Vol. 3, No. 3, March 2006
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Cigar 101
More and more people are starting to enjoy cigars without truly knowing much about the art of the cigar-making process. It is a process that, in many cases, takes several years to complete.
Many more cigar manufacturers are taking the time to age tobacco, and their efforts are paying off. One such cigar is the Carlos Torano Silver Exodus. The Silver Exodus is made with a Cuban-seed Criollo wrapper, which is very fickle. The wrapper takes, at minimum, four years with the proper amount of sunlight to fully prosper. Too much sunlight and it is ruined, too little sunlight and the wrapper will not have any taste.
The Criollo wrapper is also very delicate and can only be trusted to the true master rollers in the industry. Any damage done in the rolling process will cost the manufacturer money and ruin a tobacco leaf that is four years old.
A properly grown and rolled cigar with a Criollo wrapper should be one of the best smoking experiences of your life. A complex-tasting, dark wrapper, the Criollo is most notably found on the Torano Silver Exodus and the CAO Criollo. Both of these cigars are worth further personal testing. I highly recommend them.
Hookah Madness
A hookah is an ancient water pipe used to smoke flavored tobacco. Ancient Egyptians used hookahs as the centerpiece of social gatherings. Fruit-flavored tobacco is placed in a clay bowl, which is heated with coal. The coal never touches the tobacco, as in a pipe, cigar or cigarette. Rather, it heats the tobacco when you draw on the hose attached to the hookah. The smoke is sucked down through a metal pipe and filtered through cool water at the bottom of the base. The end result is a wonderful fruit flavor that can be enjoyed all night. There is no harsh taste or smell, just a nice fruit aroma.
Many lounges in large cities are starting to incorporate hookah nights into their weekly schedules. 10 West Bar & Lounge, on the White Horse Pike in Galloway, has embraced this craze, offering two- and three-hose hookahs which can be yours for the evening. 10 West provides everything you need for full enjoyment, and will even set it up for you. It is a relaxing way to unwind and enjoy a fine flavored smoke.
Cigar of The Month
ACID by Drew Estate
A truly unique cigar experience, ACID by Drew Estate comes in many different shapes, sizes, flavors and strengths. The most popular cigar in the line is the ACID Liquid, a robusto size (5" x 50) cigar that is made in Drew Estate's factory in Esteli, Nicaragua. The secret to every ACID brand cigar is the "infusion" process which takes place after the cigar is rolled. Each cigar is placed in a room filled with various oils and botanicals, and these scents "attach" themselves to the cigars. Once lit, the smell coming from one of these is amazing. The Liquid is a well-constructed cigar with a nice, even draw. ACID is not for the traditional cigar smoker, but rather for someone who likes something different. It is one of the only cigars I can smoke in the house without my wife knowing (until now!). Rating: 3 Butts out of 5!
