четверг, 28 июня 2007 г.

A Day in the Life of a Cigar Lover

There's a time and place for every cigar, and a cigar for every occasion. This day just scratches the surface. We haven't even mentioned poker, golf, walking the dog, weddings, births and graduations.

10 A.M. - Monday morning with the paper and a croissant.

If you are planning to read through the entire paper front to back, light up a Churchill. If you are only going to scan the first section and the sports scores before heading out for a run, start with a Corona.

12:00 P.M. - A quick lunch.

While stopping off on the way back to the office for some coffee, a Corona is perfect.

2:47 P.M. - Just sealed a big deal.

The cigar you'll naturally select is a Torpedo, the cigar of business moguls.

6:00 P.M. - What defines happy hour better than a fine cigar and an aperitif?

This is the time to tune your palate with a Scotch and a Robusto. Who cares if dinner is a little late?

6:30 P.M. - Hopping into the car to head home from the train station.

A full-flavored Robusto is a suitable cigar. If you have an hour's drive out to the country house, choose a Churchill that will see you through your Tom Clancy audio tape. If you have company in the car, be sure you are carrying your travel humidor, so you can share with your passengers.

8:51 P.M. -The after-dinner cigar.

Whether you are on the porch in the summer listening to the crickets, or in the den in front of the fire in the deep of winter, now is the moment to kick back and reward yourself for a day well done with a Churchill or a Torpedo.

10:45 P.M. - The last hours of the day...

A Churchill with a Connecticut wrapper matches nicely with Scotch. The smoky intensity of Bourbon pairs well with a Maduro wrapper. If you choose a Torpedo with a Habana 2000T wrapper to go with Port, the leathery earthy spice of the cigar will marry perfectly with the finish of vintage Port. Cognac calls for a significant cigar such as a Belicoso with an Indonesian Shade Grown (TBN) wrapper, which has the spice to dance with the fire of the Cognac.

How to Arrive at a Number

Cigar rating system developed by CIGAR AFICIONADOT

There are four components used in the system developed by CIGAR AFICIONADOT for assigning a rating number to a cigar:

APPEARANCE AND CONSTRUCTION

(15 of the possible 100 points)

Visually, a premium cigar should have a smooth, flawless wrapper and be consistent in color and shape. When held, it should feel firm and give off a slightly oily moistness. Points are deducted if the wrapper has areas of large veins or if the cigar feels dry or firmer in some parts than others.

FLAVOR

(25 of the possible 100 points)

Although each premium cigar has a distinctive taste, all premium cigars should taste smooth and rich. If a cigar leaves a bitter or harsh taste on your lips, tongue or mouth, points are deducted.

SMOKING CHARACTERISTICS

(25 of the possible 100 points)

A perfectly made and stored premium cigar should light and burn easily and evenly. The draw should be comfortable and the same throughout the cigar. The smoke should be cool in your mouth. Points are deducted if the cigar burns too quickly, if it burns faster on one side, and if you have to pull hard to get a mouthful of smoke or if that smoke is unpleasantly hot.

OVERALL IMPRESSION

(35 of the possible 100 points)

This is the most heavily weighted category because it is the most important.

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