According to Wikipedia, the following is the definition of the word sommelier: A sommelier , or wine steward, is a trained and knowledgeable wine professional, normally working in fine restaurants, who specializes in all aspects of wine service as well as wine and food pairing. The role in fine dining today is much more specialized… Continue reading What Makes a Cigar Sommelier?
Category: Cigars
18 Years in the Making
'Mitch, I have a cigar for you tonight that not even YOU have ever smoked.' (Video at the bottom) I have been smoking cigars for twenty-five years, and in that time I have had some great cigars... and some not so great ones. When people asking me about aging cigars, I am usually on the… Continue reading 18 Years in the Making
CDS Salomon: Perfecto!
“Mitch, why don’t you come up San Jose for the launch of our new cigar line?”Several months ago I met Ozhen and Chris at the IACS Cigar Sommelier course, and they told me about the LG Cigar Lounge in San Jose, California. They told me about the new cigar line they were developing in the… Continue reading CDS Salomon: Perfecto!
Casa de Sueños: A Dream!
I love when friends launch their new cigar lines. There are two things that I know:I know that I am going to be asked to try and review the cigar for my blog; andI know that none of my friends would give me a bad cigar to smoke, let alone write about.So, when my friends… Continue reading Casa de Sueños: A Dream!
The Second Third…
I smoked a cigar recently that was part of a set gifted to me by a friend on my birthday. It was a sampler from a company that I was not previously aware of. As I was in Canada for the day, and one of my cigar smoking buddies threw a birthday herf and invited… Continue reading The Second Third…
Sperlinga: Thank You Your Grace!
When I went to meet my friend and her husband in Havana recently I was really looking forward to catching up, enjoying a cigar and a drink (or two... or three), and chatting about this and that. My friend Danays Leon is one of a select few women who are full-fledged Habanos Sommeliers, and it… Continue reading Sperlinga: Thank You Your Grace!
Reynaldo the King!
One of the more difficult hotels to find in Old Havana, if you do not know exactly where to look, is the Conde de Villanueva. Located in the Calle de los Mercaderes, it is a true gem. Once you walk into the open-air foyer, you will know that it is worth the search. When some… Continue reading Reynaldo the King!
Xikar Turrim Single: Another winner!
I have had several cigar torches over the years; a couple of years ago I realized that Xikar made some of the better ones... and backed it up with a lifetime warranty. It is not that I keep my eye open for new toys, but when I see a good deal I am happy to… Continue reading Xikar Turrim Single: Another winner!
Plume? Unlikely.
While reading through the usual posts about plume versus mold on a Facebook group of cigar lovers, I happened on a reply by Matt Alward that caught my attention. I reached out and asked if he would be interested in writing it up as a proper article. Matt is a microbiologist with good credibility to… Continue reading Plume? Unlikely.
Isabela the Great
With all the time I have spent in Florida, I am surprised I had to come to Beverly Hills, California to meet Isabela. She owns a cigar lounge in St. Augustine, Florida called Isabelle's Bar Cuba. She is a spitfire! Born in Cuba, she has made a great life in Florida. She designs clothes and… Continue reading Isabela the Great
