Tag: Beirut

Reviewing Nabise, a nicely aged red wine from Mount Lebanon

Lebanese Wines: Chateau Nabise 2005

Chris Khatsch1 Comment

Name: Chateau Nabise 2005
Type: Red Wine
Grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Syrah
Year: 2005
Country: Lebanon
Region: Mount Lebanon
Date Consumed: June 2, 2024

I brought two bottles of wine with me for Sunday lunch at my mom’s. One of them was Chateau Nabise. Since it was the older bottle, we opened it first, before we sat down to eat. All of us there were trying Chateau Nabise for the first time, and all of us were impressed.

A good blend, nicely aged, medium-to-full, soft tannins, smooth. Sweet notes of ripe black fruits, and chocolate. Subtle hints of oak and molasses.

Let me end this post with a question from one of the books I recently read.

The rise of Artificial Intelligence confronts all of us with a similar test: will humans show enough antifragility to survive and emerge even stronger from integrating the AI into their daily lives, or will they be extinct as humans?

– Slavoj Zizek, Christian Atheism: How to Be a Real Materialist
Reviewing the CAO Flathead V660 Carb cigar, smoking it at Club Mareva Beirut, Lebanon.

Have a Cigar: CAO Flathead V660 Carb

Chris Khatsch1 Comment

Name: CAO Flathead V660 Carb
Country: Nicaragua
Shape: Box-Pressed
Size: Double Toro, Gordo (6 inches x 60)
Strength: Full

A big cigar, so big that its band reminds me of a flat-nosed truck.

Since it was my first time smoking it, I paired it with espresso and sparkling water, which allowed me to focus on what the cigar had to offer.

The Flathead V660 Carb is a full-strength cigar that should be kept out of beginners’ reach. With all due respect, they might not be able to handle it.

I smoked it in 90 minutes and loved everything about it.

Great construction. Even burn. Generous smoke. Beautiful ash. Bold notes.

Can’t wait to smoke another one soon.

Smoking and Reviewing the Liga Privada H99 at Club Mareva Beirut, Lebanon.

Have a Cigar: Liga Privada H99 Toro

Chris Khatsch2 Comments

Name: Liga Privada H99 Toro
Country: Nicaragua
Shape: Parejo
Size: Toro (6 inches x 52)
Strength: Full

I paired this cigar with espresso and sparkling water and smoked it at Club Mareva Beirut, one of my favorite cigar lounges in Lebanon.

Branding: Unpretentious and good-looking cigar. On the band, there’s the famous Liga Privada signature and, right under it, the name of the cigar: “H99.” Overall, the cigar has this rusty look, which makes it look aged and almost forgotten.

Construction: Near perfect.

Pre-light: The smell of a risk-taker in brown leather shoes, getting ready for a date. Excitement. Tradition. Earthiness.

Cut: Straight cut, as always. I’m only going for the V-cut when I’m absolutely bored.

Burn: It burned quite evenly 90% of the time. I had to fix it once before reaching the second third.

Duration: 90 minutes.

Draw: Excellent.

Smoke: Powdery. Adds a little spiciness when you keep it in your mouth for more than a couple of seconds.

Ash: Good.

Flavors: Notes of chocolate, sourdough bread, pink peppercorn, molasses, leather, cedar.