June 15th Column: The 13th Floor, Drew Estate Culture, La Palina's Return, and Recent Cigar Events
Tuesday, June 15, 2010 at 5:47AM I don’t really know who Bryan White is…all I know is he is from Phoenix and somehow, he is a ‘friend’ of mine on Facebook. I also know that he’s got a cigar called 13th Floor and it is being made by El Titan de Bronze in Miami’s Little Havana.
He must have smoked El Titan’s Redemption series which was blended by Willy Herrera. Sam Dribben of The Black Cat in Philadelphia calls Willy “…the successor to Pepin Garcia,” but that’s only because Sam has an obsession about Pepin. It is not the same obsession he had when Pepin was making his house brand, El Rey Miguel. It’s an obsession that began when Pepin elected to stop making that cigar. So, Sam takes these pointless, meaningless swipes at the Master in his catalogue.
But, I digress (which is not unusual for me). Bryan must have smoked the Redemption because it would convince anyone to have El Titan de Bronze make a cigar for them.
Of course, the name 13th Floor does nothing for me, but, I suppose it is acceptible now that we have a cigar named Room 101. I did speak to Bryan and he explained the name; an interesting story, but for me, still not a name for a cigar. It is better than Room 101 though. Perhaps we’ll see a cigar called 40 Stories, one day, but, I have always preferred Spanish names for cigars.
I have a few of them, but I haven’t smoked them yet, so I can’t tell you anything about them. I suspect it will be a while before they hit the shelves of your local tobacconist.
Jonathan Drew has always known my feelings about ‘infused’ cigars, and yet, we remain friends. I also have often said that La Gran Fabrica Drew Estate is now making real cigars. Liga Privada #9 was, to my mind the first – I was not a fan of Chateau Real in the Connecticut Shade version. On the other hand, I love the Chateau Real maduro. Alas, it is too late. They are discontinuing the line.
Drew’s Liga Privada T52 is a real step up from the #9 and the Flying Pig is beloved by myriad numbers of smokers. They do fly off the shelves at tobacconists. Not for me. I still think they look like a turd. A very flavourful turd, nonetheless!
La Gran Fabrica Drew Estate is one of Esteli’s few purpose built cigar factories and Drew Estate is making an enormous number of cigars each year. I am sure we are going to see much more from them in the future.
I was explaining to Rich Perkins of Tobacconist magazine tonight at dinner that I abhor today’s use of the words “corporate culture.” But, I had to use it in describing Drew Estate’s unique corporate culture, and elements like the Subculture Design Studio. Drew Estate produces all their own promotional material and in store display elements. They are now producing beautiful round wood plague’s featuring the red, gold, green of Joya de Nicaragua – which Drew distributes. These plaques are all hand finished and will look terrific on the walls of tobacconists.
Yes, Drew Estate has a unique corporate culture that allows someone who didn’t know what a cigar was in 2003 to be their Factory Manager. To employ a couple of blind guys to sort tobacco, or maybe it is to strip tobacco leaves; I don’t really recall. Or, to have a supervisor who has no arms. As brash as I am, I suggested that he was made a supervisor because he rolled cigars poorly.
Who else but Drew Estate employs a bunch of grafitti artists; has a veritable hotel on premises. What other cigar factory boasts a pool.
A unique corporate culture, indeed. Some very unique cigars and a very bright future.
La Palina is getting ready for its come back! After 84 years, the cigar created by Samuel Paley – the cigar that spawned the Columbia Broadcasting System, you could say – is returning. Paley’s son William S. Paley was the founder and long time chairman of CBS.
La Palina is returning courtesy of Samuel Paley’s grandson, William C. Paley, a connoisseur, aficionado, bon vivant and philanthropist. A man who has done many things for profit, fun and for charity; he has decided to revive the once famed brand (Samuel Paley’s company had sales of $17,500,000+ in 1926).
I will smoke a few at the Pre-Launch reception in NYC on the 17th. Regrettably, I shan’t be able to attend the launch in Washington, DC on the 24th.
Paley has fussed over every detail of the blend (created with the late Avelino Lara at Graycliff), the bands (being produced by Alberto Monserrat of Cigar Rings in Santiago, DR) and the boxes. And let me tell you, getting it all right requires a man devoted to detail.
I’ve told you all this to lead up to wishing Bill and La Palina the best of luck. It’s a crowded field La Palina is entering; but, there is always room for a good cigar!
I bumped into Ekert Cordon, National Sales Director of J. Fuego at Miami International Airport. He was arriving and I was departing. We saw each other, briefly, on the concourse.
During the brief encounter he handed me one of their fantastic Origens. When I took it out of my pocket it proved to be an exquisite Origens belicoso with a rich, oily, dark wrapper. I didn’t endeavour to determine if it was maduro, oscuro or Broadleaf, but it smoked beautifully.
I'm betting that we’re in for a line extension of Origens with something superb from the talented Jesus Fuego. If you like what Jesus has done so far – since 2007, actually – keep your eye peeled for this one.
I attended the Grand Opening of a cigar lounge and bar in Miami, called El Clique (1252 Coral Way, Miami, FL 33145 – www.elcliquecigarclub.com – 305.859.4853). What a tastefully done exquisite establishment. If Merriam-Webster chooses to define “cigar lounge” a photo of El Clique should accompany the definition. I spent a great deal of time talking to Kirian Vega, the creator of, what I hope will be, the kind of oasis where a smoker can relax at lunch or at day’s end, with a good smoke and a good drink. El Clique has a full bar; will serve tapas; and will have live music on the weekends.
The crowd, or perhaps mob, at the opening included a plethora of industry figures that included T. J. Reilly of SAG Imports, Willy Herrera of El Titan de Bronze, Carlos Escalona, sales dynamo, in the state of Florida for Camacho along with Dylan Austin, the often brilliant Marketing Director at Camacho. My best laugh of the evening was when Dylan gave me a Room 101 cigar!
I also saw Billy Perdomo, of the eponymous cigar company, Marvin Samel of Drew Estate was there as was the dean of Miami tobacconists, Mauricio Hanono, owner of Absolute Cigar. Santi Diaz, maker of the superb D’Crossier cigars was present with his vivacious and patient wife. You have to be patient with Santi! My buddy, Joey Oliva, formerly of Padilla Cigars and now with Argenti & Berger was there, exhibiting how much rhythm he has! Thor Nielsen Publisher of Cigar Press magazine was present with his lovely fiance, soon to be his lovely wife.
The two beautiful, vivacious and, dare I say, sexy ‘Forcade Sisters’, Annia Vazquez and Chistrian Forcade, the owners and ‘faces’ of La Giralda were in attendance and enjoying themselves. Chistrian was quick to show me the band of their new maduro cigar, Forcade, to be introduced at the forthcoming IPCPR. The cigar is being made for them by My Father Cigar Company.
I could go on and on, but what’s the point of telling who was at the Grand Opening? I’m telling you that if you live in south Florida or are visiting Miami, you should be there! Enough said.
I had a Pepin Garcia weekend…I went to two My Father Cigar events in a row; Friday evening at Hector Paz’s Havana Cuba Cigar Lounge (15348 N.W. 79th Court, Miami Lakes, FL 33016 – 305.557.6147) and on Saturday at Ana & Miquel Cuenca’s Cuenca Cigars(1928 Harrison Street, Hollywood, FL 33020 – www.cuencacigars.com – 866.417.9454) in Hollywood, FL.
On both occasions it was worth the driving – which I hate. At Hector’s, Pepin, John Gonzalez and their Florida Rep, Joaquin Saldrigas were there. Joaquin had a very big smile on his face – he had just become a grandfather for the first time. His iPhone held several photos of his very adorable granddaughter, who I doubt will be much of a customer for his cigars. But, who knows.
The shop was crowded with aficionados and devotees of the finest tabaquero of the 21st century, and, while I smoked two of the fantastic Jaime Garcia Reserva Especial, I was wondering what the ‘Master’ had up his sleeve. After all, almost every company introduces something new at the IPCPR Trade Show – coming up in August in New Orleans.
Saturday evening, I headed for Hollywood, FL and Cuenca’s. Ana and Miguel have a very warm, welcoming shop and they are great hosts. Well, at least Ana is; Miguel, well he was there. What more can I say. Actually, Miguel is a charming guy who always has a smile and laughs a lot. I just can’t stand it when I play dominos with him!
This time it was Pepin and his very vivacious and delightfully friendly daughter, Janny, John Gonzalez and, of course, Joaquin Saladrigas.
Most of the customers and guests had arrived before I arrived, and they were nicely spread out at tables along Harrison Street dinning on small sirloins and salads. The steaks were being barbecued in the courtyard at the rear of the shop. John and Joaquin were holding down the fort for My Father Cigars while Janny and Pepin were en route.
I arrived with Jose Morel, Manager of Sabor Havana (2600 N.W. 87th Avenue, Doral, FL 33172 – www.saborhavana.com – 305.436.8860) and his lady, Regina Barba. I spent much of the afternoon with Jose, at the shop, and convinced him, them, to join me.
As I know many of Cuenca’s customers, it was a pleasure to be there. Riguel Dorta was there taking the ‘offical’ photos, while many of the patrons were snapping away with digital cameras and iPhones. My pal, Scott Hartog, was busy having his dinner and smoking at the same time. Of course, Jermaine Wimberly was present and enjoying the Jaime Garcia he was smoking exhuberantly.
Everyone was eagerly purchasing boxes of cigars; getting Pepin to autograph the boxes and having their photos taken with Pepin, Janny, John, Joaquin, Ana and Miguel. That’s what these are events are about.
I finally met Sean Williams last week. I had heard a great deal about Sean and his brand, Primer Mundo. My friend, Jermaine Wimberly asked me ‘the million dollar question’ a long time ago: “Can you name a black man that owns a cigar brand.” Well, it wasn’t that hard, Sean was the only one I knew of then. Final Answer…no million forthcoming!
Sean came over to Absolute Premium Cigar (22 S.W. 8th Street, Miami, FL 33180 – 305.374.9999), my friend, Mauricio Hanono’s place, with Willy Herrera. We had a great conversation and I promised Sean I would get to Atlanta, where he is based, in the next few weeks to interview him.
LA GIRALDA, that excellent cigar marketed by ‘the Forcade Sisters’, Annia Vasquez and Chistrian Forcade will introduce a new cigar at the IPCPR. This will be their first new blend since Jaime Garcia reblended the original La Giralda some two years ago, and it will bear the Forcade name.
I really enjoy these excellent cigars and highly recommend them to all who ask me for the name of a good cigar to smoke. The girls, or, to be politically correct, which I hardly am, the ladies have been making the cigars for several years. The blend originally was done with a Connecticut Shade wrapper and it was a cigar like many others.
In 2008 they decided to have Pepin Garcia reblend it. It was repackaged and introduced in November of that year, and it had an excellent reception. So, I am definitely looking forward to their newest edition.
What could be better, at an event, than a nice medium to full-bodied cigar, made by the My Father Cigar Company, and two exquisite women?
If you haven’t tried La Giralda, I’m suggesting you do so. I’ll bet that it will find a place in your repetoire of cigars! And, I am, certainly going to try their new Forcade. I’ll let you know what I think of it later.
The Cigar Aficionado rating of the Jaime Garcia Reserva Especial was disappointing to all who have smoked it; and in marked contrast to the ratings and opinions of all the bloggers I have read.
Of course, CA has its own methods, and certainly, they are the #1 cigar magazine, but that rating really seemed to come from left field. I’ve been smoking the cigars since they hit the market and I can’t see it; but then, you know how I feel about ratings in general.
If you’re someone who goes by CA’s ratings, as many do, I have a suggestion. Take the plunge, buy a Jaime Garcia Reserva Especial and draw your own conclusion.
I think you’ll agree with me, and disagree with CA – the Jaime Garcia is an excellent cigar, and if we have to talk ratings it belongs in the 90s.
This and that…I bumped into Jose Montaigne, with Jose Bermudez of Cuban Crafters, a while ago. Montaigne complained I never write about him. There, now I have, Jose.
Seriously, Jose, of Guantanamera & 310 fame – and is perhaps as well know for taking on Habanos S.A. in U. S. Federal Court, as he is for his excellent cigars. The suit involves the use of the Guantanamera name, which Jose registered before the Cubans started using the name on a machine made cigar. Montaigne is being represented by talented Intellectual Property attorney, Frank Herrera. Frank is a young lawyer from Miami who has chosen to concentrate on cigar branding and writes an interesting blog, CigarLaw.com.
Putting two and two together, I think we might be in for a couple of line extensions and something very new and, probably, very exciting from Ashton Distributors. I’m heading for their booth on the first day at the IPCPR.
Where is David Levy?
"There's something about smoking a cigar that feels like a celebration. It's like a fine wine. There's a quality, a workmanship, a passion that goes into the smoking of a fine cigar."
Actress and cigar smoker, Demi Moore