Tag: Beirut

Review of the Lebanese wine Massaya Le Colombier by a Lebanese connoisseur, or, more precisely, a dilettante

Lebanese Wines: Massaya Le Colombier 2020

Chris KhatschLeave a comment

Name: Massaya Le Colombier 2020
Type: Red Wine
Grapes: Grenache Noir, Cinsault, Tempranillo
Year: 2020
Country: Lebanon
Region: Bekaa Valley
Date Consumed: October 3, 2025

Young, balanced, and affordable. Massaya’s Le Colombier is amalgamation of red fruits, strawberry lollipop, and spices. It’s a smooth wine and is imbibed so easily that the bottle empties a little too quickly. One bottle isn’t enough for two, and two bottles is a little too much. Therefore, I suggest you do whatever you like with this information to derive maximum pleasure.

This wasn’t the first time I try Massaya’s Le Colombier, but it’s the first time I truly appreciate it. It’s one of those affordable, entry-level Lebanese red wines that everyone must try.

Review of Liga Privada 10 Selección de Mercado Toro

Have a Cigar: Liga Privada 10 Selección de Mercado Toro

Chris KhatschLeave a comment

Name: Liga Privada 10 Selección de Mercado Toro
Country: Nicaragua
Shape: Parejo
Size: Toro (6 inches x 52)
Strength: Medium

A cigar that can be compared to the Liga Privada 10 Aniversario. Only this one was a little smoother, i.e., easier to smoke. It’s medium-bodied, produces a generous amount of smoke, and comes with notes of coffee, wood, and pepper.

Overall, although it may look a little rugged and unattractive, it is an enjoyable smoke. Its beauty is in its personality.

I think my wife liked it more than I did, and she’ll probably smoke more of these. Personally, I prefer the stronger Liga Privada cigars like the H99, the No. 9, and the T52. But I wouldn’t mind smoking the Liga Privada 10 Selección de Mercado again (and again).

Reviewing the Blackened M81 cigar at Mareva Cigar Lounge in Lebanon

Have a Cigar: Blackened M81 Toro

Chris KhatschLeave a comment

Name: Blackened M81 Toro
Country: Nicaragua
Shape: Parejo
Size: Toro (6 inches x 52)
Strength: Full

As soon as the Blackened M81 started burning, I ordered an espresso and a bottle of sparkling water. Espresso, of course, because I love pairing full-bodied Nicaraguan cigars with espresso. And sparkling water, of course, because I’ll occasionally need to clean my palate and experience anew the harmony of notes the cigar delivers. Later, a glass of Wild Turkey 101 was added to the mix as well. Why? Because the cigar lounge owner suggested I pair the M81 with a bourbon. So, in the end, I had three different beverages versus one cigar.

Branding: The cigar has two bands. The main band is a narrow one that just says, Blackened. At the foot of the cigar, we have a wider band that has the name and the tagline of the cigar: M81, Maduro to the Core.

Construction: Great.

Pre-light: Promising. You can already tell there’s going to be strong notes of chocolate in there. I close my eyes and see the black leather jacket who a tattooed woman who has just come out of a concert and is looking to take a risk to spend the excess adrenaline she has in her blood.

Cut: Straight cut, as always. I don’t remember the last time I went for a V-cut.

Burn: It burned quite evenly but not 100% of the time. I had to even it a couple of times.

Duration: Almost 120 minutes.

Draw: Excellent.

Smoke: Loved it. A generous amount of thick white smoke.

Ash: Good.

Flavors: (Heavy Metal) Notes of dark chocolate, leather, burnt toast, and black pepper.