Vigilant Smoke Shop at Julio's Liquors

Ten times today I looked at an offer to purchase cigars online, and ten times I found myself side tracked to a work project that kept me from making the purchase.  At the end of the day I needed the instant gratification of a purchase, and pulled into Julio's Liquors, and more specifically the Vigilant Smoke Shop.

I have been spending some time in brick and mortar shops lately trying to identify good from bad, and by far Julio's Vigilant Smoke Shop is one of the good.  Located on Route 9 in Westborough, Massachusetts, Julio's Liquors is a full service beer, wine and liquor store with one of the best smoke shops in Metro West.  Inside the liquor store, and placed prominently at the front, Vigilant Smoke Shop boasts a great selection of cigars in their counter humidors, and has the bonus of a decent walk in humidor packed strategically with some of the best sticks available.  The prices for these cigars are far from unreasonable, and those prices are accompanied by a great tobacconist in Cullen Burke.

Upon approaching the counter I am greeted warmly by Cullen.  His simple question of "can I help you?" quickly flows into a great conversation about cigars, cigar accessories, and local shops that leaves me feeling absolute confidence in his skills as a tobacconists.  We discuss the true value of the Xikar travel humidor, with it's ability to preserve cigars for the short time one is away from home. We delved into the new technology in cigar humidification, discussing the DryMistat Tube and the Boveda humi packs.  He introduced to me the My Father Limited Edition Toro cigar in it's individual cedar box, and the special honor of this My Father being hand rolled by the master Jose Don Pepin Garcia himself.  And after admitting to Cullen my discomfort in the box pressed shape of cigars that have become so popular over the last few years, the adept tobacconists recommended a wonderful box pressed Alec Bradley Prensado Robusto that felt as comfortable in my hand as a traditional cylindrical cigar.

I purchased both the Alec Bradley Prensado ( my review of this splendid stick will be along shortly), and the My Father Limited Edition Toro (a gift that I will be giving as a Secret Santa on Ward B).  The cost of the purchase was more than I would have spent online, but had I made my purchase online I would not have discovered these great new cigars and I would have missed out on what makes the brick and mortar shops so valuable: the knowledge of a great tobacconist.  You can enjoy the same experience at the Vigilant Smoke Shop Monday through Saturday from 9 AM to 10 PM, and on Sunday noon to 6 PM.

L.J. Paretti Company- Great Selection

Boston is a great city, where a person can find almost everything they may need.  For me, that extends to finding a good selection of cigars, and I found it at L.J. Paretti Company.

Located at 2 1/2 Park Square in Boston, the L.J. Paretti Company has been a part of the city for the last 140 years.  As you walk through the door, you feel all those years of history open up around you.  On nearly every wall is a humidor, and the store has two walk in humidors in the back for the storage of tobacco and cigars (sorry, not open to patrons).  Only one wall is not lined with a humidor, and that one contains an impressive display of pipes and smoking accessories for sale to the public.  Above the humidors on the  high walls are the decor from years of selling tobacco, tastefully displayed and lightly aged from years of tobacco exposure.

As I browse through the humidors, one thing becomes clear; the proprietors of this shop take very good care of their products.  Their is not a dry cigar in the shop, and I was even able to note some bloom on more than a few.  Bloom is the result the essential oils of the cigar rising to the surface, which often appear as tiny crystals making the cigar look dusty.  More advanced bloom gives the cigar an opaque white look.  This is not harmful to the cigar, but is an indication that the cigars have  been maintained at 70+ RH for a long period of time.

I have already decided on a Brick House Churchill and potentially a Hemingway, when one of the tobacconists asks me if he can help me out.  Deciding that this would be a good opportunity to try something new, I tell the tobacconist my cigar mood, and he recommends an Ashton VSG.  I pay for the Brick House and the Ashton, and the tobacconist asks me if I want it cut.  The answer of course is yes, and I remove the cello and toast the foot.  A master of his trade, he has chosen for me just what I wanted.

There are benches out front of the shop, but I decide to take one of the comfortable chairs inside.  There are ashtrays around within easy reach, and a few other patrons have decided to rest a bit with their own purchases.  Relaxing with my cigar, this is the first time I notice the light jazz music playing softly in the shop, a nice touch that adds beautifully to the afternoon in the city.

If you find yourself in Boston and are looking for a good selection of cigars, stop by L.J. Paretti Company.  They are open Monday through Friday 8:30 AM - 8:00 PM, Saturday from 8:30 AM to 7:00 PM, and on Sunday from noon to 5:00 PM.

Rocky Patel Edge Lite

It is a cool, overcast, fall afternoon in Massachusetts.  Kick-off of the Pats/Chargers game is about an hour away.  A good time to plug in the radio for a little pre-game banter, and of course some time for a cigar.  Today I have chosen the Rocky Patel Edge Lite Robusto.

As with most RP cigars, the pre-light inspection reveals quality.  The wrapper is natural, and glows with nice a nice sheen and very few noticeable veins.  The cigar is soft to the feel, but springs back when pressed.  The cut goes well, and the cigar takes a good coal from the toast.

The draw on the cigar is very smooth, with little effort needed to produce huge clouds of smoke.  The initial flavors are very light with some wood notes and a slight creamy smoothness attributed to the natural wrapper.  As the cigar burns through the first 3rd into the second 3rd, the burn remains sharp and a tight gray ash develops.  The flavors build a bit at this point, with strong wood and toasted nut dominating with a bit of a charcoal on the finish.

At the final 3rd of the cigar, the charcoal builds to be the dominant flavor; a bit unpleasent.  This can be mitigated a bit if you purge the cigar (to purge: blow out through the cigar to remove the standing smoke rather than continue to draw in), and after purging the cigar develops sweet threads in the wood and nut flavors making for a more complex pallet. 

Every RP cigar I have smoked needs to be drawn carefully during the final 3rd to avoid producing bitter flavors on both the flavor and finish, and this cigar is no different.  Having this knowledge has improved my experience with Rocky's cigars, and will help your experience as well.  As for this stick; a good smoke with strong flavors, and one I would recommend to both the amateur and aficionado.

Churchill's Lounge at David P. Ehrlich Co.- A Place to Relax

While wondering around Boston, MA on a warm fall afternoon, I decided that it would be nice to find a nice cigar bar for a little break.  Standing in Quincy Market, my choice was to visit Churchill's Lounge at David P. Ehrlich Co. at 40 North Street.

Upon entering the door, patrons find themselves facing a large walk-in humidor.  I checked the door, and it was locked.  Before I could even turn to ask for help, the proprietor, Barry Macdonald, was there with the key.  He unlocked the door with a smile and offered a hello, then returned to his place behind the bar.  I went in and viewed the selection, not entirely sure what I was looking for.  The selection was not the largest I had seen, but after browsing through and assessing the inventory I found it to be of high quality with selections for nearly every smoker.

I picked out a cigar, and head to the bar to pay for the stick.  Greeted with a smile, Barry process my purchase quickly.  He tells me that Churchill's has been in business for about 11 years, and judging by the look of the establishment it has been a successful 11 years.  A comfortable half-moon bar with tall high back stools is the start of the location.  The room then opens up and is filled with an array of comfortable leather furniture, and inviting cafe tables.  In the back is a set of humidor lockers, though shamefully I admit I did not get around to inquiring about rental.

I did not get to stay long, as I was in town for a training and only had an hour for lunch.  If you find yourself in town, and looking for a relaxing spot to enjoy a beer and a cigar, stop down to Churchill's Lounge- you will not be disappointed.  They are open from 9 AM to midnight on Monday and Tuesday, 9 AM to 1 AM Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, 10 AM to 1 AM on Saturday, and noon to midnight on Sunday.

Davidoff Special "R"

One of the most important aspects of any cigar is the quality of the construction.  Manufacturers that miss this important step can leave the customer frustrated when the stick unravels and loses the edge.  Davidoff proves proves that they are above all a producer of quality in the focus on construction.

The Davidoff Special "R" is a beautiful cigar.  The Connecticut wrapper is bright and inviting, and the simple white band sets off the color wonderfully.  The stick cuts perfectly with no evidence of shredding.  The foot toasts smoothly taking a solid coal very quickly.  The draw is smooth, and the edge remains razor sharp from begging to end.

The cigar is mild to medium in strength, and displays notes of wood throughout the smoke.  As I move into the second 3rd of the smoke, the ash is tight and uniform in color, again a solid statement on the quality of Davidoff's construction.  The smoke starts to develop hints of sweetness on the fringes of the pallet, a trait that I enjoy in many cigars but one that fails to fully develop in the Special "R".  This finish on the smoke is still quite strong in wood flavors, remaining at this one dimension through to the end of the smoke.

The superb construction of this cigar, matched with the mild strength and low complexity make this cigar a great choice for those who smoke infrequently.  It is also a fitting choice for anytime a seasoned aficionado is seeking something a bit more simple but still of high quality.

Fonseca Cubano Limitado Belicoso Corto

Sometimes when you walk into a cigar shop, you look around at all there is to offer, and you take a chance. I found myself in such a position this week, and I quickly grabbed a Fonseca Cubano Limitado Belicoso Corto.

The cigar is Cuban seed, from the Nicaraguan and Dominican fillers to the Honduran wrapper. This is not to say it is a Cuban cigar, but it does provide a set of flavors that I have not yet experienced in a cigar. Toasting the foot goes quickly, and the draw is smooth and easy, producing nice clouds of smoke. The initial flavors are light leather with a strong hit of spice. The spice fades out quickly, long before the first 3rd is finished, and what is left is a building leather on the pallet with a faint sweetness on the edges of the finish.

The smoke produces a nice tight ash that holds on through the first half of the cigar, with only a second ash occurring during the smoke. As I move from the second 3rd into the final 3rd, the flavors begin to intensify with the smoke moving from a medium strength into something much more full. The stick finishes out nicely, having provided a very enjoyable hour.

The Fonseca Cubano Limitado is an attractive stick providing a smooth smoke, without any hint of harshness at all. A definite must smoke for any enthusiast.

Let's Talk About Cigar Size

I was asked the question a few weeks ago on Ward B at Cigar World "what size cigar do you prefer?" A valid question, but before I could truly answer the question I had to figure out what cigar sizes existed.

Surprisingly there are many different cigar sizes. First, the basics: A cigar is measured by the length, often in inches, and by the ring gauge which is a measurement of how many 64ths of an inch the cigar measures in it's diameter. For example, the Punch Gran Cru is a 5 1/4 x 50, meaning it is 5 1/4 inches long and 50/64 inches in diameter.

Roughly, cigar sizes range as follows:

-Half Corona: 4 1/4 x 42
-Rothschild: 4 1/2 x 50
-Robusto: 5 x 50
-Corona: 5 1/2 x 42
-Toro: 6 x 50
-Torpedo: 6 1/4 x 52
-Lonsdale: 6 1/2 x 44
-Churchill: 7 x 48
-Double Corona: 7 1/2 x 54
-President: 8 1/2 x 52

Please remember that this list is very basic and not all inclusive. There are numerous custom sizes for individual cigar producers, and there is also some variance around the measurements listed above (for example, a Brick House Churchill measures 7 1/4 x 50, and a Rocky Patel 1990 Vintage Churchill measures 7 x 48, while a Padron Maduro Churchill comes in at 6 x 46). One must remember that this is the Cigar Amateur, and therefore we are only aiming to approach proficiency, not to define the complete boundaries of the cigar world.

As you venture through the numerous offerings of the cigar world, try different sizes to find what you like. Understand the time needed for each individual size, and allow yourself that time to enjoy the smoke. If you do not, it is not fair to you or the stick.

Punch Gran Cru Natural- Complex and Mellow

I was able to purchase 4 pounds of London Broil today for $6, which really has nothing to do with this post except that it seemed a great reason to reward myself with a cigar. My choice of the day is the Punch Gran Cru Natural Robusto.

Punch cigars, often known for their full flavored sticks, has broken the mold a bit by producing the medium strength Gran Cru for our enjoyment. The cigar is a blend of Honduran, Dominican, and Nicaraguan leaves with an Ecuadorian binder and a 3 - 5 year aged Connecticut wrapper. The stick measures 5 1/4 x 50, a great fit for the evening.

The cigar cuts well and takes a nice toast, but I begin the smoke on a down note in that the draw is quite tight. The pre-light inspection revealed some hard and soft spots, but I felt that I wanted to attempt to smoke the stick regardless. Most likely not the best choice, but I hate to throw a stick away.

With the hard draw aside, the cigar starts out slowly, with notes of wood and leather, a subtle stream of cinnamon, and wonderful cream and butter blend lingering in the finish. This mild complexity builds through the first 3rd and drives into the second 3rd, where happily the plug seems to have resided. Once this trouble spot clears itself, the cigar produces wonderful amounts of smoke, and a more relaxing approach takes hold as the easy draw settles me in.

The final 3rd of the smoke starts to burn a bit hot and provides a nasty bite, but with a bit of self control this is kept in check. The flavors remain smooth and mellow straight to the finish, providing a satisfactory ending. This is a medium strength cigar without question.

The plug issue is one I have encountered in the past, and can truly ruin the enjoyment of a cigar. Even with the plug, this cigar was quite enjoyable, and is worth trying again in the future.

Victory Cigar- Great Selection

It is Friday night and I am heading home after a long week at work when my wife calls and tells me that the traffic on 495 is at a stand still. Time to find another way home. I venture south on 126, picking up Route 20, and the traffic appears almost as bad on this route as well. I slowly plod down Route 20 when I notice on the side of the road in Sudbury, MA the sign for Victory Cigar. I decide that I have no other choice but to stop and pick up a little something nice to help me relax when I get home.

The nice little shop and bar has been under the current ownership of Gino Allia (and partners) for the past nine years. Upon approaching the site, the first thing that greets visitors is the wonderful smell of cigars, and a nice outdoor seating area. As you walk through the door, laid out in front of you are comfortable couches, and to the right there is a beautiful walk-in humidor. As I step in to browse the vast selection, one quickly notices that there is no one standing over your shoulder monitoring your progress. Patrons are free to browse, with the staff occasionally popping in to restock the shelves without being intrusive, yet offering advice upon request.

The layout is quite cozy, and very inviting. There are 4 plasma televisions located throughout the location, and a well stocked bar for you pairing pleasure. If you find yourself needing to work, the Wi-Fi is complimentary for the patrons. And you can smoke freely without the glaring looks of those who do not approve.

I select three cigars that are ready to smoke immediately. The prices are in line with most of the shops in the area, with the bonus of being able to smoke them in relative comfort inside (or out on a nice day). The staff quickly checks me out, even though they are just getting rolling for the night. My luck is with me, and there is a discount at the register as they are running a special on the cigars I have chosen.

A great experience at a great location.

Perdomo Lot 23- A Good Daily Smoke

Another great shipment arrived at my door last week, and I am excited to review each of the cigars in this new shipment. The first that I will be tackling is the Perdomo Lot 23 Robusto.

The Perdomo Lot 23 cigar came to me from a sampler purchase made at Famous Smoke Shop that contained a variety of 10 single cigars. The prelight inspection shows a cigar with good color, and a uniformed feel that is consistent through the entire stick. The natural wrapper and Nicaraguan filler hint at a great smoke, and the 5 X 50 Robusto size are becoming common in my humidor.

The cigar lights well, and the burn remains fairly sharp throughout the smoke. The flavors are a bit uncertain at the start, but are strong in spice and wood. This evens out quickly with the wood flavor becoming more dominant, the spice fading well to the background, and a delicious sweetness caressing the pallet. As the second 3rd is consumed, notes of leather begin to appear, and a buttery smoothness blends into the smoke. The final 3rd continues these blended flavors, with the creamy smoothness never relenting.

This is a great daily smoke, and a delightful choice at anytime of the day.

DryMistat Tube- Humidifying the Future

Proper humidity is a key component to preserving cigars. Many humidifiers are sponge like in construction, and can be charged simply using distilled water. But technology improves our lives, and it has not stopped at the humidor. Enter the DryMistat Tube.

Made by DryMistat, Inc, the DryMistat Tube is a patent pending technology that keeps your humidity level at a stable 70%. The system is made up first of crystal that have the capability of soaking up to 100 times there own weight in liquid. According to DryMistat, the charge lasts 4 to 12 weeks. During that time the crystals release moisture and shrink as they lose liquid, giving an excellent visual cue as to when they need a recharge. When you do recharge, they can be recharged with tap water.

Using tap water is generally avoided as the substance for recharging a humidifier, as it can contain minerals that can damage a cigar (distilled water is the base liquid of choice). This is the where the second part of the system comes into play. The tube is the delivery system for the water vapor, and is a special grade of space age clear plastic that has microscopic pores in the wall. These pores allow the water vapor through, but they do not allow water to seep out or the minerals in the water, making it safe to store your cigars directly in contact with the DryMistat Tube. Each DryMistat Tube will humidify approximately 30 to 50 cigars, depending on the environmental conditions of your local, the number of times you open and close your humidor in a day, etc.

I live in Massachusetts and have been using one DryMistat Tube in my 5-stick travel case, which I open about every other day. My cigars have been in perfect preservation when I pull them out for a smoke, and the fact that it is a tube helps it fit perfectly along side the cigars. There has been no damage to the cigars from the contact, which is in line with the specification given by DryMistat, Inc. I will be testing the product in my 40 to 50 count humidor next to see if it can handle the stated cigars.

There are many users of humidors out there that are settled on the traditional method of humidification for there cigars. For those that are looking for technology to aid them in the battle, the DryMistat Tube is just the thing. The company guarantees the product for a full year, a testament to the quality of the product.

Oliva Serie G Robusto

The battery died in my car today, and apparently it is such an uncommon size that only one store in the area can get one, and it will not be in until this afternoon.

Which means I get the day off, and what better way to spend a part of a free day than with a new cigar. Today I grabbed an Oliva Serie G Robusto for an afternoon of smoking.

The Oliva Serie G Robusto (pronounced "Roh-Boost-Oh") is a 4 1/2 x 50 cigar with rich Nicaraguan filler and an African Cameroon wrapper. It is a box-pressed cigar, meaning that it is square rather than cylindrical, a trait that I found a bit uncomfortable at first. The pre-light inspection shows a nice amount of veins in the wrapper leaf, and a consistent feel to the cigar that is a bit spongy when pressed but bounces right back to shape.

After toasting the foot, the light takes well but with a bit of an uneven burn. This rights itself after a few minutes, and the stick burns well through to the end. The ash is a bit darker than I like to see, giving the impression that there is a bit of uncombusted material left behind. The stick redeems the less-than-appealing ash by producing great amounts of gray smoke obtained through an easy draw.

The flavor is medium, but I would describe it as a full medium. The initial flavors are a bit toasted and buttery, with a light stream of spice running through it. Not the peppery spice, but more of a cinnamon/nutmeg blend that plays on the pallet. The finish is long providing notes of espresso on the cheek and tongue.

As I move through the second and final 3rd of the smoke, I begin to have a bit more comfort with the box press. It is not my personal choice of shapes, but it is something I could get used to in time. The spice begins to build, but never becomes overpowering. One should note that the aroma of this cigar is splendid, providing both the intoxicating smell of good tobacco and a light smell of flowers that brings the memory of spring to the cool fall day.

Overall, this has been an enjoyable smoke. It was quicker than many I have had of late, lasting just under 45 minutes. Good construction, good flavor, and an easy draw make this a good cigar to allocate space to in the humidor.

Romeo y Julieta Cedro Deluxe No. 2- Sweet & Spicey!

Romeo y Julieta (pronounced Rome-ay-o ee Hoo-lee-eh-tah) has been a brand that I have been eager to try for some time now, but one that always seems to miss the short list at the register. This week it made it to the final cut (yes, pun intended), and helped me enjoy the early fall evening in New England.

The cigar comes presented in one of my favorite formats; wrapped in Spanish Cedar. It gives the stick a look of quality and care that I truly admire. The stick has good construction, built from Dominican fillers and binder, and an Indonesian wrapper. The wrapper has a good color and sheen, and the pre-light inspection reveals no noticeable soft spots.

The cigar cuts well, and takes a good light. It starts out subtly sweet, a trait I admire in a cigar, and appears mild but complex. The strength of the cigar quickly grows through the first 3rd, and in addition to the sweetness there appears notes of cedar, coffee, and a peppery spice. The draw is good and the cigar produces impressive amounts of gray smoke, and a tight ash that lasts through the first two 3rds.

As the final 3rd is smoked, the complex flavors begin to build, adding notes of leather, building on the cedar and coffee, with both the sweetness and spice present but understated. A nice bit of chocolate lends itself to the mix, helping the stick to finish nicely.

This is a wonderful cigar. For the new smoker it is far from overpowering and leaves you feeling confident, but it also plays well to the seasoned smoker. The soft silky flavors start at the beginning and carry straight through to the end. At $5 or less per stick (check out Famous Smoke Shop- one of my favorite vendors), this is an affordable addition to the humidor.

La Gloria Cubana Artesanos Tabaqueros

Walking through the humidor at the Victory Cigar Bar, I came upon the La Gloria Cubana Artesanos Tabaqueros.

This is simply a beautiful cigar. The stick has two wrappers; a Connecticut Shade wrapper and an Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper. This light on top and dark on the bottom looks quite stunning, and upon lighting the cigar the mellow smoke draws superbly. The cigar produces amazing amounts of smoke, and the complex flavors begin to mingle on the pallet. There is a steady amount of caramel sweetness that remains on the lips after each draw, and this blends fantastically with the smooth wood, leather, and mixed coco and coffee threads.

It should also be noted that this is a large stick. Taking my time, I enjoy nearly an hour and a half of pleasant smoke from this cigar. I look forward to my next meeting with this wonderful product.

Xikar Travel Humidors- A Must Have

A few weeks ago I purchased the Xikar travel humidor, 5 count size. The purchase was made at a local tobacco shop, and carried a price tag of $19.99.

The unit is made of strong ABS molded plastic, and has a silicone seal to provide an airtight, and watertight, seal for the protection of your cigars. The urethane foam cushions up to 5 cigars, and keeps them from moving around during travel. The humidor has a small round humidifier built into the top of the unit which should be charged to keep your cigars at a comfortable 65% to 70% humidity. Stainless steel main hinge and latch hinges hold the unit together, and a manufacturer's lifetime guarantee lends the assurance of quality.

The humidor does a good job of keeping 3 to 5 cigars preserved. The humidifier needs to be recharged about once a week to keep the unit stable, but as long as you keep to that faithfully it will keep your cigars in great shape. The manufacturer does recommend that your cigars be properly humidified prior to storing them in the unit.

The unit is a bit large if you are just heading out for a visit with friends, but if you are traveling away from home for more than a night this is a good way to bring along a small stock of your private reserve. The quality of the unit will keep the cigars safe, and you do not have to worry about finding a smoke shop in an unfamiliar location.

If you are in need of a larger travel humidor, check out the Xikar website for larger units with the same solid quality.