 Serving cigars on Super Sunday?
Los Angeles, February 3 – It’s a de facto U.S. national holiday, with more food consumed in one day than any other day of the year, except Thanksgiving.
But there’s certainly enough room for a few cigars in the middle of eating, drinking and watching the Patriots and Eagles on Sunday (Fox has the rights this year). So here are a few ideas if you’re getting ready to entertain a few friends, taken from our rankings of the top mild, medium and full-bodied cigars as listed on the CigarWire:
• Pre-Game:
There’ll be lots of eating and drinking . . . a late lunch here on the West Coast and pre-dinner fare for the 6:30 EST kickoff from Jacksonville. Start with some shorter cigars, a little lighter in taste, that won’t take long and will mix well with your starter courses:
> Macanudo Lords: a 4 3/4 inches by 49 ring robusto; something familiar and light to start with.
> Temple Hall No. 450: a 4 1/2 x 49 robusto that’s highly underrated.
> Fonseca 2-2: a 4 1/4 x 40 petit corona, very good for those who really need a milder cigar to begin the day.
If you must have something that tickles your tonsils, you can try the bolder and slightly exotic Paul Garmirian Bombones, a 3 1/2-inch by 43-ring pistol that will get you ready for something stronger later on.
• First Half:
Unlike most NFL games, the Super Bowl runs on interminably due to the heavy commercial loads, so each half is likely to run almost 90 minutes! That gives you time for any kind of cigar you like, but mixed with actually watching the game, talking with your friends and going to the bathroom, let’s stick with lonsdales, robustos and toros:
> Baccarat “The Game” Havana Selection Toro: a 6 x 50 toro, with a bit of sweetness on the tip and easy to manage in between beers and bratwurst.
> Nat Sherman Host Selection Harrington: a 6 x 46 grand corona, also slightly sweet, and a good friend to relax with.
> Montecristo No. 1: a classic 6 1/2 x 44 lonsdale with a little more power and spice, perfect for the second quarter and carries perfectly into halftime.
• Halftime:
Now you have to make some choices. Is it time to pile on the food? Watch Paul McCartney at halftime? Switch to a pay-per-view extravaganza like the Lingerie Bowl and wait for a wardrobe malfunction? All of these scenarios impact your choice of cigar!
For those even thinking about smoking at the 30-minute or so halftime break, it’s time to move toward a spicier cigar. During the half, you can impress your friends with a unique-looking smoke like a Felipe Dominicana Boa (4 1/4 x 60), with a bulge in the middle like a snake who swallowed a hippopotamus, or a Felipe Gregorio Fat Boys at 3 1/2 inches by 55 ring.
If you’re going to start a cigar at half and continue through the third quarter, try any of the “triple-A” brands: Arturo Fuente, Ashton or Avo:
> Arthur Fuente Gran Reserva Flor Fina 8-5-8 (6 x 47) or Double Chateau Fuente (6 3/4 x 50): full of flavor, slow to burn and affordable!
> Ashton Aged Cabinet No. 2 (7 x 46) or Pyramid (6 x 52): smooth and easy, with loads of class and a nice aroma.
> Avo Classic No. 5: a 6 7/8-inch by 46-ring churchill which is the best size of this line, with spice and flavor to spare.
• Second Half:
With some luck, the game should be the main attraction now and the cigars need to reflect this - flavorful, but not intrusive:
> Carlos Torano Exodus 1959 Torpedo (6 1/2 x 54), an accessible, medium-bodied cigar that won’t tire you out
> Cuesta-Rey Centenario (Cento Fino Sungrown) Aristocrat (7 1/4 x 48), offering a creamy, bright flavor and just a hint of spice.
> Romeo y Julieta 1875 Exhibicion No. 3 (6 x 50) or Churchill (7 x 50): wonderful caramelized flavor, an even burn and a toasty aroma. Perfect.
If you’re ready for a spicier experience, consider the Zino Platinum Scepter Low Rider (6 x 43) or Stout (7 x 52), with their solid core of flavors and spiced finish.
• Post-Game:
Did your team win or lose? Are you still awake? Are you on the West Coast, where it’s only 7:30 p.m. and there’s plenty of time left in the evening, or on the East Coast, where at 10:30 p.m., it’s time to figure out if you’re going to work the next day . . .
> For those whose time is short, winners on the scoreboard (or the betting hall) can light up a Partagas Black Bravo (4 1/2 x 54) or Clasico (5 1/4 x 54): big flavors in a short format.
> For those who won and want everyone to know it: Camacho Corojo Diadema (8 x 60 pyramid) or Figurado (6 x 54), with power to spare, but be sure you’re smoking on a full stomach . . .
> For those who want to show off, no matter how your team did: Puros Indios Piramide No. 1 (7 1/2 x 60 torpedo) or Victoria (7 1/4 x 60 perfecto!), which will land every eye in the place on you.
> For those who want something exotic to round out the day: any size of the deep, matted and fruity Old Powder Keg line, or the marvelously caramelized Nicaraguan brands Nicarao or One Off, or the buttery and sweet Industrial Press (don’t ask, just try it!) or the underrated and always enjoyable Sosa.
> For those who celebrate with style and class: Rocky Patel’s Indian Tabac Vintage ‘92 Churchill (7 x 48) with its clean and caramelized flavor or a Padron Churchill (6 7/8 x 46) with its rich taste and even draw or a Trinidad Box Pressed Belicoso (6 1/8 x 52) featuring a toasty flavor and regal bearing.
With an all-star line-up like this, who cares who won?
~ Rich Perelman
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