From the Finest to the Most Famed, Here Is India's Favourite Selection Of

ho doesn’t remember Marlon stopped signature cigar brands—Davidoff Brando, holding a cigar in Cigars, Habanos, Rocky Patel among others one hand, cradling a deeply —from finding their way to Indian cigar aficio- creased forehead in the other, nados. “It’s exciting to see the evolution of the Win the iconic film ‘The Godfather’? Call me cigar market in India and we are delighted to a romantic, but the one thing that made this offer a choice to cigar smokers in the country,” movie series even more timeless—other than says Vikas Malu, Founder, NV Lifestyles, official The Best a brilliant director and talented cast—was the partners for Davidoff Cigars in India. cigar. These burning stogies reflect character, class and pleasure; a perfect complement to Davidoff Winston Churchill Late Hour fine scotch, rum or even premium beers, this RobustoCe EUN 4’S - T1. Davidoff Winston combination makes for the most relaxing Churchill Late Hour Robusto Ce EUN 4’S finish Last leisure companion. The king of cigars—Davidoff—released this super-premium cigar-line to honour the leg- From the finest to the most famed, here The Finest Cigars in the world endary British politician, Winston Churchill. All the tobacco growing regions in the world It is a blend of five high-graded and hand- is India’s favourite selection of the top ten have their own micro-climate, which influenc- selected Cuban-seed filler tobaccos mixed with cigar brands available in the country. es the growing process. Each micro-climate Nicaraguan leaf. This combination is bound provides a unique opportunity to produce carefully with Negro San Andreas and rolled tobaccos with subtle differences in flavour and inside a beautiful shiny and oily Ecuadorian By SANDEEP ARORA complexity. Microclimatic conditions depend Habano Marron Oscuro wrapper. It can be Director, Spiritual Luxury Living (P) Ltd on unique factors of temperature, humidity, paired with complex beverages like a heavy wind and turbulence. While the market for and spicy rum or a whisky that has rich and premium cigars in India is still evolving, tax- complex aromas and tastes. Top drawer cigar esare on the higher side, which has somewhat to be enjoyed in solitude. hampered its growth potential. But, this hasn’t Price `3,500 per Cigar

STYLISH AND SMOOTH Davidoff Nicaragua Robusto Tub EUN 4’S, it pairs well with Tequila-based

Photo SHUTTERSTOCK Photo cocktails

INDIA TODAY SPICE 43 SEPTEMBER 2020 CIGARS TOP TEN

STYLISH AND SMOOTH Davidoff Nicaragua Robusto Tub EUN 4’S, it pairs well with Tequila-based

Photo SHUTTERSTOCK Photo cocktails

INDIA TODAY SPICE 43 SEPTEMBER 2020 Davidoff Nicaragua Robusto Tub EUN 4’S The sweetness is balanced by a hint of fresh co- CIGARS TOP TEN SMOKE IN Nicaragua Robusta draws magic with its beauti- conut. The fact that these cigars are aged for an SOLITUDE ful Habano Jalapa wrapper. This vintage leaf impressive two years in a cedar nap—after being Trinidad Coloniales spins long-filler tobaccos from Nicaragua. With rolled—make them unparalleled in the market. It (Single stick with final concealment by the rich Habano Jalapa comes with a big, bold, and chewy texture. The yellow wrapper) binder, this cigar kicks the level of complexity up taste is an eclectic mix of earthy, dark fruit, toasted RICH, a notch. Its smoke starts with white pepper notes wood, and espresso flavours; appreciate it with a ROBUST AND and spices and ends on a creamy, sweeter note. spicy, rich Bourbon. Price `1,400 per Cigar REWARDING This cigar tastes scrumptious with a premium In the Ashtray Arturo Fuente craft beer as well as sweet and spicy cocktails like Padrón Serie 1926 No. 6 Rosado Sungrown Cara Doce. Price `3,000 per Cigar Padrón has never failed to impress the cigar Magnum 56 aficionados, whereas Padrón Serie 1926 No. 6 Camacho Connecticut Robusto Tub 10’S. features a perfect balance of richness, body, and If you’re searching for a smooth medium-bod- consistency, it isn’t characterised by the ageing ied cigar with full-flavour experience, this suits process. However, it undergoes rolling, pressing, your bill. Planted and hand-rolled in the warm banding up and boxing processes. This cigar Honduran climate, this cigar line features a slick has beautiful smokes that offer rich layers of co- Ecuador Connecticut wrapper and comes with a coa and earth atop a core of chocolate-covered mixed flavour of sweet and spicy. This cigar con- espresso beans. A subtle note of dried cherry CREAMY AND COMPLEX tains coarse hints of nuts and cedar smouldered adds some uniqueness to the smoke. H Upmann Magnum 54; best enjoyed with balanced with touches of pepperiness and citrus. It pairs Price `1,800 per Cigar whiskies (left) well with aged single malt whisky or vintage Davidoff Oro Blanco: The most expensive cigar in India champagne. Though, the wrapper can be a little Cohiba Robusto (Top right) evolved for India. Price `1,800 per Cigar This one is a classic and features notes of oak, vanilla, and almonds. The Cohiba Robusto enjoys a Rocky Patel A.L.R. Second Edition Toro generous popularity in India and across the world and of- earthy and peppery near the finale, making this medium A.L.R. fers sophisticated and delicious smokes, which make it to in strength cigar, turn even richer, deeper, and more com- The Second Edition Toro features a unique the list of the most powerful cigars in the world. Out of the plex. Pair with a non-peaty single malt like Glenmorangie. blend of Mexican San Andrés wrapper and Ni- true nine Robustos, Cohiba Robusto is the most complete Cost `1,800 per Cigar caraguan tobaccos grown in Esteli and Condega. one, owing to its strength and excellent blend of highest- This box-pressed Toro has all the comforting grade tobacco cultivated in the five finest farms in Cuba’s H UPMANN MAGNUM 54 qualities of malted chocolate and vanilla bean. Vuelta Abajo. Cost `3,500 per Cigar. Medium bodied but a complex cigar despite its young age, the notes of creaminess include cedar, sweetness of choco- MY FATHER THE JUDGE – TORO late and earthiness among other flavours followed by notes Winner of the prestigious Cigar of the Year award on two of cinnamon, anise, leather and a touch of orange citrus. different occasions 2013 and 2015, these Nicaraguan Some hints of pepper kick in the second half, but nothing handmade utilise an absolutely flawless Ecuadorian Su- is too overpowering. A perfect cigar for both occasional matra wrapper over hand-picked Nicaraguan binder and and experienced smokers, it is ideal for the afternoon or a long-fillers. The Judge are box-pressed, full bodied cigars. pre-dinner smoke and pairs ideally with a smooth scotch. First smoke is a bit creamy with a hint of coffee and then Cost `1,900 per Cigar. transcends to a bit peppery and the spice kicks in the second half with a subtle nutty flavour. It’s great with a nice TRINIDAD COLONIALES cup of coffee.Cost `2,200 per Cigar. This has to be one of the most refined and well-balanced cigars on the market. It is very smooth and creamy with ARTURO FUENTE ROSADO SUNGROWN hints of coffee, cedar, and a light earthy flavour. An all MAGNUM 56 round full flavour, mild heat and medium spiciness, makes A special blend of Dominican filler and binder tobaccos it a go-to smoke for just about any time. combined with the dark, 10-year-aged oily slick Ecuador- Cost `1,800 per Cigar. ian wrapper create rich and balanced flavours. Explosion of notes from leather, cinnamon, cream, and sweetness Mild or robust, sweet or spicy, all this research and writ- like maple syrup enter during the second, third, accom- ing on cigars has made me long for one myself; it’s time to

Photo SHUTTERSTOCK Photo panied by layers of cedar and nutmeg. The profile turns light up and honour those who started the fire!

INDIA TODAY SPICE 45 SEPTEMBER 2020 Davidoff Nicaragua Robusto Tub EUN 4’S The sweetness is balanced by a hint of fresh co- CIGARS TOP TEN SMOKE IN Nicaragua Robusta draws magic with its beauti- conut. The fact that these cigars are aged for an SOLITUDE ful Habano Jalapa wrapper. This vintage leaf impressive two years in a cedar nap—after being Trinidad Coloniales spins long-filler tobaccos from Nicaragua. With rolled—make them unparalleled in the market. It (Single stick with final concealment by the rich Habano Jalapa comes with a big, bold, and chewy texture. The yellow wrapper) binder, this cigar kicks the level of complexity up taste is an eclectic mix of earthy, dark fruit, toasted RICH, a notch. Its smoke starts with white pepper notes wood, and espresso flavours; appreciate it with a ROBUST AND and spices and ends on a creamy, sweeter note. spicy, rich Bourbon. Price `1,400 per Cigar REWARDING This cigar tastes scrumptious with a premium In the Ashtray Arturo Fuente craft beer as well as sweet and spicy cocktails like Padrón Serie 1926 No. 6 Rosado Sungrown Cara Doce. Price `3,000 per Cigar Padrón has never failed to impress the cigar Magnum 56 aficionados, whereas Padrón Serie 1926 No. 6 Camacho Connecticut Robusto Tub 10’S. features a perfect balance of richness, body, and If you’re searching for a smooth medium-bod- consistency, it isn’t characterised by the ageing ied cigar with full-flavour experience, this suits process. However, it undergoes rolling, pressing, your bill. Planted and hand-rolled in the warm banding up and boxing processes. This cigar Honduran climate, this cigar line features a slick has beautiful smokes that offer rich layers of co- Ecuador Connecticut wrapper and comes with a coa and earth atop a core of chocolate-covered mixed flavour of sweet and spicy. This cigar con- espresso beans. A subtle note of dried cherry CREAMY AND COMPLEX tains coarse hints of nuts and cedar smouldered adds some uniqueness to the smoke. H Upmann Magnum 54; best enjoyed with balanced with touches of pepperiness and citrus. It pairs Price `1,800 per Cigar whiskies (left) well with aged single malt whisky or vintage Davidoff Oro Blanco: The most expensive cigar in India champagne. Though, the wrapper can be a little Cohiba Robusto (Top right) evolved for India. Price `1,800 per Cigar This one is a classic and features notes of oak, vanilla, and almonds. The Cohiba Robusto enjoys a Rocky Patel A.L.R. Second Edition Toro generous popularity in India and across the world and of- earthy and peppery near the finale, making this medium A.L.R. fers sophisticated and delicious smokes, which make it to in strength cigar, turn even richer, deeper, and more com- The Second Edition Toro features a unique the list of the most powerful cigars in the world. Out of the plex. Pair with a non-peaty single malt like Glenmorangie. blend of Mexican San Andrés wrapper and Ni- true nine Robustos, Cohiba Robusto is the most complete Cost `1,800 per Cigar caraguan tobaccos grown in Esteli and Condega. one, owing to its strength and excellent blend of highest- This box-pressed Toro has all the comforting grade tobacco cultivated in the five finest farms in Cuba’s H UPMANN MAGNUM 54 qualities of malted chocolate and vanilla bean. Vuelta Abajo. Cost `3,500 per Cigar. Medium bodied but a complex cigar despite its young age, the notes of creaminess include cedar, sweetness of choco- MY FATHER THE JUDGE – TORO late and earthiness among other flavours followed by notes Winner of the prestigious Cigar of the Year award on two of cinnamon, anise, leather and a touch of orange citrus. different occasions 2013 and 2015, these Nicaraguan Some hints of pepper kick in the second half, but nothing handmade utilise an absolutely flawless Ecuadorian Su- is too overpowering. A perfect cigar for both occasional matra wrapper over hand-picked Nicaraguan binder and and experienced smokers, it is ideal for the afternoon or a long-fillers. The Judge are box-pressed, full bodied cigars. pre-dinner smoke and pairs ideally with a smooth scotch. First smoke is a bit creamy with a hint of coffee and then Cost `1,900 per Cigar. transcends to a bit peppery and the spice kicks in the second half with a subtle nutty flavour. It’s great with a nice TRINIDAD COLONIALES cup of coffee.Cost `2,200 per Cigar. This has to be one of the most refined and well-balanced cigars on the market. It is very smooth and creamy with ARTURO FUENTE ROSADO SUNGROWN hints of coffee, cedar, and a light earthy flavour. An all MAGNUM 56 round full flavour, mild heat and medium spiciness, makes A special blend of Dominican filler and binder tobaccos it a go-to smoke for just about any time. combined with the dark, 10-year-aged oily slick Ecuador- Cost `1,800 per Cigar. ian wrapper create rich and balanced flavours. Explosion of notes from leather, cinnamon, cream, and sweetness Mild or robust, sweet or spicy, all this research and writ- like maple syrup enter during the second, third, accom- ing on cigars has made me long for one myself; it’s time to

Photo SHUTTERSTOCK Photo panied by layers of cedar and nutmeg. The profile turns light up and honour those who started the fire!

INDIA TODAY SPICE 45 SEPTEMBER 2020