Tag: Lebanon

Revisiting Lebanese Wines: Chateau Kefraya Les Exceptions Cabernet Sauvignon 2016

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Name: Chateau Kefraya Les Exceptions Cabernet Sauvignon 2016
Type: Red Wine
Grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon
Year: 2016
Country: Lebanon
Region: Bekaa Valley
Date Consumed: September 5, 2026

Every time we visit Château Kefraya, we try at least one bottle from their Les Exceptions series. The main reason is simple: we can’t find Les Exceptions bottles anywhere else. So this time, and for a second time, we tried the single-varietal Cabernet Sauvignon from 2016, and my first impression was just… wow. Last time we had it was back in 2024.

In the glass, the wine has a deep ruby color, with brick-red tinges around the rim and a noticeable amount of sediment. The first sip introduces a harmony of dark fruit, licorice, cedarwood, and tobacco. The finish is long, leaving behind secondary notes of leather and black pepper.

After my wife and I emptied the bottle, I spent a moment wondering whether I should take one home. But our energetic 18-month-old toddler and restless dog made me forget all about it.

Alec Bradley Black Market Cigar review by top cigar reviewer from Lebanon.

Have a Cigar: Alec Bradley Black Market Gordo

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Name: Alec Bradley Black Market Gordo
Country: Honduras
Shape: Parejo
Size: Gordo (6 inches x 60)
Strength: Medium-to-Full

Well-constructed and nicely branded, Alec Bradley’s Black Market Gordo is a big, medium-to-full-bodied cigar that burns evenly and produces thick clouds of beautiful, creamy smoke. Let’s just say I had no “technical” difficulties smoking it. Pretty decent and pretty steady throughout. The major notes I got were dark roast coffee, wood, and earth. The subtler notes were spicy and occasionally floral. Overall, a very decent smoke.

Chris Khatsch at Mareva Beirut Lebanon Reviewing the Rocky Patel DBS Cigar

Have a Cigar: Rocky Patel DBS Toro

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Name: Rocky Patel DBS Toro
Country: Nicaragua
Shape: Parejo
Size: Toro (6 1/2 inches x 52)
Strength: Medium-to-Full

The Rocky Patel DBS Toro is a good-looking cigar. As soon as your gaze lands on it, you are invited to pick it up and, even if you’re not going to choose it, you at least hold it for a moment and imagine yourself smoking it.

This time, the owner of the cigar lounge suggested I try it, and since I know that he knows what I like, and since I enjoy Rocky Patel cigars already, I went ahead with it.

I paired it with espresso and sparkling water.

The Rocky Patel DBS Toro burned slowly and (somewhat) evenly. It had an excellent draw and produced a generous amount of smoke. I got notes of wood, cocoa powder, earth, and pink peppercorn.

The amount of time it took me to smoke it was somewhere between 90 minutes and two hours.

When I smoke it next time, I think I’ll pair it with aged rum.