Cigar Aficionado

Dear Marvin,
When I first began my practice as an entertainment attorney, one of my early business clients retained my services to meet with and attempt to obtain the publishing rights in North America from a music company in Spain. I already had a successful personal management company with clients primarily in the music business and had recently ed the California Bar.

I went to Majorca, Spain to attend an international music industry conference and arranged to meet the gentleman who owned the Spanish publishing company and catalogue. When we met at the host hotel, Señor Lara approached, wearing a finely tailored blue Brioni suit, white shirt, silver tie, his silver hair combed straight back as he kindly invited me to lunch. It was a grand setting in a famous, elegant, colonial hotel known for its accommodations, restaurant and its most unique bullfighting museum.

Once seated in this charming dining room, we ordered a wonderful Spanish meal including grilled sardines, paella and flan, with a legendary Spanish wine that he selected. After a leisurely lunch, discussing music in the States, Spain and Mexico, (I represented performing artists in all three countries), he shared his vast knowledge of the music business internationally and especially in Spain. I also shared my client’s expertise in the publishing business of which he was familiar.

After the bill was paid, he asked if I would like to move to the Grand Salon to listen to some classical chamber music. The Salon was very special with magnificent antiques; beautiful armoires and elegant high-back, carved-wood chairs with handwoven tapestry coverings. We took a seat in those beautiful chairs, in front of a hand-carved spiral staircase with the chamber group nestled alongside the banister.

As they began performing Bach’s Baroque Concerto we sat down. He pulled out an old elegant leather cigar case and with some trepidation asked if I smoked and would I like to share one of his cigars? I politely accepted and he handed me one of his Montecristo No 1s. He cut his cigar with a small, engraved, gold clipper and offered to cut mine as well. He then pulled out another sheath with especially long wooden matches and lit his cigar first, as I carefully watched. He then handed me his matches and I did the same. He ordered a wonderful Carlos I (Primero) and we continued our discussion of the music industry. After a while I noticed his long ash on his cigar and was careful not to flick mine nor drop it, and only after he placed his first ash in the tray did I follow with mine. And so it went, sipping the cognac, enjoying a perfect cigar and discussing business. At the end, I believe he had six ashes to my five. I then asked if we could represent his catalogue and he said, “young man, if you promise to take care of my music as you took care of my cigar, you can have my catalogue.”
That was an incredible life lesson and experience, shared through that cigar, that I carry with me today.

Dann Moss
Washington, D.C.

Dear Marvin,
Thank you for your comments last issue on the nexus between cigars and friendship. Lest you fear all hope is lost for the younger generations, I just wanted to share one of my favorite traditions.
Every Thursday, I host about eight of my friends at Columbia Law School for “Bourbon.” Each man brings a bottle of whiskey—bourbon or scotch, no clear liquors or beer allowed—and with a big bowl of ice and some chilled tumblers we sit and chat about the stuff of life. We talk about whiskey and cigars, sports and girls, and often nothing at all, frequently perusing the latest issue of Cigar Aficionado on my coffee table.

In colder weather we take outings to the few remaining cigar bars across New York City (something I would love to see an article on!). But the best nights are when we grab our cigars, cutters, matches and bourbon in to-go cups, and find ourselves a patch of grass on the Columbia campus. We lounge on the grass, cherishing the whiskey, cigars and company of good friends.

Zachary Moore
New York, NY

Editor’s Note: Look on our website, cigaraficionado.com, for A Smoker’s Guide to New York City.

Dear Marvin,
As a longtime subscriber (more than 10 years), I was struck by your editor’s note regarding cigars being the last hope to preserve real friendship. I was reminded of this very fact a couple of weeks ago when I had the chance to two fraternity brothers—one an attorney and one a teacher/coach/minister—for lunch and a cigar. While many of your articles reference, and many of your readers (me among them) have the opportunity to enjoy, the finer things in life, this was a simple Saturday afternoon with lunch at a Mexican restaurant followed by coffee and cigars outside a nearby Starbucks in Highland Park Village in Dallas, Texas. The cigars were provided by my attorney friend who actually taught me to appreciate cigars some 14 years ago and bought me my first humidor. He taught me that cigars were meant to be shared with friends. I always carry extras and have ed on his lessons to many of my younger colleagues. As we enjoyed the cigars, we spoke of cigars, family, friendships, politics and investments. We were at times serious and at other times laughing hysterically. Your editor’s note captured the sentiment of that afternoon perfectly. We all stay in touch by phone and e-mail though I am separated by distance—they live in Texas, I in Virginia. But, nothing will rekindle or preserve a friendship like a relaxed, in-person conversation while sharing a cigar. Thanks for continuing your excellent work and for reminding us of the need to take time to reconnect with our friends and other loved ones.

Larry Stanton Wiese
Lexington, Virginia

Dear Marvin,
I applaud both you and Gordon for your consistent exposure of these antismoking groups and their unsubstantiated research. I wanted to let you know that you do not stand alone. I have been in the exercise science arenas as a trainer for over 30 years, a ionate cigar smoker and someone who truly loves life and who has battled these same fronts.
These groups and individuals are mostly driven by their own drama and sensationalism, as opposed to conclusive published research. They are not happy people! We all know the old saying, “misery loves company.” The more restrictions these groups believe they can impose the better they can feel, it’s definitely all about them.

My philosophy as a trainer has always had the component of lifestyle factored in. And I make sure whenever I speak on exercise and well-being I have one of my favorite cigars in hand promoting just that.

Jeff Kroop
Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Dear Marvin,
I just received my June issue and like every issue, the first thing I read is the editors’ note. I personally don’t belong to any of the social networks. I still appreciate person-to-person conversations. Twice a week I get to spend time at my favorite cigar bar here in Miami, Havana Cigar 1950. This is the time when I get to talk about sports, politics and everyday events, and play dominoes with a great cigar. As a little kid growing up in Cuba, I my grandfather getting together with his friends and doing the same thing. I’ve had the privilege of getting to know new friends and share ideas and curiosities. Your article was right on point. Cigars should be considered saviors of humankind.

Thank you for bringing light to one of the last hopes to preserve real friendships.

Eric Ojito
Miramar, Florida