Tag: Cigar Review

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.

Smoking a cigar at Chateau Pape Clement in Pessac, Bordeaux.

Have a Cigar: Sin Compromiso Seleccion No. 5 Parejo

Chris Khatsch1 Comment

Name: Sin Compromiso Seleccion No. 5 Parejo
Country: Nicaragua
Shape: Parejo, Box-Pressed
Size: Toro (6 inches x 54)
Strength: Medium to Full

Last week, I went on a wine adventure with my wife, and this was one of the cigars I took to Bordeaux with me. I smoked it the night we stayed at Chateau Pape Clement, which is a beautiful Chateau in the Pessac region that produces Grand Cru Classé wine. We stayed there for one night.

The Sin Compromiso had a good draw, and it burned slowly and evenly. The notes were nicely balanced, and the primary flavors I got were dark chocolate, burnt bread, and pepper.

I paired it with espresso, partly because I like pairing cigars with coffee and partly because I wanted my body to take a break from wine. We had a wine tasting scheduled at 11 AM the next day.

Overall, I’d give the Sin Compromiso an 85/100, and I wouldn’t mind smoking one again.