Review: Macanudo Café Crystal

The Average of Average

Any cigar aficionado, whether new to the smoke or a seasoned smoker, has heard the name Macanudo. With one of the largest selections produced by any manufacturer, you’d be hard-pressed to find a smoke that didn’t appeal to you in the rather extensive line of Mac’s. I rather enjoyed a recent Macanudo Café Crystal.
This rather large stick weighs in at a hearty gage of 50 giving you ample time to enjoy start to finish. I’m not normally a fan of larger cigars, but this one has a smooth consistent draw, which aided in an even burn all the way through. With a Connecticut Shade wrapper and Dominican fill, this cigar is rather mild. While practicing a unique Havana tradition of aging the tobacco twice over, there tends to be a smooth distinctive nutty flavor, but not too strong as a result. I’d recommend this cigar for anyone looking for a smoke on the lighter side.
The Café Crystal comes pre-packaged in a glass tube therefore it’s a great cigar to travel with should you not have a travel humidor. At a price hovering around $6.00, you can’t go wrong. Macanudo also offers a box of 8 cigars, which would be a valued asset to any humidor, not to mention an ideal way to pass around as gifts. You surely wont offend anyone by handing these smokes out.
If you’re looking for a cigar as an “anytime” smoke, look no further than the Café Crystal. It won’t knock your socks off, however I’m sure it won’t muster up many complaints.



Mac Attack

Down for the Count

I first want to apologize for the lack of entries lately. I’ve been in Chicago over the past few days helping my brother and his wife move into their first home together. As much as I love Chicago, I now remember why I moved to Phoenix! There’s nothing like loading and unloading a 24 foot moving truck in near freezing temperatures with 30 mph wind swirling from every direction while being pelted by freezing rain (and even sometimes snow) to invigorate the soul. Unfortunately for me, I may have overdosed on the brutality that is Chicago in the spring, for I’ve come down with a pretty nasty flu bug that I’m just now getting over.
As for the woman in seat 10B, who insisted on continually elbowing me while reading her latest edition of Vanity Fair, catching up on the inside lives of Desperate Housewives, I hope my sneezes and coughs in your direction will teach you to become a bit more courteous on future flights (also, invest in some breathe-rite strips for your husband; his snoring was rumbling the entire wing of the plane!).
I’m also sorry that I wasn’t able to drop in on the good folks at Up Down Tobacco. I’ll probably be heading out that way again in June or July, so I’ll be sure to make a scheduled stop.
Now that I’m just about in the clear of this nasty little bug, I’ll be posting again very soon. I don’t think I’d have many positive cigar reviews while I can’t breath out my nose.
Anyhow, enough rambling on my part, for it’s time for more medicine. I’ll have a new post for you all soon!

Phenominal French Toast

I’m off to Chicago tomorrow for the weekend to help my brother move into his new home, so this will be my only post for a few days. Hopefully when I arrive I’ll be able to drop in on the fine folks at Up Down Tobacco, however I’ll be in Plainfield for most of the weekend, and for those in the Chicagoland area, you all know how far that can be. I thought I’d leave everyone a recipe that you’ll need to try over the weekend. I don’t know about anyone else, but I love a good breakfast on weekend mornings (or afternoons or even evenings for that matter!), and what a better way to enjoy the sun coming up than with a heaping serving of French toast. Mind you, this is not the egg mopped Texas Toast thrown haphazardly onto a hot skillet; I’m sharing a different spin which will have you begging for seconds, thirds and most definitely leftovers.

A good majority of this recipe can be done the night before, so there’s minimal work to do as the coffee is slowing dripping in the morning. Here’s a rundown of what you’ll need, and this recipe serves 8 (however if there’s only two of you, the leftovers taste phenomenal), and don’t worry, most all of the ingredients you should have on hand:

For the Toast:

1 French Baguette, cut into 1 to 1 ¼ inch slices
6 Large Eggs
1 & ½ Cup Milk
1 Cup Light Cream or Half & Half
1 Teaspoon Vanilla
¼ Teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
¼ Teaspoon Ground Nutmeg

For the Topping (and I recommend doubling the amounts listed below):

1/3 Cup Softened Butter
½ Cup Firmly Packed Brown Sugar
¼ Cup Chopped Walnuts
1 Tablespoon Light Corn Syrup

The Night Before:

Grease a large baking dish. Arrange bread slices to fill the dish completely in one layer (if space is left between the slices, the results will be crispier). In a bowl combine the eggs, milk, cream, vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg. Mix well and pour over bread slices. Cover and refrigerate overnight.

The Next Day:

Preheat Oven to 350 degrees. Combine butter, sugar, walnuts and corn syrup in a bowl and mix well. Spread the mixture over bread slices (it will spread easier if it’s microwaved for a few seconds). Bake for 40 minutes or until puffed and golden. Enjoy with maple syrup (although with the topping it may not be needed).

Take the time to make this one, and you wont be sorry. Total prep time is under 30 minutes and I promise you'll find the results outstanding. Enjoy your weekend everyone and I'll be back next week!!

Review: Kahlua Cigars Delicioso by Drew Estate

Flavor Rebound

Drew Estate has always been on the cutting edge of flavor infusion with their popular and growing Acid line, however for the traditionalist, these cigars have never quite caught on. With the addition of the Cigar Delicioso line, I think the traditional cigar smoker is in for a pleasant surprise.
I’ve had the Kahlua cigar waiting patiently in my humidor since the Big Smoke event in Las Vegas last November. I’ve picked it up on may occasions, contemplating the right time to light it up, however I’ve been burned by flavored cigars in the past (you can read about that here), and have been reluctant to wander back to the land of infusion ever since. Maduros have been my cigar of choice as of late, and with the weather creeping up into the mid-nineties, I thought it wise to grab something somewhat milder. I reached for the first Connecticut shade wrap I could find, and to my surprise it happened to be the Kahlua. “Why not” I thought, it’s been sitting long enough.
As I cut it, preparing for the smoke ahead, I noticed the construction was perfect. The wrap, veining, even the band looked in perfect harmony. Next came the taste; before even lighting up, I was pleasantly surprised to find the distinctive sweet flavor of Kahlua touching my lips. The taste was refreshing enough producing a much-desired chill to the warm afternoon ahead, while at the same time reminding me of the winter nights back in Chicago and how delicious this would taste with a steaming cup-o-joe. Once lit, the flavors became enhanced, yet preserving the mild tones of coffee and cedar. The burn was even throughout, as I found myself removing the band to enjoy this smoke down to the very end. Never once did it burn hot, and was rather enjoyable for the full and relaxed 45 minutes.
While smoking, I was reminded of someone I observed while dining outdoors last week. He was smoking a Swisher Sweet. I didn’t see him at first mind you, I simply smelled that awful sweet burning vanilla smell, and I knew right away a Swisher was nearby. He was smoking while chatting it up with his friends, attempting to look sophisticated with the Sweet in hand. It took all the strength I had to not smack that stick out of his fingers and replace it with a Drew Estate smoke. Only if I knew then what I know now, would I have been able to suggest a Kahlua.
For those looking for flavor in their cigars, or even those looking for a refreshing change once in a while, look no further than Drew Estate. I had my reservations while lighting this one up, but to my pleasant surprise the flavor slate has been wiped clean and started anew with the help of the Kahlua cigar.


Kahlua-lua

Review: Avo XO Trio Preludio

AVO Falls on a Flat Note

Normally AVO produces a rather exquisite cigar with a great woodsy flavor and quite enjoyable. I can’t say the AVO XO Trio Preludio ranks among the best that AVO can produce, however it’s not the worst either.
AVO is a relatively new line of cigars. The first to be introduced to the US was back in 1988 by the creator Avo Uvezian himself. He partnered with cigar producer Hendrick Kelner in the Dominican Republic, and successfully sold 100,000 cigars in the first year compared to 3 million in 2003. In the early 80’s after years of schooling classical piano at Julliard, Avo had opened a restaurant and piano bar in Puerto Rico. Avo is a jazz musician and composer, who tends to bring those passions into his cigars.
The Preludio burns relatively hot and quick being only that of a 40 ring gauge and 15cm long. The Connecticut Shade wrapper adds it’s distinct smoothness to the burn, however nothing really hit home for me on this one. For a fuller, more distinctive smoke, try the AVO XO Trio Intermezzo. It is interesting to know that all Avo cigars are hand rolled by the torcedores (cigar rollers), for the quality of construction really shows through. The Preludio is a perfect looking cigar, but the smoke still has room to grow.
Knowing some of the history behind Avo Uvezian, I’d be more apt to enjoy this smoke in the likes of a downtown jazz club where the music burns hotter than the cigar.

The XO Line

Mojito Madness

With spring in full gear and summer right around the corner, it’s a great time to kick back in the ol’ adirondack chair soaking up the sun and washing clean the funk of winter with a smoke in one hand and cool drink in the other. I’ve recently discovered the enjoyment of an ice cold Mojito as it compliments a wonderful smoke. What is a Mojito you ask? Well let’s run down a bit of history, then on with the recipe.

The Mojito has been enjoyed for the past 100 years, as it originated in Cuba in the early 1900’s. Some say that the origin of the drink could be tied to Cuba's famous La Bodeguita del Medio bar (there’s also a location in Palo Alto, California should you not be able to tour Havana) where it was served to the likes of Ernest Hemingway and others. During the ‘30’s and ‘40’s the drink took off and has been enjoyed ever since. With it’s refreshing combination of rum, sugar and mint, this is truly a refreshing drink to soak up the oncoming summer months with.

1 teaspoon superfine sugar
2 springs fresh mint
Squeeze fresh lime juice
2 ounces light rum
Splash club soda
Ice cubes

Place sugar and mint in a tall glass and using the back of a spoon, mash the mint leaves into the sugar. Add the remaining ingredients, mix, garnish the top with a fresh mint sprig, serve and thank me later!

Time for Expansion

Over the past 2 months, I've been developing posts all of which relate to the world of cigars. For those cigar enthusiasts out there, don't fret, for there is still much to write and review, however I was thinking of expanding to include some additional passions that would compliment the enjoyment of cigars.
Another true passion of mine is the world of dining. Whether I'm enjoying a quiet night out or making a complete mess of the kitchen, I always seem to be in the mood for food. If I'm not burning the night away at a restaurant, I'm in the kitchen testing out new recipes; if I'm not in the kitchen, I'm vegging out in front of the television absorbing new recipes and techniques from The Food Network.
For those of you who know me, I tend to be fairly critical at times (and for those who know Jackie, just ask her and she'll tell you!). I tend to critique myself on a daily basis. When it comes to work and play, I'm always looking for ways to improve. I'm always beating myself up over recipes that have gone awry and always critical of the food I'm served in a dining establishment. When everything falls properly into place, there is nothing finer than a good meal (other than a good smoke).
I've found that a satisfying meal will always compliment a great smoke, so is there a better place than Fumo Santo to critique restaurants and offer some tantalizing recipes? I think not!

Sizing Up

When choosing the right cigar, there are many factors that could determine the type of flavor, burn and overall enjoyment of what you’ll light up. There are so many different sizes that have hit the market, it’s nearly impossible to list them all (or maybe my laziness would be a better excuse), and so I’ll just run over a few of the most popular.
As it stands today, Cuba alone produces over 65 different size cigars. Non-Havana brands tend to narrow the sizes down and offer more manageable lines, although many, like Arturo Fuente, Davidoff and Macanudo, have grown considerably.
A cigar size is described in terms of diameter and length. Should you hear someone talking about a “ring gauge”, you can rest assured that they wouldn’t be speaking of an engagement ring, but the diameter of a particular cigar. The ring gauge is a measurement divided into a 64th of an inch. A cigar with a ring gauge of 42 has a diameter of 42 / 64ths of an inch. The length is always calculated in inches.
The big bully of the block is the Churchill (appropriately named after Sir Winston Churchill), measuring over 7 inches in most cases with a ring gauge of 46-49. Next up is the Lonsdale, which rivals the Churchill in length (in some cases shorter), but has a smaller ring gauge of 40-45. The Lonsdale would fall under the “medium” category and is one of the most popular sizes. Now we move onto the Figurado, which can be summed up by any stick that does not have parallel or “straight” sides. Torpedoes, Perfectos, Pyramids and other unique shapes would fall under this category. The ring gauges and lengths will vary as well. And last on our short list, we have the Robusto. It’s short, it’s thick and it’s robust (such like some dates I’ve had in the past!). These gorilla fingers normally have the same diameter as the Churchills, but are much shorter, ranging in size from 4 to 5 and ½ inches.
Keep in mind that there is no correspondence between the size of a cigar and the flavor, quality and taste. A Churchill could very well be a mild cigar for its size, whereas a Robusto could knock you on your ass.
Don’t always be discouraged by the size of shape of a cigar. Enjoy trying different things, and who knows; maybe the strangest looking cigar could turn out to be your favorite.



Sizes Galore 

Smokin' Shops #2

Matchstix in the Desert?

Update: I just received a photo of the shop from Craig at Matchstix, so I thought I'd bump this post up to the top. Also, for those concerned, this shop's appearance is anything but "run-of-the-mill" as I make mention of below!! So take pride in what you've created! Thanks!

Our last visit brought us to the Windy City for a stop at Up Down Tobacco. With it’s warm and muggy summers, to the bitter cold of winter, anytime is a good time for a cigar in downtown Chicago. Today we’ll travel southwest to the arid desert, where it seems on any given summer day you’d hardly need a match to light up; just hold your sticks high and let the intense sun do the rest. Welcome to Matchstix Fine Cigars in Chandler, Arizona.

Phoenix is a city of sprawl. With every branch extending from it’s heart you’ll find a new town, a new master-planned housing community, a new mall, a new golf course and a new set of socialites trying to convince you that their town is bigger, better and more livable than the last to crop up just months ago on some desolate patch of vacant dairy farm. What seems to connect these private worlds from Verrado to Mesa, from Carefree to Ahwatukee? Strip malls. A seemingly endless line of strip malls as far as the eye can see, however there is a benefit to all this. Occasionally there can be found a diamond in the rough; an elegant privately owned restaurant, a shop that seems to have any imaginable gift for any occasion, or if you’re lucky a fine cigar shop.

Just across the north parking lot of Chandler Fashion Center, in you guessed it, a strip mall, houses what is a gleaming example of what a cigar shop should be. Here you’ll find Matchstix Fine Cigars. Upon first glance, it may seem as your ordinary run-of-the-mill smoke shop, but the owners and patrons make the difference here. With plush leather sofas and a game or movie showing on the big screen, a glass of wine or espresso in one hand and a stick in the other, I can’t think of a better place to enjoy a leisurely smoke.

There is a fine selection to choose from in a walk-in humidor containing all the staples such like Macanudo, Fuente, Avo and Acid (for the trendy smokers). If you’re lucky, you’ll stumble across some hard-to-finds such as the elusive 1926 Padron. There’s also a decent selection of handcrafted humidors on display as well as a wide variety of gift packs. On Wednesday night, this shop is bustling with aficionados, all engaging in good smokes and great conversation.

Should your significant other feel the need to satisfy a shopping bug, make the suggestion to head over to Chandler Fashion Center, and quietly slip away into Matchstix Fine Cigars. You wont be sorry.

Matchstix Fine Cigars
3305 West Chandler Blvd. Suite 1
Chandler, AZ 85226
(480) 726-STIX [7849]
craig@matchstixcigars.com

www.matchstixcigars.com

Matchstix Fine Cigars