Just back from a week in very sunny and hot New York – but this was no vacation as it was a serious herf and crawl of the best spots for a smoke in NYC 🙂
I think I found them all ! and met up with a lot of old friends and quite a few new friends along the way.
I must profess to not really understanding New York’s smoking ban. All I can say is that there are more places to smoke there than in London hence I love NY 🙂
It was a bit of a gangster gathering with my business partners arriving from all over the world including Ron Morrison from Robert Graham Ltd, Guy Hancock from Decent Cigar Emporium and Drew Panico from LCDH-Merida.
Our first stop in the morning was always De La Concha for our morning smokes. I tried a variety of Davidoff cigars, all of which were well crafted and enjoyable. The staff at DLC were always very friendly and knowledgeable and this is a great place to herf whilst watching the world go by. After DLC we would take a walk through Central Park and have another smoke there.
Club Macanudo is a very classy cigar club- food drinks- cigars, atmosphere and ambience. Could I ask for more? I think not- highly recommended
Velvet Cigar Lounge was a cosy but interesting place to herf- friendly crowd of smokers, very pleasant service – we’ll definitely go back there again.
Carnegie Club Saturday evening with a Sinatra tribute show ( and 11 piece orchestra! ) that was brilliant
Nat Sherman’s  could well be one of the best cigar stores I have seen anywhere in the world – truly classy with an rich history. First rate cigar lounge and lovely hospitality. My thanks to Aaron Sigmond for that
Florio’s for lunch is always on my agenda and Larry the owner always takes great care of us. Table outside-lots of wine- food- more wine- more cigars-Sambuca-more cigars. Yes we can herf in Florio’s till we fall off our seats , in fact I think we did !
Dinner at Prime Grill was first rate and yes- you can smoke cigars in the outdoor dining area. Splendid! Over to Grand Havana Room for the evening. GHR has to be one of the best cigar clubs in the world if not ‘the best’
The main event of the week was the New York City Cruise Herf on the Jewel attended by almost 100 friends including famous sports and TV personalities, cigar industry friends, old pals from back in the ASC days and loads of our clients 🙂
Goodie bag issued on arrival 🙂 Open bar for all as well as a few bottles of great Scotch and plenty of great wine too ( thanks Yehuda and Josh!)
Kosher catering & Italian catering ensured everyone was well fed! BIG thanks to Jack
Brian and Ron Shapiro and Oliva Cigars very kindly assisted with the event by providing Alberto the roller who made some splendid fresh Nicaraguan cigars as well as giving out some first rate Oliva Serie V which everyone was raving about.
SMOKE magazine’s editors enjoyed the evening and ensured everyone had the current edition.
The other cigar magazine was supposedly attending too but forgot :
1 /how to cancel
2/ how to use a phone
3/ how to use a computer
4/ their manners
5/ all of the above ( I think this most likely)
No worries – they have had their last invite from me lol
Four hours of herfing whilst the boat went to the Statue of Liberty and we had the best views of the New York skyline whilst Sinatra music played in the background – I didn’t hear too many complaints! In fact, I think that was a herf to remember I can’t believe the range of cigars that are in the New York cigar stores – it’s never ending so at least with us all not being able to enjoy a single Cuban cigar for the whole week we were still able to have a fabulous time.
Back to the office on Monday to catch up and it’s sure to be busy as the new Limited editions for 2010 have just arrived in our warehouse and will be in all of our cigar stores by Tuesday latest:
2010 Limited Edition Cigars Just Arrived!!!
Limited Edition cigars are made from specially selected tobacco leaves that all have been aged for a minimum of two years.
2010 marks the arrival of three new ‘Edition Limitada’. Montecristo Grand Edmundo, Partagas Serie D Especial and Trinidad Short Robusto.
2010 Habanos Limited Edition Sampler – 3 cigars £59.99
Montecristo Grand Edmundo Limited Edition 2010 – Box of 10 £199.00
Montecristo Grand Edmundo Limited Edition 2010 – 1s £20.99
Size 5 7/8″ length x 52 ring gauge
This is the first time that this vitola has been made available outside of the Cohiba brand and arrives in Montecristo ‘s 75th anniversary year.
Partagas Serie D Especial Limited Edition 2010 – Box of 10 £179.00
Partagas Serie D Especial Limited Edition 2010 – 1s £18.99
Size 5 ½” length x 50 ring gauge
The big brother of the ever popular Serie D No.4. The Especial continues the tradition of rich, earthy, flavour-packed aromas that cigar enthusiasts have come to expect from the brand. It also represents a return to the original format of the pre-war Partagas D No.3.
Trinidad Short Robusto T Limited Edition 2010 – Box of 12 £209.00
Trinidad Short Robusto T Limited Edition 2010 – 1s £17.99
Size 4″length x 50 ring gauge
This subtle, smooth and refined smoke represents a very welcome addition to one of the most exclusive brands in production today.
All also available via this link
New and special from C.Gars LtdÂ
La Gloria Cubana Delicious
5″ length and 48 ring gauge 2009 Cuban regional edition of 2000 jars made. Limited stocks available.
Presented in handsome white ceramic jars of 25 with humidification units in the lids.
Very clever and classy way to store cigars.
La Gloria Cubana Delicious – 1s singles at £22.99
La Gloria Cubana Delicious – Jar of 25 at £550.00
Medium strength, cool draw, and as the name suggests – DELICIOUS!
http://www.cgarsltd.co.uk/cuban-cigars-gloria-cubana-cigars-c-317_44_398.html
We have our Cuban roller making custom blends all week in London, email me if you would like some. As usual I think I will stick to a full flavoured robusto sized cigar. They certainly seem to be the most popular.
For your diaries : Monday the 14th is the Cain launch that we have organized at Dunhill in London. If you haven’t got a ticket, sorry but the event is already over sold. Monday 21st is our Vintage Cigar Auction at Boisdale. If you haven’t already registered to bid you need to do so click here Don’t worry there is no cost to register! Lots are on this link. Colour catalogue now available on request [email protected] or see the auction Lots online here
Have a great weekend
Peaceful puffing
Mitchell
The boys arrive in style in a stretch limo
Guy, Mitchell and Drew looking serious putting together 70 goodie bags!
Mitchell with his 2 ‘assistants’ Karyn & Tasha’ who were in charge of the Guest List 🙂
Mitchell and Guy with Jay and David in the background
Robert Lockwood from Smokes Magazine
Ron Morrison – director and whisky connoisseur at Robert Graham Ltd
Mitchell doing his usual 1 minute speech!
Mitchell Guy and Drew
 View from the open top tour bus
Dinner at Abigail’s – splendid!
We decided to give Guy a lesson or two in kosher food 🙂
Guy and Mitch ready for our morning De La Concha herf
Mitch and George herfing at De la Concha
Herfing at Club Macanudo
Herfing at Club Macanudo
Herfing with Joe and Eric at Velvet Cigar Lounge
Velvet was getting rather smokey 🙂
Herfing with Bill, Eric and Sig at the fabulous Nat Sherman store
Nat Shermans
Nat Shermans
When is an LGC a Robaina?-as debated in Florio’s in Little Italy
We had an amazing time on the cruise, it was a privilege to be a part of it. Always wonderful to see you guys!