Review: PDR’s Cosecha Especial Exclusiva

This weekend I had the opportunity to try PDR’s Cosecha Especial Exclusiva cigar. This cigar uses the Entubado rolling technique, which allows you to build a more complex cigar by adding more tobacco, but rolling it in a way that you still get a great draw every time.

This cigar is a medium to full- bodied cigar (for more experienced smokers). The cigar uses a rare Olor Dominicano binder, along with Dominican Corojo, and Nicaraguan Habano filler, which is perfectly wrapped in a Corojo Ecuador wrapper. I used a guillotine cut (straight cut) for this cigar, and from the start it had a nice clean cut. Once cut the cigar lit up very nice and evenly. The initial taste had a bold, but inviting start. While smoking the Cosecha Especial it was evident that it burnt very evenly and was well balanced throughout the whole smoke.

The more I got into this cigar the more you can really see, and taste the hard work that goes into making this cigar. The body was smooth and generated a good thick smoke. It has dark rich flavors, with a peppery taste, which complemented nicely with its sweet finish. This cigar offers a complex taste with smooth and balanced smoke throughout.

The Smoking Jacket

Cigar smoking is a ritualistic affair for most enthusiasts; combining thought and attention to detail that cigarettes and (shudder) vaping just don’t seem to require. Whereas cigarette smokers will consistently burn through multiple packs a week, cigars are more of a fashionable accessory and private hobby for users. It’s important to have the right setting, ambiance, and of course the right equipment.

Naturally a true enthusiast will own a humidor, fine leather case, and a cutter (Punch, V Cut, Straight, etc.); there’s one accessory that’s fallen to the wayside in recent years, and hopefully won’t disappear altogether. The smoking jacket for men trend has all but vanished.

The traditional design was introduced in the mid to late 1800s, and consists of a mid-thigh or slightly shorter length coat made from either fine silk or velevt, or a mixture of both materials. The classic look has a shawl collar and turn up cuffs, toggle fastenings, and typically a tie belt. It’s a perfect combination of elegance and class that gentlemen from any era can enjoy.

The jackets are intended to absorb the smoke from the wearer’s cigars, taking on a musty yet masculine scent. The jackets were at one time considered to be synonymous with comfort and were a routine part of the stogie aficionados’ day. Legendary figures such as Cary Grant, Frank Sinatra, and even Hugh Hefner were huge proponents of this fashion trend.

Vintage shops and online marketplaces are some of the best places to find used jackets with the vintage and classical look, but we at Empire Mixology always focus on the individuality of the user; thusly, we recommend getting your own smoking jacket unique to your desires and tastes. Why not have a personable jacket designed to absorb your terrific tastes in cigars.

Preparing Your Humidor

There’s nothing like a new fresh cigar, but have you ever had one that was hard as a rock and started to unravel the moment you cut it?  What a buzz kill (pun intended). I have unfortunately encountered this problem too many times. I would purchase a brand new, fresh cigar and place it in my humidor and when I was ready to enjoy it I found to my disappointment that it was stale and started to unravel on me. This makes for an unenjoyable experience, not to mention a waste of money. This forced me to take another look at my humidor that was supposed to be keeping them fresh. My problem was that I didn’t properly season it. Seasoning refers to the humidor upholding the proper humidity for the cigars.

These are some steps on how to properly season your humidor so it will keep your collection of cigars fresh and ready whenever you want to smoke them.

Step 1:

Do not buy a brand new humidor and immediately place your cigar collection in it. If the cedar from the humidor is not properly seasoned the humidor will actually do the opposite of what it is supposed to do. It will dry them out leaving you with a hard stale cigar.

Step 2:

The most important ingredient needed to prepare your humidor is distilled water. Once you purchase your humidor use distilled water to coat the inside of the wood making sure the wood absorbs the water. However, don’t not over saturate the humidor.

Step 3:

This is probably the hardest step in the process and that is to WAIT AT LEST 24 HOURS AND REPEAT THE PROCESS. If you’re like me I have trouble waiting and that was another issue with my humidor. So wait and repeat step 2

Step 4:

If your humidor comes with a hygrometer make sure it is not below 72%. If so you need to season your humidor some more.  

Step 5:

Another method is to fill a shot glass up with distilled water and place it into the humidor. The humidor and cigars will soak up that moisture helping to maintain a balanced temperature inside your humidor.

I hope this helps the next person for when they decide to purchase a humidor. For those of you having trouble with your current one, you might have to follow these steps again in order to help preserve your cigars and get the maximum potential from your humidor.

Cigar Lounge: Words of Wisdom

As Empire Mixology’s resident Cigar Expert, I have the opportunity to sample some amazing selections and offer my views and advice on brands, techniques, equipment, and more. Today I want to offer my words of wisdoms to those who are new to cigars and want to learn more. So today I’m offering you my 10 tips and tricks about cigars to get you started.

Tip 1: Don’t Inhale the Smoke
This tip is typically presented as a self-correcting problem, however why not save you the literal headache and tell you now. We want you to live for a long time! So don’t inhale the smoke. Not only is inhaling the smoke quite harmful to your lungs and body, but it can also rather rapidly make you feel ill or lightheaded. The idea of puffing on a stogie is more for taste than smoke inhalation. So puff, taste, exhale. You’ll always inhale some, but try to minimize the amount of possible.

Tip 2: Age Your Cigars
Don’t be in a rush! Cigars age well, sometimes smoothing out the taste and creating a unique finish. Once you purchase your cigars make sure to remove them from the cellophane wrapper and place them in your humidor for at least a few months. Now you can get single stick cigars from your local tobacconist in a humidor that can be ready immediately.

Tip 3: Do NOT Put a Partially Smoked Cigar back into your Humidor!
This tip is here for a multitude of safety reasons as well as flavor reasons. Cigar Savors do exist for this purpose if you don’t think/want to finish a cigar in one sitting. Reasons why you shouldn’t put a smoked cigar back in your humidor include potential fire hazard, smokiness is absorbed by your other cigars, or damage to humidor from ash marks. So either use a savor or just pitch it.

Tip 4: Do Select an Appropriate Cocktail to Accompany Your Cigar
As if I wasn’t going to tell you this on a site called “Empire Mixology.” Your palette is unique to yourself and you should choose how to enhance the flavor of your cigar experience. Some find cocktails or spirits ruin the flavor of the cigar, while others seem to find the combination of flavors exciting. TheMixologist can tell you better than I, however I recommend trying Spiced Rums, Whiskies, or even Coffee and seeing what fits you best.

Tip 5: Let Cigars Die, Don’t Snuff Them Out
Hate that foul odor of a cigar being snuffed out? Then don’t do it. Cigars will die naturally on their own in an ashtray, they don’t need to be grounded out on railings, earth, or whatever is closest. Not only will you avoid the snuff out odor, you’ll also avoid putting ash marks on your nearby surfaces.

Tip 6: Refrigerators are Not For Cigars
A good tip for a newlyfound enthusiast is to not store your cigars in a refrigerator. Although logically this may make sense to you, it will actually dry out your cigars and causing them to become brittle and weak. Also, as the moisture is removed from the cigar, some of the flavor will go with it. Invest in a humidor to keep your cigars how you like them.

Tip 7: Use a Butane Lighter or Matches to Light Your Cigar 
Although either choice is fine, most purists prefer the use of matches. Butane burns fairly clean so it is a popular and common source of flame, however if you choose to use matches; give the match a second to burn off the initial sulfur as you do t want a sulfur taste in your cigar. Before selecting a butane lighter, check prices to find the best deal for you.

Tip 8: Sample a Wide Variety
Don’t limit yourself to just one brand or one region. You may have heard Cubans are the best, but don’t count out Dominican brands either! The same goes for American, Caribbean, Mexican, and other origins. You know what you like best and there are tons of options to choose from. Go out and find the perfect selection for you.

Tip 9: Don’t Bite the Caps
Keep it classy. Cigar cutters are easily available in a variety of styles. You can choose from V-Cuts, Straights, Double Straights, or Punch Cutters to properly prepare your cigar. Biting the cap off can damage the integrity of the cigar and the leaves it’s delicately rolled in.

Tip 10: Check Back Often
#ShamelessSelfPromotion here but seriously, we’re constantly trying to expand our cigar section on www.EmpireMixology.com and we’re always striving to add new content. Come back and let us know what you think about certain brands and any other tips or tricks you may have for readers. Thanks for reading and remember to keep it classy and never stop exploring the flavors out there.

Review: The Edge A-10

About the Edge A-10

If you’re looking for a cigar that packs a punch but doesn’t break the bank, look no further. The Edge A-10 cigar is one of the best cigars I’ve had in a long time.  This barber pole wrapped masterpiece will catch your eye in any store. It is put together very well, using both Corojo and Maduro leaf for the wrapping, which is wrapped tight and neat. The Edge A-10 is a medium full-bodied cigar that encompasses sweet and spicy undertones with a dry finish. (THIS IS A MANS CIGAR). It uses filtered tobaccos from Honduras and Nicaragua. The Edge A-10 by Rocky Patel comes in Gordo (6”x60), and Toro (6”x52).

I was very excited to finally get the chance to smoke the Edge A-10. While smoking it I noticed the draw was smooth and the burn was great. It doesn’t burn fast, so it is a great cigar to sit down with a drink of choice and just relax. The cigar lasted me about 50 min. and is packed with flavor from start to finish. I am not a fan of over the top huge cigars, so the Edge A-10 was just right. Measuring in at 6 inches it doesn’t over due or undercut the cigar experience. It’s simply just right. I used a V-Cut, which really concentrated the flavors and made the experience very enjoyable. I prefer using the V-Cut because for me it keeps the cigar neat and clean as you’re smoking it. I have used other cutters such as the straight cut, which is fine for thinner cigars.  I was recommended this cigar and I will recommend it as well.  This cigar is a must try!

(Not recommended for first time cigar smokers)

Cigar Profile:

• Brand: Rocky Patel Cigars

• Strength: Medium-Full

• Shapes: Toro, Gordo

• Wrapper: Corojo, Maduro

• Origin:Honduras

• Pressed:   No

• Flavored: No

• Filler: Nicaraguan, Panamanian

• Binder: Honduran

• Flavor notes: Sweet spice, hint of black pepper, earthy

The Moscow Mule

About The Moscow Mule

Meet one of our favorites; the IBA Classic: Moscow Mule. Despite the name, the Moscow Mule did not originate from Moscow or Russia. The recipe was actually created in New York City in the early 1940s. The original recipe calls for Smirnoff Vodka as the crucial ingredient; the Russian styled vodka giving the namesake to this recipe. This drink enjoyed great popularity on the West Coast throughout the mid 1900s and helped propel Smirnoff into the limelight as a brand.

The copper mug has always been the primary serving vessel for the beverage and continues to this day. There is controversy about the copper mug from a recent FDA article stating the copper in the mug slowly poisons the drinker; however this is both true and untrue. A solid copper mug will release toxins into the drink at a very small level. Most modern copper mugs have a stainless steel lining on the interior of the mug rendering the cocktail completely safe.

This is one of our favorite cocktails, hands down. This refreshing recipe is perfect at any time during the day or as a perfect complement to any meal. Try out our recipe for yourself and see what you think.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz. Vodka

• 1 oz. Lime Juice

• Fill Ginger Beer

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       5 Stars

• Served:      On the Rocks – Copper Mug

• Strength:    Medium

• Difficulty:    Simple

• Flavor:        Refreshing

Method:

Add the vodka and lime juice to a mule mug or Collins glass filled with fresh ice and a lime wedge. Top with Ginger Beer and mound crushed ice over the top of the drink. Garnish with a lime wedge or wheel.

The Greyhound

About The Greyhound

The Greyhound is a prohibition era cocktail and is the same cocktail as a Salty Dog, except without the salt. Although a Greyhound is more commonly served with vodka presently, we prefer to stick to the classic recipe and use gin. The natural flavor of gin and grapefruit comes to life with this simple recipe and makes for a tasty and deceiving drink.

Ingredients:

• 1 oz. Gin

• Fill Grapefruit Juice

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       4 Stars

• Served:      On the Rocks

• Strength:    Medium

• Difficulty:    Simple

• Flavor:        Fruity

Method:

Shake Gin and Grapefruit Juice in a cocktail shaker. Pour into glass with fresh ice.

The Sex on the Beach

About The Sex on the Beach

The IBA Contemporary Classic, the Sex on the Beach. This cocktail has been going strong for decades as a summer classic and cult favorite. Despite the provocative name, this cocktail is surprisingly smooth and sweet as the juices combine to eliminate the sharp bite of vodka. Easily enjoyed during a hot summer day or a night out with friends, this versatile recipe is an essential to keep in your toolkit and should be able to be ordered anywhere you go. We’ve also thrown in a shot-version recipe just for fun!

Ingredients:

For Cocktail Version:

• 1½ oz. Vodka

• ½ oz. Peach Schnapps

• Equal parts Orange Juice & Cranberry Juice

For Shot Version:

• 1 part Vodka

• ½ part Peach Schnapps

• Splash of Orange Juice

• Splash of Cranberry Juice

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       5.0 Stars

• Served:      On the Rocks

• Strength:    Medium

• Difficulty:    Simple

• Flavor:        Sweet

Method:

Build all ingredients in highball glass with fresh ice. Pour vodka and schnapps first, then orange juice and then cranberry juice. Garnish with choice of orange slice or lemon with maraschino cherries.

For the shot version, shake ingredients lightly in shaker with ice and then strain into shot glass.

The Roy Rogers

About The Roy Rogers

Let’s kick off our Non-Alcoholic section with a personal favorite; the Roy Rogers. This cherry-coke flavored cocktail is easy on the palate and very simple to make. This is a sweet option for you non-drinkers or for a summer party where children may be around. This recipe is named after the late world famous singer/actor Roy Rogers “The King of Cowboys.” This is a great recipe to keep in your pocket and one that you should be able to order at whatever bar you go to.

Ingredients:

• ½ oz. Grenadine

• Fill Cola

• Maraschino Cherries for Garnish

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       4.5 Stars

• Served:      On the Rocks

• Strength:    Non-Alcoholic

• Difficulty:    Simple

• Flavor:        Cherry Coke

Method:

Pour cola into ice filled highball glass. Float grenadine over top, garnish with cherries.

The Derby

About The Derby

The Derby is a southern style IBA Official Cocktail. This recipe is best enjoyed on a cool summer evening or with a light dinner. The refreshing juniper flavor of gin and mint combined with peach bitters creates a sweet yet smooth taste.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz. Gin

• 1/2 oz. Peach Bitters

• 2 Mint Leaves for garnish

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       3.5 Stars

• Served:      Neat

• Strength:   Strong

• Difficulty:  Simple

• Flavor:       Strong

Method:

Pour Gin and Peach Bitters into mixing glass with ice. Stir until well chilled and strain into martini glass. Garnish with fresh mint.

The Stinger

About The Stinger

You may not be familiar this one, but back in its heyday the Stinger was a popular evening beverage. Famous drinkers include Cary Grant and your idol and mine; James Bond. The Stinger used to be known as an evening drink or even as a hangover cure (yuck!). The Stinger is a fairly powerful cocktail that is typically drank slowly to avoid it, well, stinging you.

Ingredients:

• 1.5 oz. Cognac

• 1/2 oz. White Crème de Menthe

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       3 Stars

• Served:      On the Rocks

• Strength:   Strong

• Difficulty:  Simple

• Flavor:       Spirit

Method:

Pour ingredients into mixing glass with ice and stir gently. Strain into martini glass or into rocks glass with ice if preferable.

The Godfather

About The Godfather

Featuring our good friends at the Lost Distillery Company, we bring you something you cannot refuse; the Godfather Cocktail. This former IBA Official Cocktail is thought to be one of Marlon Brando’s a.k.a. Don Vito Corleone favorite cocktails. The combination of strong Scotch Whisky and Italian Amaretto creates a smoother taste than you might expect. The sweetness of the Amaretto cuts the bite of the Scotch and as the ice melts, the innate flavors of the spirits are brought to light. A perfect sipping drink, this is a great beginner Scotch drink.

Ingredients:

• 1.5 oz. Scotch Whisky

• 1.5 oz. Amaretto

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:     4.5 Stars

• Served:     On the Rocks

• Strength:   Strong

• Difficulty:  Simple

• Flavor:      Sweetly Strong

Method:

Pour both spirits into old fashioned glass with ice. Stir gently.

The Brave Bull

About The Brave Bull

If you’re in need of a real pick-me-up, look no further than the Brave Bull. This cocktail is for those with a strong palette as the dominating tastes of tequila and Kahlúa are in full force. The Kahlúa coffee taste does lessen the overall “sting” of the tequila but does nothing to mask the flavor. This is a morning cocktail that must be enjoyed slowly.

Ingredients:

• 1½ oz. Tequila

• ½ oz. Kahlúa

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       3 Stars

• Served:      On the Rocks

• Strength:    Strong

• Difficulty:    Simple

• Flavor:        Strong/Coffee

Method:

Pour tequila and Kahlúa into old fashioned glass with ice. Stir gently.

The Gin Fizz

About The Gin Fizz

The New Orleans original has been in fashion since the 1800s, with its peak during the early to mid 1900s before it became an international sensation. Mostly seen now as a retro-classic cocktail, the Gin Fizz remains a pillar of modern mixology and can be changed to suit the individual drinker by substituting gin with whiskey or rum.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz. Gin

• 1.5 oz. Lemon Juice

• 1/2 oz. Simple Syrup

• Top Club Soda

• 1 Lemon Slice

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       4.0 Stars

• Served:      On the Rocks

• Strength:  Medium

• Difficulty: Medium

• Flavor:       Sweet

Method:

Shake all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice, except the Club Soda. Strain into highball glass with fresh ice. Top with Club Soda and garnish with a lemon slice.

The Kangaroo

About The Kangaroo

Meet the Vodka Martini. It’s technically a Kangaroo Cocktail by trade, however vodka has nominally replaced Gin in the classic recipe seen here. The favorite of James Bond and others, the Vodka Martini is not a traditional Martini according to most purists. The cocktail is meant to be stirred and not shaken, contrary to the popular quote. This recipe is very popular in the modern US cocktail scene and is likely to always remain a symbol of class and elegance.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz. Vodka

• .5 oz. Dry Vermouth

• 1 Cocktail Olive/Lemon Twist

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       4.0 Stars

• Served:      Neat

• Strength:   Strong

• Difficulty:   Simple

• Flavor:       Spirit

Method:

Add all ingredients into a mixing glass with ice. Just like the Martini, stir this one until well chilled and strain into a martini glass.

Empire Tip: Garnish with a lemon twist or olives to your preference.

The Whiskey Sour

About The Whiskey Sour

The 1800s created a lot of cocktails that are considered classic, the Whiskey Sour is one of them. Unlike other drinks such as the Old Fashioned, this recipe has withstood the test of time and has never fallen too out of favor. The sweet and sour taste of this drink is pleasing to the palate and makes for a perfect evening drink.

Ingredients:

• 1.5 oz. Bourbon Whiskey

• 1 oz. Fresh Lemon Juice

• 1/2 oz. Gomme Syrup

• Dash of egg white (optional)

• 1 Lemon Wedge for garnish

• 1 Maraschino Cherry for garnish

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       4.5 Stars

• Served:      On the Rocks

• Strength:   Strong

• Difficulty:  Complex

• Flavor:       Spirit

Method:

Pour ingredients into cocktail shaker with ice and shake until well chilled. Strain into rocks glass with fresh ice. Garnish with lemon wedge and maraschino cherry.

Empire Tip: The egg white ingredient is often skipped due to food allergies.

The Fallen Froggie

About The Fallen Froggie

Meet the far eastern cousin of the Brain Hemorrhage shot, the Fallen Froggie. Also known as the Squished Frog, this visually……interesting shot is packed with flavor and isn’t too strong since the alcoholic ingredients are low proof. Arguably sweeter than the original recipe, and typically always more sweet than its other cousin the Alien Brain Hemorrhage, the Fallen Froggie is a an interesting way to start off a night or keep the party going. The flavor is a meld of sweet melon, pomegranate, peach, and Irish cream. Note the consistency is NOT smooth and the grenadine and cream combine to make the shot thick.

Ingredients:

• 1 part Peach Schnapps

• Dash of Melon Liqueur

• Float Irish Cream

• Drop of Grenadine

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       4.0 Stars

• Served:      Straight

• Strength:    Medium

• Difficulty:    Medium

• Flavor:        Chunky Melon

Method:

Build shot as listed. First pour Schnapps and Melon Liqueur into glass and then float Irish Cream using the back of a bar spoon. Drop a single drop of Grenadine into the shot. This pulls the Irish Cream down, forming the cloud.

Empire Tip: Try our original recipe too! See which version you enjoy best!

The Between The Sheets

About The Between The Sheets

The cousin of the Sidecar, the IBA Classic Between the Sheets is a product of Harry’s New York Bar in Paris, France. There’s also claims it was invented in French brothels or rival hotels. This is a spirit forward cocktail that exudes class and a taste for vintage drinks. Order this at your local bar to impress the mixologist and the friends in your company.

Ingredients:

• 1 oz. Silver Rum

• 1 oz. Cognac

• 1 oz. Triple Sec

• .5 oz. Fresh Lemon Juice

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       3.5 Stars

• Served:      Neat

• Strength:  Strong

• Difficulty:  Medium

• Flavor:       Strong

Method:

Pour all the ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice and shake well. Strain into a chilled martini glass.

The Kamikaze

About The Kamikaze

This contemporary classic hails from the fabled 1970s Disco Days, and is an easy to make and effective party starter. There are numerous variations to this cocktail, however we think it best to present this classic recipe which grants a citrus flavor. The name of this drink translates to the word “Divine Wind.”

Ingredients:

• 2 parts Vodka

• 1 part Triple Sec

• 1 part Lime Juice

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       4.0 Stars

• Served:      Neat

• Strength:   Medium

• Difficulty:  Medium

• Flavor:       Sweet

Method:

Add all ingredients to a shaker and fill with ice. Shake and strain into a chilled cocktail glass or shot glass.

The Alien Brain Hemorrhage

About The Alien Brain Hemorrhage

A variant of the Brain Hemorrhage shot, the Alien Brain Hemorrhage adds a different spin onto the original recipe. This shot hails from the early to mid 2000s and has been gaining popularity over the last few years. Always a crowd pleaser and conversation starter, this shockingly low proof and high flavor shot is perfect to compliment a great night out with friends. Try the original recipe and variant recipes to see which one you like best!

Ingredients:

• 1 part Peach Schnapps

• Dash of Blue Curacao

• Float Irish Cream

• Drop of Grenadine

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       4.0 Stars

• Served:      Straight

• Strength:    Medium

• Difficulty:   Medium

• Flavor:        Sweet

Method:

Build shot as listed. First pour Schnapps and Blue Curacao into glass and then float Irish Cream using the back of a bar spoon. Drop a single drop of Grenadine into the shot. This pulls the Irish Cream down, forming the cloud.