cigar | NYC Whiskey Review

Davidoff Escurio

November 20, 2024 Cigars

Name: Davidoff Escurio

Size/Gauge: 3-1/8” / 50

Wrapper: Ecuador Habano

Binder: Brazil

Filler: Brazil / Dominican Republic

The Davidoff Escurio has a noticeably sweeter nose even before I put a torch to it. This cigar started a little dry and bitter, but the bitterness dissipates after about five minutes of smoking. Escurio has a very nice flavor while being surprisingly strong in taste. It has notes of wood, dark tobacco, and dark chocolate. I did not detect any nuts and no earth and it had a perfect draw with a straight cut. At the time of smoking, I was not sure what the binder and filler were, so I guessed Brazil, and I was right. I have noticed Brazilian tobacco has a distinct flavor profile.

Prices: Box of 14 = $150.00, Pack of 4 = $42.00, One cigar (assume) = $14-16

This one is the second best of the box set and worth the money if it fits your budget.

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

If you like it, drink it!

Davidoff Millennium Piramides

October 23, 2024 Cigars

Name: Davidoff Millennium Piramides

Size/Gauge: 6-1/8” / 52

Wrapper: Ecuador

Binder: Dominican Republic

Filler: Dominican Republic

Davidoff Millennium Piramides has an incredible rich smell of well blended and smooth tobacco. That is what I got before I put a lighter to it so I knew it was going to be good.

Upon lighting this cigar it has an incredible dark roasted taste to go with its smell and the draw is perfect right from the start. It is the best cigar of the box set and with the price I think I can tell why. When I was smoking it I got Zodiac Series memories, but just one level below. It is a smooth, easy cigar with no bitterness of aftertaste.

This cigar is the most impressive of the box set. I think this is my new go to cigar when I want to treat myself.

Prices as of 2024:

Box of 10 = $345.00

Pack of 4 = $138.00

One cigar (assume) = $38-40

Worth the money if it fits your budget or for a special occasion.

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

If you like it, drink it!

Davidoff Aniversario Entreacto

September 18, 2024 Cigars

Name: Davidoff Aniversario Entreacto

Size/Gauge: 3.5” / 43

Wrapper: Ecuador & Nicaragua

Binder: Dominican Republic

Filler: Dominican Republic

Davidoff Aniversario Entreacto is the smallest of the cigars in the box set at 3-1/2” inches. It has sweeter notes and a light nutty flavor. It reminds me of the Signature 2000. Entreacto has a very light and clean draw, but the flavor profile is too light and the time length of smoke is too short. It would make for a quick after dinner cigar or smoke on the golf course. This cigar was the last one of the box set and even though I did not like all of the cigars in the set, I do highly recommend the box set to try the various cigars Davidoff has to offer.

Priced around $13 per cigar and not worth it for my preferred taste, but the box set is worth it at around $200.

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

If you like it, drink it!

Select Draw Cigar Cutter

August 15, 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 – Nicaragua

May 22, 2024 Cigars

Name: Davidoff Late Hour – Nicaragua

Size/Gauge: 5” / 52

Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano Marron Oscuro

Binder: Mexico

Filler: Dominican Republic / Nicaragua

Upon smelling this cigar before and right after first lighting it up I could tell is was going to be good. I did a bullet cut which made the draw a little difficult, so I eventually switched to a straight cut. My stick and a small plug in it, but my steel tooth pick on my key chain fixed it.

The cigar has wonder taste of nuts, light/smooth tobacco , dried fruit, some wood, and earthy notes. It has an even burn and balance flavor/smoke. There is a full flavor with no harsh taste or after taste. The smoke is about 45 minutes.

Box is approximately $500 for 20 cigars3 and works out to $25 a stick. Worth it.

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!

The Dalmore Cigar Malt Reserve

April 4, 2024 Scotland

Name: The Dalmore Cigar Malt Reserve

Color: Copper

Nose: Barley, maple, oak

Taste: Maple, oak, dark fruit, cream finish

The Dalmore Cigar Malt Reserve was my second dram after the Jura Seven Wood at The Pot Still when I was in Glasgow, Scotland in May 2019. Nothing puts a smile on my face than going to The Pot Still in Glasgow and sipping whisky!

The Dalmore Distillery is located in Alenss, Scotland which is approximately twenty miles north of Inverness. The Cigar Malt Reserve is first aged in American white oak ex-bourbon casks, then 30-year-old Oloroso sherry butts, and finally transferred in Cabernet Sauvignon wine barriques. Then combination makes a nice rich whisky with a slight sweet cream finish that might go good with the smoke flavor from a cigar. I say “might” because you cannot smoke in The Pot Still.

If you have not picked up on the marketing yet, the Cigar Malt Reserve name implies it is to be paired with a cigar. How you drink a whisky, smoke a cigar, or pair the two is up to you. I enjoy a whisky and cigar combination, but it is sometimes a mixed bag when you put the two together.

Here are my thoughts;

A good whisky on needs a glass.
A good cigar only needs a match.
A whisky should cost a $50 minimum to drink neat/rocks.
A cigar should cost a $15 minimum.
A smoky whisky can over power or not match the smoke from the cigar.
A dark/stronger cigar flavor can be ruined by a whisky.
A cigar with a long burn time can lead to drinking more whisky. This is good or bad depending on the day and your company.

When I put the two together I usually pair medium bodied cigar with light-medium whisky or I do not mix them at all.

Price around $135+ and very good but a bit expensive for the flavor profile. You can mix and match scotch and cigars in so many ways you do not need a specific whisky.

If you like it, drink it! – Chris

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!

Casa de Montecristo Cigar Lounge – Paramus, NJ

December 17, 2023 Accessories

8 Days left before Christmas! Do you have all your bottles (or Cigars) yet?!?

Casa de Montecristo Cigar Lounge & Bar (Paramus) is located at 184 NJ-17 North, Paramus, NJ 07652. Montecristo has 23 locations across America and there are two in New Jersey and one in NYC.

If you are coming from NYC (driving) it would be a royal pain in the ass to get there. However, since there are less and less cigar lounges to smoke, drink, and watch tv in NYC these days it might be worth the trip if you have friends in NJ.

There is a front and back entrance to the building. The front door takes you directly into the lounge and bar area. The back door, where there is extra parking, takes you into the massive walk around humidor. The selection in the humidor is vast and the prices seem very fair to me. The staff is very nice, friendly, helpful, and not pushy.

The bar/lounge area in a good size and is clean and well maintained. There is full liquor and beer available, but no food from what I saw. The lounge is a little on the darker side which is good for the tv’s. The smoke eaters and ventilation work well and it is not too smokey when busy and there is no outdoor seating. There was signage for upcoming events such as whisky and cigar nights. I would image during football season this place gets busy on a cold and rainy day.

My only criticism is the majority of the seating is high-tops table with tall chairs. That is not comfortable sitting and smoking for a few hours. It appears from photos online they used to have leather chairs and coffee table but have revised the layout probably to maximize seating for customers.

Nice place to have a cigar and drink if it is convenient for you to get to. I recommend it.

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

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!

Davidoff Escurio

Davidoff Millennium Piramides

Davidoff Aniversario Entreacto

Select Draw Cigar Cutter

Davidoff Late Hour – Nicaragua

Davidoff Late Hour – Robusto

The Dalmore Cigar Malt Reserve

Davidoff Yamasa Petit Churchill

Casa de Montecristo Cigar Lounge – Paramus, NJ

Davidoff Year of the Rabbit

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