update: I tried that La Aurora. It was really complex. It began really solid, and mild. As I got further in, it became really spicy, with more of a medium flavor. The last third was a little harsh. (That might just be my tendency to smoke a cigar down too far.) But, it was a really interesting smoke. I’ll definitely try another La Aurora.
Nestled on 7th street in Manhattan’s picturesque Lower East Side is Velvet Cigar, an oasis for the new and experienced cigar smoker. On any given night of the week, a visitor to Velvet Cigar is likely to experience what I have on many occasions. Walking in the door, I am met with the familiar aroma of fine tobacco, the din of friendly conversation, and a welcoming staff. A brief look around reveals exposed brick walls that provide a classic backdrop to dark mahogany wood tones, rustic leather chairs, and dim candles flickering around the room. The lounge could be considered small compared to Manhattan’s larger lounges, but don’t let the lounge’s modest 400 sq. ft. of real estate fool you – Velvet’s relaxed atmosphere is hard to beat. The lounge and its unique boutique blend cigars has won high praise from media outlets like Yelp, Time Out NY, Affluence, MartiniBoys, and StogieReview.com, to name a few.
Dan Bsharat – Managing Partner at Velvet Cigar
I recently had the opportunity to sit down for a cigar and conversation with Dan Bsharat, Managing Partner of Velvet, and he described for me a bit of the lounge’s history and his business philosophy. I also had a chance to light up a cigar from Velvet’s new line, the Bowery – more on that later.
Dan started by telling me a bit about the history of the lounge. Velvet Cigar Lounge existed by the same name before Dan and his business partners purchased the lounge in 2005. After making Velvet a favorite place to hang out, they were inspired to consider buying the lounge after an employee overheard Dan complimenting the lounge’s natural charm. The employee mentioned that the lounge was on the market, and the seed was planted. In Velvet, Dan and his partners saw a golden opportunity because the lounge exemplified cigar culture and the perfect hang out. Soon after, they had purchased the lounge that they now own today.
Dan described the philosophy behind Velvet as a “new approach to cigar smoking for a younger generation.” He said that Velvet approaches cigar smoking differently, and that the boutique blends offer paradigms of different cigar tastes by using a variety of wrappers.
Just as inviting as the lounge’s warm environment are the humidors that line the high-seated bar. Although Velvet does have a small selection of big-brand cigars, Dan said that the main focus is on the boutique blend, which until recently featured three main lines named after famous NYC city areas: the Tomkins, Astor, and Cooper blend. These Dominican blends are made by a family owned farm in the Vila Gonzalez region and rolled in New York.
The most recent addition to the Velvet boutique arsenal is the “Bowery” line, named after the famous lower east side neighborhood that Dan said has recently experienced “a revival.” Although new on the scene, the Bowery is already Dan’s favorite boutique blend (and I must admit the same is true for me after trying each line).
Made in the same Nicaraguan factory that produces quality cigars for Rocky Patel, the Bowery is a real piece of artwork. The Bowery features an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper, Nicaraguan binder, and a blend of Nicaraguan and Honduran tobaccos for fillers, all rolled and produced in a classic box-press style. The Bowery comes in four sizes: Robusto, Toro, Torpedo, and Churchill, and is available in packs of 6 and boxes of 20 online and in-store.
"The Bowery"
As I mentioned, during my interview with Dan, I had the opportunity to enjoy my third Bowery (Churchill), and whenever possible I jotted down a few notes for a quick review. Fortunately, I have realized since the interview that notes on the cigar were not really necessary as it had a distinct flavor profile that provided for a memorable smoke. Below is my review of the cigar:
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Pre-light: There really is no other way to say it: the Bowery is a beautiful cigar. The dark Habano wrapper is complimented perfectly by the dark red and gold label that displays the Velvet logo. Admittedly, I’ve only had three of these sticks so far, but from what I’ve observed construction has been impeccable – well packed, no serious vein issues, and no visual blemishes. The foot of the cigarsmells of mocha, and a hint of sweetness.
Smoking characteristics: The draw was just about right – a tiny bit tight, but still a great amount of smoke. This stick is a medium-full bodied smoke, though for the most part I found it to be medium.
Flavor: To me, the first two third of this cigar are the most distinct. This cigar opened up with tastes of spice, mocha, and woodiness. I found that the spice on this particular cigar started off pretty strong, but as I started 2/3 the spiciness faded into the background while the mocha and woodiness started to really stand out. From there the stick smoked perfectly. During the end of 2/3 and beginning of 3/3 I noticed a bit of leather coming through along with pepper. Ultimately, the flavor profile on this cigar has really captured me – it is simply a delicious stick.
Overall impression: This cigar is beautiful, well constructed, and packs a great and distinctive taste. I didn’t have any burn issues during the smoke, and enjoyed it all of the way through. Even though this particular line is more expensive than Velvet’s other blends, this will probably be my standard pick during my visits to Velvet.
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I’ve always enjoyed business and love to see thriving new organizations expand, so after visiting Velvet at least a dozen times in the past two years, one of the biggest questions I had for Dan near the end of the interview was “where does Velvet go from here?” Taking a moment to think, he cracked a smile and said that “expansion is on the table” and that another lounge is a “possible option.” He went on to explain, however, that the owners of Velvet are focusing on expanding their business contacts and looking for ways to network around the city to make their cigars more widely available. As I’m not always near the Lower East Side, I hope he makes it happen!
One Classy Establishment
If you haven’t visited Velvet cigars, then put it high on your priority of night life attractions to see in New York City! The Bowery can be found for order at Velvet Lounge and online at the Velvet Cigar site.
Cigar Inn has always been a 
