Hamlet Paredes 25th Year Toro during a picnic in Dhour El Choueir

Have a Cigar: Hamlet Paredes 25th Year Toro

Name: Hamlet Paredes 25th Year Toro

Country: Nicaragua

Shape: Parejo

Size: Toro (6 1/2 inches x 52)

Strength: Medium

There’s you,
your wife,
and the dog.

The dog’s licking rocks,
chewing on branches,
and eating grass.

The wife is sitting on a picnic blanket,
sipping on vodka
while tanning her shoulders.

You’re looking at her,
asking yourself, “How
can I make her the happiest person
on earth?”

You’re an average man
coming from a working-class family.
Boy, just a few years ago,
you couldn’t afford a good steak.
Surprise, surprise, yo.
You didn’t see yourself
living the life,
did you?
The nice apartment,
the hot wife,
and everything else that you love so much right now.
You thought, “Nah,
it’s never going to happen ’cause I’m poor.”

But you forget
your father raised a hard-working man.
Your mother put fire in your soul.

Man…
What a ride!
Have a sip of beer.

You were a nobody,
and you’re still a nobody,
a nobody who
likes to read, write, drink,
and smoke cigars.
Yeah, nobody knows you,
but aren’t you exactly who you want to be
right now? Aren’t you
who you weren’t meant to be?

Wake up, son!
You had a lot to drink.
But that was a good nap.

There’s sun in your eyes,
sweat on your brow,
mustard on your shirt.

But it’s alright if you smile.
Smile, you son of a gun!
Yeah,
when you add it all up,
you’re happy.

How did you manage to be so happy?

Wake up, son!
It’s time to play with the dog.
It’s time to kiss your wife.

It’s time to know you’re happy.


Rocky Patel Decade Torpedo Cigar Review

Have a Cigar: Rocky Patel Decade Torpedo

Name: Rocky Patel Decade Torpedo

Country: Honduras

Shape: Box-Pressed Figurado

Size: Torpedo (6 1/2 inches x 52)

Strength: Full

The more I write about cigars, the more I realize that I am horrible at taking pictures. One day, I’ll have to fix this. I ought to start taking photography more seriously. Maybe I should take photos from different angles and see which ones come out better. Or maybe I’ll sign up for a photography course. I don’t know. All I want is to be able to take acceptable photos with my phone.

In any case, the Rocky Patel Decade Torpedo shown in my horrible photo was a real treat. An elegant smoke, full-bodied and aromatic, I loved it from start to finish.

Cigar and Chess at Fidel

Have a Cigar: Corrida Nicaragua Robusto+

Name: Corrida Nicaragua Robusto+

Country: Nicaragua

Shape: Parejo

Size: Robusto (5 inches x 56)

Strength: Medium to full

Here’s an affordable Nicaraguan robusto that I enjoyed smoking while playing chess.

The Corrida Nicaragua Robusto+ is an aromatic cigar that burns with strong notes of cocoa and earth and comes with subtle nuances of pepper and prune.

I could find nothing wrong with it, and I smoked it until there was nothing left of it.