15 February Column

I published a comment about CA’s Top 25 Cigars, which elicited a ‘correction’ from Gordon Mott. I wrote my mea culpa immediately and put it in my next column. This was Mr. Mott’s message to me, via Facebook:                                     

January 21

Gordon Mott

glad

Glad you friended me...in your next blog you should do your homework about our top 25...we never suggest that the 700 cigars we smoke are new cigars...they are cigars in the market...

Then, a friend pointed out that I was completely correct! Gordon, CA’s executive editor was wrong about what his web site said! What’s good for the goose is good for the gander. I sent Gordon the following e-mail:

Gordon:

I wrote what I knew to be true, regarding the 700 “new cigars” smoked. You corrected me; I published the mea culpa. Now, I’d like to correct you. You, of all people, as Executive Editor, should know – precisely – what you publish. From the CA Website:

“After a year of puffing on 700 new cigars from all around the world…”

Is an apology in order, perhaps?

Cordially,

Gary

Gary J. Arzt

Mobile: 561.212.5104

I have had no response. Perhaps Gordon has adopted Marvin’s droit de seigneur attitude!

What an amazing month February has been! Abe Dababneh of Smoke Inn(s), in Florida’s Palm Beach County,   just held his fourth Annual ”Great Smoke!” on 5 February.

It was a fantastic event, with about 850 attendees, and some 40 cigar makers present, handing each visitor the best of their cigars.

 Guests at "Great Smoke"

Ernesto Perez-Carrillo and Steven Hernandez - Yes, the figure to the left of EPC is only one person!

The event began Friday evening with a dinner which introduced the Padron SI-15 – a cigar Padron made for the 15^th Anniversary of Smoke Inn. Jose Orlando Padron, Jorge Padron, Jeffrey and Marco Padron were at the dinner – which was held at Rachel’s Steak House. I spent days trying to figure out how we would be able to smoke in a steakhouse.

Well, now I understand. Rachel’s is a Gentleman’s Club & Steakhouse. And I have to admit they did a hell of a job on the steaks, in the face of all that female pulchritude flying around the other part of the establishment!

Alas, the management wasn’t totally fair – we diners were separated from the lap dancing by a wall of gushing water!

Be that as it may; it was a terrific evening and only the beginning of “The Great Smoke IV.’ By the way, I can’t tell you how many people I heard say, “I won’t attend another Big Smoke.” Not only is Abe’s event more elaborate and more fun, but it benefits a charity.

Abe has been tweaking his “Great Smoke” since its first version four years ago. There is excellent music, great food from Chef Richard of Flair Catering, beers, wines and all other forms of drink. In addition to the General Admission ticket, there is a VIP ticket where guests can see and enjoy waitress service while taking in the whole event.

Nestor Miranda - "The most interesting man in the cigar industry"Jonathan DrewNick Perdomo, III and Nick Perdomo, Jr.Among the prominent cigar makers, I saw, and spoke with Avo Uvezian, Nick Perdomo, Dion Giolito, Eddie Ortega, Nestor Miranda, the Garcia’s, Glenn Case of Kristoff, and on and on.

Avo Uvezian

Cigar Dave broadcast his Saturday show from the event.

When the “Great Smoke” ended, at 5:00 PM, a few of us repaired to the John Bull Tavern, next to Smoke Inn, to await the start of the ‘after party’. Well, by the time (6:00 PM) that rolled around, Dave Zeplowitz, Brian Chinnock – a wine maker from Napa that now has a cigar line (Chinnock Cellars) were engaged in conversation – and I were perhaps, partied-out. We remained eating and talking until about 11:00 PM.

On the 8^th, I left for the Santiago leg of the 4^th Annual ProCigar Festival in the Dominican Republic. What an event that was!

What with factory tours, tobacco field tours, seminars and elegant dinners each of the three evenings, one could be on the go non-stop.

ProCigar, formed by MATASA, Altadis, General Cigar, La Aurora, Davidoff and Jean Clemente (who, unfortunately passed away at last year’s IPCPR Show), keeps attendance at about 225 – 250 so as to maintain the ‘intimacy’ of the events.

   The Founders of ProCigarLunches included Guillermo Leon and Jose Blanco from La Aurora, Henke Kelner and his son Hendrik from Davidoff, Dan Carr from General Cigar, special guests Nestor Miranda, Jonathan Drew, Jose Seijas and other luminaries from the Dominican Republic cigar industry.

One very important reason for the success of ProCigar is the ‘Ladies of ProCigar’, Catherine Llibre and a group of beautiful, intelligent, efficient young women that made the whole schedule move like clockwork.

Now, I do know all of them, but, if I left out one name, I would feel terrible, so I’m going to leave it at that – the ‘Ladies of ProCigar’, and thank them all for making us all feel as welcome as anyone possibly could feel.

Jose Blanco conducted one of his highly educational Tasting Seminars at the La Aurora factory. This time, he had created a cigar with five different wrappers over the same filler and binder.

Jose Blanco, La Aurora, conducting his Tasting Seminar.

We smoked through this stick going from only filler/binder, to Connecticut Shade, Cameroon, etc, etc. This experience surely proved the fact that the wrapper is an inordinately amount of the flavour of a cigar.

To my mind, this was the quintessential tasting experience as regards the impact, for various reasons, of the wrapper on a cigars taste and flavour.

We lunch and have dinner with cigar makers such as Manolo Quesada and the ‘Q5’ – the fifth generation of Quesadas in the tobacco/cigar industry. Daughters Patricia and Raquel, nieces and nephews Esther Quesada, Jose Manuel Bermudez, Hostos Fernandez, Terence J. Reilly.

Manual Quesada and the Q5Its obvious Manolo is being moved to the back of the corporate bus…but with enormous appreciation for what he has taught his “young ones and the opportunity he has given them.

The cigar industry is focused around family, yet, in reality, there are two really large families involved in manufacturing cigars: the Padrons and, yes, the Quesada’s.

Last year’s presentation at MATASA was emotion filled because it involved the launch of the Tributo – a cigar created to commemorate the loss of family members.

This year’s best presentation, again, took place at MATASA with Manuel Quesada opening the ‘show’ and each one of the fifth generation, or Q5 as they call themselves, speaking to us. It was really awesome!

MATASA is introducing its Casa Magna Domus Magnus – a heavy limited edition that, while we saw it; we didn’t smoke it – except perhaps Michael Herklots and Frank Seltzer!

A couple of photos of the soon to be released Fonseca Domus Magnus

I must confess the lunch that followed was something special and unexpected for me, as the strains of “Happy Birthday” blared from the restaurant’s speakers and my fellow guests joined in the singing of Happy Birthday, acknowledging my 70^th Birthday!

In addition to retailers and smokers and other luminaries, the guests at ProCigar did include Jonathan Drew, Nestor Plasencia, Sr. and Jr. All in all, there was something in the neighbourhood of 300 people – including the press, from 21 countries.

And it was with those 300 people, at the White Dinner – held at the base of the Monument to the Heroes of the Restoration – that Dan Carr, VP & COO of General Cigar, in welcoming the people to the evening’s dinner, made note of my 70^th Birthday. Ergo, I celebrated my birthday with some 300 people from 21 countries – and the funny thing is, due to the ‘cigar connection’ I knew, or was familiar with the vast majority of them.

Janny Garcia at the White Party

GJA and Pete Johnson

Not quite the Merengue!

My good friend, Berta Bravo, The Guayabera Lady, was present as a sponsor having supplied beautiful white guayaberas – that were delivered in our ‘goodie bags’ upon registration for the Festival. They were embroidered with the grey and gold logo of this year’s festival.

Berta, who has always been Miami’s Guayabera Lady, has gone well beyond the boundaries of that provincial second tier city. She now is the World’s Guayabera Lady!

At the Press Conference, Manuel Quesada announced that conversations were on going with certain Dominican manufacturers with regard to them joining ProCigar. This was part of a conversation at least year’s ProCigar Press Conference, when it was announced that the organization had amended its by-laws in order to accept new members.

Ergo, the more recent development bodes very well. I suspect that the conversations might well be with Litto Gomez of La Flor Dominicana, Ernesto Perez-Carrillo of E. P. Carrillo as well as Carlos Fuente, Jr. of A. Fuente.

I’m sure an announcement will be forthcoming well before next year’s Pro Cigar Festival.

The wunderkind who runs Viaje has some bizarre ideas about cigars. For example, he’s not interested in construction or burn…according to Thor Nielsen’s interview with him in Cigar Press. Forgive me for not having made an effort to remember his name. In the long run, I don’t think it will be necessary.

Now he is going to produce a cigar with “late harvest tobacco,” inspired by “late harvest wines.” What an imagination!

Late harvest wines, usually sweeter dessert wines, are created by allowing the grapes to remain on the vines past the normal picking season. The grapes develop more and more sugar. I love the wines they produce.

Now…late harvest tobacco? Sounded to me like tobacco you forgot to pick. It will get darker and darker and become less and less flavourful.

Perhaps he’s planning to produce blunts. Wouldn’t want the flavour of the tobacco to overwhelm whatever it is he will be smoking in it!

THIS & THAT…there’s an amateur photographer in Miami that decided he could create advertising. The last word to apply to that work is “create.” Now he’s designed the box for Altadis’ Warlock. I’m sure he thinks it’s his original design. Apparently he’s never seen the Cubao box designed by Cuban artist Edin Gutierrez for EO Brands. Nor is it the first ‘design’ he’s created that stirred my memory.

Janny Garcia’s Cigar…is being created by Pete Johnson & Jaime Garcia. Look for something very special. It is being blended to Janny’s taste and she is actively engaged in the process. Pete has designed the graphics and the cigar. I couldn’t learn the name – yet – but, it will not be called the “Janny Garcia.” It will have a broadleaf wrapper.

Speaking of My Father, the new Jaime Garcia is a very unusual size. Now we’ll see how far the envelope can be stretched. I remarked to Janny that, perhaps, it should come with batteries.

So, a Rep for a new cigar sends a blogger samples and asks the blogger to comment on the cigar. The blogger smokes ‘em and does so – which turns out to be unfavourable! What does the rep do? He threatens a law suit. Now, if I were really inclined to tell the full story, I’d name the cigar. But I will not.

Oh hell…the cigar is Illuminati, which is not making Dion Giolito very happy either! But…Jack Sanseri, the brand owner, and, obviously, a gentleman, straightened it out with the blogger, and even with Dion.

1 February Column

MEA CULPA: In my last column I stated that CA had smoked 700 new cigars to arrive at their Top 25 of 2010. Of course that should have sounded preposterous to anyone.

Well, Gordon Mott corrected me, albeit in a Face Book message, and I am willing to take the hit. I misspoke.

I am happy to correct myself.

As for my other comments about Lists, Cigar Aficionado’s and others; I stand behind them.

In my 15 January column, I mentioned being unable to find a Behike in London. That morning, I received a call from my friend Lon Schwartz suggesting that we get together that day. I thought it would be some espresso, conversation and cigars at The Bal Harbour Shops. We met about 4:00 PM and after Lon handed me a Behike, we ordered a late lunch (or early dinner) and talked until about 7:15 PM.

I did not smoke the Behike there, as when I really want to focus on a cigar; I like to do it when I am alone; with a little music and a glass, or two, of Port.

What with all the disappointing cigars coming out of Cuba in the past few years – poor construction, plugged cigars, and even cigars not properly aged – I was extremely pleasantly surprised by the Behike! A totally different taste/flavor experience from that which I have been used to, in Havana cigars, for decades.

An exquisite tasting cigar with a rich, full bodied flavor; perfect construction; terrific burn…everything you would want in a cigar, particularly in a $45.00 cigar! Even before smoking the Behike, that’s where our conversation went: Is any cigar worth that kind of money?

Lon is an avid and knowledgeable cigar smoker, as well as a former cigar retailer – he had three shops in the U.S. Virgin Islands for years. I can assure you, Lon knows cigars and this ‘value’ comment was initiated by him.

We kicked the issue around for quite some time, until I pointed out that, having not yet smoked it, I was at a disadvantage. I promised Lon my comments as soon as I smoked the Behike.

Even before I could call him, or e-mail him, with my comments, Lon called me and I reported to him what I have noted above. As for the price issue – there is a wide body of opinion out there, which comes down on either side of the issue.

“What this country needs is a 5 cent cigar,” said U.S. Vice- President (1913 – 1921), Thomas R. Marshall, during a discussion of inflation.

I haven’t done the calculations to translate a 1915 (or so) five cents into today’s currency, but I wouldn’t be surprised if $5.00 isn’t a little under the mark. Nonetheless, we now see a surge of $5 cigars, not because cigar manufacturers and tobacconists want to make less money. Rather, because smokers are inclined to spend less in these economic times.

What is interesting is the fact that in an era where cigar prices have been rising, it seems that everyone is able to make a ‘good $5 cigar’!

From the Garcia family’s La Reloba, CAO’s La Traviata, to Perdomo, J. Fuego, Berger & Argenti’s Mooch and most everyone else, we are getting excellent cigars at the $5 - $6 price point.

I’ve been getting a lot of phone calls and e-mail asking me about Cigar Channel. Well, as I am no longer involved, I can’t tell you anything about their website design, or their modus operandi.

And I, most assuredly, cannot tell you what this comment by the CTO means:

CigarChannel.com is a video website, but there is a lot happening in the cigar world that doesn’t always make it on camera. That is what this site is for. While you will see the headlines of these articles on Cigarchannel.com, the meat of what is written lives here. Enjoy!

Jason Volpe

CTO – CigarChannel.com

But, I’ve got a box of very fine, well known cigars for the individual that can translate that for me.

Bethesda Tobacco Company (4916 Del Ray Avenue, Bethesda, MD 20814 – 310.907.7990 – www.bethesdatobaccocompany.con)…and owned by Mike Copperman, has changed hands. It is now the Bethesda, MD outlet of Washington’s W. Curtis Draper Tobacconist (640 14^th Street NW, Washington, DC 20005 – 202.638.2555 – www.wcurtisdraper.com), Washington’s 124 year old tobacconist.

John Anderson and Matt Krimm acquired the shop, which will now be known as W. Curtis Draper Tobacconist Bethesda, and will be managed by Paul Spence, who formerly represented CAO in the DC/VA/MD area.

The timing of the transaction is either fortuitous or a direct result of the fact that Draper’s Washington shop can no longer have smoking inside the shop. I am sure John and Matt will find an appropriate location for the DC shop. In the meantime, they have expanded and their new premises, in Bethesda, do permit smoking.

Good luck to John, Matt, and Paul and, of course, to Mike Copperman in his future endeavours.

February is a big month for major cigar events…Abe Dababneh’s Smoke Inn stages the fifth annual “The Great Smoke” (www.thegreatsmoke.com). With several components, the event is staged the weekend of the 4^th of February.

The best place to check-out the events and purchase tickets is on the web site www.thegreatsmoke.com. If you’ve never been to “The Great Smoke” before, you’re in for a real treat: good music, good food (from Chef Richard), great smokes and all the cigar makers you’ve ever wanted to meet!

On Sunday, 6 February, ProCigar Festival 2011 begins in the Dominican Republic, and runs until the Closing Gala on Friday, 11 February, in Santiago.

This is the fourth annual festival, and each one, since the first ProCigar Festival in 2008 has gotten better and better.

Again, the best place for information and tickets is the website www.procigar.org

Last but not least, if you’re so inclined, is XIII Festival del Habano, in Havana, Cuba, the 21^st thru the 25^th of February.

All details are available on the web site, www.festivaldelhabano.com. I’ve attended several of the 13 Festivals and could assist in making your travel arrangements for you; but, I think I’ll pass.

The issue for Americans, in travelling to Cuba is spending money. That really is what is prohibited. You cannot use U.S. issued credit, or debit cards.

Line Extensions are coming fast and furious, particular among recently introduced brands…

Chinnock Cellars (www.chinnockcellarscigars.com – brian@chinnockcellarscigars.com) has a new vitola…an exquisite torpedo…that they will introduce very soon. It comes from the same highly regarded boutique factory, El Titan de Bronze (1071 SW 8^th Street, Miami, FL 33130 – 800.825.1412 – www.eltitandebronze.com), that produced the original vitola – a Toro – for Brian Chinnock.

I’ve smoked it, and I’ll readily attest to the quality of this second cigar, as well as the original.

Chinnock only sells their cigars on their website, for now. I would suggest you take a few minutes and order some.

La Palina the brand new 114 year old cigar, introduced last spring…is planning to introduce a popularly priced core line, as well as a Special Edition – which will be available in packs of five in two sizes.

Since I know all about these developments, I should stop describing them now! William C.  Paley and Courtney Smith, owner and Vice President, respectively, of La Palina will make the announcements when appropriate.

I will say that they smoked an awful lot of sample blends, submitted by some excellent cigar makers, to arrive at these additions to the nascent, but successful, brand.

Berger & Argenti, not content to expand its lines…has introduced two lines, in addition to their flagship product, the Entubar.

Classico was the first cigar B & A introduced, and Mooch, a veritable bargain in a fine cigar, was introduced at the IPCPR last summer. They also introduced the Quad Maduro, a box-pressed version of the Entubar.

For a company in business since early 2009, B & A has achieved excellent distribution, ratings and appreciation of their cigars by the smoking public. In no small part a result of the reputations of the owners; Michael Argenti and Henry Berger, and undoubtedly the result of the company’s commitment to consistently high quality; affordable prices and excellent construction and flavor.

The cigars are produced in a dedicated factory in EstelÍ, Nicaragua. Already, expansion is required, and a second factory, on the Pan American Highway, has been found and is in the process of being built-out to accommodate production.

Speaking of Nicaraguan cigars invariably leads to Joya de Nicaragua…I was in Nicaragua in November and had a remarkable conversation with Dr. Cuenca. When we parted company, he gave me a handful of JdN Antaño and Cabinetta series.

In the 1960s I met Simon Camacho in Nicaragua, and I often smoked Joya de Nicaragua, aside from Havanas, at his urging. They were damned good cigars.

Of course, like most everything it touched, the first Ortega administration, destroyed the Nicaraguan cigar industry…not just Joya de Nicaragua.

With the acquisition of the company, Nicaragua’s oldest cigar manufacturer, by Dr. Cuenca, the company has experienced a true renaissance. Distribution is being handled by Drew Estate.

I had the Cabinettas in my humidor for more than eight weeks before I fired one up. I have a whole thing about ‘barber pole’ and ‘zebra wrappers’ and everything that reminds it of those is not something I favour. It took me months to smoke La Flor Dominicana’s Mysterio for the same reason. Now, I bemoan the pleasure I let pass by!

In any event, I finally got to smoke them, and I am happy to report that Joya de Nicaragua is back in my inventory. The cigars are awesome – reminiscent of their early days when the company was in the hands of Simon Camacho.

I think Dr. Cuenca and his staff are entitled to kudos for the revitalization and renewal of the mark!

THIS & THAT…Scott Chester, creator of the ACID image for Drew Estate, lost his father a few weeks ago. An eminently likeable guy, Scott received condolences from far and wide, and throughout the cigar industry.

Prime Cigar & Wine Lounge (2240 NW 19^th Street, Suite #916, Boca Raton, FL 33431 – 561.945.1234 – www.bocasmoke.com) had its Grand Opening on the weekend of 27, 28 and 29. Now that’s a GRAND OPENING. I fully intended to go on Saturday, 28 January, for the Padron events. Regrettably, I had a headache that started Friday morning and hung in there in spite of everything I could do; everything I could take. So, I remained home.

Nonetheless, I got a full report from my friend Andy Sziraki, the Fitness Professor. In spite of his penchant for healthy living, Andy smokes excellent cigars, and was attending Saturday’s event, so, I have turned to him for his comments on the day’s activities.

According to Andy, there was a sizeable turn-out, with a passel of Padrons on hand – both the cigars and family members. The best whiskies were served and it was truly a gala affair. But, since I have my Sunday morning Boot Camp to run, on Boca Beach, I could only have four drinks and three cigars! It certainly was worth the trip to Boca’s Westside.

I finally got to smoke a Hammer & Sickle and it was a satisfactory smoke, well-constructed with good flavour and medium body. It was a nice change of pace for me, and, of course, the packaging is extraordinary. Well, over the top, in fact.

"Allah made tobacco grow to put a smile on the faces of men." A Turkish proverb

15 January Column, by Gary J. Arzt

I have always eschewed the very concept of ‘rating cigars’, ergo, I have never done any. Now, however; my dog, Winston, has taken to smoking cigars, and, after a fashion, rating them. His highest rating is five barks! His lowest, obviously, is one bark. Now, until some PC arsehole reports me for abusing my dog, I intend to publish Winston’s ratings once a month. Today, I present you with his first erudite comment on the La Aroma de Cuba Mi Amor…bark…bark…bark…bark…bark! Yes. Five barks for La Aroma de Cuba Mi Amor. Neither Winston, nor I, have any idea how his ratings compare to, to Cigar Aficionado’s ratings. But then, Winston doesn’t read CA…yet!

Click to read more ...

1 January Column, by Gary J. Arzt

My last column, 15 December, with my further comments on events, brought this comment from Tom Ufer of The Tampa Examiner: I've noticed a drop in attendance for events in the Tampa Bay area as well. Box sales are down at these events. I see people buying 10 or 5 at a time, just enough to get some of the free swag the manufacturer has provided. With so many brick and mortars in my area, there can be three or more events per week at times. There are times when a couple of B&M's schedule events for the same day and time. In the end, I think they just hurt themselves by forcing the customer to "choose" which event to attend. A little cooperation among the owners might be beneficial to their bottom line. It’s nice to have someone like Tom affirming some of my convictions about in-store events.

Click to read more ...

15 December Column, by Gary J. Arzt

Abe Dababneh’s SMOKE INN II (801 Village Boulevard, West Palm Beach, FL 33409 – 561.721.2383 – www.smokeinn.com) played host to Pepin Garcia and Pete Johnson for the launch of the Tatuaje Anarchy, a cigar Pete created especially for Smoke Inn’s 15th Anniversary. And what a cigar it is! And, needless to say, what a party it was! And, least I forget, the very vivacious, charming and fun-loving Janny Garcia – an equal partner with her brother, Jaime and father, Pepin, in the Garcia Family cigar making enterprise – was there and was as much sought after for photos and autographs as Pete & Pepin. And, let me assure you she is a hell of a lot better looking than both of them!

Click to read more ...