In the commodity world of Wine and Cigars, there are two products which set the standards of style and price. French wine, in particular Bordeaux and Burgundy, bears a striking resemblance to Cuban cigars in both the way it is made and the way it is enjoyed. They are the entry points for the beginner who is looking to discover the benchmark products in their field, and they can become obsessions for the passionate connoisseur. Following these products is a sure way to enjoy a lifetime of fine drinks and fine smokes, even though the …
This summer brought several opportunities to visit some of the great golf locations in Canada (thanks Dad) on both sides of the country. In Ontario, I visited Glen Abbey, but didn’t have a chance to play there. In Whistler, I played back to back at the two courses right in the Village, Whistler Golf Club and Chateau Whistler. Obviously all 3 courses were beautiful and worth visiting, and each has a unique flavour in its design and presentation. Chateau was the most challenging of the 2 Whistler courses for me, …
I can vividly recall walking into City Cigar in Vancouver for the first time – the sights, the smells, the people. I remember being hesitant, not because I was fearful, but because I wasn’t sure of the norms in a cigar shop or lounge. While I’ve made more than a few visits to cigar stores since, it still can be a bit tricky to feel out the vibe in a given place. Add to that difficulties with some states and provinces allowing smoking in cigar lounges and others not. …
When you think of Cuban cigars, the first thing that comes to mind may be “Montecristo.” In fact, 50% of all cuban cigars sold worldwide are Montecristos. Perhaps the reason for this is the brand’s smooth taste; these cigars are easy to enjoy.
The Montecristo brand was created in 1935 by Alonso Menendez and Jose Manuel Garcia, who had just purchased the H. Upmann brand. They started rolling 5 different cigars, numbered 1 to 5, using the best H. Upmann torcedores. The name itself is taken from the Alexander Dumas …
