After Hours

Celebrating One Year of The Circle DAVIDOFF’S ANIVERSARIO SPECIAL | «R»

We celebrate one year of THE CIRCLE with a Davidoff cigar made to mark special occasions, the Aniversario Special «R».

or this very special anniversary issue, as we mark our first anniversary as Canada’s premier journal of horology, fine writing instruments and the connoisseurial lifestyle, we wanted to choose a fitting cigar to share with you, our readers. Cigars are often markers of a milestone, whether as gifts for a special occasion, a ritual of fellowship with valued company or an indulgence in sacred moments of solitude. Following our previous review of the Davidoff black label Winston Churchill Late Hour Toro, we decided to sample a longtime staple of the Davidoff white label range, the Aniversario.

Founded in the mid-1930’s by Zino Davidoff, Switzerland’s own ‘King of Cigars, ’ this cigar making house has distinguished itself by its high standards of quality and by cultivating is own tobacco plants, tailored to the Dominican Republic’s diverse tobacco growing regions. A robusto in format, the Aniversario Special «R» has a ring gauge of 50, a length of 5 inches, and is constructed of three Dominican filler tobaccos, a Piloto Seco binder, and an Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper. The effect is a gentle earthy aroma associated with a Connecticut wrapper, punctuated with a nuttiness and spice which reminds the smoker that this is a fine Dominical cigar. The Aniversario Special «R» shares the smooth draw characteristic of all Davidoff cigars, notably produced by the brand’s favoured accordion rolling method. And, as with all Davidoff cigars, extra time in the aging process (a minimum of 4 years) enhances the Aniversario’s flavour profile with a subtle, rich strength, even for a mid-range cigar with a rating of 2.5. As always, we recommend taking your quest for the best cigars to City Cigar. Certified Habanos Specialists and authorized Davidoff retailer, City Cigar’s large selection and knowledgeable staff make it our first choice for fine tobacco products.

City Cigar Company CityCigarCompany.com

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The Last Word

LIFE CYCLES

Reflecting on one year of THE CIRCLE and the re-released Cartier Pasha, a watch instrumental in fostering my own early love for horology.

t was the year 1999, and David Oscarson had just released the Henrik Wigstrom – a pen which transformed the landscape of the fine writing instrument world by raising the bar of quality and craftsmanship, as Michel Perchin had done before. A young man in high school, I was visiting Brinkhaus, in the Hotel Vancouver, to explore the world of jewellery, fine writing instruments and horology so exquisitely curated by its owner, Gisela. Even after so many years, I still remember the moment when a young sales associate handed me a Cartier Pasha, explaining to me the screw-down crown cover. The guilloché almost shimmered beneath the sapphire crystal, giving a sense of depth to the dial. Holding, handling and wearing the watch conveyed the true quality and craftsmanship of the piece, more than the digital articles and videos of today ever could. It was in moments like these, hearing the story behind a piece from a knowledgeable associate or passionate boutique owner, that the meaning and beauty of these pieces were shared. Here we gained entry to the world of collectors, a world in which value is not based on grey market resale prices or popular demand, but on the pedigree and provenance of a tradition of craftsmanship, materials and design. It is the human story which gives significance to the pieces we collect, often archaically transmitted like the oral traditions of an indigenous tribe and shaped by one’s own sentimental experiences. This is why we chose to build a community of collectors around the magazine. Creating THE CIRCLE | CONNOISSEURS, we envisioned a place where collectors, creators and local boutique managers could enjoy the human contact which makes the often solitary and private art of collecting a social experience. Seeking to foster these relationships by providing a medium which unites collector, creator and curator, we look forward to many more years of building our community, and thank each of you for joining THE CIRCLE, in what is just the beginning of our journey!

J D Banck Publisher THE CIRCLE | TORONTO