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PERRIN LOVETT

~ Fiction, Freedom, and The West

PERRIN LOVETT

Tag Archives: Esteli

Joya’s Red Blooded Cigar

13 Wednesday Jan 2016

Posted by perrinlovett in Other Columns

≈ Comments Off on Joya’s Red Blooded Cigar

Tags

cigar, Esteli, Joya de Nicaragua, Red

This is my first cigar post of 2016 and number 380 overall if you’re keeping score.

Amidst the numerous facings available I had not sampled anything from Joya de Nicaragua in quite a while. This morning I tried something new (to me) – the Joya Red.

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Getting going.

Mine was a toro, a size I find perfect for the early perusal of the daily news. This particular beauty went perfectly with the daily dose of coffee. Medium bodied, this stick is loaded with subtle flavors of Esteli and Jalapa. The woody, earthy tones which make Nicaraguan cigars my favorites are represented in the background. It’s mild enough to start off the day with or without breakfast.

Other notes are in there too – of the kind I try to avoid labeling as each palate differs – leather, nuts, etc. All are well-balanced with a distinctive spiciness. It’s the spice mixed with the undertones that promote the medium strength from what would otherwise be a fine but milder smoke.

My toro was the perfect size. I found the construction superb with an even burn. The draw was effortless and produced abundant aromatic smoke not the least overwhelming. I don’t rate smokes beyond “like” and “dislike” but rest assured I loved this one. I highly recommend it – especially to the novice or occasional dabbler. Veterans will find delightful respite.

Cigars International says, “Many of Joya de Nicaragua’s handmades rely on potent ligeros to deliver their feisty bouquet. This time, lower tobacco primings were chosen to impart the same core flavors, but in a much more palatable fashion. … In a nutshell, JOYA Red is going to appeal to fans of Joya de Nicaragua, as well as newcomers of all shapes and sizes.” I concur.

Visit your local tobacconist soon for the Red carpet treatment of the Joya Red.

joya-red-promo-4-boxes

Joya.

Viva Vivalo!

07 Sunday Jun 2015

Posted by perrinlovett in News and Notes, Other Columns

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

Augusta, blogger, blonde goddess, Cigar Fantasia, cigars, Cuban, Emma Victorsson, Esteli, IPCPR, JR's, Kent Daniel, Mississippi State, Patrick Vivalo, Rocky Patel, smoking, Top Shelf, Valkyrie, Vivalo Cigars

I’m taking a little break from my usual anarchist ramblings to update you, my beloved readers, on a wonderful development in the cigar world.

The other evening I stopped by Top Shelf Cigars in Evans/Martinez (Augusta), Georgia for a very special event.  Patrick’s cigars are available at better shops across the nation. 23 special shops nationwide were chosen for this inaugural rollout – being the best in Georgia and the Southeast, Russell’s place was a natural tour stop.

Patrick Vivalo, the namesake of Vivalo Cigars, graced Top Shelf with his electric presence and his fabulous smokes.

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(Russell Wilder with Patrick Vivalo.)

As an added bonus Patrick’s dad, Bob, was on hand.  He recalled Patrick’s early years – the living room fire, the arrests, the drugs – no, wait, that was me.  Actually, this very personable fellow beamed with pride as he acknowledged his son’s achievements.

Patrick got his start in cigars working retail at JR’s in New Jersey.  He quickly progressed to Rocky Patel’s outfit in the early 2000s (then known as Indian Tabac).  Under Rocky’s tutelage he developed his own sense of flavor and integrity and blended some of the finest sticks in the industry.

A short while back he crafted his own personal blend as a matter of curiosity.  Sensing genius at work, someone demanded to try Patrick’s proprietary smokes.  A legend was born.  In March of this year Patrick launched his own label.

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(I smoked a Gordo Maduro and loved it.  Look for these babies at your shop soon.)

“I have always waited for the day to do my own thing and the day is finally here,” said Vivalo to Halfwheel. “I just want to make great cigars for people to enjoy. After that, I don’t know much else to say except that I hope people enjoy my creations!”  Vivalo, quoted in HalfWheel (2015).  There are a “total of five vitolas (Vivalos), as the original Vivalo Serie Exclusivo Lonsdale (6 x 44) was joined by a 5 1/2 x belicoso, 4 7/8 x 50 robusto, 6 x 60 gordo and 5 1/2 x 54 robusto grande, all of which are sold in boxes of 20.”  HalfWheel, Id.

“The cigars are a blend of a Jalapa Colorado shade wrapper from Nicaragua, binder from Estelí, Nicaragua, and Nicaraguan filler from Estelí and Jalapa.” Id.  As I understand things, Rocky kindly allows assembly of these beauties at his Honduran facility.

“I believe with my passion, dedication and my attention to detail that I will succeed as a cigar maker. Again, I can’t express my gratitude enough towards those who have paved the way for me to be the person I am today.”  Vivalo, in The Cigar Authority (2015). The cigars speak for themselves.  Patrick’s humble yet excited demeanor (with his Dad cheerleading) speaks to his honest gratitude and excellent personality.  I think he will succeed  and I wish him the best.

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(Patrick even has the humor to tolerate grinning, semi intoxicated bloggers.)

I did a short video interview with Patrick.  Should the technology gods smile on me, you may be able to view it some day.

Patrick blends ever size of cigar with a slightly different taste and experience; this is a nod to the great Cuban tradition.  He described the importance of the process:

Nine times out of ten, with the non-Cuban market, you could pick up a 38 ring-gauge, a 50 ring-gauge, and a 60 ring-gauge and the bigger you go the mellower you get.  The smaller ring-gauges are going to be more of your powerhouse.  I felt that blending each size to the specific ring-gauge and length really brings out the subtle nuances in each size.

– exclusive Vivalo interview with Perrin Lovett.

My Gordo was exceptionally smooth and even throughout with a very Cuban-like mellow, delicious flavor.  The stick drew perfectly and burned well with no touch-ups needed.  I was very impressed with this first effort.  A new line is under development.  If it is half of the original is, it will be a knockout.  Try one soon.

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(Vivalo’s current offerings with T-shirts.)

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(The Top Shelf crew enjoying Vivalo’s magic and Russell’s usual hospitality.)

Former Mississippi State Baseball standout, Kent Daniel, described the Vivalo Robusto as one of his favorites.  His absolute favorite is Patrick’s Bellicoso.  “We are very proud of [Patrick] for bringing his blends to Martinez, Georgia,” Daniel said as he puffed away on the Robusto.

If you’re in Augusta, visit Top Shelf; tell them Perrin sent you.  If you’re at any decent shop, look for a Vivalo.  Your good taste will set you apart.

As a post script, I am now friends with Emma Viktorsson, of Cigar Fantasia.  Emma is a veritable Swedish Valkyrie – far better looking than young Vivalo (sorry, Patrick, she is). If you’re familiar with Jose Blanco and Senorial Cigars, you probably know her work.  Should I make a press appearance at the IPCPR International show in New Orleans next month I intend to interview her (or at least drool and stutter politely). Time will tell.

Emma smoking with flowers in hair

(She is smokin!  cigarfantasia.com)

Top Shelf Cigars

03 Sunday Mar 2013

Posted by perrinlovett in Other Columns

≈ 13 Comments

Tags

America, Augusta, business, cigars, dominos, Esteli, Florida, GA, green space chickens, humidor, libertarian, London, luxury, Masters, New Hampshire, New York, Nicaragua, Nick Perdomo, pipes, poker, Rudyard kipling, Russell Wilder, Southeast, tobacco, Top Shelf Cigar Shoppe

I like to help people.  I also appreciate good people and good services.  So, I have no problem whatsoever writing this column about my great friends at the Top Shelf Cigar Shoppe in Martinez (Evans [greater Augusta]), Georgia.  This is part of my continuing series on good businesses.

My family and I moved to Augusta about six years ago.  I needed to find a top-notch place to purchase and enjoy fine cigars.  There were and still are several tobacco businesses in the area, each unique in its own way.  However, when I first visited Top Shelf I knew I was “home.” 

Just about every city over 100,000 in population has at least one cigar shop.  Some are decent, others are good, some are great.  Top Shelf falls into the rare great category.  If you live in the area and enjoy fine cigars, I highly recommend a visit.  Find them on the web, here: http://www.topshelfcigarshoppe.com/.  If you’re visiting or just passing through, you’ll feel right at home.

Top Shelf is the brainchild and proprietary interest of Mr. Russell Wilder.  After retiring early, Russell knew he wanted to develop a special place dedicated to premium cigars and pipe tobacco.  He has more than accomplished his original goal, having built one of the most recognized and distinctive stores in America.  This has not been am easy process.  Often he reports to work before the sun rises and doesn’t leave until it is dark again.  He goes the extra mile for his customers and with his suppliers and employees. 

0906121812

(Russell and his boss.)

Russell regularly attends national conventions and trade shows and has a personal relationship with most of the major players in the modern cigar market.  Just the other day he returned from a trip to Esteli, Nicaragua and a visit to Nick Perdomo’s growing and production operation.  Nick and other cigar royalty have been quests at Russell’s shop over the years. 

I’ve been to cigar shop’s from Florida to New Hampshire.  The really good one’s are memorable because they get things right.  In addition to maintaining an inventory which works for the local market, owners must follow trends and design their stores to be as comfortable and enjoyable as possible.

Russell has had three different locations, each an improvement over the previous incarnation.  His original shop was in a shopping center.  As is (or was), it was an excellent place.  However, when the opportunity presented itself to move to a larger space where he could upgrade most of the shop’s features, Russell didn’t hesitate.  I helped move some of the stock and furniture from place to place as did most other “regulars.”  A great shop will always have at least a few regular customers on hand to demonstrate the quality of the business.

Last summer Russell made a quantum leap.  He bought his own freestanding building and moved his shop to its current location on Columbia Road.  This provides easy access from Washington and Wheeler roads, both major arteries, as well as access to Interstates 20 and 520.  There are some interior pictures of the new shop at the link above.  You may notice a rounder version of your’s truly in one of those – seated at the domino table with a few other vagabonds.

The new shop is a model of cigar industry environment and decor.  It features a giant, two-room walk-in humidor with dark wood and exposed brick trim.  The rest of the building (even the huge bathroom) is covered floor and ceiling in rich judge’s panelling and tongue and groove Arkansas pine.  The floor is a beautiful faux stone.  I played a small part in the remodeling of the new space, working several nights until late with a crew of other dedicated regulars to help Russell build his dream.  It was well worth it.  And, it says something about a man when so many of his friends and customers will pitch in on a construction project of that magnitude for free.  The greater portion of the credit for the new design goes to one Scott Kirby, who single-handed did about 80% of the interior work.  Everything you see is hand, scratch built.  The design rivals anything I’ve ever seen in the cigar best of any major city.  Think a luxury shop in New York or London.

0829121354

(Kipling in the humidor.)

Any liquor store with a license can sell cigars.  Some lower-rent aficionados go so far as to buy cigars on-line.  A great shop makes for a great experience.  Russell and his staff – wife Sharon (the real boss), daughter Sarah, Gerald, Tom, and Matt – know the business inside and out and can make tremendous recommendations and comparisons. 

Another critical facet of a successful shop is the smoking lounge.  As noted above, Top Shelf’s is trimmed in luxurious wood and stone.  It has three air-cleaners to keep the atmosphere breathable no matter how many cigars are being enjoyed.  There is spacious seating for many friends to gather in comfort.  Russell provides humidified lockers, a giant screen television with cable, a refrigerator, free coffee, and innumerable other services.  The lounge is usually busy any hour of the day, any day of the week.

As part of going the extra mile Russell offers many additional perks.  The shop is home to a premium club with meets at least once a month.  The meetings provide an entertaining opportunity for fellowship and the enjoyment of the latest cigars.  The shop also hosts a friendly poker game once a week (no cash).  Russell also is deeply involved in the community.  From his annual charity golf tournament to providing cigars to local businesses and clubs to keeping the smoke-loving patrons of the Masters happy, Russell is everywhere.

An arch-libertarian, Russell is happy to give his opinion on politics and economics to both his customers and friends as well as the local media.  Russell also has a keen sense for the stock market and is always dropping profitable hints to those who will listen.  This level of personal service is what puts Top Shelf above just about any other store in the Southeast.

Drop by for a visit if you can.  If not, scour your area for a shop with the traits I’ve listed here.  You’ll be glad you did.  Not a cigar lover?  Shame on you.  There is still time!

Perrin Lovett

perrinlovett@gmail.com

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