The Badlands Badass

Is none other than our own Jason Razzo, who treked from Colorado to the metro area, with stops in some of America's most beautiful sceneary.

Take a look at some of his pics, as well as short video clips from his excellent adventure.

Lobbyists and Legislators will soon find Cigar Nirvana in Trenton

It's a road I have walked down many times in my professional career. On my way from the parking deck at the Marriot in Trenton en route to W. State Street, where New Jersey's capitol building resides. I have seen every store front, know the various shoppes.

But on June 21st I saw something new. And of course a picture of a cigar would catch my attention more than say a candle shop.

Cigar Nirvana, in big letters, emblazoned on the front of 20 W. Lafayette Street. I had official business to take care of for the next few hours, but maybe, just maybe, they'd be open as I was making my way back up north.

As I opened the door, I saw nothing. No lights, no cigars, nothing. And I walked out to see if there was another door. But a young man standing in the front told me I was at the right place and yelled for "Kevin" that there was a customer.

With a broad smile, Kevin opened the door and said, "Come on in, let me show you around."

Turns out that Cigar Nirvana is in the making. But wisely, the shop is hosting a soft opening.

Kevin gave me a tour of this three level cigar shoppe and lounge. Already wireless ready, Kevin envisions a shoppe where cigar enthusiasts can not only enjoy a cigar, but mix and mingle and be able to get some work done at the same time (I bet he can making a killing at lunch time if properly marketed).

Cigar Nirvana is an interesting case study. To his knowledge, and the knowledge of some associates, Cigar Nirvana will be the first cigar shop and lounged owned and operated by African-Americans. He may even be one of a handfew in the nation.

Also, at a time when people are finding fewer places to smoke, the folks at Cigar Nirvana are providing one more place instead of subtracting from the equation. As you can guess, cigar establishments are exempt from the NJ's state indoor smoking ban. All of those legislators up the road who were worried about not having a place to smoke a cigar now have one a stone's throw away.

With their strategic location, they will probably also draw crowds from hotel guests from the Marriot.

Kevin plans to include cigar lockers, flat screen televisions, and plenty of comfortable furniture for patrons and also offer memberships.

I wish Kevin and his friends at Cigar Nirvana the best of luck, keep me posted!

Camacho gets even more macho - Triple Maduro Line is a knockout

What is dark brown, all chromed out and goes from zero to nasty (and I mean this as a complement) in 3.5 seconds.


The 11/18.


No, it's not some new German engineered luxury sports sedan. I am talking about the new Camacho Triple Maduro 11/18. The words triple maduro can give the average cigar smoker the willies. And I admit, I was bracing for my throat to catch fire at first draw. That and the fact that my friend at Fume told me that he smoked one on a half empty stomach and didn't fare so well made me cringe.

But there is a real strong elegance about this cigar which allows you to take in the molasses rich flavor of the smoke without feeling like you were suffering through chemical weapons training maneuvers.

The cigar is very smoky and ventilates well. Nearly flawless in stature, the 11/18 has a few subtle curves to it and yields a very tight bluish grey ash.


Lots of coffee and leather characteristics on the palate.


As posted by Camacho's chief Christian Eiroa on their description of the cigar:


"The biggest challenge was to get these thick leaves to burn and taste right together. We did it, and the cigar is awesome."

The man is right, they are awesome.

I scored the Camacho Triple Maduro a 92.5.

Picture and quote taken from http://www.camachocigars.com/images/image+quality.pdf

Oliva's V Series - Strength and Honor

Strength and Honor.

These were the words of Maximus in the epic film "Gladiator".

This could also be the motto of the Oliva Cigar company, which has set the cigar world ablaze in recent years.

News came to the Doormatt today that they are releasing their new V series, which promises to embellish the strong and honorable characteristics of the Oliva brand.

From the Web site:

Serie V is a complex blend of Nicaraguan long filler tobaccos. Blendedwith specially fermented Jalapa Valley ligero, and finished with a highpriming Habano Sun Grown Wrapper.

Blending Notes: This cigar is blended to deliver full body taste while maintaining an unparalleled smoothness. This flavorful blend exhibits complex tobacco with rich coffee and dark chocolate tones. A subtle and well balanced spice is present throughout.

Knowing how much my buddies at Fume in Montclair love Oliva, I am sure we will see them popping up soon

Update on Nat Sherman's Big Move!!!

The following email just came over the wire:

Since 1930 Nat Sherman has been the tobacconist to the world providing only the finest tobacco product to even the most discerning customers.

In Early July 2007 our legendary emporium on Fifth Avenue will be moving to its new location at 12 East 42nd Street at Fifth Avenue.

Our current location at 500 Fifth Avenue will be closing on June 15, 2007.

To thank you for your patience we would like to offer you Free Shipping on Select Items through July 2007**

If you would like to speak to one of our knowledgeable cigar consultants please contact us 800 221-1690.

Sincerely,
The Sherman Family

I am definitely looking forward to seeing the new digs!

Here's to you Donald Ross - Pinehurst is heaven on earth for golfers

When people think of masterful architects, people usually jump right to Frank Lloyd Wright or Louis Sullivan.

Not me, when I think of masterful architects I think of A.W. Tillinghast or Tom Fazio. I am putting Donald Ross high on that list after my trip to Pinehurst.

My brother and I walked through the majestic clubhouse on Saturday, looking at the trophies and signed scoredcards of Michael Campbell and of course Payne Stewart -- Pinehurst is really paradise.

So we had a 2pm tee time and I told my brother we had to do this right -- so we got to the course at Noon and had lunch (you can never do something like a game of golf on an empty stomach and by the way, the homemade potato chips are awesome at the Donald Ross Grill). Following lunch we went to the practice range. It's done right -- you hit off grass, unlimited balls, water coolers, club tubs, towels, the whole nine yards. Following a brisk warm up session we went and putted for a good 30 minutes and then made it to the first tee of Pinehurst No. 3.

Now Pinehurst Number 2 is the most famous of the courses down there, as it has been the site of various US Opens and a Ryder Cup. You can imagine that tee times are made months in advance. We played No. 3, which is a short course (a little under 6,000 yards), but still a creation of Mr. Donald Ross.

Leading up to my tournament a few weeks from now, I have noticed that my game off the tee and on the greens is really solid, but my iron play and wedge play is way off. So a course with numerous short and challenging part fours was just what the doctor ordered.

It is a magnificent course. Pristine Bermuda grass, glistening sand bunkers, and an abundance of reddish-brown pine needles make the course a feast for the eyes. Of course, that feast can do flip flops in one's stomach as tricky greens and some patches of thick rough can test your mind and skill. And of course, hitting out of a bed of pine needles, I learned, isn't that fun either.

I shot an 80 on the par 70 course and for the first time this year, I really wanted to play more when I finished. Between the great golf and spending time with my brother, I didn't want the round to end.

Ricardo D'Angelo - a man who loves his job

New Jersey Transit is lucky to have Ricardo D'Angelo on their team.

Before I moved to Clifton, I would get the 7:47 from Walnut Street in Montclair, and each morning (and every night), I would hear the booming voice of Mr. D'Angelo as he thanked every passenger for their patience for the late arrival to Penn Station (there were days when it was on time and he'd still apologize and say thanks), remind people to use the waste receptacles, and of course notify law enforcement authorities if they see any suspcious activities or lost items.

On days that I didn't hear his voice, I would actually think to myself "something's off."

Well, as reported on Baristanet, a lot of people shared these thoughts as they found out Mr. D'Angelo was put on a different route for morning commute.

You guessed it, people complained and "The Voice of the Montclair-Boonton Line" was put back where he belonged.

I jumped on the M-B line this morning from Secaucus and as we pulled into Penn Station, Mr. D'Angelo was the voice from above. This time, he thanked a few of the ladies who apparently wrote letters to get him back on the Montclair train, as well as the many passengers who voiced their support.

I am not sure where he lives, but Mr. D'Angelo has learned how important he is to the community and was truly grateful for it.

The Republic of Vermont

Well, I had my money on Texas successfully seceeding from the United States, but here comes VERMONT!!! I know my sister-in-law will appreciate the story in today's Boston Globe on how the Green Mountain State could become the Green Mountain Nation.

From one of the fans for secession:

People would obviously relish coming to the Republic of Vermont, the Switzerland of North America," he said. "Christ, you couldn't keep them away."