It's A Wrap...

DESPITE my debonair exterior, it's not THAT often I'm up and about at 1am on a school night.

But I was last week, all in the name of research. Well, cigars actually.

I tuned into the first event of its kind available on the internet - a live cigar blending seminar with the charismatic cigar guru Jose Blanco of Joya De Nicaragua.

A veteran blender, and a cigar rock star in the States, Jose may be little known in the UK, where Cuban smokes dominate the long filler market.

But he is worth listening to. And so, thanks to the technical wizardry and can-do attitude of Kevin Paige of Buttheadstobacco.com in Connecticut, there I was, sitting comfortably in my office as the rain lashed down, patiently waiting for the 1am UK start time.

I had received through the post my blending cigar - a fresh stick rolled with five different wrappers. And I would be smoking it simultaneously with scores of patrons in the Connecticut shop, and many more in several different countries around the world.

It looked like the team at Buttheads were having a blast as they herfed their way towards 1am. And then, with some microphone adjusting and judicious herding of the throng, we were live online with Jose, able to see and hear him - and ask questions via a chat link below the screen. Wonders of modern technology eh?

Anyway, it was a revelation. I've never personally believed the "wrapper accounts for 60%" of a cigar's flavour brigade; I mean how can it with all that filler in there?

But I was surprised by how much the flavours were affected as we went through the wrappers. Connecticut was fairly easily recognisable, but others were trickier. We went through the gamut of Nicaraguan, Cameroon and even Peruvian, and each definitely affected the flavour of the stick to quite some degree.

An eye opener indeed. And, dare I say it, an excellent lesson in palate education.

There's no doubt there are some stunning Cuban smokes out there with a host of different flavours and nuances. But don't forget the rest of the world; you are not embracing the true journey of a good cigar until you adopt more catholic tastes!

I'm looking forward to reporting on the Vintage Cigar Auction at Boisdales next week - always some mouthwatering lots on offer. One can but dream...

Until next time,

Happy Herfing.

M.

Gone up in a puff of smoke...

If it wasn't so enjoyable, I'd say it's all been a bit of a blur.

Recent weeks have zipped past but I can assure you plenty has been going on at Cristo Towers.

Good to see new cigar stores and venues still opening - a recent new smoking terrace in Mayfair was launched at the Millennium Hotel. C.Gars Ltd is stocking the bar with fine Havanas and newcomers smoked up a storm at the recent opening. Check it out at Grosvenor Square, W1K 2HP.

I've smoked some nice sticks recently - in fact, I can't remember a bad one, which is a good indication of how good both blending and quality control is at the moment. I particularly remember a really mouthwatering Bolivar Inmensas, slightly box pressed and loaded with black pepper. I will be sourcing some more.

I'm looking forward to a most unusual event this week - a live internet 'webinar' featuring the legendary cigar blender Jose Blanco. Jose, formerly of La Aurora cigars in the Dominican Republic is now plying his trade for Joya de Nicaragua in that country.

Jose is a really lovely guy and I'm looking forward to watching him 'do his stuff'. Organised by www.Buttheadstobacco.com the event is being 'shown' live in several different countries. I have taken ownership of my specially blended webinar cigar - wrapped and filled with a variety of different tobaccos so that Jose can explain the nuances and flavours of each.

The webinar doesn't kick off until 1am UK time - but I'm willing to suffer for my art.

I was also delighted to see my article on Cuba published in the Cigars & Spirits magazine from the US. It's the one with Charlie Sheen on the cover - preview available here. Once I have a hard copy in my hands, I'll scan it in and place on the press page of the website.

Anyhoo, enjoy what you can of the sunshine, it it's out there. And keep puffin'.

Best,

M.

God's Game

HOW very special it is to be an Englishman on the cusp of another summer and in particular, another cricket season.

The finest time of the year - if only the weather plays ball - coincides with the finest sport ever devised by man beginning its life-affirming ritual and annual cycle.

The cricket lovers among you won't need telling of that indefinable tingle on the morning of a Test match. A spring in the step, a lightening of the heart.

And for cigar lovers, cricket is also, for the most part, a most generous host. For many years I've enjoyed memorable days of sport in some of our finest cricket grounds, nearly all of which offer at least a bolt hole where one can squeeze the pleasures of a fine cigar into the smorgasboard of delights a day at the cricket holds.

Trent Bridge, the finest Test ground bar none in my opinion, offers the casual decking of the Larwood and Voce pub where many a rained off session or lunch has been spent in friendly conversation along with a smoke and a pint of ale from the bar. Lords offers a lovely little undercover spot beneath the Compton Stand where one can stand to watch play. It's not normally too busy either, so it's no problem to light up something mild and thoughtful to enjoy with your sport.

Long gone are the days when you could enjoy an after lunch Upmann with your Champagne in the terraces; my last such cigar moment is poignantly captured in a still photo on my kitchen wall, which was taken from the final moments of Channel Four's superb TV coverage of 'those' Ashes of 2005. As England finally hammered the last nails into the Australian coffin at the Oval, I fired up a Monte 2 in my seat - and unwittingly became a shot for the nearest cameraman.

But in many county grounds around the UK, the open stands are still places where a peaceful pipe or cigar can be enjoyed.

Cigars and cricket are two of my great loves and I'm lucky enough to be able to combine them regularly during the glorious English summer. I live just across the road from the village recreation ground and so can stroll across on a summer's afternoon or evening with something refreshing, commandeer a park bench, and smoke a fragrant cigar while the gentle sounds of leather on willow permeate.

God is in his firmament and all is well with the world. Cricket is back.

Happy Herfing.

M.

When a cigar is just a cigar...

WE'RE all guilty, I would suspect, of over egging the pudding once in a while.

When it comes to cigars and you're as passionate as we are, it's easy to get carried away.

We enthuse about the wrapper, extoll the virtues of the aroma, test the pre-light and seek colourful and original explanations of the tastes we're enjoying.

Dangerous game to play, imho. Nothing says 'steer clear' to me more than someone playing the expert.

There aren't many of them around, believe me, and those that experts are not the ones crowing about it!

I'm certainly no expert and although I like to think I'm learning about this fascinating subject all the time, I doubt I ever will be.

I try and relay my experiences vicariously through my keyboard because that's what I'm good at - words. It doesn't make me an expert on cigars any more than commentating on the Cup Final makes John Motson a great striker.

Of course, everyone has the right to an opinion and the right to express it however they like, within the bounds of decency. I'm just very wary of straying over the line and treading on the toes of those who really do know what they are talking about.

Which leads me to a cigar I enjoyed last night. Instead of striving for flavours or trying to find an angle to write about, I simply enjoyed a smoke from the bottom of my humidor. It was a non-Cuban, nothing to write home about, but it made me realise (again) why I love cigars so.

After a taxing time of late, when I sat in my armchair and lit up the stick, it was as if my subconscious finally had permission to switch off. I read a book, chilled out and enjoyed the simple flavours of the cigar.

I find its sometimes all too easy to strive for something from a cigar and forget the simple pleasure of just enjoying one.

Sit back, take the weight off and let the stick do the talking.

Happy Herfing.

M.

Age is not always a bad thing...

I was lucky enough to sample a 1990 Partagas Serie D Number 4 a while ago.

Now the D4 as many of you already know, is a classic Cuban cigar, and rarely lets you down. Lots of spice, top quality tobacco, signature rosado wrapper and a lovely aroma, these sticks are among the best selling Habanos worldwide and (touching all available) are very reliable on the quality control side too, in my experience.

But smoking one that's 22 years old and which came from the depths of the cigar vaults at JJ Fox of St James's? Now that's an entirely different kettle of fish. For starters, I got a kick from the old-fashioned band. I'm so used to seeing the newer version that every time I brought the cigar to the mouth I was mesmerised by it.

Anyway, before that stage, I had been pleasantly surprised by the delightful pre-light aroma; sweet hay and freshly cut grass mixed together. And then it was time to fire the beauty up.

I've discovered it's quite difficult describing an aged cigar. For one, I've not had as much experience as I'd like :)

And for another, it's a very unique experience.

If any of you have ever smoked any cigars that have 'gone over' - ie have been aged too long and are past their best, even though they've been well kept - you will know there is a cloying floral note that soaks across your palate.

This aged Partagas displayed elements of a floral note, but in an entirely different - and more pleasant - manner.

The tobacco had obviously matured slowly and calmly over the years, all the 'hard edges' having been knocked off the smoke, to reveal a smooth, clear, sweet and very rounded character.

The spice was there, but in a very refined form, almost tea-like. The draw and burn was magnificent, as you can see from the photograph.

I paired this beauty with a very nice bottle of Argentinian Malbec and I found myself staring at the cigar and wondering about all the things that had happened during its long life. I had married and had children; wars had been won and lost, boundaries ripped down, new world orders created. This beautiful stick was older than my nieces and nephews who were now off to university.

A quite remarkable and ethereal experience and the finish was everlasting and so pleasant that I avoided going to bed and brushing my teeth to keep the moment alive.

Thanks to JJ Fox for having the presence of mind to stash this cigar away 22 years ago. Just think, I was still in school. What a wonderful adventure.

Happy herfing.

N.

Monty at the Montague

SOME top notch cigar tasting this week, largely courtesy of The Montague on the Gardens Hotel in Bloomsbury.

I was fortunate enough to attend their cigar dinner on Wednesday night, which featured a stunning menu of wine and food, all paired with no less than three Havanas of impeccable quality.

You can read about my full exploits in a forthcoming edition of The Arbuturian, but  rest assured the three smokes - the Short Hoyo Piramides, the Vegas Robaina Famosos and a simply classic Cohiba Behike 54 - were something to write home about.

The hospitality at The Montague was second to none, and I thank Manager Dirk and his team for making me feel right at home. I look forward to returning to enjoy the peaceful terrace again in the near future.

While in town I popped into regular haunt at Number Ten Manchester Street Hotel, for a tasty Party D4 and chat to mixologist Joel. I love this spot - such a cool place to spend a little chill out time.

Then I was back out in the glorious sunshine of London in its finest - shirtsleeves only. I also popped into Mayfair's Alfie Turmeau's cigar store to try the recently-released Orchant Seleccion Bolivar Royal Corona. Ding dong! What a smoke, lovely smooth core of flavours, a little tasty tingle of salt on the palate and a beautiful cocoa wrapper. There are apparently a few boxes left, so if you fancy some, get in touch with Mitch at CGars Ltd sharpish.

Time left in the week now for perhaps a couple of Monte Edmundos and a dip back into the bag of non-Cuban smokes too perhaps.

Coffee is calling - have a great weekend all and, of course, Happy Herfing.

M.

New opening hours for The Garden Room at The Lanesborough

IT'S been a hectic week one way or another at Cristo Towers, and I'm glad to see the weekend looming ahead for a short break from the madness.

I have spent much of the week revisiting favourite old cigar haunts and finding one or two new ones in London for a new luxury article I'm putting together. I'll give you a heads-up once it's published, of course.

In my travels, I came across some news that will please those of you who frequent the lovely Garden Room at The Lanesborough. You read it here first - as of Tuesday April 10, the Garden Room, which is one of London's finest spots for enjoying a fine cigar, will be open from 12pm daily instead of 4pm as it has been for some time.

This means that lunchtime guests will now be able to take full advantage of the facility - which includes a very well-crafted cigar menu, cocktails, Champagne, underfloor heating and more - for a post-prandial cigar.

Good news, as I've dropped past more than once in the hope of an afternoon cigar, forgetting that the room doesn't open until teatime. Happy days.

I smoked through a superb Montecristo Edmundo from '09 this week, a truly mouthwatering smoke, plus some Arturo Fuente cigars made in the Dominican Republic. I'm taste-testing these for a future article. Have also been enjoying some full-bodied Nicaraguan smokes from Joya de Nicaragua for the same feature. Cigar smokers have never had it so good!

Enjoy your weekend and long ashes to you all.

Happy Herfing.

M.