New Post on Stogies and Stilettos

Check out the latest post on http://stogiesandstilettos.wordpress.com, where we talk to Room101 Cigars Matt Booth!

New Name, New Face

No, you didn't enter the wrong web address. Smoke and Libations has received a new name - Stogies and Stilettos. More info and blog, blog, blog to come....

The Second Office Cigar Club - Where membership has its privileges

The Second Office Cigar Club - Where membership has its privileges

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The Ultimate Smoker's Happy Hour

On any given Friday night, on my list of places to go and relax after work, a gentleman's club is not necessarily on that list. Not that I mind going. I'll go - it's just not top of mind for me. Until I went to the Smoker's Retreat at Club Onyx given by Mike Bennett and Cigars & Such. From 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. it is a smoker's dream - drink specials, cigar giveaways sponsored by A & D Cigars in Stockbridge, GA, and gift bags filled with goodies from sponsor Jacques Cardin Cognac. These guys know how to do it up! And the ladies. Let's just say that these girls had impressive showmanship and it is clear that they have worked very diligently at their craft. Enough said! This event, which is held the last Friday of each month, is starting to gain momentum and I know that a night at a gentleman's club that wasn't necessarily on the list of my places to go has quickly move to the top.

For more information, call Mike Bennett at (404) 759-7651.

Back on the Block

Ok. I'm back on my experiment and I'm excited. I'm at Highland this afternoon and having my Perdomo with a nice, neat Marker's Mark bourbon. Stay tuned.

Club Macanudo Magnificent

If you closely followed the HBO series Sex and the City, you would know that Carrie's long time, on again, off again and eventually "on, til death do us part" boyfriend Big was a cigar smoker. In fact, in one episode, he was wanting to smoke a cigar in a restaurant, which is forbidden in New York City, so he paid for the patrons dinner and drinks so that he could enjoy his smoke. Definitely a man after my own heart. However, I would imagine, that if Big, in his downtime, wanted to savor his cigars in peace - in a friendly yet upscale atmosphere where he could not only relax, but where he could bring his business partners, he would definitely choose Club Macanudo on E. 63rd St in New York City. Owned by General Cigar, this conglomerate manufactures such cigar favorites as Macanudo, Partagas, La Gloria Cubana, Punch, and Cohiba just to name a few. Despite it's formal appearance, Club Macanudo is as down home as sweet tea in the summer. This place has a delightful, friendly and very knowledgeable staff which makes is easy for regulars to come back again and again, with their backsides permanently indented in the bar stools. Live jazz is played several times a week and Club Macanudo boasts a four-star restaurant. This is the only cigar bar that I've been to in New York that I've made a point to go to twice. Drink and dinner prices are a bit pricey and there is a $20 "cut fee" that goes toward the purchase of a cigar. Private humidors are available for rent for $700 a year or $1000 for two years. Yes, this is where Big would be. And Carrie would have to drag him out just like he would have to pry her from the Manolo Blahnik store.

Ten Points of Cigar Etiquette Not To Be Ignored

Ten Points of Cigar Etiquette Not To Be Ignored

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East Village Smoking Spot Perfect for Neighborhood

Nestled in the East Village, on E 7th St between 1st and 2nd Ave is tiny shop that is, by design, exclusively for the local cigar smokers who can literally step from their apartment doors and into this man haven.  With less than 20 seats, including a leather bench, Velvet Cigar inspires intimacy and comaradie.  The men there not only knew each other, but it was very clear that they had spent a lot of time in that space together.  No liquor is served, however, snacks, a sandwich or a soda were just steps away at the local corner store.   There are no formal cigar lockers, rather there are individual cherry humidors on a shelf displaying the names of the owners on a gold plate.  Very limited cigar selection of well known brands because Velvet carries it's own full, medium, and mild bodied cigars in a variety of sizes in each, with a Corona starting it off at $5.  There is a $10 cut fee for bringing your own cigars in, but is waived if you purchase in-house.  

I purchased a Velvet House Cigar, a Robusto Maduro, to smoke right there and then purchased a few in the other categories to try later.  It was a typical maduro but a bit soft and a little hard to light at first.  But it was decent.  The other cigars I purchased were very soft as well and at the suggestion of a friend, I'm going to let them "dry" out a then try it again.  I'll reserve review on the cigar until then.

I enjoyed my time there but I just stayed long enough to smoke my cigar.  I wasn't uncomfortable, however, I felt like I was intruding.  Like I was listening in on a private conversation.

Experiment on hold

My 30 day experiment with Perdomo Petit Corona Maduro will have to go on hold for a couple of weeks.  Places to smoke and drink are not as convenient as you might think in New York so I'll resume 30 smokes, 30 days when I return to Atlanta.

In the meantime, enjoy my tour of the wonderful smoking places that are in NYC. 

I didn't smoke today, but I found someone who was...

I spotted this gentleman outside of Habana Outpost in Clinton Hill in Brooklyn, smoking a CAO.  Not sure of the wrapper, appears to be a Churchill.

Old New York Charm?

Yesterday, I went back in time.  Back to a time of gentleman in smoking jackets and ladies in cocktail dresses for the ritual of cocktail hour.  Now, I've only seen this type of "Old New York" style in movies, but I imagine that living on the Upper East Side in the 40's and 50's, Lexington Bar and Books would be the spot where the sophiscated gathered.  There is a strict dress code: no jeans, no sandals, no sneakers.  And you have to be buzzed in.  At first, I thought that this may be a private club but I think that they use this tactic to give you the once over.  Or maybe it was to ensure that you are greeted properly.  At any rate,   I was lucky enough to find a seat in front of the open floor to ceiling shutters that peered out to Lexington Ave.  My first impression was library in a huge mansion that had huge dark cherry bookcases and paneling, with the walls lined with first editions of classic American novels.  Leather club chairs and benches line the walls and in the back, a velvet rope to a room no doubtedly reserved for a distinguished gentlemen and his company.  This cigar list was limited, maybe only 20 cigars starting in price from $14.  But, Bar and Books will allow you to smoke your own cigars for a $5 sur charge per person.  This place is for the cigar purist, no butane lighters here.  Guests are brought, on a silver tray, a cigar cutter, a shooter of water, a candle and a bundle of sticks.  I quickly slid my butane lighter back into my purse, it proved to be so inadequate.  And there I smoked and watched and drank.  After I smoked my Perdomo, I engaged in the delicious El Primer Mundo Nicaraguan Maduro and sat back thinking, "I should have dressed up more." Yes next time, I will match the mood and feel of Lexington Bar and Books with a long silk dress, high heels and a gentleman in a smoking jacket whispering in my ear, "Here's looking at you, Kid".  

www.barandbooks.cz

Finally I found a place to smoke and drink!

I've made my list of cigar shops to go to in the city.  I made my list and checked it twice and found a wonderful place on the Upper East Side that is wonderful and nice.  Today, I'm actually able to put an entry about my Perdomo!  Hoooorrrraaayy! I had my wonderful Perdomo with Taliskers 12 yr whiskey.  I hadn't tried Taliskers before and Lexington Bar and Books, where I was, was having it's weekly whiskey special.  I'm getting the feeling that the makers of Perdomo had whisky in mind when they made this cigar.  I had Taliskers neat, with a little lime squeezed in and it was nice.  Just like with the Jack Daniels, I'd chose this combination any where, anytime I need to reprieve from the day to day grind.

Ahhh! I've found a Spot!

Since I've been in NYC, I've had quite an adventure looking for places to smoke.  One day, I was at Lincoln Center and decided to use my trusty Google Map on my iPhone to tell me if  there were cigar shops close to me and where they were.  So Google gave me a list and the one closest, "Torch" was just a couple of train stops away.  Or so it seemed.   So I walked.  And walked.  And walked.  All over the Lincoln Tunnel.  All down by Jacob Javitz.  All the while navigating with my iPhone.  Well, Google proved to be on the money.  It led me directly there.  Only it failed to mention that the cigar shop that I was sooo looking forward to finding and the cigar shop that I'd schlepped avenues for was now  -- an auto body shop.  

Luckily, in Atlanta, when I was rushing out of the house to catch my plane, I threw in my bag a Cigar Report magazine.  Not sure where it came from but low and behold, it had a list of cigar shops in NYC!  So great! Now I can begin planning my smokes all over town.

My first stop was De La Concha Cigar Lounge just south of Central Park on 6th Ave between W 56th and 57th.  I didn't walk all through the shop, I was mesmerized by all the sticks I saw as I walked through the door.  The prices seemed pretty reasonable, and I chose an Avo Domaine Connecticut Corona.  It was almost $11 but it was, well, I'm still trying to put into words all that I tasted.  My developing palate tasted on the first pull a little bitter and sweet but not overpowering but the tastes felt separate in my mouth.  When they merged right before the middle of the cigar, I thought I smelled apples which explained the sweet taste.  It smelled like apples peels thrown into a fireplace.  So much was going on.  I was telling a friend of mine of my experience and he was like "Yeah, Avo's are complex".  Complex is an understatement, my friend.  Definitely a smoke that I would try again, just for the simply fact that I must taste and identify all the components of this cigar!  I will not be defeated...

De La Concha allows you to bring sticks in to smoke but they require that you purchase one from them.  They also do not serve libations, which, didn't allow me to continue my experiment today.  De La Concha only serves water, juice, or tea.  And there are no tvs.  Laptops are not allowed on the tables.  Sounds like a downer, huh?  Not at all!  What De La Concha has is a huge picture window facing 6th Ave that is prime for good old New York City people watching, without the distraction of white noise.  De La Concha's environment really fosters a simple communion between you and your cigar and the other patrons.  Sure, you could play with your phone, but why?  I really enjoyed my time there and will definitely be back! 

You can find them on the web at www.delaconcha.com

Small Hiatus- Be Back in a day or so

I've taken a small hiatus from the blog only because I've temporarily relocated to NYC for the month.  I'm finding my way and also mapping out the great cigar spots in the city.  Stay tuned for return of my smoke next week!

Perdomo and Viognier

The previous wines that I had with my Perdomo worked wonderfully, the Cabernet even the Riesling.  But the cigar just ran over the Bear's Lair 2007 Viognier.  I didn't get a good blend until almost the end and even then it was just a few puffs of harmony.  The wine by itself, great!  And in the words of Forrest Gump, "and that's all I have to say about that"!

Perdomo+ Kelt Cognac

Lauren at Highland Cigar suggested this cognac that she happened upon and began carrying in the shop.  Kelt Cognac is aged in barrels on a ship and is carried from port to port to port for over a year.  The process is called "Ocean Maturation".  The taste, well, it's pretty good.  Kinda spicy and floral at the same time if that makes any sense.  But with my Perdomo, they seem to be competing with one another in the spice department.  This may be an extremely huge faux pas, put I squeezed a bit of lime in the cognac which softened the liquor a bit.  But it's still strong.  The lime made it more palpable for me and more enjoyable.  A friend recently gave me the expression, "I'd get with this(or I'd f*ck with this)".  This combo, I'd get with, maybe not my very first choice, but a definite contender.

Two Days of Perdomo

I didn't get a chance to blog yesterday.  Busy, Busy ,Busy.  But I did smoke and drink and yesterday I paired my Perdomo with a lemon drop martini.  Perdomo and citrus drinks aren't really working too well together.  Even in the middle, it was nasty.  So I had to put them down and take each separately, first smoking and then drinking the martini.

Today, I chose Bailey's Irish Cream.  It's ok.  Nothing to scream about.  I think I need to let the girly drinks go and work on some for real liquor. 

Perdomo and Cabernet Sauvignon

I am a huge, huge fan of cheap wine.  Let me rephrase that.  I am a huge, huge fan of cheaply PRICED wine.  If you drink wine, you know that price does not necessarily dictate the taste.  With that said, tonight I have paired my precious Perdomo with a house brand Cab from Cost Plus World Market.  Now, I trust Cost Plus because they have a pretty good variety of wines from the world over and at a mere $4.99, well, a girl couldn't resist.  And actually the wine is pretty decent.  My Perdomo and the Cab are working well together, nice and steady.  No toe touches, no fireworks but I'd have them together again.  Like a couple that you have over for dinner; you had a good time, they are excellent company and you'd invite them again but they . They're just....pleasant. Until.....

I get to the middle of the doggone cigar and now I can't feel my cheeks...they snuck me! Ok...I've learned that the sweet spot of this cigar is always in the middle. Either it gets incredibly great depending on what I'm drinking, or it goes terribly terribly awry.  I've got it now..patience until I get to the good part.

Ok...tonight is a do-over

Although I did smoke my Perdomo tonight, I was in a most celebratory state of mind and was not totally paying attention to the Hennessy that I paired with it.  So I'll do that over another night. But now that I think about it, that is something to be said because if it was extraordinary, it would have caused me to take pause.  And it didn't.  The Hennessy and Perdomo weren't bad together, but it wasn't necessarily memorable.  I had the Hennessy neat with a wedge of lime.  Ok...so what's next... 

Yummy Riesling

I'm smoking at one of my favorite spots in Atlanta...my cousin Michelle's condo in the West End. She has a wonderful unobstructed view of downtown Atl which is the perfect setting for my pairing tonight.  Perdomo and 2007 Johann Falkenburg Riesling have worked wonders for my soul tonight. Absolutely delicious!  Like a perfectly blended song, riesling is the soprano. Perdomo the bass.  I am so pleased and satisfied, the riesling kept everything light and airy, the Perdomo held the bottom and didn't overpower.  Everyone played their position.  Aaahhhh, oh what a night!

Yummy!

I'm smoking at one of my favorite spots in Atlanta...my cousin Michelle's condo in the West End. She has a wonderful unobstructed view of downtown Atl which is the perfect setting for my pairing tonight.  Perdomo and 2007 Johann Falkenburg Riesling have worked wonders for my soul tonight. Absolutely delicious!  Like a perfectly blended song, riesling is the soprano. Perdomo the bass.  I am so pleased and satisfied, the riesling kept everything light and airy, the Perdomo held the bottom and didn't overpower.  Everyone played their position.  Aaahhhh, now to retire in the fetal position.

Dirty Perdomo, Dirty Martini

Today was a particularly rough day for me.  So a strong drink was in order.  So was food.  I went to Tavern at Jr. Cricket, which is close to my house and I can eat and smoke on the patio(it's a beautiful night by the way).  So I've chosen to pair my Perdomo with a dirty martini.  I got the house martini, which is made with Absolut.  It was ok.  At the beginning.  Then, mmmm not so much.  I should have had a different vodka. Perdomo worked with Tito but this Absolut and olive juice wasn't the best. Next time, dirty martini with The Goose!

Perdomo and Beer?

If you live in Atlanta, you know that Taco Mac has, I believe, the most extensive beer selection around.  And yes, I am working on my Beer Passport.  So tonight, I've paired my Perdomo with a Lagunitas Brown Shugga Brown Ale Beer.  At 9.9% alchohol, this beer is thick and bitter. I'm not thrilled with it by itself but I'll see how it fairs with my stick.

Ummm..not so much.  The beer totally overpowered my precious Perdomo. To the point that I had to leave the beer alone and just smoke.  Not quite disgusting but pretty close.  Not a good pairing at all.

Me, Perdomo, Jack Daniels and Ginger

Ok....another delicious night.  Man, the Perdomo STILL was smooth down to the doggone nub...I can't get enough.  Jack is classic anyway but....it and the Perdomo worked hand in hand.  Neither overpowered the other, the Perdomo still had its sassy spicyness but it worked.  The Jack that can put you in the fetal position was still strong.  They are like a couple in love, walking loving down the beach, no worries, getting to know each other, and perpetual honeymoon phase. Damn,  another great night!

Day Five - Me and Jack

I'm starting a bit late, I had a full day.  But tonight, I'm pairing my Perdomo with what I like to call my Menage Trois...Me, Jack Daniels, and Ginger(ale, that is)..let's see what happens...

Tito and Perdomo

I may have poured this a bit strong, but damn it is good.  The cranberry mixed with the pepper of the cigar gives it a tart taste, almost catching you in the back throat.  The vodka and the tobacco marry together for a nice buzz, I'm not falling over and I don't need a cab just.....nice.  But the last half has begun to get bitter, the middle is definitely the sweet spot.

If you're in the Marietta area tomorrow, Wise Ash is having an Oliva Cigar event from 2p-7p.  Check them out!

Day Four Perdomo and Tito

I'm at Wise Ash today in Marietta Ga, blogging and smoking.  Today's drink.....vodka and cranberry, specifically Tito Vodka(Thanks Brother Byron) and Cranberry Juice.  Let's see how it goes.

The Perdomo and the Agavero

All I can say is strong, strong, strong.  The tequila set the pepper off in the cigar and made it potent, almost to the point of unbearable.  The cigar's normal smooth taste was set on fire! It felt like a crackling fire would sound.  Still good but it kinda put me on my ass.  I finished as much as I could because I still have to drive home.

Day Three - The Tequila

Today I'm blogging from La Casa Del Tabaco in Buckhead.  Great shop and pretty good prices on boxes and sticks.

I am having my Perdomo today with Agavero Tequila.  This is a sweet, smooth sipping Tequila made from 100% agave. It's delicious alone, I'll see how it works with my Perdomo.

Good to the end

Good to the end! Now.....whhhaaaat to smoke next?

So Far, So Great!

This Macallans12 year with the Perdomo is outstanding. This scotch blends so well with the cigar and cuts the strong pepper taste that the Perdomo has alone. I'm about middle ways through the cigar and when alone, it began to get bitter. I'm not tasting bitterness at this point, the scotch must be masking it.

Day Two and Macallan's 12 Year Scotch

I forgot to mention where I was blogging from.  Last night, I was blogging from Oscar's Cigars on Camp Creek Pkwy in Southwest Atlanta.  Tonight, I'm blogging from Highland Cigar Company in the Inman Park area of Atlanta.

I am pairing my Perdomo tonight with Macallan's 12 year scotch, neat.

One Down

I've just finished my first Perdomo.  The beginning is spicy and a bit peppery and it stayed even through out.  It remained well lit and the ash remained intact. No drink with it tonight. Excellent smoke!

How It All Began

When I look back, I realized that cigars have always been apart of my life.  My father, a K-8 grade school principal would lit up a Roi Tan blunt each morning on his way to work.  He never smoked in the house, but smelling that cigar was my daddy's smell.  It was in his clothes.  In his car.  And while Roi Tan blunts are not the most sophisticated of cigars, the nostalgia of it has always stayed with me.  How my father would hold it in his mouth.  The holes in his shirt from the ashes that my mother would cursed about.  Even the children at his school nicknamed him "Cigar". 

As I got older, I dabbled a bit tobacco.  Cigarellos, Darjums, Black and Milds.  At first, I thought that is was cute, you know, men think that a woman smoking a cigar is sexy.  But once I truly began to focus on the art of cigars, I was transformed.  

Cigars for me bring peace in the midst of a storm.  A cigar cannot be rushed.  It forces you to be in the moment and present with it until you puff the last puff or put the ash out.  Smoking a cigar is dynamic.  The puff in the beginning is different than the one in the middle and the one at the end.  And paired with the right libation, a cigar is simply, well, orgasmic.  And while a woman smoking a cigar is sexy, it is only the accessory, the perfect pair of pearls to that classic black dress that is the cigar.

I will tell you now that I consider my self a novice.  I'm still figuring out the language, shapes and tobaccos and origins and all that good stuff.  But I know what I like and I'm discovering more and more sticks that bring me joy.

This small experiment is my own market research.  I'm starting with a label that I have enjoyed, Perdomo, and I am taking 30 days to try it with a different cocktail or liquor everyday. And I'm sharing it all here with you.  

The stick that I chose is the Perdomo Maduro Petit Corono 4 3/4 x 44.  I chose it one, because so far for me Perdomo's are classic and consistent, I've never had a bad smoke from any of the cigars I've had. And two, the price was right.  $4.40 a stick for this brand, I think, was damned good.

As so it begins.  Today is my control day, no drinks with the Perdomo.  I'll be savoring the flavor.