Perfect Storm, Perfect Cigar, Perfect Gentlemen*

The other day, when we stopped at Mr. J's Havana Shop in West Warwick, RI (one of our all-time favorite places), we heard about the new J. Grotto Anniversary that's coming very very soon (although that's all we're going to tell you about that right now).

One of the things I like to do there at Mr. J's, which I may have mentioned in the past, is gaze longingly at the sticks, trying not to lick the glass, and pretend I'm rich enough to buy two of each for Valentino--one to smoke and one to keep. However, I am not, so I have to be selective in my purchases.

Unless:
1. There are two particular cigars that have been sitting there for months, taunting me.
2. Those two cigars are cool looking.
3. They remind me of the two caballeros.
4. The two caballeros are cool looking.

In the perfect storm of cigar purchases, all these things happened.

Not my picture because I forgot to take one, but these were the two... [source]

Here's the deal:

Caballero #1 leans toward the mild-to-medium cigar, although he'll try anything and has been known to fall in love with a full-bodied baby.** I'm looking at you, Nica Rustica. So he got the La Flor Dominicana Mysterio Natural. (Because it looked like it would be milder even though I know--I KNOW--that's not always the case.)

Caballero #2 prefers full-to-blowyourfreakingheadoff, although he too will smoke almost anything. (The "any port in a storm" method of cigar smoking.) He received the  LFD Mysterio Obscuro.

So when I saw those two lying next to each other (cigars--get your mind out of the gutter), I got all generous spendy and demanded*** the 7 x 54 Perfectos become mine.****

We gathered at Habanos and commenced smoking and second-hand smoking and chatting with friends! (Hi Nathalie! Hi Amanda! Hi Eric! Hi Sean!)

We've already discussed my bad photography skillz. Sorry!

I know we've discussed this cigar's cousin before, but perfect storm, baby! Perfect. Storm. And perfect smoke, bringing together peppery notes with some cedar and coffee.

Look at how cool the burn is:

Valentino says, "Go ahead and try to knock my ash off. I dare you."

No, really. Try. That sucker refused to let go.

Here's a cool video about rolling the Mysterio:

After that smoke, we all headed to Ale House Cigar Bar to bask in the joy that is cool-guy Jake. While there, Caballero #2 may have purchased a box of five. Yeah, they come in boxes of five. Yeah. You should get one--if there are any left after I get there!


*::cough cough::

**Shut up.

***And by demanded, I mean I said, "May I please have the two last Mysterios?"

****Not unlike I have made the caballeros my own personal knights in shining armour.

I hate this saying, but...Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner!

I must have been drunk.

::nods::

::looks at Valentino, who is also nodding::

So we took alllll the folks who subscribe to the feed and the few folks who commented, drew pictures of what we thought they looked at, went to the milliner and purchased a hand-made chapeau, put those pictures in aforementioned swanky topper, stirred the pot like that bitchy woman at work, reached into the depths, and drew out two names because someone has no actual feeling in her fingertips and therefore didn't realize her lobsterclaw digits were effing up a very simple process.

This is the hat I wanted to get...

But this one seemed like something I'd wear more often...

So we have two winners for Nica Rustica drawing.

Brian Schmidt and Philip Moses! You guys should email your mailing address to us at PPiva@charter.net!! We're sending each of you a package of awesomeness!!

You are still not getting all of these. Don't be greedy!

Next up: Watch for the next drawing, which will be a fine Hechicera, because we love Grace Sotolongo!!! Stay tuned for details!!



You are not getting all these, either.  Do we look like we're made of money???
(Plus, keep in mind that I'm taking these from Valentino's personal stash, so....)

The Two Caballeros: The second adventure (Part the second)

Remember this? Well, the adventure continues...

After our jaunt around the mean streets of Federal Hill, the four of us headed to Hanley's Ale House in Providence to visit our pal and all-around good guy Jake Healey, the cigar bar's humidor manager.

It's Jake. Jake from Ale House.

 

Valentino decided to give the Liga Privada T52 One. More. Chance. We were hoping it somehow loosened up as we drove a couple miles. Or maybe the port he was drinking would help.  No and no.

 

I begged him to let it go. Give up. Folding his T52 hand would not lessen his manhood.

 

::shakes head::

 

Then he went for the (new) old standby, the Nica Rustica, which made everyone happier. Have we chatted about this Nica before? According to the Drew Estate website, "Nica Rustica is a medium to full strength cigar that is blended to showcase native Nicaraguan tobaccos from Esteli and Jalapa. Aficionados will enjoy this rustic smoke that is robust and deeply satisfying. Genuine Connecticut Broadleaf encases Nica Rustica and imparts a subtle natural tobacco sweetness and spice."

 

Not taken at Hanley's Ale house, but rather on our back porch.
Look, Mom! The flowers you gave me on Mother's Day are not only alive, but thriving!
(Obviously, I had nothing to do with their success.)

 

I have to admit that one of the reasons I like this medium-full cigar, since I tend to lean in the mild-medium direction, is that it's extra smoky, deemed by its makers as "potent, robust, and fulfilling,"* which means I'm getting more bang for his buck.

 

Doc, aka Cabellero the Second, lit up a La Gloria Cubana Serie R Esteli, a dark, rich, spicy, full-flavored cigar.  I wasn't sitting close enough to him to get the full-force of the literal smoke, but I certainly wouldn't kick it out of bed for smoking. I guess that metaphor doesn't work when you're speaking of things that actually smoke.  Sigh.  Pardon my cliché.

 

According to the company,
"Each of Serie R Estelí’s three sizes was designed for maximum flavor,
making it a bold collection that fans of robust cigars will fall in love with."
Yes, I am looking to find my way around a few more of these...

 

According to Cigar World, "Serie R Esteli consists of large ring, full-flavored Nicaraguan puros blended with ligeros and visos from multiple farms throughout the country, including those from Jalapa. Serie R Esteli is handcrafted in Nicaragua and exhibits the complexity of optimally-aged Nicaraguan tobacco, through its thick, oily Jalapa Sol wrapper."  Apparently, if you want these, you're going to get out of the man cave (or lady cave) and go to an actual store. They aren't available on the mighty, mighty internets. (I know! That's, like, the only thing you can't get online!)

 

Oh, for crap's sake. In the process of researching this cigar, I obviously happened upon the company's website. I clicked the link to the La Gloria Society.  I love an elite group as much as, if not more than,  the average person. (Probably more. I have illusions of grandeur.) And who is already a member? One of six? Yeah this caballero right here on the left.  I should have known.

 

Here they are, in their natural element. Wearing similar outfits.
I swear they share a brain.



The moral of the story? Listening to Cartman sing "Come Sail Away" makes a person happy. Do it now. You'll be glad you did.  Except that wasn't my point. Valentino gets so frustrated at me because I can't remember what I was about to say most of the time if I'm interrupted but I can remember what I wore to dinner at Myrtle's Turtle restaurant when I was ten or so. (A tank top with turtles on it, obvs.)

 

I remember! Go to Hanley's Ale House! You'll love it! Say "Hi!" to Jake!  Tell him we sent you! (It won't get you anything, but it's a nice gesture!)

 

If you've made it this far, thank you.  You deserve a prize! Don't forget to sign up for the drawing for a Nica or two! Only two days left!!



 

*Which is also how he would describe a good rib-eye steak

Valentino's July Cigar of the Month--Nica Rustica!

No, you are not getting all of these.  You get one. Or maybe two. But definitely one.

***UPDATE!!!***

We have a winners!!

Thanks to everyone who participated!!! You are all awesome! Check back in a day or so for the information on the next drawing! Here's a hint:

Again, no, not all these...but definitely this brand because...Oh, you'll see when we post the details!

Hi! Welcome to our first giveaway!

This month, Valentino has offered up one of his Drew Estate Nica Rustica.

According to the Drew Estate website, "Nica Rustica is a medium to full strength cigar that is blended to showcase native Nicaraguan tobaccos from Esteli and Jalapa. Aficionados will enjoy this rustic smoke that is robust and deeply satisfying. Genuine Connecticut Broadleaf encases Nica Rustica and imparts a subtle natural tobacco sweetness and spice."

Comment on this post to be entered to win.  (Be sure to leave your email address so we can get in touch with you!) Want a second chance? Subscribe to our blog posts by email--over there on the right side of the blog.

The winner will be chosen on the 25th of each month--because my birthday is on the 25th (of December; be sure to mark your calendars), and what better way to count down to the blessed event than to give something away?

So! Comment below. Wheeeee!

Hi! ::waves::

• I know this sounds weird, but I love the smell of cigars and the taste in the back of my throat, but I have wonky taste buds, so actually smoking cigars would be a waste. So I second-hand smoke them and take pleasure in watching my guy and our friends enjoy the sticks. 
  
  
  Oh, I'm not just a dumb old hanger-on, secretly hating the smoke but hoping I'll get bonus girlfriend points for appearing supportive, so don't go getting that impression. 
•  

  

  Mecca (Cigars International in Hamburg, PA)

  
  
  I just went to Cigars International in Hamburg and Bethlehem, PA this week and I spent many, many dollars on Drew Estate Pigs and Rats with some of my super faves, like a box of La Palina Goldie Lanceros and '64 Padrons (torpedoes). I also purchased a boat load of Nica Rusticas recently because I adore their smokey goodness! 
  
  
  In fact, I'm also writing a book about the cigar culture--honestly, cigar smokers are the best, kindest, and most generous people I have ever met. (Please don't tell my writer friends I said that--they're an awesome group too!)
  
  
  So, that's me.  And this is my place to share all my cigar stuff--thoughts, finds, and metaphorical sparkly things.  (Okay, probably some real sparkly things too, because that's how I roll.)