Hiram and Solomon 300 Anniversary Cigar at Mareva, Lebanon.

Have a Cigar: Hiram & Solomon 300 Anniversary

Name: Hiram and Solomon 300 Anniversary

Country: Nicaragua

Shape: Parejo

Size: Toro (6 inches x 52)

Strength: Medium

Trying a new cigar lounge also means trying a new cigar.

When the shop owner saw me going for a Hiram & Solomon, he recommended the 300 Anniversary. Although I wanted to try the Master Mason, which was built with a much darker wrapper than the rest, it kind of made sense to go with his suggestion. First of all, it was my first time in his cigar lounge, so letting him choose my stick was the gentlemanly thing to do. Secondly, the 300 Anniversary was launched as a limited edition. Accordingly, I said, “I can smoke the Master Mason another day, but I may not find the 300 Anniversary the next time I’m here.”

The Hiram & Solomon 300 Anniversary is a medium-bodied cigar that produces a lot of smoke. Its complexity demands attention, but it is not a cigar that is so complex that it cannot be understood. It is also a medium-strength cigar, so people who are new to cigars can easily find themselves enjoying it. (But who would let a newbie burn such a well-constructed cigar?)

It’s a cigar that burns a little fast, but it burns majestically, evenly. Its burning speed eventually forced me to slow down a little, lay back, and enjoy the moment. I was there with a friend – more precisely, a brother of the leaf. He had brought me here from another cigar lounge to smoke our second cigar of the night.

I paired the beautiful Hiram & Solomon with three beverages. The first third of the cigar was paired with an espresso. This is what my friend advised, and I was happy with the outcome. The rest of the cigar was paired with vodka and sparkling water. Vodka enhanced the experience, and sparkling water cleaned my mouth to allow me to renew my experience.

Flor de Oliva Toro paired with whisky and rum

Have a Cigar: Flor de Oliva Original Toro

Name: Flor de Oliva Original Toro

Country: Nicaragua

Shape: Parejo

Size: (6 inches x 50)

Strength: Medium

The doorbell rings.
You let the old friend in.

“Come in, come in!
Where have you been?
Come in, old friend,
and have a cigar.”

He comes with a gift
— a bottle of Scotch.
“Thank you!
You didn’t have to!
I’ll open it now!”

You bring him the humidor.
“Here,” you say,
“Choose one that you love.”
“You have good taste,” he says,
“Please, choose one for me.”

You light one up,
and he lights one up.
You pour the Scotch,
and then you pour some rum.

Politics,
philosophy,
work,
and women.

You drink, you smoke, you talk,
you talk
until the night ends.

Quorum Classic Corona on the Balcony

Have a Cigar: Quorum Classic Corona

Name: Quorum Classic Corona

Country: Nicaragua

Shape: Parejo

Size: (5 1/2 inches x 43)

Strength: Mild to Medium

I’ve tried budget cigars, premium cigars, and luxury cigars. And I’ve smoked cigars made in Cuba, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Honduras, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic. I’ve probably also smoked cigars made in countries I can’t remember right now. But no matter how many cigars I try, I will never forget my love for Quorum. It’s one of the first cigars I fell in love with, and that’s why it will always have a special place in my heart.

These days, I don’t smoke a lot of them anymore. Every now and then, however, when I get the chance to light one up, I do.

To me, smoking a Quorum Classic is like hanging out with a childhood friend.

It’s a good cigar.