Seeking Warmth and Flavor at the Cigar Lounge

It’s been an extremely cold couple of weeks—so cold that I haven’t felt the urge to step outside for a cigar. Fortunately, I managed to make it over to Hogshead Cigar Lounge a couple of times to enjoy a smoke in warmth and good company.

Since I hadn’t explored Hogshead’s extensive selection in a while, I took my time wandering through the humidor during my visit two weeks ago. The sheer variety made choosing even harder. Eventually, I grabbed a handful of cigars and headed to the counter. When the proprietor asked, “What are you smoking today?” I made a quick decision: the New World Puro Especial. The rest went into a bag for my home humidor, reserved for warmer days.

The 5 1/2 x 52 Robusto is a Nicaraguan puro created by A.J. Fernandez, using tobaccos from his farms in Estelí, Nicaragua. Right from the first draw, I was impressed by its full yet balanced flavor profile. Notes of cedar, coffee, mixed nuts, and cocoa unfolded, all tied together by a subtle creamy sweetness.

I enjoyed every minute of the one-hour smoke, though I found myself wishing for more. I told myself that next time, I’d opt for a Toro to extend the experience.

With an overload of medical appointments this past week, I wasn’t sure if I’d squeeze in another lounge visit. But when my schedule opened up on Friday afternoon, I took the opportunity for a relaxing smoke before dinner.

Walking into the humidor, I had the New World Puro Especial on my mind—but I couldn’t quite remember where I had found it among the shelves. A quick glance around didn’t help, and, in typical guy fashion, I wasn’t about to ask for directions. Instead, I grabbed a My Father La Opulencia that was right in front of me.

This time, I chose a 6 x 54 Toro for a longer session. Like the New World Puro Especial, the La Opulencia features Nicaraguan binder and filler, but it’s wrapped in a Mexican San Andrés leaf. The elaborate double bands add an ornamental touch to the softly box-pressed cigar.

The La Opulencia starts off bold, with an immediate burst of black pepper spice. The smoke is earthy and rich, with notes of pepper, chocolate, and leather. It’s a powerful and intense cigar—less nuanced than the New World Puro Especial but equally full of flavor.

I paired both cigars with bottles of S.Pellegrino Sparkling Water. The carbonation was refreshing, keeping my palate clean and receptive to the full-bodied flavors. Naturally, a good bourbon would have been a perfect companion for either cigar, but I saved that indulgence for later—after dinner, in my living room, sans cigar.

Cheers!