Cigars In Review Summer 2011 by Joe Baker

In Review Cigars

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Yaniv Erez A Fine Eye For A Smoke

Jorge Luis Molina Real Men Smoke Cigars

Summer Grilling with Chef Joseph Bartel

Going Under: Summer’s Submersible Watches 19 Cigars Reviewed

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In Review Cigars

A Cigar Lifest yle Magazine for Men V o lu m e 2 · N u m b e r 2

he magazine’s first official anniversary has arrived. Exactly one year ago we published the first issue of CIR! How time flies. Thank you for your continued support; without you, the publication would be nothing.

or learning the latest news from a variety of industry leaders, you can find it all, right here in CIR! As always, we remain committed to bringing you the best material available for FREE! So sit back, light up your favorite cigar, and celebrate with us not just CIR’s anniversary - embrace the lifestyle!

For many of us, cigars are a lifestyle. For others, it’s an occasional escape from the daily grind. And for others still, a great smoke might only happen on special occasions sprinkled throughout a lifetime a cigar at your son or daughter’s wedding, a birth, or a camping trip with the buddies. Regardless of whether you’re a cigar aficionado or you simply enjoy the occasional smoke, the enjoyment of cigars is tied to many fond memories in life.

We are committed to continually mentioning the freedoms we enjoy with our friends and family; unfortunately, these rights are always under attack. Please take the time to check out the CRA corner of the magazine. We ask that you also take the time to visit and become a member. Freedom isn’t free. Please get involved so that we all can continue to enjoy the cigar lifestyle with our friends and family. And let us know how you like this issue; you’re important to us.

Here at CIR, we call it “The Cigar Lifestyle.” As you read through this edition, you will find many articles that celebrate just that lifestyle. Whether it’s tips on summer grilling, picking the perfect suit,

Feel free to drop me any comments at– joe@cigarsinreviewmagazine.com CIR

Publisher: Joseph A. Baker | Senior Editor: Skip Press | Contributing Editors: Skip Press, Frank Seltzer, Tony Katz Contributors: Jerry Ison, Martin A. Berrios, Andy Josker, Francis Liztinger, Tony Bellatto, Glynn Loop, Joe Lordi, Bryan Infante, Myscha Theriault, Charles Jacobs, Jan Lobota Marketing/Ad Sales Jay Link | Photographer: Doug Chandler | Graphic Design: JeffClark.com All Rights Reserved © 2011 Cigars in Review For subscription information please visit us at: www.cigarsinreviewmagazine.com To inquire about article submissions email: cigarsinreview@yahoo.com Advertising inquires can be directed to: jay@cigarsinreviewmagazine.com

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H U M I D O R TA L K

Cigars In Review

Tony Katz Smokes America

n New York City, the City Council - on a 36 to 12 vote - has decided to ban smoking in outdoor spaces. You can not smoke in a park in New York City…you can not smoke at the beach in New York City. As New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg stated, ““This summer, New Yorkers who go to our parks and beaches for some fresh air and fun will be able to breathe even cleaner air and sit on a beach not littered with cigarette butts.”

productions, even facial hair is out of the question. Could I, a man who sports a brilliant goatee, sue Disney to force them to accept my facial hair? Of course not. Disney has rights, and those rights can not, should not, and must not be superseded by an employee who already knows the rules when they are applying for the job. Simply, find a different job - for the Disney potential employee, and for the potential restaurant/bar employee who applies to an establishment that allows smoking.

NY City Council Speaker Christine Quinn has called this ban an “affirmation” of the rights for all non-smokers. She said, “(Non-Smokers) health and their lives should not be negatively impacted because other people have decided to smoke.”

To further the Nanny New York thesis, (which is fact, actually) they recently attempted to enact laws to ban salt and trans fats in restaurants. It started with Mayor Bloomberg in 2008, and then Democratic State Assemblyman Felix Ortiz introduced a bill to ban salt in restaurants in 2010.

But what of the rights of those people who have decided to smoke? What of the rights of people to live free, to be free? What of the rights of individuals to what they please?

But what is the harm here? A person sits in a chair, and orders their food. The food comes, which has, invariably, some salt (or sodium) in the meal. The person then, based on personal preference (taste) can add salt to the food…or pepper…or hot sauce…or mustard…or whatever else they please. There is no second-hand salt argument that can be made by any rational person. Thus, we can see clearly the trend of Nanny New York in trying to legislate a vision of “health and safety.”

It seems that the new America - overrun by political correctness and the desire to “save” everyone - has placed a massive amount of focus upon who has rights and who does not. Speaker Quinn believes that the rights of the non-smoker are infringed when I puff my cigar…outdoors…at the beach. But the Speaker gives no consideration to my enjoyment at the beach. As it turns out, New York (once a place that could boast of its Live and Let Live attitude) has become an incubator of nanny-state politics. In 2003, Mayor Bloomberg brought forth the ban against smoking in restaurant and bars. At that time, the emphasis was on the employees who were “forced” to inhale second-hand smoke. This law gave no regard to the business owners, and their right to choose how they run their business, market their business, package their business. It gave no consideration to the idea that people work freely - not as slaves. Employees who did not want to be around cigarette smoke did not have to work there. In more recent years, a Muslim woman attempted to sue Disney when they told her she could not wear her hijab (head covering) at the theme park where she worked, and was trying to become a hostess. What would be the grounds of her lawsuit? You have to let me do what I want, and you have to change your entire corporate policy? Disney is long known for protecting their public persona. Unless you are a character in one of their 2 Cigars in Review

The desired salt ban shows that the 2003 smoking ban and the recent 2011 smoking ban have nothing to do with the health of fellow New Yorkers, or current or potential employees. These laws are enacted to help people help themselves. As with all nanny states, the powers that be engage in a thought process that forces them into the dangerous fantasy that they know what is best for others. That, based on their station (their supposed intellect, their elected office, etc.) they are to be the arbiters of protection. They know this “instinctively” (and because their friends all say the same thing)! They are the self-appointed arbiters of the difference between good and evil - not just for themselves, but for you as well. The 2003 and 2011 bans are, effectively, smokescreens. They have nothing to do with the public health. They have everything to do with public control. In the winter of 2011, a severe snowstorm blanketed New York streets. The unions used this as an opportunity to show Mayor Bloomberg that he couldn’t mess with their salary or pensions, so snowplows purposefully did not plow the streets, creating mass havoc in New York and its boroughs. That havoc included the death of a continued on page 33

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THE CIGAR LIFESTYLE

CIGAR POLITICS

State Capitols are Still Consumed with Tobacco But FDA Oversight of Cigars is Still our Greatest Threat By J. Glynn Loope, Executive Director Cigar Rights of America

n a chilly day in January 2011, we knew we were facing a banner year for cigar oriented legislation. Now, as summer approaches, there seems to be no end in sight. After many months of monitoring, advocacy, discussions and arguments, thirty-three states have generated over seventy pieces of legislation capable of impacting cigar enthusiasts across the nation. What sets this year apart as the most important since CRA started monitoring such activity in January 2009 is that not all legislation has been negative. That’s a step in the right direction. Tangible progress to restore enjoying a cigar in cigar shops and select bars and restaurants has been made in the State of Washington. This proves what can happen when a dedicated group of cigar shops, small business owners, and cigar enthusiasts join forces, build alliances, and remain engaged in the political process. Just the fact that legislation was drafted and advanced through committees and a chamber, or even garnered a respectable number of legislative patrons, is a good signal of times to come. This was the case in Illinois, Minnesota, Massachusetts, and will possibly be so in Nevada. Tax measures have been defeated (looks that way in Louisiana and New Mexico, and the Governor is against the proposed increase in Nebraska), tax caps proposed (Arkansas and New York), and smoking ban measures have gone down in Indiana, Mississippi, and appear to be on that track in Alabama, South Carolina, and maybe Texas. The key is, Cigar Nation can not turn its political machine off. We have to remain diligent, engaged, and protective of the passion we share for a great cigar. There remain reasons for concern. California has standing legislation introduced to ban smoking in cigar shops, as well as eliminating all other exemptions to the existing statewide ban. If it passes there, it can spread like kudzu, making the issue’s defeat imperative. The threat of a substantial tax increase via a public referendum also hangs in the balance in California. Proposed tax increases on cigars are still of great concern in Connecticut, Texas, Nevada, and Massachusetts.

These types of bills remain the “norm of the day.” It that sounds a bit nonchalant, keep in mind that fighting taxes and smoking bans are simply a standing part of our very existence in modern America. We must press forward daily in getting needed exemptions for cigar shops, lounges, and bars, pushing a property rights agenda coupled with political education on the diminishing returns as a result of increased taxes on tobacco products. Make no mistake about it, the greatest threat to the 21st century cigar industry, from the fields and factories of Central America through the entire supply chain to the retail shop in your community, down to how you carry on your enthusiasm for a great cigar, lies within the United States Food & Drug Administration – Center for Tobacco Products. Too many cigar afficianados thought the agency would be consumed with cigarettes and smokeless products for years to come. When we began writing about FDA regulation of tobacco in June 2009, it didn’t take a PhD in government to have a Nostradamus moment and predict what the possibilities were. And here we are. They began in April and December 2010 with proclamations of their intent to regulate cigars posted in the Federal Register. But just as cigar shops and bars are fighting back in Massachusetts, Illinois, Indiana, Washington, and Minnesota, so too are industry leaders combating the oppression in our nation’s capitol. Through H.R. 1639, a proactive step is being taken to exempt cigars from FDA oversight. A strong bipartisan coalition of legislators that spans from California to Florida, with Kentucky and Michigan in between, have come together to send a message – “Leave Cigars Alone.” They can not do it alone. You need to be a part of this process. Go to the CRA web site at www.cigarrights. org and sign our national petition in support of H.R. 1639. Tell Congress that we don’t need this threat to small business, additional regulation on personal behavior, or a bunch of bureaucrats in Washington, DC ripping the soul from this ancient art form. Tell the politicians, enough is enough…or you’ll be thinking twice on election day. CIR

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Bad Cigar Etiquette Five Smoking Faux Pas to Drive You Crazy By Mark McGinty I was once lucky enough to find myself with a box of Cuban cigars. Feeling happy and fortunate, I showed them to an acquaintance. He immediately implied that they were fakes and then snatched one from my hand and proceeded to inspect the leaf for any imperfection that would prove its bogusness. A lecture about the faulty infrastructure of the Cuban cigar industry and the generally poor quality of the product immediately followed. Apparently, not only had I been duped, real Cubans were overrated bundles of garbage, so I should have been smoking whatever he was smoking. My experience was ruined. Here are five cigar smoking faux pas that, if committed, will drive a peaceful man to burn his eyes out with a hot burning stick.

1. Doing Anything to Intentionally Ruin Someone’s Smoking Experience Explaining why someone’s cigar is inferior to the one you are smoking is generally considered to be very annoying. So is interrupting a smoker’s quiet moment with unsolicited banter. Then try lecturing someone on the proper way to light, smoke, and ash a cigar, or criticize their current smoke and see how often they invite you over for steaks.

2. Asking to Try Someone Else’s Cigar Then handing it back with a glob of slobber dripping off the head, or commenting on how awful it tastes, or asking to try someone’s cigar in general! It’s my cigar, not something to be passed through the crowd at a Phish concert.

3. Disrespecting Your Local Cigar Establishment Don’t bring your own stash and then lounge around and watch their television sets and eat their snacks without spending some money. The patrons that were there before you were there before you so don’t change the channel without asking. And for everyone’s sake,

be gentle. Don’t rummage through the cigars like you rummage through a bin of dirty laundry. Everyone who handled those cigars before you treated them with respect. You should, too.

4. Acting Like an Annoying Show-Off Wave your high-quality $25 cigar around for everyone to see, display your high-end band so that all must bear witness to its glory, and constantly toy with your $500 lighter. Proclaim in a loud voice that you “only smoke” a certain brand. This will lose friends and win enemies faster than someone offering you a cigar given to them by Bill Clinton.

5. Improperly Disposing of Your Cigar The seasoned cigar smoker knows that the proper way to let a cigar die is to just leave it alone in the ashtray so it can go out on its own. But some smokers are not satisfied with such a quiet death and feel the need to make a statement. This includes stubbing a cigar out in an uneaten scoop of mashed potatoes, dropping it into an unfinished glass of beer, or dropping it on the ground and peeing on it. Let the poor thing die in peace. The rest of us will appreciate it. CIR Cigars in Review 7

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Summer Grilling

By Myscha Theriault

Photo courtesy us of Flemings

Mastering the Cuts with Chef Partner Joseph Bartel of Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar

ummer’s the season to enjoy the sizzling sound of beef on the grill, and Fleming’s is known for their steak selections across the country. Which is why I tracked down chef partner Joseph Bartel to share his top tips for mastering the cuts this grilling season. Temperature: It’s important to let your steaks warm to room temperature before grilling them, according to Bartel. Since it’s permissible to add dry seasonings to the meat up to thirty minutes ahead of time, placing the steaks in a container on the counter after doing so is a great way to make sure you don’t miss this step while you’re waiting for the grill to warm up. Temperature is also a consideration in deciding when to actually place the steaks on the grill, says Bartel. The hotter the grill the better, he advises, as a light char is important to seal in the juices that create the contrast in flavor that steak lovers enjoy. Seasoning: While it’s certainly acceptable to experiment with a wide array of dry rubs and seasoning combinations, Bartel says that for a great cut of beef, kosher salt and a smattering of coarse black pepper are all that’s required. Apparently, the salt helps bring out the natural sugars in the meat, which creates a better char when cooking. Marinades, while good, aren’t usually necessary. If you feel you simply must do a marinade, he recommends applying one four to six hours ahead of cooking. Tenderizing: The exception to the “marinades aren’t necessary” wisdom, Bartel says, occurs with cuts such

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as round, flank, and skirt steaks which can be a bit tougher. In this case, marinate them with an acid, such as vinegar, wine, or citrus juice. With cuts such as this, it’s also important to pound the meat flat, in order to break up the fibers. Testing: For those who have a difficult time determining when a steak has been cooked to your preferred level of doneness, Bartel advises the “hand feel” method. Hold your left hand open and relaxed while you touch the fleshy part of that same hand just below your thumb with your opposing right index finger. Notice how soft and pliable it is? That’s the same way a rare steak would feel. Now hold your left hand open and bring your left thumb and index finger together. Holding that position, touch the same fleshy part of your left hand again with your right index finger. That slightly firmer feeling simulates a medium rare steak. Each successive finger swap approximates the next level of cooking. So the way the fleshy part of your hand feels when you are touching your middle finger to your thumb represents a medium steak. The ring finger and pinky combinations on the other hand, simulate medium well and well done steaks respectively. If you find yourself with leftovers from your backyard barbecue, Bartel points to a web site sponsored by Fleming’s that provides suggestions for salvaging those cuts. Leftoversteakrecipes.com features suggestions from the folks at Fleming’s for serving leftover steak in a variety of ways for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. CIR

T I M E

THE CIGAR LIFESTYLE

Going Under: Summer’s Submersible Watches By Joe Lordi

magine, for just a moment the year is 1941, you are a demolitions expert with an elite unit of the Regia Marina, the Italian Royal Navy. You swim silently through dark, near-freezing waters; your only two points of reference are a ship’s hull onto which you are about to plant a limpet mine, and the glow of a standard issue Panerai wristwatch ticking away your oxygen supply. We here at Cigars In Review magazine hope you won’t be scuttling any enemy watercraft this summer, but trust that you will take a moment to reflect on the significance of the wristwatch under perilous conditions. When Officine Panerai, formerly only a military equipment atelier, began to supply watches to the Regia Marina, it had only utilitarianism in mind: a legible, luminescent, water-resistant timepiece that would be visible and reliable in the most extreme environments. Early in production, the company did not even make their own watch movements, but subcontracted Rolex, because accuracy and reliability were paramount for such a vital instrument. Little did Panerai know that they would eventually grow into a horological powerhouse that would rock Basel World perennially with

new mechanical masterpieces and gain a cult following of owners known as “Paneristi” that includes Sylvester Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Russell Crowe, and Jose Orlando Padron. Despite being a current production model, The Panerai Radiomir 8 Days is akin to a no-frills time capsule rooted in tradition and utility. It is a staunch, uncompromising keeper of the hours. The Panerai is a stalwart beacon of taste and stoicism, the perfect fit for a man of elegance and action. Understandably, given our nation’s current economic woes, not everyone can afford a $10,000 Panerai. Nevertheless, one should not sacrifice reliability or legitimacy when searching for a reasonably priced, yet still exclusive timepiece. The Lum-Tec M22 ($1295) is highly reminiscent of the Panerai Luminor in its cushion shaped 44mm Tungsten carbide case and gunmetal gray dial adorned with highly luminescent hands and indices. Its weight and size make the watch immediately impressive and it takes some time for the wearer to get accustomed to its feel on the wrist, continued on page 13 Cigars in Review 11

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yet it looks just militaristic enough not to overwhelm admirers. Its beauty is in the details such as its thick lugs, scratch-resistant sapphire crystal (front and back), and huge crown that makes winding the watch quite easy. The watch is powered by the Swiss ETA 6498-1, an accurate, reliable hand-wound movement with a 2 to 3 day power reserve. Better still, the M22 has a Swiss movement though made here in the United States - a snippet of patriotism that should expiate our enjoyment of the occasional “pre-embargo” Cuban cigar. The movement in all its mechanical glory, nearly identical to that found in a Panerai, is protected by the sapphire case back, through which the jewels, balance spring, and furnace-blued screws can be properly admired. It comes with an embossed rubber diver’s strap, a solid milled-steel linked bracelet, and my favorite, a thick, supple, contrast-stitched black leather strap that is just as waterproof as the watch itself. One can submerge the watch down to 100 meters without damaging it. Some think they do not need a watch that is so water resistant because they don’t dive, yet they fail to realize the water resistance of a watch is, if not the best, the most consistent way to judge its durability, given that underwater environments are the harshest on watches. Hyperbologically speaking, if the thought of wearing a watch the size of a hockey puck on your wrist doesn’t strike your fancy, or if you are searching for a timepiece with a bit more modernity, consider the Omega Seamaster 300M Professional. Omega packed plenty of value into this watch in terms of versatility, comfort, and style. Exquisitely detailed from its wave patterned blue dial and skeleton hands, the Seamaster is the very embodiment of utilitarianism with its easilymanipulated ratcheting bezel, diver’s extension clasp, and (for hardcore divers) helium escape valve. Given its hardcore capabilities, the Seamaster also looks great with a suit or tuxedo such seen on the wrist of Daniel Craig, Pierce Brosnan, or Prince William. Though not as new or big as the new Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean, the 300M can be found on the wrist of the most discerning collectors and professionals, and can usually be purchased for under $2000. Another great choice for the luxury diver is the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms. This watch is another with deep historical roots, dating back to the first model’s appearance on the wrist of French combat swimmers as far back as 1953. The current version is highly sought after and is faithful to its patriarchical design. The black dial, austere luminescent indices, and bold rotating bezel are nearly identical to its predecessor of

six decades ago, down to the water resistant canvas strap (which lends quite a bit of personality). It is available in platinum, steel, or red gold, and has a relatively slim profile, which is something not often found in its particular segment of the watch market. Though the Fifty Fathoms, Radiomir, and Lum-Tec M22 are marketed more as luxury items than actually necessary instruments, make no mistake. They are modern incarnations of historically indispensible timepieces that are more than capable of handling any punishment summer adventures may inflict. All of the above mentioned watches are extra resistant to moisture, extreme temperature, and they feature scratch resistant sapphire crystal. The message these watches convey from the wrist is one of strength, preparedness and a seriousness lacking in any other watch. People know immediately that you didn’t simply spend a small fortune for something that just looks impressive; you made an investment on an impeccable future heirloom because you couldn’t afford not to do so. Anyone with taste will instantly take you seriously and will know that you daringly take the path less traveled and have chosen to wear your watch, like so many distinguished owners past, venturesomely into the beyond. CIR

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A Fine Eye for a Smoke By Jerry Ison

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When Yaniv Erez was growing up, he never even thought about cigars. When he joined the military service, however, spending five years aboard ships in the Mediterranean, Yaniv developed a love of the camaraderie enjoyed when smoking with friends. After the military, Yaniv enrolled in university and graduated with a degree in finance. He became involved with several businesses as financial officer, ultimately became a chief financial officer, and his increasing wealth allowed him to enjoy the finest cigars in the world. In 1999 he married, and eventually became the father of three children. Not satisfied with his success as an astute businessman in Israel, Yaniv emigrated to New York and began investing in real estate. His timing was perfect, and the success he enjoyed beginning in 2000 allowed him to retire in 2005 to Miami, Florida at the young age of 34. Only his retirement didn’t last long. As Yaniv describes it: “As much as I enjoy a good cigar, and I do indeed love a good smoke. Sitting around and smoking all day was quite boring!” What to do? Yaniv had a good friend who was the head of security on a cruise liner. Yaniv accepted an invitation to take a Caribbean trip and, while on the cruise, he visited the ship’s smoking lounge frequently. And there he discovered something very interesting. Although many of the people in the lounge were smoking expensive thirty and forty dollar cigars, few of them were adept at choosing the right cigar, and fewer still were schooled in how to smoke for the greatest enjoyment. Yaniv’s post-retirement problem was solved as he resolved to not only teach people how to really enjoy smoking a cigar, but to also provide them with a truly premium smoke at an affordable price.

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Like so many cigar aficionados, Yaniv knew the Dominican Republic was long renowned as a producer of many of the world’s finest tobaccos and cigars. Determined to find the best, he traveled to the island and, through a friend, was introduced to Augusto Reyes. A fifth generation involved in the business, Augusto explained that his family has been growing tobacco for 150 years and making cigars for more than 20 years.. He and Yaniv quickly became good friends and Yaniv soon revealed that he had decided that it was the time and place to begin his newest business venture - Erez Premium Cigars. Yaniv did not, however, jump into the manufacturing of cigars without a clear idea of how to proceed. He thought about his times spent in cigar lounges and other comfortable places where he and friends enjoyed their smokes. He thought of how some preferred a light or moderately flavored cigar, while others enjoyed one of more fullness. He and Augusto discussed how these differences in flavor usually meant a difference in cigar

offer a choice of cigars in the world’s most popular sizes, but with different wrappers. Using that approach, characteristics ranging from a mild Connecticut wrapper to a robust Habano or sweet Maduro could be appreciated in cigars with the same burn time. This would realize Yaniv’s dream of having friends with different palates enjoy relatively similar smoking times. He decided on the eight most popular sizes: Perla 5x30, Gorda 6X58, Double Corona 6 ¼ x54, Belicoso 6 ½ x54 , Lonsdale 6x46, Churchill 7 ½ x50, Toro 6x50 and Robusto 5x50. The wrappers chosen were Connecticut-Ecuador, Habano (Criollo 98 hybrid) and Brazilian Bahia. The binders picked were Olor Dominica and Criollo 98, and the fillers were comprised of three great types of tobacco: Cubano San Vicente, Olor Dominicano, and Criollo 98. As Yaniv and Augusto designed the labels, chose the blends, and set the factory layout and production lines, they also decided on where and how they would market

size, meaning some smokers would finish in twenty minutes while others smoking larger cigars might take nearly an hour. Yaniv proposed the idea that socializing while enjoying a fine cigar would be enhanced if all the smokers were to finish at roughly the same time, and Augusto agreed. Yaniv knew that being successful in business included the ability to choose a path that would lead to making the business prosper. Even though he loved cigars and wished to create a truly fine smoke, he took his time in formulating his plan, It took almost two months to settle on what kind of cigar he wished to make. All too many cigar lovers do not realize that up to sixty percent of a cigar’s strength comes from the wrapper, and that the wrapper can be a major factor in a cigar’s strength. Yaniv realized that a cigar maker could

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the cigars, at what level, and most importantly, how their products would be made. Naturally, a handmade cigar being the best of the finest cigars, they chose their torcedores carefully. The company now employs more than one hundred fifty persons, and Erez Premium Cigars is very proud of the fact that most of the tobaccos used to make their cigars are grown in the Dominican Republic by the Reyes family. As quoted on their website: “Each hand-rolled cigar is approved as supreme quality by our experts after the proper 45-day maturation period in our humidity-controlled aging room, then packed and shipped directly to each customer.” Erez Premium Cigars does not use wholesalers or middlemen, so orders are shipped directly from the factory in the Dominican Republic to its Florida headquar-

ters where they are then sent immediately to customers and stores. The cigars are double-banded, with the top label positioned along the length of the cigar, rather than around the body. This not only has eye appeal due to the uniqueness of the design, but it has practical marketing value as well. Fellow smokers can readily see that an Erez Premium Cigar is being enjoyed. The cigars are packed in cedar boxes horizontally instead of the common vertical arrangement. This is more than just good cigar science: Yaniv’s surname, Erez, is Hebrew for cedar. When President Obama was elected and Democrats took over Congress, Yaniv believed that the trade embargo against Cuba might be changed or perhaps modified in the relatively near future to allow some Cuban exports, including cigars, to be shipped to America. He also believed the Cuban cigar makers would not be able to meet the demand, especially in Europe. To get ahead of the curve, his company initially marketed cigars only on the Continent. In 2011, an emphasis was placed on entering the American market, which proved to be the right thing to do at the right time. Although Yaniv has mostly retired from his previous business, he maintains real estate holdings in New York City and had involvement in various businesses in Europe, so it was not hard to keep his finger on the pulse of social and economic trends.

ing etiquette, how to determine quality by feel, and yes, how to smoke a cigar. As Yaniv realized long ago, there is more to a smoke than just puffing! Yaniv Erez is a cigar maker, but he is also first and foremost a cigar smoker. His cigar-making venture was approached with the eye of a person who appreciates a fine cigar. This is one of the very practical reasons Erez Premium Cigars has enjoyed a rapid ascendancy in a very competitive and select business. They offer a good product, a keen eye for quality, and a timing for every smoker that usually works out to be just right. CIR

The cigar business is something Yaniv immersed himself in because of a passion for fine premium cigars. Quality is of such importance to him, he guarantees the quality of every cigar sold by Erez Premium Cigars. He is so dedicated to that end that if someone doesn’t like an Erez cigar, it can be returned to the place of purchase for a full refund or replacement. Yaniv says: “We don’t care even if you left it in your car and allowed it to dry out. We’ll replace them no matter what, when, or how it happened. We do not want anyone to smoke anything but the best!” The Erez Premium Cigar company website is www. erezcigars.com. The company approach to Internet publishing and marketing is revealed there to be a bit unique. You can view the many fine cigars and order them directly from the factory, as well as cases, punches, ashtrays, cutters, humidors, even an Erez Premium Cigar T-shirt, but you will also find accessories such as lighters designed specifically for toasting the foot of a cigar. One very cool feature is the “Cigar Tips” section, offering advice on smok-

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The Art of Cigars By Mark MGinty

You browse

a table where stacks of cigar boxes are arranged in rows, the closed, gilded lids decorated with brilliantly colored images meant to attract your attention. You, however, are interested in the artwork on the box instead of the cigar’s style or brand. You see a young woman, seductive and sexily clad, her face passive and motionless. Coy, but inviting. Confident and convincing, with a a hint of a smile that says, “You can trust me.” You pick up this box of cigars for a closer look at the pretty girl – she’s the centerpiece of a brilliant arrangement of symbolic imagery, a romantic fantasy world meant to satisfy you, and you only. Around the woman, a wreath of gold coins appeals to your desire for wealth. Behind her, a flourishing tobacco plantation reflects her fertility. A pair of men far away ride horses and play polo, and just over her right shoulder stands a Roman warrior – the point of his sword planted between his feet, his muscular arms folded patiently across the hilt, waiting for the pretty girl to stop looking at you and give her undivided attention to him. But she never does. Despite the wealth that surrounds her, the fertile land, the sport, the heroic soldier waiting to take her in his arms, she never breaks her stare with you. From the moment you saw her, her eyes were planted firmly and eternally on you. You can’t put this box of cigars down because doing so would mean rejecting beauty and denying yourself this beautiful woman, this lithographed seductress. And

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what man has the power to refuse a woman like this? You take the box to the counter and pay for your cigars, walking home with a new companion designed especially for you. The year is 1844 – you are in Havana, Cuba. For a 19th Century cigar enthusiast, the artwork on the box and label are as attractive as the cigar itself. In 1837, Ramon Allones named a brand of cigars after himself and became the first to wrap a label around the end of a cigar. But nearly forty years before that, in 1810, the Cuban trademark office recorded the first two applications for cigar brand registration: B. Rencurrel by Bernardino Rencurrel and Hija de Cabañas y Carbajal by Francisco Cabañas. Cigar labels were one of the earliest forms of advertising and marked a shift to a consumer culture. Making the product unique, an attractive cigar label captured a customer’s attention and was as important as the cigar itself. Ramon Allones, arguably the pioneer of this technique, used manly images of military shields and spears, golden lions, royal crowns, and colorful banners of victory. Years later, Cuba Libre and Teddy Roosevelt’s Rough Riders became popular themes on many cigar labels. But from the earliest cigars to the modern day Cuestra Rey, one image that has endured is that of the beautiful woman: the damsel in distress who can only be rescued by the man who lifts her off the cigar store shelf and carries her (and his billfold) to the nearest cash register. CIR

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20 Cigars in Review

Cigars in Review 21

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Secrets To Picking The Perfect Suit By Martin A. Berrios Finding the right suit is the key to looking your best. Regardless of your experience with fine garments or tailoring, this can be a daunting task. There are tips will definitely help you nail the perfect suit. Set A Budget: Before stepping into any retailer always have a budget in mind. This will save you and the sales associate time. With a budget in place, you will be informed of what suits, sales, and sections of the store best fit your finances. Get Measured: Even if you have a good idea of your numbers, always get measured when browsing for a new suit. You may have gained or lost weight since your last purchase, which will affect the overall look. This is also your chance to state any special needs or personal preferences that make up your “ideal” fit. Communicate The Occasion: The type of suit you would wear to a job interview or a big business meeting will differ greatly from what you would wear to a beach wedding. Go for a classic and clean look for anything business-related so that means wool, polyester, or tweed. If you’re looking for something to sport in the warmer months, linen and tropical wool are sure bets. A formal or black tie affair traditionally calls for a tuxedo, depending on the event. Purchasing a suit is an important moment in a man’s life; keeping these factors in mind will make your decision an informed one. CIR

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24 Cigars in Review

THE CIGAR LIFESTYLE

P RO D U C T R E V I E WS

Cigar Caddy 3400

e’ve just had a chance to examine the Cigar Caddy 3400, an exciting new humidor specifically designed for the person on the go. Small and easy to handle without sacrificing capacity, the caddy is approximately 8 by 5 inches and can carry up to five Churchill cigars. Frequent travelers value its lightweight and comfortable size. Sportsmen have praised the humidor for the way it shelters content in exceptional circumstances. The case is fully crushproof and 100% waterproof to a depth of 100 feet, so you never need worry about moisture penetration. In addition, the entire periphery of the top contains an O-ring that fits into a plastic trench in the bottom, creating a seal that is guaranteed extra watertight. Fishermen will also be delighted to know that the caddy floats on water. Constructed of ABS molded plastic, this humidor is particularly strong and firm. It opens with a piano hinge that runs its entire length. On the front are two latches that close and lock securely. They can be removed and replaced when necessary. The exterior of the caddy is a sleek matte finish. Amazingly enough, the handsome exterior can withstand temperatures ranging from -10 to +175 degrees Fahrenheit. Your Churchills will rest in luxurious comfort on custom urethane foam inside this gem. A humidifier disc imbedded in the lid maintains the perfect moisture balance for your cigars. The caddy also boasts a coin release for air pressure. Retailers will appreciate the plastic flap on the caddy that allows it to be included in a hanging display. Users will love the lanyard attached so it can be hooked to a briefcase or carried easily by hand. All told, the Cigar Caddy 3400 is one of the most versatile humidors on the market. Because of its unique construction and amenities, it answers the needs of the smoker whether he or she is participating in recreational activities, traveling on business or pleasure, or simply commuting from home to office. The caddy is available through Quality Importers Trading Co located in Pembroke Pines, Florida. The company can be reached by e-mail at sales@qualityimporters.com or by telephone at (954) 602-5637.   CIR

Cigars in Review 25

Real Men Smoke Cigars: Cigar Specific Clothing By Francis Litzinger

igar smokers, much like the beloved “sticks” that they smoke, come in all shapes and sizes. For some people it’s just a hobby, something to do when the weather is nice. For others, it’s a passionate love affair that is constantly indulged, regardless of the conditions. Whatever type of cigar smoker you are, there is one concern that we all share, a simple, yet at times frustrating problem – how are we going to carry our cigars? For some, it’s as simple as using or reusing the aluminum tube that the cigar came in. Others prefer the look and feel of a quality cigar case. For Jorge Luis Molina, a passionate cigar lover and advertising professional from the Miami area, the answer is much more practical and elegant. Jorge decided it was time to come up with a cigar specific clothing line, one that addressed the

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exacting needs of the cigar smoker. Interestingly enough. Jorge’s line of cigar clothing came about by accident. In 2007, he had an idea for a bumper sticker, a phrase that would speak to his love of the cigar. It was a simple but effective line that would announce to the world just what cigars mean to him. The line – Real Men Smoke Cigars – would go on to become a calling card of sorts for cigar lovers, and would result in Jorge taking the popular bumper sticker to the next level – cigar-specific apparel. After some initial investigation, Jorge discov-

ered that there wasn’t a true cigar shirt on the market. Being of Cuban descent, he owned many Guayaberas, the classic shirt of Cuba and numerous Latin American countries. The garment, also referred to as a Mexican wedding shirt, is often thought of as a proper cigar shirt because of its numerous pockets. Only there’s a problem with using these shirts for cigar smokers; once you start putting your cigars and accessories into the pockets, everything starts to bubble out, and it ruins the look. The answer for Jorge was to design a line of classic cigar shirts that would fit men from 24-64. These shirts would also be virtually wrinkle-proof and, because of their synthetic material, they wouldn’t

absorb as much cigar smoke as a cotton shirt normally does. The genius of Jorge’s swanky cigar-specific shirts is the top pocket design. The left chest pocket is sewn vertically, so that it can elegantly fit two cigars upright, something Jorge refers to as the Cigar Split-Pocket© Design. The final element for the shirts came about only after Jorge had produced the first round of apparel. As any cigar smoker knows, your lighter is your best friend, and it’s quite common to have your torch jammed into your pants while you smoke. That’s fine when storing it, but not so great when you need to dig it out to re-light your own cigar or share the lighter with your friend. Cigars in Review 27

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The final element for the shirts cam

about only after Jorge had produced

the first round of apparel. As any cig

smoker knows, your lighter is your be

friend, and it’s quite common to hav

your torch jammed into your pants while you smoke. Real Men Smoke Cigars: Cigar Specific Clothing continued The answer? Something Jorge calls an accessory PocketTM on the lower right-hand side. It’s a neat little pocket, one almost hidden on the hip side, just big enough to hold a cigar cutter and an average-sized lighter. It also comes with a button so that everything stays where it should. The line of cigar shirts is a brilliant blend of the classic and the new, with some shirts featuring a dragon or a skull motif for the younger or edgier cigar smoker. In addition, the cigar shirt line has been expanded to include a variety of T-shirts inspired by Jorge’s love of cigar culture. Currently, the full line includes 17 different men’s button-down shirts and T-shirts. Following the creation of the men’s line, it was only natural for Jorge to recognize a fact that far too many male cigar smokers overlook - women like to smoke, too. And so he created the Real Women Love Cigars clothing line, as well as eight different pieces of cigarinspired jewelry. Once Jorge had successfully introduced these lines into the marketplace, he pitched a Private Label set of shirts to the cigar industry. His current clients include the Cigar Rights of America group, La Flor Dominicana, Bad Dog Cigars, and many others. Jorge is constantly working with individual cigar stores to help them advertise and personalize their business, and he’s always open to helping new clients promote and celebrate their own unique brand. Jorge Molina’s line of quality cigar-specific shirts, as well as his entire line of cigar-inspired products, are available for order via his website – http://www. realmensmokecigars.com/. It’s a great site for the cigar lover in your life, and even better, it solves the problem of where to put your cigars, something that, courtesy of Jorge, you can now do in style whenever you step out for a smoke. CIR Cigars in Review 29

Do you own a real cigar shirt yet?

T he name says it all.

With 17 different shirts with sizes ranging from Small to 4XL there is a shirt in the line for all types of men. Each button down shirt has a Cigar Split-Pocket ©Design and a trademark Accessory Pocket © on the right hip which makes it a perfect cigar shirt.

We are the only company dedicated to a collection of shirts and cigar-inspired jewelry for the women.

www.RealMenSmokeCigars.com

30 Cigars in Review

E C G

The Only True Cigar Shirt

WOM L A

Email info@RealMenClothing.com for special orders or wholesale store pricing.

With sizes ranging from Small to 3X there certainly is something for every lady who knows the difference between toro and torpedo and love smoking their cigars.

www.RealWomenLoveCigars.com

Summer Cocktail Recepies

you want to truly impress your guests this summer, serve cocktails sexy enough to be paired with your favorite high-end Cuban cigar. To provide you with the best of the best for this season’s entertaining needs, I contacted several top restaurants and bars for their most unique cocktail offerings. Which ones made the cut? The Red Pepper: This intriguing cocktail hails from a hot South Beach restaurant called Red, The Steakhouse. If you have a chance to sample it there, be sure to also try the house snapper, and hit their rooftop after dinner for a view of the Miami skyline. If not, they’ve graciously provided the recipe so you can whip up one of your own. Blend two ounces of Nolet silver gin, a half ounce of St. Germain, a splash of agave nectar, a crushed red bell pepper and some fresh crushed mint. Garnish with a sliver of red pepper. Pair this drink with some Parmesan grissini for a fresh take on happy hour.

Pink Panther: Created by mixologist Keith Dusko from Haru, a Japanese restaurant and sushi bar also in New York City, the Pink Panther brings an unexpected flavor pairing to a cocktail suitable for a theme party celebrating the movie of the same name. Mix an ounce and a half of Avion Blanco tequila, three quarters of an ounce of Aperol liqueur, an ounce of pink grapefruit juice and a fifth of an ounce of sour mix. Serve straight up in a Cosmo glass rimmed with salt, and garnish with an orange slice.

The Star Cocktail: Available at SD26 Wine Bar and Lounge in New York City, the Star Cocktail’s ingredients are a tip of the hat to the Italian-themed eatery where it was created. Pour an ounce of orange juice, a half ounce of Campari and a splash of Cointreau into a champagne flute and top with two ounces of Prosecco for a sophisticated cocktail you can serve with cigars after midnight during an evening of backyard stargazing with a telescope.

Frozen Mojito: The Keys Cigar and Rum Bar in the Marriott on St. Kitts presents a frozen version of everyone’s favorite minty rum drink. I enjoyed my first one on site after a day at the pool and the resort’s signature bamboo massage, but you can create your own at home to enjoy with a fine cigar. Blend six branches of fresh mint leaves, 2 ounces of white Bacardi rum, a splash of club soda and simple syrup to taste. Garnish with lime or more fresh mint leaves.

Pepper Tuscan Mimosa: From Poe’s Kitchen at the Rattlesnake in Boston, a restaurant known for its out-of-the-box cocktails, comes a more masculine version of the traditional brunch cocktail. This spicy, manly mimosa can be served in a martini glass for a fresh and unexpected presentation method. Mix one and three fourths ounces of pink-peppercorn-infused Galliano, an ounce of orange juice and an ounce of champagne. To infuse the Galliano, pour a quarter cup of cracked pink peppercorns into a 375 ml bottle of Galliano and let soak for 72 hours, agitating occasionally. When ready, strain the mixture twice through a double-thick layer of cheesecloth and pour back into the bottle.

Cigars in Review 31

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32 Cigars in Review

Review

Tony Katz Smokes America continued from pg 2 the streets. It seems the city of Nanny New York is continually confused in how to properly serve the people.

employee. Remember, the employee is not a slave, and can choose other employment.

And in this morass of medieval moral might, the cigar smoker is a victim of elitist entitlement, and media malpractice. These bans are aimed at cigarettes. Bloomberg’s quote goes to the idea of clean beaches “… not littered with cigarette buts.” The preponderance of restaurant and bar smoking is cigarette smoking. (One could say it all is and be right in the vast majority of cases.) But what of the cigar smoker that gets lumped in with cigarette smokers? Our passion gets lumped in with their addiction. Our art form - just ask one of the many artisans involved with the creation of a single cigar - is lumped in with consumers of a mass-produced commodity.

Going back to New York, one might wonder about enforcement of this law. Are the police going to be scouring Central Park looking for people chain smoking Parliments or slipping each other Robustos with a series of complex hand signals usually reserved for gang activity? No. The law in New York will not be enforced by the police, according to Councilwoman Gale Brewer, the bill’s main sponsor. Rather, as reported by Time magazine, the law will be self-enforced…with residents warning anyone who lights a cigarette in a park or on a beach that it’s illegal.” Yes, the elitists of Nanny New York passed a law that will have the citizens spying on each other, and reporting our misdeeds to Big Brother. (Say…1984 is a really good book, isn’t it?) Yet, not everyone on the Nanny New York City Council is an embarrassment of elitist ignorance. Councilman Daniel J. Halloran III of Queens, as quoted in the New York Times,

The media, when championing these stories of elitist excess, never state the facts: cigars are different than cigarettes; cigars do not get inhaled; cigars are all natural; cigars smell great. Cigar smokers, in the main, aren’t putting out their cigars on the beach. (Mayor Bloomberg’s words prove that!) Cigar smokers often use the simple tranquility of a cigar lounge to light up and enjoy a stick with their friends. But the views of Nanny New York have made their way across the nation, including where I live in Californanny. California State Senator Mark DeSaulniers (D-Walnut Creek) and Assembly Member and Chairman of the Majority Caucus, Jerry Hill (D-San Mateo) have introduced SB 575, designed to ban smoking in all public places…including cigar lounges. From the Cigar Rights of America website, “Senate Bill 575 would ban smoking in all retail tobacco businesses, private clubs, hotel lobbies, bars, taverns, banquet rooms, warehouse facilities, and employee break rooms.” That would mean that you could go to a cigar lounge…you could buy a cigar… but you couldn’t smoke it. As Marvin Samel, founder of Drew Estate, and Brian Berman of Cigar Rights of America quipped to me on the subject - it’s like saying you can buy a car, but you can’t drive it off the lot. If an adult willfully goes to a cigar lounge and willfully purchases a cigar and willfully lights that cigar and willfully smokes that cigar - that is the right of the adult in question. However, as we have now proven, the elitists don’t believe that. They do not believe that your rights are in play or that you have rights! Rather, they see the world through a different lens where, based on their position, they believe they know best, and must - for your own good! - protect you. Since they cannot be honest about the unveiling of their egomaniacal self, they camouflage the conversation and shift its focus to the poor, downtrodden employee who will be harmed…though we have shown that it is not about the health of potential

If an adult willfully goes to a cigar lounge and willfully purchases a cigar and willfully lights that cigar and willfully smokes that cigar - that is the right of the adult in question. However, as we have now proven, the elitists don’t believe that. said, “Once we pass this, we will next be banning smoking on sidewalks, and then in the cars of people who are driving minors and then in the homes.” Perhaps there is some hope yet for the rational mind. Cigar Rights of America continues to notify cigar smokers about the attacks to our individual liberties, and about who is doing the attacking. You can learn more about them and join the group at http://cigarrights.org. (Full disclosure: I am a lifetime member of the organization, having joined just this year.) In the Nanny New York law, there is one carve out for smoking. Actors! Those engaged in a theatrical production are exempted from the restrictions of smoking in parks and on beaches. So get your camera-phones ready, and enjoy a cigar in Central Park. And when some busybody tells you it’s illegal, tell them you are doing a performance piece. Free Man with Smoke, you can call it. As for these laws that are foisted upon us to make our lives “better,” we call them disgusting and shameful. CIR

Cigars in Review 33

veritas cigars

Sincerely,

Owner/Creator VERITAS CIGAR Co.

Our first three lines Truth MMXI”

“Truth MMXI” is our full body maduro cigar. This cigar is a 6 x 60 and packed full of flavor that only a rich full body cigar delivers. Later this year will we be releasing “Truth” in two other sizes and styles.

“DEA”

“DEA” Dea Dia is a very ancient Roman Goddess of the plowed field and is concerned with the fertility of the earth and the growth of the planted crops. This is a very unique cigar, it comes as a 7 1/4 x 58 double wrapper which combines a Connecticut and Habano wrapper.

“TRI”

Veritas wanted to come into the premium cigar industry with a bang. So for the last two years we have been working on a custom blend that the industry has not seen or produced. We are proud to introduce “TRI” a three wrapper three blend cigar, the first of it’s kind on the market. “TRI” combines the best of cigars into one. The flavors in this cigar are unreal and changes from blend to blend without a lack of burn or flavor.

Ask your retailer to carry your new favorite cigar. All of our cigars are grown, rolled and stored and aged & cured for months in our Nicaragua factory until shipping. Our Cigars use 100% all-natural tobacco, derived from Cuban seeds. When our tobacco is harvested, it is taken through an elaborate process of fermentation and proper aging to give a unique aroma and distinctly smooth flavor. Our four year process differs from the widely used fast-aging method. Veritas Cigars are hand-made with a technique used in Nicaragua for decades, that now yields a superior line of premium cigars. Veritas Cigars, Simply Superb! RIT

AS LIBERT

. We are proud to produce custom blends and wrappers for our VERITAS premium cigar line at our factory is located in Esteli, Nicaragua. VERITAS Cigars are committed to produce great premium cigars at a low cost to our customers. VE

34 Cigars in Review

www.veritascigars.com

gun

Cigars in Review 35

M E D I A

THE CIGAR LIFESTYLE

The Strokes - “Angles” (RCA Records, Rough Trade Records)

By Bryan Infante

rable writing and recording style to Is This It. “Under Cover of Darkness” is the album’s first single and it is a classic Strokes tune, with pinchy and melodic guitar riffs its driving force. Moreover, lead singer Julian Casablancas’ vocals sound like they were resurrected from the artist’s distant past, soaring over the instrumentals, begging for listeners to sing along. Fortunately, there are parts of the album that don’t just sound like a rehashing of a modern classic. “Taken For a Fool,” “You’re So Right,” and “Games” all incorporate a very different style of production. Synthesizers and drum machines reduce the garage rock feel and provide an 80s retro sound. Does This Mean A “Garage Rock Revival” Revival?

2001, The Strokes released the contemporary More important than the nuances of Angles is the masterpiece, Is This It. Visceral and melodic, the speculation it has inspired, mainly because The Strokes’ Strokes’ debut album became an immediate success. efforts after 2001’s Is This It have failed to live up to And unlike most artists acclaimed by MTV and other fans’ expectations. Room on Fire (2003) and First mainstream music media, The Strokes possessed stark Impressions of Earth (2006) were widely considered to honesty. Songs like “Last Night” and “Someday” were be evidence that Casablancas and friends were destined being blasted on the stereos to be one-album wonders. of twenty-something-yearFortunately, Angles sugSongs like “Last Night” and “Someday” old old punk rockers as gests otherwise. It reminds well as divorced, middlelisteners of their ability to aged women. The album’s were being blasted on the stereos of twenty- be a dynamic and sincere legacy, however, is not bunch of artists amidst a something-year-old old punk rockers as captured merely by two big music market saturated hits. Its influence can be with mediocrity. Apparentwell as divorced, middle-aged women. found in its many succesly, The Strokes understand sors. Since the album’s rethis notion, because several lease, the years have been littered with bands influenced members have stated through various media outlets by The Strokes’ garage rock revival. See: The Black that they are already in the process of writing and reKeys (whom I wrote about in my last piece), The Arctic cording a fifth album. What does this mean for you, the Monkeys, The Cold War Kids, etc. reader? Check out Angles now, and watch out for future On March 22, this nearly expired rock outfit took Strokes endeavors. These guys have already reignited another stab at the genre. Their fourth album, Angles, their fan base, and are poised to spark something fresh is a return to original form, demonstrating a compain the currently stale garage rock scene. CIR

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Cigars in Review 37

W I N E

THE CIGAR LIFESTYLE

Bubbly BUBBLY by Tony Bellatto

om Perignon, the French monk who discovered champagne, a man who changed the wine game for everyone forever, said he did not think that people would be drinking because of labels, as a status symbol. Unfortunately, this is what champagne has become, so let’s change this attitude by exploring the different and beautiful sparkling wines out there that do not cost $300 a bottle. My absolute favorite season for imbibing is bubble season, and it is approaching fast. Although I drink bubbly as often as I can, June, July, and August are its key months. With that factor in mind, champagne produced in the traditional method is the most important discerning element in deciding what to buy. Traditionally, champagne is made from three grapes: pinot noir (red grape), pinot meunier (red grape), and chardonnay (white grape). It is fermented first in stainless steel vats, and then fermented again in the bottle. The reason for the secondary fermentation in the bottle is to provide the bubbles. When yeast eats sugar, two things are created: alcohol, and carbon dioxide. In still wine, the CO2 is usually bled off during the first fermentation. The bottles of fizzy are then turned slightly every day until they are vertical (riddling). This is done to bring the yeast (lees) to the top of the bottle so it can be frozen, and shot out of the top (degorging). What happens to the space that is left? Some producers don’t add anything to this void, hence the size of the foil on the bottle. Some use either a still red wine (rose), or a sweet mixture of grape juice syrup (le dosage) to make it a little more user friendly. Now that we’ve dispensed with the technical mumbo jumbo, let’s get down to the fun part: buying champagne. Think to yourself, how ostentatious must I be? You don’t! Champagne, like sparkling wine, is meant to be fun and enjoyed with friends and the best of company. Oysters don’t hurt, either. Some people think that only the most expensive and austere brands of champagne are the best and that it is only catered to the super rich, when in fact it is specifically catered to people like you and me. We just have to find the right labels.

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These famous houses make great champagne but are not focused on terrior (sense of place), they are focused on a good consistent product that tastes the same year after year. I have most of the secrets here for you. Generally speaking, champagne is made in-house at the winery, but from selected vineyards and growers in or around Champagne, France. Some houses use up to 70 different bottles for each bottling. These famous houses make great champagne but are not focused on terrior (sense of place), they are focused on a good consistent product that tastes the same year after year. This is fine, and if you want to spend over 300 bucks a bottle, go ahead. Just know that out of the 19,000 growers, there is a small and focused group of about 5,000 grower/winemakers that are emerging in France who are making some killer bottles of bubbly. They are called Recoltant-Manipulants, and the bottles they make reflect this status by having the initials RM on the label. The cool thing about grower champagne is the winemaker’s approach to small production artisanal wines. They are focused on bringing the truth out of the land and letting the sparkler show its true colors

without manipulation. To me, this is the truest form of winemaking and craftsmanship. You can pick up some of these grower champagnes most of the time for well under $100. As an example, Pierre Peters blanc de blanc is great for about $50. Be careful, though, a lot of theses bottles are released a little too early and may need some time in your cellar. In northern Italy lies Lombardy, a region not generally known for making wine in the country. Inside Lombardy lies Franciacorta DOCG, which produces some of the best sparkling wines in the world. Franciacorta is comprised of 85% chardonnay, 10 % pinot

nero (pinot noir), and 5% pinot bianco (a white genetic mutation of pinot noir). It is made in the traditional or Metodo Classico (charmat method), and (the important part) must be aged for 25 months after harvest and 18 months on the lees in the bottle. This is all very similar to champagne, and the wine shows it. Very balanced and elegant in general, with hints of biscuit and nice firm acidity compared to champagne, franciacorta is more round and approachable and are very easy to drink, but sometimes lack the complexity of its cousin in France. May I suggest La Boscaiola brut for about $40. It has some nice dried fruit characteristics complimented by a fruit driven apricot nose. The USA certainly does not miss the boat on production of stellar sparkling wines. You need to be careful, though, because Americans do produce a lot of over-manufactured gas-injected sparklers. You can still find awesome wine at great value here at home but you have to know what you’re looking for. Obviously, California is the forerunner on all things grape, and its vintners are definitely the standard in sparkling. Try Schramsburg blanc de blanc; for about 40 bucks you

can pick up a cave-aged, small lot, malo-lactic, barrel fermented beauty. Vibrant and fruity, this wine will do well and age for the next 5-15 years. After all, they drink it at the White House. If you’re into getting really adventuresome, go to the Old West, just south of Truth and Consequences, New Mexico. A vineyard there was planted in 1984 by a man named Gilbert Gruet, owner of French champagne house Gruet et Fils, as he was traveling through the Southwest United States. As taken from their website: “At 4300 ft. the vineyards are some of the highest in the United States, so regardless of how hot the days might be, the temperature at night can drop as much as thirty degrees, cooling the fruit and slowing down the maturation process on an otherwise short growing season. Sandy and loamy soil, and a lack of humidity that might contribute to rot, give us a consistency of fruit year in and year out, and allow us to produce our awardwinning wines without the use of pesticides.” The last time I drank this blanc de noir with fresh biscuits and strawberries and raspberry cream, I had trouble discerning it from some of the best champagnes I’ve ever had from France. Throughout time kings, authors, British spies, dictators, presidents, actors, and rappers have drunk champagne and all have had something to say about it. Now it is your turn to take out the people you love to your favorite restaurant or pick up a bottle at your local wine shop and make an evening out of that bottle. No special occasion is necessary. Just get one you’ve never had before and don’t recognize by label and enjoy it, because drinking champagne and enjoying it is a lifestyle, and you need to live it. Trust me, it’ll be the best decision you’ve ever made and I would love to hear about it. CIR

Cigars in Review 39

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“Porter” The Porter is one beer whose style can be traced back to its very beginnings. First brewed in 1722 by a man named Ralph Harwood and served at the Blue Last Pub in England. Mr. Harwood brewed Porter to make it easier and faster to serve than three or four thread beers, which are beers pulled from taps. Mr. Harwood decided to put the ingredients from those three or four beers into one brew and call it Entire or Entire Butt. Porter became one of the most popular beer styles in the world in the middle to late 1700’s. Arthur Guinness started out brewing Entire Butt at St. James Gate Brewery Dublin in 1759, which later evolved into the stout. The name porter was first used in the 18th century in conjunction with its popularity with the street and river porters of London. The Porter style started declining in popularity by the late 1800’s and almost disappeared in the 1900’s. This demise was due to the popularity in paler and lighter ales and pilsners being brewed at the time. Porter made a comeback because of the home brewing and craft brewing community that revived the style in 1960’s and 70’s. Thanks to a

few concerned brewers, porter is now a widely drunk beer style again in the U.S. and England. There are three different types of Porters: the Robust Porter, London Brown Porter, and Baltic Porter. Their aroma and flavor profiles are listed below. Robust Porter This medium to full body balanced beer has a noticeably coffee-like dryness, and may exhibit a malty sweet flavor in the finish. Chocolate and black malts add a sharp bitterness, but do so without adding roasted or charcoal notes. There can be a little roast barley character with a hop bitterness present, and hop flavor and aroma noticeable. A low fruitiness and esters are present due to the clean fermenting ale yeast. The color is deep brown with red hues to black. Some great commercial examples are Anchor Porter, Sierra Nevada Porter, Black Hook Porter. Great Lakes Edmond Fitzgerald Porter, Pikes Porter, Rogue Mocha Porter, and Left Hand Black Jack Porter. Alcohol can range from 4.5 - 8% a.b.v. Brown Porter A bit lighter than the robust, with light to medium body and generally lower in alcohol, this brew features a malt sweetness that is low to medium and well balanced with the sub-

History you can Drink dued hop bitterness. It has no strong roast barley or burnt malt character. Color is medium to dark brown with reddish tones. There is no real hop aroma and flavor ,with a touch of fruitiness from the ale yeast used. Commercial examples to try include: Samuel Smith’s Taddy Porter, Fuller’s London Porter, Dublin Plain Porter (only in Dublin), Yuengling Porter, Stegmeter Porter, Flag Porter, and John Labbatts’s Porter. The alcohol content is 4.5 - 5.5% a.b.v. Baltic Porter Made in the U.S., Finland, Lithuania, Poland, Russia, Ukraine, Denmark and Sweden, Baltic Porters are brewed with lager yeast and aged to give them a clean rich flavor. The aroma has a great complexity of rich malty sweetness, with

hints of caramel, toffee, nutty, and/or licorice notes. The flavor is malty sweet with a blend of deep malt, dried fruit and roastiness, which is balanced with mostly noble hops. Commercial brews are: Southampton Imperial Baltic Porter, Great Divide Smoked Baltic Porter, Browar Okocim S.A. (Carlsberg), Smuttynose Baltic Porter, and Alaskan Baltic Porter. The alcohol content is from 5.0% - 9.5% a.b.v. Serving temperature for Baltic Porters is 42 degrees.

By Jan Labota

All three styles of these porters should be tried. You will taste their uniqueness and experience the real history that made this beer style so great. Cheers! CIR Cigars in Review 41

42 Cigars in Review

CIGAR

R AT I N G S

THE CIGAR LIFESTYLE

Top Cigar picks for Summer 2011 USA Cigar Company | Erez Cigars Wrapper: Dominican Binder: Dominican Filler: Dominican Ring Gauge: 50 Length: 7.5 Price: $9.50

Flawless habano wrapper. Consistent spicy and papery flavors hit your palette right of the bat. Strong flavors throughout ranging from white pepper, earthy wood tones and coco. A truly great cigar that will fit your budget nicely.

USA Cigar Company | Arganese Cigar â&#x20AC;˘ CL3 Wrapper: Dominican Binder: Dominican Filler: Dominican Ring Gauge: 52 Length 6 7/8 Price: $7.40

Well constructed Corojo nice oily. Vegetal, forest floor with a lot of green bell pepper. Spicy with hits of baking spice, nutmeg and cinnamon. Would go great with a glass of port after a hearty meal.

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USA Cigar Company | Padilla • Dominus Wrapper: Nicaraguan Binder: Nicaraguan Filler: Nicaraguan Ring Gauge: 49 Length: 7 Price: $11.00

This Churchill has a super silky chocolate brown wrapper with a flawless draw. Dark chocolate and mesquite pepper greet you from the first puff. It turns into a powerhouse of leather and spicy cocoa that burns with eagerness. Full bodied and complex.

USA Cigar Company | Erez Cigars Wrapper: Dominican Binder: Dominican Filler: Dominican Ring Gauge: 50 Length: 5 Price: $6.95

Slightly bitter start that quickly disappears. Toasty creamy notes emerge with hints of sweetness laced with dry spice and grassy undertones make for a perfect mid-morning cigar.

USA Cigar Company | Torano • Single Region Jalapa: Wrapper: Nicaragua Binder: Nicaragua Filler: Nicaraguan Ring Gauge 50 Length 7 Price: $6.95

Starts off with a heavy earthy leathery flavor, with hints of espresso. Overall it is slightly rough, but it warms up to a smoother sweeter texture, with notes of spice akin to jalapeño.

USA Cigar Company | Erez Cigars Wrapper: Dominican Binder: Dominican Filler: Dominican Ring Gauge: 54 Length: 6.25 Price: $9.50

Delectable spices laced with coco and aromatic plumes of cedar and chocolate. Pleasant looking Bahia wrapper. Dead-on draw and burn. A well balanced cigar. Perfect after dinner cigar.

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USA Cigar Company | Alec Bradley • Family Blend Wrapper: Honduras Binder: Indonesia Filler: Nicaraguan/Honduras Ring Gauge: 50 Length 5.5 Price: $6.95

Nice oily wrapper. Draws very well. Nice and creamy with a nutty texture. Plenty of leathery and meaty notes. Flavors of dark roasted coffee with a long finish. Has a consistent even burn.

USA Cigar Company | Ashton • La Aroma De Cuba Mi Amor Wrapper: Mexico Binder: Nicaraguan Filler: Nicaraguan Ring Gauge: 50 Length 5 Price: $7.50

An impressive cigar. From the near flawless wrapper to the plentiful flavors found through out. Sweet raisins and spicy overtones mix to make up this truly fine cigar.

USA Cigar Company | Padilla • La Terraza Wrapper: Nicaraguan Binder: Nicaraguan Filler: Nicaraguan Ring Gauge: 54 Length: 5 Price: $5.00

Eye pleasing wrapper. Spicy start that gives way and mellows out some. Light bark flavors and earthy flavors give way to hints of cedar. Whispers of caramel lace the entire cigar. Perfect draw right to the nub.

Porto Rico Company | Falto Cigars. • Legado Wrapper Nicaraguan: Binder: Dominican Filler: Dominican /Nicaragua Ring Gauge: 47 Length 5.75 Price: $5.00

Eye-pleasing wrapper. Dry spice, nuts and a slight hint of leather and damp earth. Airy, large plumes of aromatic smoke. Perfect burn. Great after dinner cigar.

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USA Cigar Company | Arganese Cigar • ML3 Wrapper: Brazilian Binder: Dominican Filler: Dominican Ring Gauge: 50 Length 5 Price: $7.40

This is the cigar many Dominican maduro cigars attempt to be. Charred cedar and wild cherry are complemented by a lasting glazed donut sweetness. An ideal after dinner cigar

USA Cigar Company | La Tradicion Cubana • JML 1902 Wrapper: Pennsylvanian Binder: Honduran Filler: Dominican Ring Gauge: 54 Length: 6.25 Price: $N/A

Dark matte wrapper. Pleasant to look at. Some veining. Excellent flavors ranging from spice and wood notes to cinnamon with hints of carmel and coffee. A palette pleaser of a cigar.

USA Cigar Company | Alec Bradley • Tempus Wrapper: Honduras Binder: Honduras, Filler: Honduras, Nicaraguan Ring Gauge: 50 Length 5 Price: $8.00

Wrapper has a dark matte finish. Nice smooth draw. Spices, nuts and cedar flavors. A hint of semi sweet coffee beans also found.

USA Cigar Company | Rock-A-Fellar Wrapper: Ecuadorian Binder: Dominican Filler: Dominican/Nicaraguan Ring Gauge: 52 Length: 6 Price: $6.00

A well made cigar. Beautiful natural wrapper. Sweet nutty flavors. Whispers of carmel go with some spicy characteristics. Excellent draw and burn. Semi-dry and spicy finish.

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USA Cigar Company | Rock-A-Feller Wrapper: Ecuadorian Binder: Dominican Filler: Dominican/Nicaraguan Ring Gauge: 48 Length: 7 Price: $6.00

Overall a nice looking cigar. Consistent even burn, perfect draw. Nutty tones with hints of spice that transpire as you near the last half of the cigar. Leather and earthy notes combine for a truly enjoyable cigar.

90 USA Company | La Tradicion Cubana â&#x20AC;˘ Sabor Cubana Wrapper: Brazilian Binder: Ecuador Filler: Dominican Ring Gauge: 52 Length:6 Price: $7.00

An impressive cigar. Beautiful maduro wrapper. Tiny veining. Hints of black licorice, pepper, spices and leather all are found. Creamy plums of smoke billow out of this beauty.

USA Cigar Company | MT Cigars Wrapper: Indonesian Binder: Dominican Filler: Dominican Ring Gauge: 50 Length 6 Price: $2.00

For the everyday-cigar smoking man, this will fill the bill and go easy on your wallet. A good cigar whether your cutting the grass or barbequing. Has a nice easy draw. Has plenty of flavors and lots of smoke.

USA Cigar Company | La Tradicion Cubana Wrapper: Ecuadorian Binder: Honduran Filler: Dominican/Nicaraguan Ring Gauge: 38 Length: 7 Price: $5.00

A smooth wrapper and pigtail distinguishes this attractive lancero. A floral papery start yields a little spice. The flavor evolves into a consistent grassy nuttiness with a hint of sweetness throughout.

USA Cigar Company | MT Cigars Wrapper: Indonesian Binder: Dominican Filler: Dominican Ring Gauge: 50 Length 6 Price: $2.00

Dry earth tones, hazel nut and spices. Produces large white plumes of smoke. Excellent value cigar. Good midday cigar as you relax in the backyard with your favorite drink.

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For Release: Rarely in the history of mankind does a miracle occur that everyone can witness. The phenomenon of the Templar Diamond is just such a marvel. A beautiful creation of nature, this incredible brilliant diamond is almost three carats in weight and a natural greenish color, but the miracle of this gift of the universe is a spectacular cross that can be seen at its center. One day in late autumn, David Rafaeli, a diamond dealer in Los Angeles, was sorting through his latest acquisitions from Israel. To his amazement, one of the precious stones was like nothing he had ever seen. He focused his jeweler’s lens as closely as he could, and no matter how he tried to adjust it - the symbol was still there. It was a perfect unilateral cross, totally natural and magnificent! The beautiful cross was positioned exactly in the center of the diamond. Even more stunning was the fact that the cross is a replica of the symbol of the Templar knights from the first crusade of 1096. The Templar knights were entrusted with the mission of defending the Holy Land and protecting the Holy Grail, said to be the cup that contained the blood of Christ. The knights believed that anyone who drank from the Grail would have eternal life. To be the defenders of the Holy Land and keepers of the Grail was an immense responsibility indeed, but one that the knights gave their lives to fulfill. The Templars were instrumental to the successes of the Crusades, easily recognizable by their white mantels emblazoned with a unique stylized cross. The knights were the bravest and best warriors in battle, but they were also responsible for creating an economic infrastructure that resulted in the earliest form of banking and created economic stability in the medieval world. The Templars represented an amazing balance of unfathomable courage in battle and incredible foresight for the preservation and development of civilized society. Today, we romanticize the concept of knights, courage, and devotion. It is the stuff of legends from long ago. Recent movies such as “The Da Vinci Code” remind us of this era of romance and chivalry. For centuries, the eight-pointed cross of the Templars has represented the virtues of: Loyalty Piety

Recently, the Vatican announced the release of long-hidden papers in the Vatican library that absolve the Templars from all charges of heresy. Philip IV, King of France prosecuted fabricated charges against the Templars in order to free himself of debts owed them. These papers are soon to be displayed for public viewing and a limited number of books will be published about the document. With all this publicity about the ancient order, what perfect timing for the discovery of the Templar Diamond! The marvel of a diamond itself gives us awe. Taking millions of years to create, the diamond symbolizes eternity and love. But this unique creation embodying the image of the Templar cross is almost incomprehensible to the human mind. Can it be a gift from God and a reminder of the Holy Grail at a time in our history when we need to refocus our energies toward peace and unity? This amazing brilliant diamond is indeed a messenger for all mankind. It is a symbol of universal faith and hope for our future. It represents the divine essence of the human spirit. John Francavilla, PR Director for the Templar Diamond Exhibit, expresses his feelings on the discovery: “The significance of this find is difficult to ignore. Could it be a sign sent to us now when we need it the most? This is a time of conflict and war, when mankind needs to take a step back and reevaluate the meaning of sharing the Earth. It is essential to remember the meaning of unity and love. We all need to come together to resolve our differences and live in peace.” David Rafaeli has been greatly affected by the discovery of the miracle diamond. He is dedicated to seeing that this gift is seen and experienced by as many people as possible. Thus, plans are being set in motion now to have the diamond placed on view around the world for the benefit of everyone. To celebrate the Templar diamond David has produced a fine hand made boutique cigar that is now available! You can find MT Cigars through Phillips & King, Cigars-now.com, or by ordering directly from the company in Los Angeles at 213.373.1393

Honesty Spirituality Honor Charity Devotion David Rafaeli 48 Cigars in Review

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