Tag: Lebanon

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 the Cave Kouroum 8 Cepages Wine

Lebanese Wines: Cave Kouroum 7 Cepages 2013

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Name: Cave Kouroum 7 Cepages 2013
Type: Red Wine
Grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon, Carignan, Gamay, Grenache, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Syrah
Year: 2013
Country: Lebanon
Region: Bekaa Valley
Date Consumed: May 19, 2024

A full-bodied red wine from the Bekaa Valley with low-to-medium acidity and well-balanced tannins. It is a wine made with seven different grapes, and it is really worth trying. I uncorked a bottle during our Sunday barbecue with the family. There was me, my wife, my sister, her husband, and my mom. The wine was super easy to drink, and even though it was 11 years old, there was barely any sediment in it. For its age, it looked young and beautiful. It was paired with red meat and Lebanese mezza — successfully. And the whole party loved it. I’m giving it an 88/100.