In a cheery counterpoint to the churn and burn nature of downtown Manhattan real estate, Soho Cigar Bar has slipped into the spot where Circa Tabak used to be (the latter was actually the city’s oldest operating cigar lounge). So, let tradition live on in this Art Deco spot, fuelled by owner Lee Ringelheim’s roster of great sticks, lovely whiskey pairings, and flights (our fave among the last is the $45 Sneaky Peat: Highland 15 year, Lagavulin 16 year, and Coal Ila 12 year), and great food menu, to boot (think Filet Mignon on a croissant sandwich and crab cakes with chili cilantro sauce). Lee loves the classics, so expect to hear Beatles and Rolling Stones in abundance, enjoyed by his largely younger clientele (most denizens seem to be 30 and under). 32 Watts Street, Manhattan, sohocigarbar.com

Low-Down and Smoky

Port of Call
In the smoke/intoxicant pairing pantheon, port’s wonders are too often overlooked. Key is selecting one not so heavy or dark that it overwhelms the stick. Instead, a medium bodied bottle is the move, and this one, from Britain’s oldest owned port maker (founded in Portugal in 1670), is a remarkable buy at $22. Among their distinguishing characteristics, Warre’s Ports are famed for structure and a softly perfumed nose their grapes sourced from Quinta da Cavadinha and Quinta do Retiro Antigo, two of the fi nest estates in the Douro Valley. Warre’s Otima Ten Year Old Tawny (20% alcohol) is a vibrant, ruby coloured adventure. Additional years in oak convey a unique and wonderful “cigar box” quality. First sips offer a hint of orange peel, followed by brown sugar, then by a hit of berries. Accessible in both flavour profile and price, this is an excellent first venture into port’s deeper character, and complements cigars rather than competing with them.

Port of Call

AN EPIC PARTNERSHIP
With many of the world’s most coveted cigar brands under its umbrella, including Romeo y Julieta, H. Upmann, Trinidad, and Montecristo, Altadis U.S.A. has been a steadily expanding presence in the marketplace since 1918. In part to make its centennial even more gratifying for fans, the company’s new CEO and marketing team have partnered with the Plasencia family, which grows simply gorgeous Nicaraguan tobacco, and is the crew responsible for the Montecristo Espada. The result is the Montecristo Epic Craft Cured a Nicaraguan puro hand rolled in the Plasencia factory in Estelí. Leaves are aged in small pilones (as opposed to the usual large ones) to “allow the flavours of the cigar’s wrapper, binder, and filler tobaccos to marry into a more harmonious profile” according to a press release. Sweet, peaty, and with a hint of berry, it’s simply made for early fall smoking. altadisusa.com

An Epic Partnership

Northwell B22 SPREAD