I dont know if this is appropriate here, since this is all about men's style I wonder if any of you enjoy the above as much as I do. I am curious as many men today enjoy more finer things in life compared to old days where only the rich indulge in this kind of activity. This thread is also for us to learn more about fine wine, whisky and Cigar.
I am not an expert but if we can learn from each other why not!!
So guys please post your interest and questions here!

You dont have to be rich to enjoy it, being a connoisseur is a matter of interest rather then money, you need to gain knowledge and read a lot to understand the fundamental and from then on is trial and error. the more you drink/smoke the more you will understand the delicate taste and ember.

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Added on March 30, 2009, 4:38 pmI use to enjoy that a lot, those good old days

This post has been edited by sliver2c: Mar 30 2009, 04:38 PM

What would you like to know? I will try to answer your questions and I believe other member will gladly answer as well

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Added on March 30, 2009, 5:38 pmMind to tell me which cigar you tried

This post has been edited by sliver2c: Mar 30 2009, 05:38 PM

Let me explain a little bit about cigars, Cigars come mainly from Cuba and Dominican Republic. Countries like France, Holland, Brazil and Philipines also do produce Cigars but not as popular as the former two. Below are some info for you guide.

The cigar you pick, the way you cut it, light it, smoke it and above all, the taste you enjoy, they are your choice and yours alone. However, there are some practical points you should bear in mind.

When choosing a Cigar one must consider the below:

First of all, the cigar and its wrapper must please the eye. You may prefer a light Claro colour, or maybe a dark Maduro. Either way, the colour should be even and there should be a bit of sheen (oily look) on the leaf. Don't worry if you see a white spot or a green patch. These are natural blemishes, beauty spots if you like, that occurred during the growing or curing processes. Neither affects the quality of the cigar.
Press the cigar between two fingers to test its condition. It should be firm but "springy" to the touch

Taste can only be judged by smoking - quite a challenge when you have 33 Habanos brands to choose from.
If you are a new comer to the world of cigars, maybe a slightly smaller cigar such as a Mareva (often called Petit Corona) is a good choice. Start with one of the lighter flavoured brands - refer to Habanos Brands and Flavours further on.
For the more experienced smokers, it is more about the time at your disposal and your personal taste. Remember, a hand made Habanos cigar is constructed in such a way that its flavours intensify as you smoke the further down the cigar, and a larger cigar tends to give a stronger flavour.

There are many shapes and sizes when come to a cigar the bigger the ring gauge is the more flavourfull it will be belwo are some guidelines on Sizes:

1. The Mareva is by far the most popular of all the sizes. Its 42 ring gauge allows all the three filler leaves to be used to their full in the blend and it is as near as you get to a 'standard' girth for Habanos. The Mareva or Petit Corona offers around 30 minutes of smoking pleasure.
Popular Name: Petit Corona
Dimensions: 5 1/8 in x 42 ring gauge or 129mm x 16.67mm diameter.

2. A Corona is the size to crown a memorable dinner, or perhaps to give you time for contemplation on a busy day. With the same girth as the Mareva, it offers over half an hour of essential relaxation.
Popular Name: Corona
Dimensions: 5 5/8 in x 42 ring gauge, or 142mm x 16.67mm diameter.

3. Next is trilogy of 42 ring gauge vitolas is the Cervantes named popularly after Lord Lonsdale, the English sporting Earl of the 1930s. A man with an eye for a good horse, he preferred the extra elegance of a longer cigar. Allow around 50 minutes to smoke one.
Popular Name: Lonsdale
Dimensions: 6 1/2 in x 42 ring gauge, or 165 mm x 16.67 diameter.

4. When elegance is the order of the day, the slender length of the Lancero is hard to beat. There is a shorter version too, the Coronas Especial, which measures just 6 inches. Both originated at Havana's El Laguito factory, the home of Cohiba, and boast the fitnesse of a twist of leaf on the cap. This one will take the best part of one hour to smoke.
Popular Name: Lancero
Dimensions: 75/8 in x 49 ring gauge, or 194mm x 19.45mm diameter.

5. When time allows, there are a few experiences for the taste buds to match the steady revelations of a Double Corona. Its colossal leaves may surprise you at first with their delicacy before they build to a crescendo of flavour. A good hour and a quarter is needed to smoke one.
Popular Name: Double Corona
Dimensions: 75/8 in x 49 ring gauge, or 194mm x 19.45mm diameter.

6. Originally from the Romeo y Julieta factory. It is said that Winston Churchill smoked some 300,000 Habanos during his long life. Not all matched these dimensions but this was his size of choice. Another feast for the palate to be enjoyed for over an hour.
Popular Name: Churchill
Dimensions: 7in x 47 ring gauge, or 178mm x 18.65mm diameter.

7. The Dalia's popular name comes from the special box in which it was first packed with the cigars in three rows of 8, 9 and 8. As such it is the flagship vitola of the Partegas brand and will keep you occupied for almost an hour.
Popular Name: 8-9-8
Dimensions: 63/4 in x 43 ring gauge, or 170mm x 17.07mm diameter.

8. Modern constraints on time have made this stocky shape the first choice for many experienced smokers. Slow burning and packed with flavour, most of the joys of a really large cigar can be savored in 30 to 40 minutes.
Popular Name: Robusto
Dimensions: 47/8 in x 50 ring gauge, or 124mm x 19.84mm diameter.

9. The sizes shown so far are what is called parejo or straight-sided. This is a figurado. Many believe that the Piramide or Torpedo, with its tapered head and shoulders, has special advantages when it comes to combustibility during the hour or so it takes to smoke.
Popular Name: Torpedo
Dimensions: 61/8 in x 52 ring gauge, or 156mm x 20.64mm diameter.

10. Pointed at both ends, this double figurado shape is perhaps a better candidate for the title of ' torpedo'. A century ago most Habanos looked like this but today the shape is rare except in one brand - Cuaba, every size of which is double figurado.
Popular Name: Figurado
Dimensions: 53/4 in x 46 ring gauge, or 145mm x 18.26mm diameter.

11. The Perla is one of a group of smaller vitolas, some a little longer, others a little fatter than this one. They share the ability to deliver the true taste of a Habano in 20 minutes or so.
Popular Name: Tres Petit Corona (TPC)
Dimesions : 4in x 40 ring gauge, or 102mm x 15.87mm diameter.

12. A quarter of an hour will suffice to smoke this tiny example of the Torcedor's art. Perfect, for instance, to enjoy during an interval at the theatre. In fact one similar vitola is called the Entre Acto, literally 'between acts'.
Popular Name: Panetela
Dimensions: 41/2 in x 26 ring gauge, or 115mm x 10.32mm diameter.


I hope above gives you guys more info on a cigar. If you guys have more questions on cigars let me know.

Petit Corona is a type of cigar, For a starter you should try Montecristo No 5 , its a cuban cigar. Its easy to smoke and light on the pallate. it should cost around RM 35 per stick. You can get it at any Havana outlet or my favourite will be ember shop at Curve. Once you are in a cigar shop ask questions and spend some time there learning about it.
Go to ember shop and the owner C.K Lim is a very helpfull person and also more than willing to spend time with the customers.

I second that!!

I believe thats japanese whiskey, or am i wrong? I love single malts especially Ardberg and Oban. I dont really fancy Cohibas but recently I had a chance to try Cohiba Sublime 2003 and I tell you it blew me away!! excellent cigar. I wish it was easy to come by here one of the more rare cigar I ever tried.

It will be nice if we could list down our personal collection here as well if any of you have some extra ordinarry collection please also post here.

Ok thanks

You can read here for more info on absinthe en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Absinthe
over the counter you get the 68% alcohol content but if you want the 85% alsohol content it is also available at selected lounges in town.

Go to La Bodega and asked for it, pronounce as ab-sin = absinthe

So you manage to get hold of it over the weekend?

U sure sound interesting , we should meet up for drinks

Will do

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Added on April 7, 2009, 4:20 pmI will try to describe:

The right way to hold a glass of wine is to hold it at the stem, do not hold it like a brandy glass as it will warm up the wine and change its characteristic.To taste it, swirl the wine in the glass, sniff it and finally taste it. do not swallow it immediately instead slurp it in your mouth to really taste it.
They are red and white wine glass. White wine glasses are ussually smaller than the red ones. for champagne there is a champagne flute.
There is also a universal wine glass which is more commonly used nowadays which you can use it for red or white wine.

The best way to learn it is to drink more wine.



This post has been edited by sliver2c: Apr 7 2009, 04:20 PM

thats the right word or wern way

This post has been edited by sliver2c: Apr 7 2009, 05:43 PM

What wine do you collect?

Thats a good collection you have there especially the grand cru's from bordeaux, is it bonded or already in your home.most of my collections are bonded, mostly meant for investment. the haut brion and margaux should be ready for drinking now or you planning to sell it?

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Added on April 9, 2009, 12:35 pmThose cigars are mainly cuban, like jind said there are cigars as cheap as RM 10 from 7-11 but i wont smoke that. Try some nice petit corona's easy to smoke and not very heavy on the pallate. they usually last for 45 mins

This post has been edited by sliver2c: Apr 9 2009, 12:35 PM

you get your en primeur from sure holdings or you source yourself? I use to go to lafite a lot but have not been there for ages. hows the food there I stop going after Huza left

You got their contact details, I am looking for pomerol and margaux vintage 2005, will try lafite one of these days seem interesting especiallly with Adria influence

a good website and I find Stuart very helpfull, I manage to get hold of a case of Lafite 2005 and I am a very happy man!! thanks traveler!!

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Added on April 18, 2009, 1:40 pmguys, come on share your interest

This post has been edited by sliver2c: Apr 18 2009, 01:40 PM