“I drink a great deal. I sleep a little, and I smoke cigar after cigar. That is why I am in two-hundred-percent form.” – Winston Churchill

I was born on the day that the Great Man died.  He has been my inspiration as well as providing a view on some of the real ups and downs of life.  So…it was a natural thing to start thinking about cigars, cigar smoking and the sheer pleasure of sitting outside, whatever the weather, with the dog lying at my feet, enjoying one of life’s great pleasures.

I started smoking cigars in the way that many do.  Somewhat out of curiosity and somewhat out of wanting something that goes nicely with a contemplative cup of great coffee, a good whisky or just a beautiful evening.

At first I stuck to the well known names – Cohiba, Macanudo, 5 Vegas – but then started to experiment with other brands.  It took time to really start to enjoy the experience, taste and feeling of a good cigar but having really tried a fair few I have a couple of real favorites:

Morning:

Drew Estate Tabak Especial – both Dulce and Negra as well as the specials. I prefer the smaller Robusto and Corona.  The Toro seems too big and the intensity of the flavors seems to get lost.  I have tried other coffee flavored cigars and the only ones that come close are the Nub Cafe and Java ranges.

Man O’War Virtue.  Pretty much any cigar by AJ Fernandez is good and Virtue is a great morning cigar to ease into the day.

Ave Maria Immaculata.  Great cigar under pretty much any circumstances.

Afternoon/Evening

Romeo y Julieta Vintage – very easy to smoke, like putting on old shoes – very comfortable.

<To be continued>