Tag: Cigar Review

Smoking a Juan Lopez at the Fuego Event in Jbeil, Lebanon, 2023

Have a Cigar: Juan Lopez Seleccion No. 1

Chris KhatschLeave a comment

Name: Juan Lopez Seleccion No. 1

Country: Cuba

Shape: Parejo

Size: (5 5/8 inches x 46)

Strength: Medium

Horrible picture, but good cigar. I gave it a straight cut and paired with with Dalmore 15. The first third felt a little too mild, especially after burning two full-bodied cigars that same evening. But my palate adjusted eventually, and I was able to enjoy the Juan Lopez Seleccion No. 1 fully. I was my first time smoking it. It’s a medium-bodied cigar with little complexity, which makes it a good morning smoke. Maybe next time I’ll try it with my morning espresso.

Smoking a Nica Rustica at Mareva, Lebanon.

Have a Cigar: Nica Rustica El Brujito

Chris Khatsch2 Comments

Name: Nica Rustica El Brujito

Country: Nicaragua

Shape: Parejo

Size: Toro (6 inches x 52)

Strength: Full

Happy I tried the Nica Rustica because I loved it. Smoked it at the lounge, and I’ll be smoking more of it for sure. Great price, great value, great everything.

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Branding: Young and brave. As if it were made to be a party cigar.

Construction: No weak spots.

Pre-light: Promising. Coffee, barnyard, and green capsicum.

Cut: Straight cut, as almost always.

Burn: Slow and even. No problems.

Duration: 120 minutes.

Draw: Excellent.

Smoke: Reminded me of steam locomotives.

Ash: Good.

Flavor: Dark roast coffee, some spices, cashew, and wood.

Herrera Esteli Norteno Robusto Grande Maduro at a bar in Monot, Beirut.

Have a Cigar: Norteño Robusto Grande

Chris KhatschLeave a comment

Name: Norteño Robusto Grande

Country: Nicaragua

Shape: Box-Pressed

Size: (5 1/2 inches x 54)

Strength: Medium to Full

Last cigar of the night,
paired with a pint of lager.

I’m drunk,
my stomach is full,
and life is good, overall.

A bearable boredom
and a sleeping fear of death
overshadowed by exhaustion.

All I want to do is smoke.
All I want to do is get lost in thoughts.

I want to burn
this time that I have.
I want to burn
parts of my past.
I want to burn all that I suffer from,
and from its ashes I want to see a phoenix rise
and swallow Icarus
and give birth to a new sun.

I am drunk again.

The alcohol brings back old memories,
the good and the bad,
as well as the moldy secrets
that have been kept in the cellar
for a few eternities.
I entertain myself with them briefly before
I let them rise with the smoke
and disappear.

Suddenly,

I know who I was, who I am, and who I want to be.
Tonight, I’m sitting with the three of them.
But there’s a chance I’ll never
sit to drink with them again
if I choose to change
and become a better man.