Tag: Reflections

Montecristo Petit Edmundo Cigar Review. Beirut, Lebanon.

Have a Cigar: Montecristo Petit Edmundo

Chris Khatsch2 Comments

Name: Montecristo Petit Edmundo

Country: Cuba

Shape: Parejo

Size: (4 1/3 inches x 52)

Strength: Medium to Full

Cuban cigars are not my favorite cigars, but I do acknowledge that whenever I smoke one I taste the reasons why so many people love them. The Montecristo Petit Edmundo is one of them.

When guests come over to spend time at my place, I like to make them drink and smoke. That is how all great philosophical and political conversations begin, I believe. And I like having meaningful conversations.

So I first ask them what they would like to drink. “Whiskey, vodka, rum, gin, or maybe a beer? What would you like? There’s wine, too.” Their initial answer is always either “No” or “I’ll have whatever you’re having.” But I know they are just being mannerly when they say such things. So I ask them again. “No, really. What would you like? Come see my whisky collection, and maybe then you can decide.”

When the spirits are finally poured into the glasses, I bring out my humidor, open it, place it on the table in front of them, and say, “Gentlemen, enjoy.” And I swear that every time at least one of them will go for a Montecristo Petit Edmundo.

Cuba Aliados Cabinet Selection

Have a Cigar: Cuba Aliados Cabinet Selection Gran Toro

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Name: Cuba Aliados Cabinet Selection Gran Toro

Country: Honduras

Shape: Parejo

Size: (6 1/2 inches x 56)

Strength: Medium to Full

The last Cuba Aliados Cabinet Selection I had was paired with peated whisky. It was a success. But, this time, I felt like pairing this one with lager, and so I did. I got notes of cocoa, leather, some hints of cashew and cedar, too.

The cigar burned slowly and kept me company for almost two hours. And in those two hours, I worked. Overtime. And when I was done with work, I spent some time thinking. I thought about work. And I thought until my fingers burned.

I know one thing: I’ve been working too much and living too little. I’ve known this for years. But what can I do? I come from a working-class family. I have to work as much as I can, make money as much as I can, so that I eventually cease being a “working-class man.”

I go inside and stare at my bookshelves. I suddenly have the urge to add meaning to my life. I don’t want to be an automaton. I want to set myself free.

I pick a book called Human, All Too Human. Nietzsche. How long has it been?

Standing there, eyes probably red, I start turning the pages and read sentences that I have underlined years ago.

Nietzsche writes, “If a man is something, it is not really necessary for him to do anything – and yet he does a great deal. There is a human species higher even than the ‘productive’ man.”

And maybe that man is the one who completed his work and now has time to enjoy his cigar without disturbance.

Or maybe he means something else entirely.

The productive man is too busy working, and he doesn’t have time to think. He is not living in the world; he is living in his work.

But is that a bad thing?

I don’t know. It seems that I’m back outside on the balcony drinking, and I’m sitting next to many empty beer bottles. I’m too drunk to know. And I’m already reading other underlined sentences. This one says: “A profession is the backbone of life.”

I’m exhausted. I better call it a night.

Puro Del Oro Cigar Review. Beirut, Lebanon

Have a Cigar: Puro Del Oro Grand Churchill

Chris Khatsch1 Comment

Name: Puro Del Oro Grand Churchill

Country: Nicaragua

Shape: Parejo

Size: (7 inches x 62)

Strength: Medium to Full

Here come the first signs of winter, and I’m back to drinking red wine. This time I opened a bottle of Sun Gate, a Cabernet Sauvignon from California. It’s a wine that is suitable for everyone, I think. Affordable. Full-bodied and easy to enjoy.

I paired it with Puro Del Oro Grand Churchill, which is a notably big cigar. It’s seven inches and has a ring gauge of 62. It burns slowly and will definitely stay with you for a while. I don’t usually go for cigars this big, but I wanted to reward myself with a big cigar after a long day at work. I wanted to clear my head. And this was it.

When I was finally done smoking the cigar, there was one more glass left in the bottle. I thought about it for a second but then decided to call it a night.

No reason to empty a whole bottle on a weekday.

*****

Do you love cigars as much as I do? I have a book of poems about cigars. You can check it out on Amazon.