Tag: Beirut

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.

Review of Club Mareva Beirut's double corona cigar called Odyssey A

Have a Cigar: Club Mareva Beirut Odyssey A

Chris Khatsch1 Comment

Name: Club Mareva Beirut Odyssey-A
Country: Costa Rica
Shape: Parejo
Size: Gran Corona (9 1/4 inches x 47)
Strength: Medium

Before you light this Gran Corona, make sure you have the time to smoke it. It’s going to be with you for two and a half hours. And if you’re a slow smoker, plan for three hours.

Branding: Good-looking cigar. Two bands come together to make one. On the upper band, we see a coat of arms. It depicts a large, two-headed bird, probably a phoenix. As for the lower band, it is simply black and has “Club Mareva Beirut” written on it in gold. Two words summarize my first impression of the cigar: majestic and monumental.

Construction: Good construction. No weaknesses. Impressive.

Pre-light: Minimal aroma comes from the shiny, beautiful wrapper. However, the virgin draw contains natural and vegetal notes like barnyard, hay, grass, and green tea.

Cut: Straight cut, as always.

Burn: Even burn. No problems.

Duration: 150 minutes.

Draw: Loose enough to enable one to smoke a Gran Corona, but not too loose. Nothing to really complain about.

Smoke: A creamy thickness that is also aesthetically pleasing to watch. On multiple occasions, I try to keep the smoke in my mouth for the longest time possible.

Ash: Good.

Flavors: Notes of oak, medium-roast coffee, leather, butter, cappuccino, and subtle hints of rosemary and green capsicum.

Review of a Lebanese Red Wine: Chateau Trois Collines Red Ample

Lebanese Wines: Chateau Trois Collines Red Ample 2019

Chris KhatschLeave a comment

Name: Chateau Trois Collines Red Ample 2019
Type: Red Wine
Grapes: Sangiovese, Merlot
Year: 2019
Country: Lebanon
Region: Bekaa Valley
Date Consumed: May 16, 2024

The Ample is an award-winning, smooth, medium-bodied red wine from North Bekaa. It’s slightly ferric, and it comes with strong notes of red fruits, especially cherries. I paired it with various types of strong cheeses, and I think it would be enough if I said that I enjoyed every sip as much as every bite.

Would I drink this wine again? Likely, yes. In general, the Sangiovese is not my favorite grape, but I liked this blend by Chateau Trois Collines.

And I wonder how this vintage will taste like five years from now.

Cigar Pairing: I believe a mild cigar with a claro or a Colorado wrapper would have enhanced the overall experience.