Tag: Beirut

Chris Khatsch at Mareva Beirut Lebanon Reviewing the Rocky Patel DBS Cigar

Have a Cigar: Rocky Patel DBS Toro

Chris KhatschLeave a comment

Name: Rocky Patel DBS Toro
Country: Nicaragua
Shape: Parejo
Size: Toro (6 1/2 inches x 52)
Strength: Medium-to-Full

The Rocky Patel DBS Toro is a good-looking cigar. As soon as your gaze lands on it, you are invited to pick it up and, even if you’re not going to choose it, you at least hold it for a moment and imagine yourself smoking it.

This time, the owner of the cigar lounge suggested I try it, and since I know that he knows what I like, and since I enjoy Rocky Patel cigars already, I went ahead with it.

I paired it with espresso and sparkling water.

The Rocky Patel DBS Toro burned slowly and (somewhat) evenly. It had an excellent draw and produced a generous amount of smoke. I got notes of wood, cocoa powder, earth, and pink peppercorn.

The amount of time it took me to smoke it was somewhere between 90 minutes and two hours.

When I smoke it next time, I think I’ll pair it with aged rum.

Smoking the Izambar Swindon cigar at a Lebanese wedding

Have a Cigar: Izambar Swindon Extra Robusto

Chris KhatschLeave a comment

Name: Izambar Swindon Extra Robusto
Country: Nicaragua
Shape: Parejo
Size: Robusto Extra (6 1/4 inches x 54)
Strength: Medium

Overall, this is a smooth, good-looking cigar that can please most smokers I know. It has a solid draw, burns evenly, and offers a nice bouquet of notes. It’s a medium-bodied woody and peppery Nicaraguan that pairs nicely with aged rum and blended Scotch. Although it’s not the type that I would add to my smoking repertoire, it’s definitely a stick worth revisiting every now and then.

Smoking the Oliva Serie V Melanio 2025 Robusto at a wedding in Lebanon

Have a Cigar: Oliva Serie V Melanio Edición Año 2025

Chris KhatschLeave a comment

Name: Oliva Serie V Melanio Limited Edition 2025 Robusto Extra
Country: Nicaragua
Shape: Parejo
Size: Robusto Extra (5 inches x 54)
Strength: Full

A full-bodied, powerful cigar that produces thick, creamy smoke. It reminds us why the Figurado once won Cigar Aficionado‘s Cigar of the Year title. It’s built masterfully. It’s so well-constructed and so well-balanced that I had to make an effort to find weaknesses, and I couldn’t find any.

I paired it with a 12-year-old Scotch, and it kept me company for two beautiful hours.

I’d love to smoke more of these and keep a few sticks in my humidor. So, maybe that’s what I’ll do.