Smoking a Don Rafa Toro cigar in the garden under the sun.

Have a Cigar: Don Rafa Toro

Chris KhatschLeave a comment

Name: Don Rafa Toro

Country: Nicaragua

Shape: Parejo

Size: (6 inches x 54)

Strength: Medium

I light up a Don Rafa cigar occasionally when I’m working on the terrace or starting my charcoal grill. I like the brand because their cigars are affordable and good. Plus, they remind me of good times. I smoked a lot of Don Rafa Churchills with the boys last summer. I was burning two or three cigars a day back then. Drinking a lot, too.

I usually pair my Don Rafa with ice-cold lager or pilsner. But, sometimes, when it’s a little cold and cloudy, I like to go with vodka. And that’s what I did this time.

“Come” by Misak Metsarents

Chris KhatschLeave a comment

Misak Metsarents (1886-1908) was a Western Armenian neo-romantic poet. This is my translation of “Come” from Armenian to English. It is a love poem written sometime between 1901 and 1903.

Come

Come! Make my boring life pleasurable.
Make me feel tenderness and hope.
There will come a day when your soul will mourn
the fast escape of this beautiful dream.

Come! Tomorrow, you may perish,
and I may die from a fever.
Do not extinguish the fire of my worship.

Let me imbibe the flames in your eyes.
Come close, gentle flower of my life!
Let me forget everything in a kiss.

Ah, how slow is this beautiful life!
Come! Melt the boredom of my soul.
Bury me in a beautiful dream.
Bring me your heart’s virgin caress.

Chris Khatschadourian smoking an Umnum Jumbo in a Lebanese restaurant called Qortoba

Have a Cigar: Umnum Jumbo

Chris KhatschLeave a comment

Name: Umnum Jumbo

Country: Nicaragua

Shape: Parejo

Size: (4 3/4 inches x 60)

Strength: Medium

I smoked a lot of Umnum cigars this month. My go-to size was the Jumbo, but I also smoked a Bond and a Canonazo here and there.

The Umnum Jumbo is a medium-bodied cigar that doesn’t disappoint. Earthy hints are definitely there. Medium-roast coffee, leather, and chocolate notes come and go. Overall, it’s a pretty straightforward stick and has no weak points. I usually pair it with a cup of black coffee or a glass of full-bodied red wine to get the best experience.