There is something wondrous about the tactile sensations of cigar making, never mind its ability to connect one spiritually to centuries of tradition. Happily, it takes a relatively modest amount of training to get the basics in hand. One of the best classes we found recently requires a trip to the Bronx, specifically to the wonderful LCG (la Casa Grande) Cigars, just west of the Bronx Zoo. There, you can train under the supervision of a professional roller and an assistant who together explain the process and answer any questions. $175 for two people (individual classes are $95), by appointment only. It took one curious INDUSTRY editorial crewmember about three hours of private instruction to turn a novice into a starry eyed aspiring artist. 2344 Arthur Avenue, Bronx, lcgcigars.com
Rémy Magic, in Metal
In collaboration with globally celebrated French metalsmith Steaven Richard, The House of Rémy Martin has introduced a limited edition Rémy Martin XO. Prior to the co working process, Richard immersed himself in the maker’s 295 year history and found inspiration from its vineyards in Cognac to create his bottle design. Its label is made via a unique process of embossing brass with a golden texture, with a pattern inspired by the diversity of the different eaux de vie (the spirit resulting from double distillation of wine) necessary to create the XO blend. $200, remymartin.com
Hard Knox
Part of the broader Knox family of home décor pieces, Mr. Knox, a simply gorgeous humidor designed by Stephan Siepermann, is a winning dance of modern production and painstaking manual techniques. The exterior is a combination of dark walnut and birch, lacquered in a high gloss. Inside is a suitably gold plated acryl polymer based surface, with adjustable ventilation openings for humidity maintenance and a likewise gold plated (and pre calibrated) hygrometer, optimized for storage. The interior also utilizes ample amounts of Spanish Cedar and features three adjustable boards and a few small cedar “gold bars” to keep cigars from rolling. A limited edition piece, allow six to eight weeks for completion and delivery. $3,935, pamono.com
MEMBER OF SPECTRE
Dominican Republic based Cohiba (as opposed to the Cuban company of the same name) has unveiled the second edition of its Cohiba Spectre in a remarkably small run of just 180 boxes. The wrapper is deeply fermented and hand selected Nicaraguan Jalapa; during the curing process, a small percentage of upper priming leaves were set aside for deeper aging, then underwent additional fermentation lasting six months. The result is stunningly elegant taste. The filler, meanwhile, has been aged between four and sixteen years its Nicaraguan Jalapa and Esteli leaves undergoing a special finishing in Spanish Sherry barrels. When joined by Brazilian Mata Fina filler leaves and a Connecticut Broadleaf binder, the experience is one of complexity and refinement. Made solely in a 6 inch and 49 gauge vitola, Spectres are presented in a circular red and silver box of ten sticks. $810, individual cigars sell for $90. coronacigar.com
SMART ALEC
Maker of the venerable table top The Burner lighter, Alec Bradley now offers an even larger version in the form of this Megaburner, a camping stove style just released in March. Its large circular flame is great for parties wherein multiple cigars need to be set lit simultaneously, and the cool factor is way up there in just about everything Bradley makes. Additional exterior colors will soon be on offer, but we like the shiny gunmetal. $79, alecbradley.com
