Category: Blog

Macanudo Inspirado Orange. Kefraya Winery, Lebanon.

Have a Cigar: Macanudo Inspirado Orange Corona

Chris Khatsch1 Comment

Name: Macanudo Inspirado Orange Corona

Country: Honduras

Shape: Parejo

Size: Corona

Strength: Mild to Medium

I got to pair this Macanudo Inspirado Orange with one of the best Lebanese wines out there — Comte de M 2008. It was by chance. We were at Château Kefraya Restaurant eating and drinking with friends after touring the winery. Out of the nine people sitting at our table, at least four were either winemakers, sommeliers, or connoisseurs. This made me experience wine on another level. It’s nice to have someone with you who can explain what your palate is experiencing.

As expected, I drank a lot.

The Comte de M 2008 was probably the tenth bottle I pour a glass from, and the Macanudo Inspirado Orange was the third cigar I smoke that day.

Have a Cigar: Avo Syncro South America Ritmo Robusto Tubo

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Name: Avo Syncro South America Ritmo Robusto Tubo

Country: Dominican Republic

Shape: Box-Pressed

Size: Robusto (5 inches x 50)

Strength: Full

Imagine music wrapped in tinfoil and slow cooked on the grill. The Avo Syncro Ritmo is a very good cigar. Notes of earth, white pepper, and coffee make the melody happen. The draw is perfect, and the smoke is flirtatious.

On a terrace somewhere in Bourj Hammoud
the waiter leaves our table with empty bottles
and comes back with new drinks

He seems to be trapped in a never-ending loop

We drink

We talk politics
disagree
then talk about Paris

I light a second cigar

We head to another bar

Montecristo Petit Edmundo Cigar Review. Beirut, Lebanon.

Have a Cigar: Montecristo Petit Edmundo

Chris Khatsch2 Comments

Name: Montecristo Petit Edmundo

Country: Cuba

Shape: Parejo

Size: (4 1/3 inches x 52)

Strength: Medium to Full

Cuban cigars are not my favorite cigars, but I do acknowledge that whenever I smoke one I taste the reasons why so many people love them. The Montecristo Petit Edmundo is one of them.

When guests come over to spend time at my place, I like to make them drink and smoke. That is how all great philosophical and political conversations begin, I believe. And I like having meaningful conversations.

So I first ask them what they would like to drink. “Whiskey, vodka, rum, gin, or maybe a beer? What would you like? There’s wine, too.” Their initial answer is always either “No” or “I’ll have whatever you’re having.” But I know they are just being mannerly when they say such things. So I ask them again. “No, really. What would you like? Come see my whisky collection, and maybe then you can decide.”

When the spirits are finally poured into the glasses, I bring out my humidor, open it, place it on the table in front of them, and say, “Gentlemen, enjoy.” And I swear that every time at least one of them will go for a Montecristo Petit Edmundo.