I’m fortunate in that I get to enjoy cigars more frequently than many others. That’s just one of the perks of working in the cigar business...
by Michael Herklots
Not only can I enjoy a stick in the morning with coffee, in the afternoon while doing paperwork, or after-hours at a local cigar bar, but also with customers throughout the day.
Many of them ask me, “What’s your favorite cigar?” The problem is, I don’t have just one. But the question made me curious – I decided to keep a little diary of all the cigars I smoked over the course of five days.
Monday 9:20 a.m.: Having arrived to work a little early – paperwork to catch up on – I fired up an espresso and grabbed a Tatuaje Noella. Tatuaje is a relative newcomer to the cigar business. Pioneered by California’s Pete Johnson, the original Tatuaje blend is made in Miami by Don Pepin Garcia – a rock star in today’s cigar industry.
The Noella, being a pretty full-bodied corona sized cigar, is not the typical ‘morning smoke’ for me, but, after a hectic weekend event in New Orleans with Emeril Lagasse, I was in the mood for a bit of an ass-kicker to get my day going. The Noella’s complexity was quite impressive with prevalent flavors of rich earth, oak and leather – plus it could stand up to the punch of my ristretto-style espresso.
Tuesday 6:15 p.m.: Up to my chin in invoices and packing slips – but I’ve also just received an order of Camacho Diplomas, always a “go-to” cigar for me. Due to issues with their Corojo crop, these robustos were scarce for a while, and it’d been some time since I’d smoked one.
This box was a new design and featured a new band, but more importantly, the wrapper was dark and oily and the aroma from the box was so inviting as I was examining the cigars, I just couldn’t resist. The smoke was dense and extremely full in body, and the familiar flavors of spice, pepper and earth were perfect to help wrap up a full day at work.
Wednesday 3:20 p.m.: After lunch with my buddy Sam at Porterhouse in Manhattan’s Time Warner Center, we walked into my humidor for the appropriate after-lunch smoke. Retreating back to my cabinet, I pulled a box of Avo Legacy Limited Editions I had bought in 2004 – I had a feeling these were going to be great given their age, and indeed they were. What I recall as once being slightly aggressive and edgy in the flavor was now complex, smooth and balanced with a wonderful aroma, creamy texture, and long finish in a medium-bodied smoke that complemented our accompanying espressos wonderfully.
Thursday 7:05 p.m.: While I was working in the humidor, a lovely woman shopping for her husband asked me, “Well, what’s your favorite cigar?” I marched into my office and brought out the butt of the cigar I’d just finished, a “Jose Seijas Signature Series” Toro – a limited production cigar that utilizes tobacco from The Dominican Republic as well as Nicaragua, Peru and Ecuador. Its flavor profile is remarkably unique, including notes of dark cherry, roasted chestnuts, leather and a slight floral note in its medium to full body. A cigar so distinctive and delicious, it seems to surprise me every time I smoke it.
Friday 4:30 p.m.: I had just finished smoking a sample cigar that Manuel Quesada had given me on a recent visit to New York, so I had “Quesada” on my mind (and on my palate) when I decided to smoke the MATASA 30th Anniversary. It is a beautifully rich cigar – quite spicy in character with white pepper and meatiness in its profile.
It has solid tobacco flavor and an even draw with a cool burn and fine balance. I opted for the Toro, which starts a bit heavier and maintains this experience throughout the smoke. Variety is the spice of life. The next time you feel like enjoying a cigar, take a little extra time to decide exactly what you desire, and then cut, light, and enjoy it.