The Second Cabellero Makes a New Friend or: Make sure you read to the end.

(I don't know why that weird blooch is there or what it is. Move along, people. Nothing to see here.)

Last night (ha ha ha as if I would be timely. But my intentions were good.)

Anyway, "last" night, the Cabelleros and their respective Cabellierettes (<--It's a word now) went to dinner and later landed at one of our favorite places: Havana Cigar Club in West Warwick, RI.

They have a super spectacular humidor, in case you didn't know.

They have tons of cool things here!**

Apparently Caballero #2 came on our jaunt cigarless.* Weirdo.

So as we wandered around the delicious humidor like we were in the fanciest museum, he chose this:

Of course you recognize it: The Oliva Serie V Melanio, last year's Cigar of the Year, deemed so by Cigar Aficionado. In their article praising the cigar, they state, "One look at the sharply pressed corners and carefully curved head and foot of the Oliva Serie V Melanio Figurado tells you this is no ordinary cigar. The Nicaraguan smoke represents the pinnacle of achievement for Oliva Cigar Co."

"I can't believe I haven't had this yet," said Caballero #2 as he lifted the newly-sainted stick and made his way out to the smoking lounge, which looks a little something like this:

Except not this. This is the members' room. But very similar!**

Anyway, the Oliva Serie V Melanio Figurado...that's a hefty name, but we must address it by its full name, out of respect.

Hahaha. (Again.) Anyway, the Melanio, according to the Oliva website, "is hand rolled using expertly fermented ligero fillers, leaves known for their robust and rich flavor. Five years in the making, this special cigar is sure to exceed a premium cigar smoker's highest expectations.

"The Serie V is full flavored yet smooth. The long filler tobaccos are a blend of Oliva Nicaraguan Habano that emphasizes tobacco from the Jalapa region, an area known for a more nuanced leaf than the Esteli or Condega regions. This carefully aged Jalapa blend produces a particularly flavored smoke." 



Photo by Mrs. Caballero #2. Hi Cathie! 



Cabellero #2 dug the Melanio with its Ecuadorian wrapper, and Nicaraguan binder and filler. But even more impressive than the cigar itself? That it does tricks so well. (He probably had something to do with it too.)



Photo by Mrs. Caballero #2. Hi again!

Said the man who has umpity-gajillion cigars in his one billion humidors, "This is a damn good smoke." Dudes...if anyone would know, it's him. Oh. And Cigar Aficionado, would know too, I guess.

Valentino is sad because he doesn't have a place in this story, so here is a photo:

He is totally going to kill me for this. It'll be worth it!



*Are you as shocked at this twist as we were?

**Pictures stolen unabashedly from the Havana Cigar Club Facebook page.