Category: Have a Cigar

Smoking a Cuban Partagas cigar while driving in Beirut

Have a Cigar: Partagas Petit Coronas Especiales

Chris Khatsch1 Comment

Name: Partagas Petit Coronas Especiales
Country: Cuba
Shape: Parejo
Size: (5 1/8 inches x 42)
Strength: Medium

A medium-bodied, casual cigar like the Super Partagas that I enjoy. However, this one is smaller, and it only lasts for about 30 minutes. This makes it, in my opinion, more of a morning cigar. It’s a simple but beautiful smoke that goes well with coffee. I’d smoke it while driving, while running errands on Saturday morning, or after a heavy breakfast in a foreign country. I like to pair it with American coffee, but one can also pair it with a nice cappuccino.

Reviewing the CAO Flathead V660 Carb cigar, smoking it at Club Mareva Beirut, Lebanon.

Have a Cigar: CAO Flathead V660 Carb

Chris Khatsch1 Comment

Name: CAO Flathead V660 Carb
Country: Nicaragua
Shape: Box-Pressed
Size: Double Toro, Gordo (6 inches x 60)
Strength: Full

A big cigar, so big that its band reminds me of a flat-nosed truck.

Since it was my first time smoking it, I paired it with espresso and sparkling water, which allowed me to focus on what the cigar had to offer.

The Flathead V660 Carb is a full-strength cigar that should be kept out of beginners’ reach. With all due respect, they might not be able to handle it.

I smoked it in 90 minutes and loved everything about it.

Great construction. Even burn. Generous smoke. Beautiful ash. Bold notes.

Can’t wait to smoke another one soon.

Smoking and Reviewing the Liga Privada H99 at Club Mareva Beirut, Lebanon.

Have a Cigar: Liga Privada H99 Toro

Chris Khatsch2 Comments

Name: Liga Privada H99 Toro
Country: Nicaragua
Shape: Parejo
Size: Toro (6 inches x 52)
Strength: Full

I paired this cigar with espresso and sparkling water and smoked it at Club Mareva Beirut, one of my favorite cigar lounges in Lebanon.

Branding: Unpretentious and good-looking cigar. On the band, there’s the famous Liga Privada signature and, right under it, the name of the cigar: “H99.” Overall, the cigar has this rusty look, which makes it look aged and almost forgotten.

Construction: Near perfect.

Pre-light: The smell of a risk-taker in brown leather shoes, getting ready for a date. Excitement. Tradition. Earthiness.

Cut: Straight cut, as always. I’m only going for the V-cut when I’m absolutely bored.

Burn: It burned quite evenly 90% of the time. I had to fix it once before reaching the second third.

Duration: 90 minutes.

Draw: Excellent.

Smoke: Powdery. Adds a little spiciness when you keep it in your mouth for more than a couple of seconds.

Ash: Good.

Flavors: Notes of chocolate, sourdough bread, pink peppercorn, molasses, leather, cedar.