Partagas Natural Double Corona (Greek Mike)

Brand: Partagas

Line: Natural

Length x Ring Gauge: 7x54 (Double Corona)

Country of Origin: Filler: Dominican Republic; Binder: Mexico; Wrapper: Cameroon

Strength: Medium Bodied

Date: May 19, 2011

Notes:

Company, Location and Alcohol. These three factors greatly influence the taste and experience of a cigar. Sitting in Lexington Bar and Books among friends enjoying a smoke is just what the doctor ordered after a stressful week. Mind you, stress has many more adverse effects than an occasional cigar. I feel justified in advocating that form of “medication”.

Lexington Bar and Books (Lexington Avenue and 73^rd street), is an oasis for cigar smokers in midtown Manhattan. Despite a dress code (you will be buzzed in if you are deemed appropriately dressed), this place has an excellent array of drinks (from a flambé Vespa, to a Brazilian sangria, to an impressive array of whiskeys, wines and scotches), cigars and of course James Bond movies playing almost continuously. The staff is friendly and very attentive. The music was not too loud and in good taste.

Smoking with a few medical school chums, we enjoyed Partagas Double Corona that aged in my humidor for 3 years. The draw was smooth, the taste was exquisite. Like wine, some cigars improve their taste with age. In a humidor, the tobacco leaf emits its oils in 70 degrees F and 70% humidity. These oils enhance the taste, and texture of the smoke.

The cigar was a long, enjoyable smoke with no harsh aftertaste (I attribute this to the aging). I normally steer clear of any tobacco from Mexico (I had bad experiences with Te Amo cigars), but this mix really works well. It was complemented with a Single Barrel Jack Daniels (among my personal favorites). A combination of a woody bourbon with a somewhat medium cigar seemed just right.

I would recommend these cigars to be aged before you smoke them. The Partagas cigars, in my opinion, taste significantly better after a good 6 months in the humidor (minimum). Then grab some friends and some drinks and enjoy the smoke.

Overall: 8 out of 10

I don't understand NYC laws (Greek Mike)

Recently the City Council of New York passed a law prohibiting smoking in public areas and public parks due to "health concerns". First of all, I do understand the intention of this law. It is to promote a healthy lifestyle in the city and minimize air pollution.

My friends, the path to hell is lined by good intentions. Now, consider this.....obesity is a HUGE problem in these United States (pun intended). I, myself, am considered obese (I like beer, I like donuts and Homer Simpson is my role model) and obesity is a far greater health risk than smoking. If NYC (especially mayor Bloomberg) is truly concerned with public health, why not tax the obese? Or better yet, prevent obese people from ordered out? or even eating? Seems obscene and offensive? Well, it won't end there porky!

Consider this.... if you are in a closed space for a half hour with your car running, you die. If you are in a closed space for a half hour with cigar/cigarette smoke, your clothes and hair smell. Which emissions are more toxic? So if the city of New York is TRULY concerned with public health, they should also pass a law prohibiting any car that has an exhaust from driving near public parks. Ridiculous? Absolutely!

The true culprit.... Mister Softee ice cream trucks. These are not only bad for the environment (gas-guzzling, toxic emission spewing carriers of delicious frozen treats), but they ALSO encourage obesity! Do not target the cigar smokers off in the corner of the park who are merely enjoying an afternoon smoke, target these diabetes-peddlers!

Seems ridiculous? It is. Smokers are denied basic rights due to strict and absurd laws. Laws passed by out of touch politicians. The fact that this law was passed in NYC (but the police will not enforce it) is a sign of the times... a scary sign. Remember, Hitler was a non-smoker....and he was defeated by three smokers (Churchill, Roosevelt and Stalin).

"A man with no vices, has even fewer virtues."-Honest Abe Lincoln.

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).