A closer look at cigar culture, from first draw to final note
The 35th United States President, John F. Kennedy, once sent his secretary to secure 1,200 units of Petit Upman for his penchant for Cuban cigars right before he signed an embargo on all trade between the US and Cuba. Mark Twain, the renowned wordsmith and humourist penned “Concerning Tobacco”(circa 1893) an essay about his love of it. Even basketball legend himself, Michael Jordan, cites a Partagás Lusitania as his favorite.
Throughout history, notable people from the arts, politics, and the entertainment world have shared their appreciation and the profundity of a good cigar.
For someone who is a non-smoker with a history of asthma growing up, my desire to share the fascination of pairing a cigar and discuss the matters of our time reminiscent of 18th century Parisian salons have rendered me inexplicably curious, humbled, but ceaselessly engaged.
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A sophisticated, speakeasy-type lounge beckoned at that curiosity with the exclusive launch of the UNCUT Robusto Colección by Davidoff at the BRB (Baccarat Room and Bar) at Solaire Resort Entertainment City in Parañaque on March 12, during a Leaf & Barrel event.
For the unacquainted, such as myself, Davidoff Uncut Cigars offer a unique experience to enjoy the cigar’s filler tobacco in its purest form before the wrapper gradually comes into play. The Solaire UNCUT Colección includes the Grand Cru Robusto, Nicaragua Robusto, and Winston Churchill Late Hour, featuring five curated whiskies to go along with the journey.
The Solaire Uncut Robusto Colección by Davidoff is only available in eight locations worldwide and carried in just one property per country.
First draw
Daniel Blais, Director of Beverage for Solaire properties, was kind enough to indulge me with my queries as a newcomer in the community.
In terms of getting someone to start, he advised me to try a light cigar first. In this fine collection, that would be the Grand Cru Robusto. Much like wines, cigars also vary in intensity, among many other things.
As the helpful and knowledgeable staff helped me light my cigar, one of my fellow writers parted the most practical advice for the night, “Just don’t let it get to your lungs,” he said. I puffed, drew and savored the cigar perched precariously on my lips. It was an exquisite experience.
The cigar’s flavors rhythmically introduces itself starting with a touch of sweet notes, then a subtle hint of coffee before it subsides into a slightly smoky crust of rice or bread as you exhale. Paired with American single malt whiskey, the flavors blended together into an oaky, barrel-like finish.
Being raised by parents who are smokers, meant hearing the sentiment of ‘smoking is bad for you.’ And yet, I can’t help but think how cool it looked.
But unlike cigarettes, cigars require a more nuanced ritual. From the cutting of the cap to the natural pace of puffing to avoid overheating, smoking a good leaf requires a certain amount of time to enjoy the taste and aroma as intended. Experiencing it firsthand allows me to see how it accentuates spirited social gatherings and how it draws out conversations seamlessly across the room.
Mr. Blais put it best, when I asked his view on the culture surrounding cigars and the newcomers who goes into the activity. All one needs to know is how to cut and how to light it. The rest is a very personal experience.
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“[T] here are so many cigar options in terms of size, flavor, and price. The fun is in the search,” he added. “There is no one answer as the experience is, like the cigar, organic. We change, and cigars change. The journey, though, will always bring us back to sitting down and relaxing with a cigar in hand.”
The cigar aficionados I met that night didn’t go through an entire batch of cigars, similar to a cigarette smoker finishing a whole carton. No, each cigar is painstakingly consumed periodically, often in pauses, while enjoying the company of others and amongst kindred spirits.
I agree with Mr. Blais that it provides an opportunity to slow down and allow time for contemplation.
“It is a chance to share a moment with friends or strangers and immediately bond with a sense of camaraderie,” he said.
As I recall my attempts at playfully ‘smoking’ a famous Filipino chocolate wafer stick (Stik O, if you’re wondering) when I was a kid, I find myself relishing the rare air of a cigar’s inherent cultural value. The rich heritage and longevity of the craft from its beginnings, to its peripheral stature of a vintage activity existing in the modern world, provide a very distinct vision of a slow-burning comfort in a fast-paced world.
To cap off the night, a special bar takeover featured the BKK Boys, a trio of masterful mixologists featuring Ryan de Vega of Aqua Bar Bangkok, Dicky Hartono of Firefly Bangkok, and Niks Anuman of God Bangkok. The BKK Boys, known for their bold techniques and dynamic energy, brought their signature style to BRB.
