Happy holidays!…and they certainly are happy in Florida 🙂 no sign of any snow though, in fact it’s 78F and very very sunny:-)
There’s nothing quite like Miami where Christmas trees and Menorahs are side by side from the moment you step off the plane and walk into the airport to just about every store you walk past.
I’m smoking my morning BBF (2001) overlooking the ocean contemplating how enjoyable it is being able to smoke cigars in the sunshine, whilst walking around South Beach, dining al fresco or visiting a cigar friendly establishment.
All of which can’t quite be done in London as we rarely have any sun (not in 2007 anyway!) cigar clubs and lounges have been closed by the ban and al fresco dining in the cold and damp…ummm, no thanks!
I had heard great things about Havana Club of Miami so I contacted the owners and they kindly invited me to check it out. Have a look at the website, it is pretty good http://www.thehavanaclubofmiami.com/
The views are quite spectacular to say the least, quite breathtaking. They boast the largest walk in humidor in the States, full of lockers with famous names on most.
My guests and I enjoyed some Opus 1 wine, decanted and quite splendid with our cigars. Having just read the Mondavi book, the wine was most appropriate.
Dinner was first rate and it was hard to choose which desert so I chose them all 🙂 No complaints except the owner advised that he sent over some complimentary ice cream…strange but I’m sure he meant well.
Cigar smoking at the bar and the table,no problem at all and delightful service made this a most pleasant evening except a little lack of atmosphere and ambience as the 15,000 square foot club was a tad empty which I am advised is partly due to the time of year and partly because entry is limited to members only, perhaps 800 or so.
The owner advises that many billionaire members prefer this club as it is quiet and relaxing unlike other busy buzzy cigar clubs. Hmmm,horses for courses I guess as I was with 1 “billionaire” and 1 “millionaire” and they also felt that it was a little flat and prefer busy buzzy.C’est la vie but I’m not convinced that bigger is better nevertheless…a nice evening was had by all and we left the chef ( who was most polite) and the waiter ( who was quite charming) a good cigar in appreciation.Would I return? the jury is out.
Strolling along Lincoln I found the perfect place for cigar smoking and people watching… Deco Drive cigars…highly recommended. Easy to lose track of time watching the world go by whilst puffing our stogies.
I’m meeting with many friends whilst I’m over here, Barry the Vic has popped over from California ( actually 4 1/2 hours to pop over!) and Mango Joe is zooming over from Texas (yeeehaaah 3/2 hour flight!) Needless to say we are making up quite a large table at one of the finest new years eve parties on South Beach which I understand includes liberal amounts of entertainment including singers, dancers and pyrotechnics!
2007 went by in a flash for C.Gars Ltd and it was our best year ever. Our job was made much easier by so many fantastic quality Havanas being made. Excellent blending,construction and appearance has become the norm… bravo, a luxury product should of course be this perfect.
Our most popular Havanas of the year were:
Bolivar Belicosos Finos
Montecristo 2 and Montecristo Edmundo
Partagas Serie D No. 4 and Ramon Allones Specially Selected
Partagas Serie P No. 2 and Partagas Shorts
I’ll be toasting in the new year with something…nice and vintage, perhaps a pre embargo Henry Clay or La Coronas that was kindly gifted to me recently.
Wishing all friends and clients old and new a smoky new year
Peaceful puffing and warmest wishes
Mitchell