WHERE TO SMOKE
CRESCENT CITY CIGAR SHOP 730 ORLEANS ST.
NEW ORLEANS, LA 70116 CCCIGARSHOP.COM
Nestled down a relatively quiet side street near the intersection of Bourbon Street and Orleans Street in the French Quarter, Crescent City Cigar Shop is the kind of place that feels like home no matter where you are from. There’s a well-stocked walkin humidor that features everything from their own house branded cigars all the way to high-end and rare Arturo Fuentes. It’s one of only 36 cigar shops nationwide where you’ll find boutique Elogio cigars, and there’s even a selection of pipes and pipe tobacco. Owner Armando Ortiz can often be found working the cash register or sitting and chatting with the locals. There will often be special events like Bourbon and cigar pairings or crawfish boils, which draw locals and tourists alike. Prices are very reasonable considering the area, which can be a very welcome thing after getting dinged at some of the local tourist traps. Crescent City Cigar Shop is the kind of place that keeps you coming back by feeling like your home away from home.
CALDWELL MIDNIGHT EXPRESS AND MICHTER’S TOASTED RYE
Since 2014, Caldwell cigars has focused its efforts on specialising in creating a collection of unique cigars made from top-quality aged tobacco. In this instance the 50x5 robusto features a hybrid Connecticut Arapiraca Maduro wrapper, a Dominican Habano binder, and Dominican and Nicaraguan fillers and is made in the Dominican Republic.
Quite the creation. It has notes of brewed coffee and a Christmas tree and is wrapped up with a hint of black pepper. When it is paired with the Michter’s Toasted Rye, the cigar brings out a delightful spiced apple note and a bright burst of spice on the finish, while simultaneously enhancing the creamy mouthfeel of the whiskey. The rye softens the brewed coffee notes to make for more of a cafe au lait, while the Douglas Fir notes fade into just a pop on the finish.
CROWNED HEADS MIL DIAS EDMUNDO AND ELIJAH CRAIG TOASTED BARREL BOURBON
Crowned Heads was founded with a clearly stated mission to “marry innovation with tradition”. It is an intriguing and enticing mission to have set. This 5 ⅓x52 robusto features an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper, Nicaraguan binder, and fillers from Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Peru. It is made in Nicaragua. The smoke has a very strong essence of orange creamsicle with hints of vanilla, orange, and faint clove. With the Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel Bourbon,the cigar happens to soften the baking spices in the whiskey and highlights the butterscotch and caramel notes with a bright citrus finish. The whiskey softens the clove notes in the cigar while highlighting the orange and vanilla notes and adding a pop of cedar to the finish of the cigar.