Partagas Serie D No. 4 (Greek Mike)

Brand: Partagas

Line: Serie D. No. 4

Length x Ring Gauge: 4 7/8 x 50 robusto

Country of Origin: Cuba (purely a Cuban puro as the wrapper, binder AND filler are from Cuba)

Strength: Full bodied

Date: 3/2003 (first time), 11/2009 (latest)

I have been 50/50 with Cuban cigars. Either the cigar will have a nice even burn, be rich in flavor (with notes of pepper or even cocoa), have a nice aroma and a smooth finish, OR they will burn unevenly, and taste like burnt toast. I attribute this variation to the fact that most of the families who traditionally rolled cigars left and set up shop somewhere else after La Revolutión (I always wondered if Che Guevara wore a Che Guevara t-shirt).

I have smoked this type of cigar multiple times in multiple locations (from NYC, Athens Greece, Newcastle UK and Grenada West Indies) and it never fails. It is by far the most consistent cigar I have smoked. It is rich in flavor and packs a great punch (for those seeking the nicotine rush). As you smoke the cigar, the nuances begin to vary from slight hints of cocoa to a spicy pepper. The finish is also very smooth and does not leave a bitter aftertaste. Overall a very smooth, very rich cigar that is at the apex of pantheon of fine cigars. I prefer a nice glass of cabernet sauvignon, or a shiraz with this cigar. A full bodied wine would bring out more subtle nuances with this full bodied cigar.

Overall: 10/10 (my perfect cigar)

The Cigar Docs: The Cigar Docs: Favorite Places in NY

The Cigar Docs: The Cigar Docs: Favorite Places in NY:

Next on the list:

Hudson Bar and Books: there is a special place in my heart for this cigar bar. James Bond movies playing non-stop, and a very quaint atmosphere. Their cigar and wine selections aren't that stellar, but what they lack in selection is made up for in ambiance. Staff was excellent, and the mood was great.

Lexington Bar and Books: the uppity cousin of Hudson Bar and Books. You HAVE to wear a jacket in this place. Even though it is located in the basement of the building, it is well ventilated and I found that their cigar and booze selection was pretty impressive.

Circa Tabac: This joint boasts cigarettes (the poor man's cigar) from around the world, BUT they ARE cigar friendly. Its a pretty loud place compared to other smoke-friendly locales in the city, but hey, when in Rome.

The Brandy Library: definitive new york. I was there back in 2003, and I was free to smoke a cigar and enjoy a beautiful brandy.

The Carnegie Club: this is one of my most favorite places in the city. They have a wonderful wine list, (I know that everyone is different, but I prefer either beer, wine, port or some jack daniels with my stoogie), the service was excellent and the overall environment was.... to put it succinctly, trademark New York.

Vol De Nui: This is a Belgian beer bar that has a mini courtyard. You are free to smoke in this courtyard (and people often do). Enjoying a nice Chimay Blue with an Astral Talanga Valley Selection along with the company of wonderful friends in this small belgian beer bar is one of my most cherished memories.

The Cigar Docs: Favorite Places in NY

The Cigar Docs: Favorite Places in NY

I want to go a little in-depth here, but for starters, here is my list of cigar-friendly places in NYC..... but oh man do I miss those awesome years of pre-2003 (prior to the smoking ban), where you could exercise your right to smoke (with good taste of course) in bars across this fine city.

For Starters:

Club Macanudo: Great cigar bar, an established institution in midtown. Great for a group outing. The club is also a store front for the General Cigar Company (who own the cuban-originated labels of Cohiba and Romeo y Julieta). They have an awesome selection of cigars. It was here that I tried my first Partagas Black Label (the maduro line of non-cuban Partagas). Great construction, heavy body that went well with a dark red cabernet sauvignon or a nice tawny port. The place itself was good overall, but also kinda creepy since it was filled with 50 year old cougars trying to snare 20 somethings. (and this was PRE-sex in the city folks).

I started smoking cigars back in my days as an undergrad at Cornell University. I always had an interest in cigars. Everyone cool smoked cigars. Cigars were meant for the very strong, from Hannibal Smith of the A-Team, Winston Churchill and even the main man himself, Lobo all smoked stoogies.

A history professor once told me "A gentleman is well versed in history and art and has a fine palate for alcohol and tobacco". This adage, along with my long admiration of mercenaries, former British Prime Ministers and a comic book anti-hero sealed the deal. I decided to begin my journey at the tender age of 18 by starting with the lowliest, crappiest cigars I could find. I wanted to start at the bottom rung so my palate would become more refined and appreciated of the better cigars. This was a sort of boot-camp for my tastebuds. I decided to start off with something resembling a cigar called "Romeo". These were sold out of a hot truck (their sandwiches were awful anyway) and were so awful that Juliet had a better mind to never associate with it. I started off on "Romeos", White Owl, Philly Blunts and then moved on to better cigars. Although I have to say that some cigars I have come across are rather comparable to the lower rung of the cigar step-ladder (i.e. avoid Helix, unless you like the taste of burnt bark).

So here I am, writing about cigars. I hope you enjoy the blogs. I would like to thank Tony and Eugene for this opportunity. I have to admit, we have carried Cigar Fridays to new levels. From its lowly beginnings in New York Medical College, to smoking on a curb outside Kirkley Lodge, the journey has only begun.