Category: Have a Cigar

PDR A. Flores Gran Reserva Maduro Toro at Swings, Lebanon

Have a Cigar: PDR A. Flores 1975 Gran Reserva Maduro Toro

Chris Khatsch1 Comment

Name: PDR A. Flores 1975 Gran Reserva Maduro Toro

Country: Dominican Republic

Shape: Parejo

Size: Toro (6 inches x 54)

Strength: Medium

The A. Flores 1975 Gran Reserva Maduro Toro is a good-looking, medium-bodied cigar that burns with strong notes of cocoa and almonds. It’s a well-built cigar with a maduro wrapper that is soft and shiny. Its smoke is thick and creamy. Overall, it is an excellent cigar.

I smoked it outdoors after a good meal on a Sunday afternoon and paired it with a 12-year-old Scotch.

The cigar burned calmly as if time was abundant, as if tomorrow wasn’t announced yet. Time burned, but it burned slowly. I was with my wife and friends. We were having a very good time, and we were going to have a very good night.

Smoking a good cigar, the Ramon Allones by AJ Fernandez Torpedo, at a wedding in Yerevan, Armenia

Have a Cigar: Ramon Allones by AJ Fernandez Torpedo

Chris Khatsch1 Comment

Name: Ramon Allones by AJ Fernandez Torpedo

Country: Nicaragua

Shape: Torpedo

Size: (6 1/2 inches x 54)

Strength: Medium

I paired the Ramon Allones by AJ Fernandez with Armenian vodka, which is also known as oghi. I drank so much that night that, at one point, I had two cigars in my mouth. I found myself smoking both simultaneously. It was the first time I pair a cigar with another cigar. I even have a picture of it. But I’m not sharing it here because I look so wasted in it.

Branding: The Ramon Allones Toro is a well-ornamented, good-looking cigar. The gold and the red used in the band design make the stick look royal and sophisticated. Moreover, the cedar sleeve the cigar comes in sends the right message, that this cigar is worthy of being protected.

Construction: Well-built; expertly rolled. My fingers could find no weaknesses. I had a solid Torpedo in my hands.

Pre-light: The virgin draw was promising. I closed my eyes and imagined a beautiful woman baking a cake. She wore nothing but an apron, and she had an inviting smile on her face. I could smell the dough.

Cut: Straight cut.

Burn: Nice and even. Smoked it indoors. No wind, no problem.

Duration: I smoked it on and off because I was at a wedding party and I was also dancing. But I’d say the smoke time was somewhere between 90 and 120 minutes.

Draw: Great. Not too firm, not too loose. Just right.

Smoke: Could have been thicker and creamier.

Ash: Good.

Flavor: Coffee, earth, bread, wood.

Have a Cigar: Rocky Patel Fifty-Five Robusto

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Name: Rocky Patel Fifty-Five Robusto

Country: Nicaragua

Shape: Figurado, Perfecto

Size: Robusto (5 1/2 inches x 55)

Strength: Medium to Full

I’ve been smoking and drinking for 10 days straight. The amount of cigars and alcoholic beverages I single-handedly consumed is more than what an army needs to celebrate a victory that concludes a long war.

I am in my Airbnb apartment in Yerevan right now, trying to kill a massive hangover. I’m on caffeine and painkillers. I could have a shot of vodka and make the headache go away. I’m tempted. But it’s 8:20 AM, and I’m no alcoholic. No, sir. I ain’t no alcoholic.

My wife is out getting her hair done while I’m here trying to sober up. It’s our friend’s wedding day today, and we have a lot of stuff to do. I’ll be suiting up shortly. Right after I finish this coffee I’m having. I would have liked to have my beard trimmed, but I couldn’t find a barber shop that opens before 10 AM. Nothing on Google Maps. At 10 AM, I’ll be heading to the villa where the groom is. We’ll be drinking and smoking cigars for sure.

I know I need to cut down. I need to take it easy. I know. But I’ll wait until the celebrations are over. I’ll wait until I’m back in Beirut, back home where I can lock myself in my home office and get lost in books.

Only books can keep me away from booze.