I was seeking out my people's roots and was excited to go to Israel... in the dead of Summer. Never claimed to be very bright.
Not knowing the cost of cigars over there, I decided to bring some of my favorites for myself and anyone I might meet that I would enjoy smoking with.
My prize possession being the A. Turrent Triple Play.
It's called the Triple Play because all the leaves are Maduro. And that the wrapper came from the San Andres Mountains in Mexico. The binder and fillers were made up of Nicaraguan, Honduran, and Mexican. The wrapper is a beautiful USA Connecticut Broad leaf.
Now most cigar snobs lift their noses at Mexican cigars. But these are guys not following the huge forward moves being made in the cultivation of Mexican tobacco.
If anyone checked this month's Cigar Aficionado, they would discover that this stick came in at #14 of the Top 25 Cigars of 2010. Very Impressive! And it was rated a 93. This cigar competes with some of the greatest cigars being made and holds its head up high.
We landed in Tel Aviv. When I exited the plane, via the movable stairs, the humidity hit me like a Mike Tyson punch. My chin dropped to my chest and I gasped for air. Oh my God! No one told me about this. I would speak to my travel agent upon return.
We made the drive to Jerusalem and checked in at the King David Hotel. I had been there once before in 1965 when my beloved grandfather took me to Israel. It was a different time.
I remember being rocked out of my bed by a minor terrorist attack. For a 15 year old, that's pretty scary stuff.
I went to the room, with my wife, and then we headed down to the bar. I brought the Turrents with me. There was a special area for cigar smokers. That was a big relief.
Unfortunately, it was outside. So sweat was the clothing of the day.
We immediately met some tourists from South Africa. Issy Meyers and his wife, Renee... lovely people.
I brought out my first Turrent and handed one to Issy. He tells me he's never heard of it but after sniffing it and getting a lovely espresso bean and cedar whiff, he tells me he loves me.
We snip the ends with my Xikar back stop cutter. I hand him my Blazer lighter and we toast the foot. Sweat is pouring off my forehead.
My wife, Charlotte and Renee are speaking in German to each other. My wife is from Germany. And they are sipping cocktails. My wife likes to smoke the Acid cigarillos and convinces Renee to try one. Renee approves.
While this term is horrifyingly over used, the first taste, after light up is pure butter cream. Wow!
Issy's eyes light up. He compliments me on choosing the perfect cigar for the moment.
Issy examines the stick. It has a very oily sheen. It's firm in the hand. No soft spots. It appears to be packed perfectly.
Into the first third, we get a a sweet cedar flavor profile. And just the right touch of spiciness.
These flavors dominate the first third. It is difficult not to smoke it too quickly.
We get a couple more Israeli beers and just settle into our chairs. Smoke is billowing everywhere from our vitolas. A couple of Swiss tourists stop and ask what we are smoking? I explain and tell them I brought them from home. A fallen look upon their faces as their hopes for finding one in Israel seems dicey.
The second third ramps up the power. It starts out as a medium body cigar but is quickly becoming a full body, full flavored complex cigar.
The taste of dark coffee mixes with the sweetness.
The cigar takes 90 minutes to smoke and every second is enjoyed. The flavors of sweet cedar, coffee, butter cream, are maintained throughout the smoke. I don't taste other flavors but that's just fine because this lollipop of flavors is perfect the way it is.
We decide to meet for dinner as we get up from the table. Issy grabs my forearm and asks if I have anymore A Turrents? I just smile. And then so does he.
The Bottom Line:
A. Turrent Triple Play
Country of Manufacturer: Honduras
Size: 6 x 54 Toro
Strength: Medium-Full
Wrapper: Mexican San Andres Maduro
Filler & Binder: Nicaraguan, Honduran, Mexican
Box of 21: $132.95
Flavor characteristics summary: Creamy, mild spices, well-balanced, notes of coffee and cocoa on the finish.
Thanks to Mike's Cigars-
www.mikescigars.com
I'm an old fart and can't get photobucket to work properly. Or there is something wrong with the format of my camera.
Anyway, if you go to
www.Katmancross.com you can see photos I took
