Cigars | NYC Whiskey Review

Select Draw Cigar Cutter

April 18, 2024 Cigars

Name: Select Draw Cigar Cutter

Color: Brushed Aluminum Metal

Use: Cigar Cutter/Punch

Select Draw Cutter (SD Cutter) is a cigar punch with a bit of twist when it comes to “punching” a cigar to enjoy your smoke. If you are not familiar with cutting a cigar there a two choices; Cut or Punch. Cut is when you use a Cutter to snip the cigar and Punch is creating a hole in the end of the cigar. Depending on your preference of the “draw” of smoke you choose a method to cut your cigar.

I first noticed SD Cutter on Instagram and followed their page at: @selectdrawcigarcutters and noticed a lot of people using it which made me curious. After reading a few posts I commented to someone about its functionality and SD Cutters reached out and sent me one to test. For that, I say thank you. SD Cutter has lead to the creation of this new section on my blog for cigars and accessories.

SD Cutter is made of lightweight aluminum, shaped like bishop chess piece, is easy to use, and you have a choice of the Original (silver) or the Obsidian (black). It has screw bottom that conceals a three-prong spike to punch your cigar. If three punches do not get it done then you can rotate for a 3, 6, 9, 12, etc. punch. The number of holes is at your choice and will also depend on the gauge of the cigar.

SD Cutter can be purchased here: www.selectdrawcigarcutters.com

The draw when enjoying my cigar is much different than a traditional punch. It works well on most cigars, but some are tightly packed, so I had to use a regular cutter. You will have to determined what works best for you.

SD Cutter is a great product if you like a different draw on your cigar and would make an excellent gift for a cigar smoker. Add it to your collection or give it as a gift this Holiday Season!

Priced around $34 and worth the money even though I got it for free. Thank you again SD Cutter!

If you like it, drink it (or smoke it)! – Chris

If you like it, drink it!

Davidoff Late Hour – Robusto

April 17, 2024 Cigars

Name: Davidoff Late Hour – Robusto

Size/Gauge: 5” / 52

Wrapper: Ecuador, Ecuador Habano, & Oscuro

Binder: Mexican

Filler: Dominica & Nicaraguan

Davidoff Late Hour Robusto series aged in the finest Scotch whisky casks and bears the name Winston Churchill’s profile on the side. A man who truly loved his cigars, whisky, and kicking fucking arses!

This cigar started a little bitter with strong flavors but after about ten minutes it softened up. It has coffee and wood notes with a little nutty flavor. It had an even burn and very smooth drawing. It is a strong-tasting cigar and would go well with a coffee, light whisky, red wine or after a heavy steak dinner. This expression is not for to be smoke on a hot day outdoors.

Late Hour Robusto is a continuation of the box set I received for Christmas 2023. I will continue to review them each month for the rest of 2024. Again, Davidoff does not disappoint!

Priced around $25 and worth it if you like a heavier cigar.

If you like it, drink it (or smoke it)! – Chris

If you like it, drink it!

Nub Cigars

February 22, 2024 Cigars

Name: Nub Cigars

Size/Gauge: 3.75 to 4 / 54 to 66

Wrapper Options: Cameroon, Connecticut, Habano, and Brazilian

Nub Cigar Selections: Cain, Cameroon, Connecticut, Corojo, Habano, Maduro, Nuance, and Tubes

Nub Cigar is made by Olivia Cigars as was first released in 2008. The factory is located in Estelí, Nicaragua and the cigars are hand rolled. The first time I heard about Nub’s was from Bill Burr on his Monday Morning Podcast. I thought, if it is good enough for Bill, it is good enough for me.

I have been smoking these cigars for a few years now. They are a very nice cigar, they burn well, and are affordable. The burn time varies depending on how you smoke them, but I find they last around thirty minutes which works well in you are limited in time or by hot/cold weather.

I recommend you try Nub Cigars with your morning coffee. No breakfast. Just a cigar and the sweeter based coffee aroma that Nub produces. It’s great way to start your morning when you are on vacation, or a Monday if you hate you job.

Prices range from $8 to $12 depending on your area or online. I recommend starting with a sample pack.

If you like it, drink it! (or smoke it!) – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

Davidoff Yamasa Petit Churchill

February 21, 2024 Cigars

Name: Davidoff Yamasa Petit Churchill

Size/Gauge: 4” / 48

Wrapper: Dominican

Binder: Dominican

Filler: Dominican & Nicaragua

Yamasa Petit Churchill is part of Davidoff Discovery line of cigars. From my research this line was developed to create cigars from more unique tobaccos from different locations around the world. As expected, Davidoff does not disappoint and my research the type of tobaccos used are very interesting to read about. I recommend you visit Davidoff’s site to learn more.

Yamasa is a smaller cigar but for little stick it packs a punch. It is rich tasting with earthy flavors and burns clean and even for approximately 30 minutes. It is a great cigar for an outdoor winter smoke. Due to its strength and flavor I do not think it would be a good choice for a hot summer day. The Yamasa would pair well with Auchentoshan, Deanston Virgin Oak, or a lighter bourbon such as Old Forester.

This cigar is part of a box set of I received as a Christmas gift. As you can see below in the photo there are plenty to try in 2024 so I will be aiming to do one cigar review per month this year.

Priced around $14 and good, but for a few dollars more I would get a full-sized cigar.

If you like it, drink it (or smoke it)! – Chris

If you like it, drink it!

Davidoff Year of the Rabbit

December 8, 2023 Cigars

Name: Davidoff Year of the Rabbit – Flagship Edition

Size: 6 x 56

Length: 6 inches

The Christmas countdown has begun! Do you have all your bottles (or Cigars) ready!?!

Davidoff Year of the Rabbit the most recent release from Davidoff Zodiac Series. The cigar and filler originates from the Dominican Republic. The wrapper is from Ecuador and the binder is from Mexico. Each year Davidoff releases a limited series of cigars in conjunction with the Chinese Calendar. This summer I had the great fortune to sample this cigar after dinner with friends at the the garden of the Aman Hotel in Venice, Italy. A few years ago, I was gifted a box of Davidoff Year of the Rat from the same person and I am incredibly impressed with this series from Davidoff. I do not have the words to describe it. It is the best cigar I have every enjoyed.

By no means do I proclaim to be an expert in cigars, but I know a good one when I smoke it. When I stated this is “the best I have every enjoyed” I mean it. I have had couple of Cuban cigars in Spain and Miami (supposedly, I doubt it) and I do not remember them reaching this level of flavor or quality. Personally, I find Cuban cigars to be like Dom Perignon Champagne. They are brand named product that is easily recognizable, usually highly overrated, and created for gullible name droppers or Social Media idiots.

One important mention is the price of these cigars. The history Zodiac Series below shows the escalation in price and I think it is worth presenting.

Davidoff Cuvée Selection 2012 Year of the Dragon (6 x 52) — $35

Davidoff Limited Edition 2013 Year of the Snake (7 x 48) — $29.90

Davidoff Limited Edition 2014 Year of the Horse (6 x 60) — $31

Davidoff Limited Edition 2015 Year of the Sheep (6 1/2 x 54) — $35

Davidoff Limited Edition 2016 Year of the Monkey (6 1/2 x 50) — $34

Davidoff Limited Edition 2017 Year of the Rooster (6 3/4 x 50) — $40

Davidoff Limited Edition 2018 Year of the Dog (7 x 50) — $39

Davidoff Limited Edition 2019 Year of the Pig (6 x 56) — $39

Davidoff Limited Edition 2020 Year of the Rat (6 x 52) — $39

Davidoff Limited Edition 2021 Year of the Ox (6 x 60) — $40

Davidoff Limited Edition 2022 Year of the Tiger (5 x 52) — $42

Davidoff Limited Edition 2022 Year of the Tiger Toro — $397

Davidoff Limited Edition 2023 Year of the Rabbit (5 15/16 x 54) — $50

Davidoff Limited Edition 2023 Year of the Rabbit Flagship Edition (6 x 56) — $72

As you can see above the price has been going up each year since the beginning of the series. You can find the 5 15/16 x 54 version at Davidoff in NYC Downtown (Fidi) for $69.00 per stick.

Priced around $72+ per cigar and absolutely worth the experience if it fits your budget.

If you like it, drink it (or smoke it)! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

Oliva Connecticut Reserve

October 19, 2023 Cigars

Name: Oliva Connecticut Reserve

Size: 6 x 50

Wrapper: Ecuador

Binder: Nicaraguan

Filler: Nicaraguan

Oliva Connecticut Reserve Cigar is blended with Nicaraguan fillers and binders and is finished with an Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper.

This cigar is an easy, enjoyable smoke with no bitter taste. The draw is smooth and burn time is approximately 45 minutes. This cigar would work well with a coffee, light whisky or even a white wine if you are inclined.

Connecticut wrappers get their name from tobacco leaves sourced from the Connecticut River Valley. They are known to have a lighter gold brown color to them and softer flavors. The name may give the location away, but most people are not aware that the Northeastern Region of the United States grows tobacco as the majority of tobacco comes from the Southern States.

NYC area price is around $15+. Prices vary when you buy cigars from state to state or online.

I am going to work more on adding cigars to my reviews in the next year so the format and information may change so please bear with me.

If you like it, drink it! (or smoke it!)

Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

Camacho Toro Box Pressed – Connecticut

October 18, 2023 Cigars

Name: Camacho Toro Box Pressed – Connecticut

Size: 6 x 50

Wrapper: Honduras – Connecticut

Binder: Honduras – Corojo

Filler: Dominican Republic – Generoso / Aleman Ligero, USA – American Broadleaf

The Camacho Toro Box Press Connecticut is a brand that originated in Honduras but was acquired by Davidoff in 2008. These cigars are usually displayed in most Davidoff stores and from a glance at the prices in the humidor they are promoted as more a wallet friendly option compared to high priced Davidoff expressions.

This cigar is a nice light smoke with notes of roasted tobacco and almond nuts. It is a lighter smoke and has no bitter taste in the mouth after the draw or exhale. Overall, it is a good smoke but a little too light for my taste preference. This would make a good hot weather or breakfast smoke.

Box press is a type of style of cigar which is squarer than the traditional round you normally see. The history is unclear and up for debate on when it started and who was the creator. Using some logic, I would guess it was a combo of marketing a cigar in different shape and maximizing space in a box. Hence the name “box press” because it looks like the cigar box created the shape. Personally, I find the best cutter for this style of cigar is a bullet.

Priced around $10-12 per cigar and worth the price if you like a lighter smoke.

If you like it, drink it (or smoke it)! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

My Father Cigar – La Promesa

September 20, 2023 Cigars

Name: My Father Cigar – La Promesa

Size: Varies

Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano Oscuro

Binder: Nicaraguan

Filler: Nicaraguan

My Father is a brand that I discovered in the last couple of years and have grown to enjoy and become a default purchase when I am looking for a stick. The La Promesa series is identified by the pink/orange wrapper. The cigar is a medium smoke with a nutty and light chocolate flavor. It has a nice draw with an even burn and lasted about 45 minutes.

I bullet cut the cigar and it started off a little dry tasting but then it went away. I think this was because my humidor was under 72% RH. The outdoor temperature was 80F with slightly high humidity which I think helped cigar. The draw was smooth and even, and appeared to be well wrapped.

Other La Promesa’s to sample: Petite 4.5 x 50, Corona Gorda 5.5 x 48, Robusto Grande 5.5 x 54, Toro 6 x 52, and Lancero 7.5 x 38.

Priced around $12-15 per cigar and worth the price for the quality.

If you like it, drink it (or smoke it)! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

Select Draw Cigar Cutter

Davidoff Late Hour – Robusto

Nub Cigars

Davidoff Yamasa Petit Churchill

Davidoff Year of the Rabbit

Oliva Connecticut Reserve

Camacho Toro Box Pressed – Connecticut

My Father Cigar – La Promesa

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