My Father Limited Edition 2012

Every year there are a select few limited edition cigar releases that I anxiously await, like a child waiting for Christmas, and, possibly, the top of that list for the last three years is the My Father Limited Edition. First issued in 2010, the cigar has consistently been a benchmark of superb quality and this year’s is no different. The 2012 My Father Limited Edition has a run of only 2500 boxes of 12 cigars, which means there are not many to be had and they will be gone in most places quickly, but, trust me, it is worth the effort to track them down.
The dimensions of the cigar itself are 6 1/2 inches by a 52 ring gauge (a toro) and the construction is flawless; the cigar burns beautifully, with a firm but easy draw and an immense amount of smoke. The flavors run from spice, nuts, and leather at the start to coffee, dark chocolate and, believe it or not, truffles (I have to say that I do not think I have ever tasted truffles in a cigar, and I smoked a second the next day to be sure I was not losing my mind, and it is awesome)  toward the second half, with a pleasant creamy sweetness laying below the other flavor notes the whole way. I would place the strength just above medium to start and a notch or two higher by the end, though still not full.
I do not know what else I can say other than find, smoke, and enjoy these truly wonderful cigars.

Krug Sharing Set 2012

Every year it seems like a slew of champagne makers, of tremendous variation in quality, put out some form of gift box, usually with horrible, cheaply made glasses that I would not wish on, let allow give to, anyone. For this reason I rarely recommend them to clients, or give them as gifts myself, but this year brings us a stunning exception.

The name Krug, in the world of champagnes, is inseparable from images of luxury and quality, so if anyone were to be expected to produce a high quality gift set it would undoubtedly be them, but, even with that assumption, they have truly out done themselves this year. The Krug Sharing set is simply stunning in every facet; the presentation in beautiful, the champagne in the set, a bottle of Krug Grande Cuvee, is, in my opinion, the best non vintage champagne to be had, but what really places this set apart is the glassware that comes within.

To start, the glasses are made by Riedel, and that should catch your attention right there, I mean, a gift set, or in the more demure terms of Krug, a sharing set, with actual quality glasses is almost unheard of, but they get better. Not only are they made by Riedel, but they are a one of a kind design made to Krug’s specifications called the Joseph, in honor of the man who founded Krug (and to whom every champagne lover is eternally indebted), that in many ways are unlike any champagne glass I have used or owned, and the differences are all grand. They have a wider flare, a longer stem, a more solid feel, and a perfectly classy K monogram and Krug diamond etched on them, just to name a few of the unique attributes of the glasses.

So this year, not only am I recommending a champagne gift set to my clients, but I could not resist giving one to my self.

 

Prohibition Has Ended!

I would like to remind everyone to take a moment, give thanks, and enjoy a drink in tribute to all of the bootleggers and law skirters to whom we owe our right to imbibe. Had it not been for their tireless refusal to abide by an unjust law the 21st ammendment to the United States Constitution would not have been passed on this day in 1933, repealing prohibition. So raise a glass and enjoy!