Tag: Cigar

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.

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.