Fortunately the cigars available in the American Market are for the most part ready to be smoked. The manufacturers have invested the time to age the cigars appropriately before shipping to the retailers. However like fine wines, further aging cigars will change those cigars over time. Not all cigars will benefit from long term aging. As a general rule of thumb, the stronger and more complex a blend is to begin with, the more that cigar may change from additional aging. The milder the cigar is to begin with, the less the potential the cigar has for drastic change over time. Aging allows the essential oils within the tobacco to “marry” and to mellow as well.

I recently lit up A Davidoff Millennium Lonsdale (one of my favorite cigars to age) that was 4 years old. Now, the Davidoff Millennium Lonsdale is also one of my favorite cigars right out of the box. It’s full bodied with abundant flavors of spice, earth and leather yet still balanced. With four years of age, the cigar was toned down a bit. Though still full in body, the obvious spiciness of a “new” Lonsdale was slightly muted making the overall flavor a little more subtle. It was almost velvety in character, with an incredibly long and complex finish. I don’t certainly don’t prefer one to the other, but rather I enjoy both equally just for different reasons. But to experience the difference between the two is quite interesting.

A great humidor is essential for proper aging and storage. For long term aging, it’s always best to purchase cigars by the box. This way you have enough cigars to gauge how they’re changing month by month or year by year. The Davidoff No. 1 Humidor or Davidoff Giant Humidor is a wonderful way to store cigars for the long term. Their capacity enables you to hold more cigars and keep them separated in order for them to maintain their original integrity without interference from neighboring cigars.

If you prefer to store your cigars in their original boxes, a cabinet humidor is the best method of storage. Virtually recreating the same conditions found in our walk in humidors, our Oettinger Cabinet Humidors utilize an active humidification system (requiring electricity) that allows you to set the hygrometer to your desired relative humidity level.

So buy a box of your favorite smokes, write the date on the bottom and enjoy one every month. Keep a little Dossier of your own tasting notes in order to gauge how they’re changing and if you like the changes that are occurring.

ENJOY!

Michael Herklots
General Manager
Davidoff of Geneva
The Shops at Columbus Circle

Rocky Patel Events

On Monday, May 7, Rocky Patel will be in the Columbus Circle store hosting tastings and promotions from 3:00pm til 7:00pm. Further celebrations will follow at the Carnegie Club into the evening. The Carnegie Club is located on 56th Street between 6th Avenue and 7th Avenue. Appropriate attire is required and there is no admission cost to attend.

On Tuesday, May 8, Rocky will be across town at the Madison Avenue store during the day followed an always popular In Store dinner that evening prepared by Rothmann’s Steakhouse. Great appetizers followed by a bone-in Rib steak and dessert paired with great wine and Rocky Patel cigars is the perfect way to spend a Tuesday evening. Tickets will be $150 per person and must be purchased in advance as seating is limited.


Raymond Scheurer in New York

On Monday May 14, Davidoff’s Raymond Scheurer, a long time friend of Zino Davidoff, will be on hand in the Columbus Circle store. Aside from Scheurer’s role on Davidoff’s board, he serves as an ambassador for the brand, traveling around the world sharing the philosophy of Davidoff with those who enjoy life’s finer things. Please come in and enjoy a great cigar and great conversation with Raymond in the lounge.

On Tuesday May 15, Mr. Scheurer will be in the Madison Avenue store during the day, followed by a very special dinner in the evening. The dinner will be prepared by Rothmann’s steakhouse. Tickets are $150 and seating is extremely limited.

SAVE THE DATE

Monday, June 25, 2007 will be a very special evening celebrating the launch of a brand new Davidoff cigar. The event will be held at a beautiful venue in Lower Manhattan. Though the cigars won’t be available until the fall, you’ll be the first to try this magnificent cigar and will be able to purchase them in advance. More details to follow.