Tag Archives: John Kelly Cigars

The Cigar Lounge in Oviedo…not your ordinary cigar shop!

There are a lot of new cigar shops popping up all over the central florida area but very few bring something different to the table. This place delivers a true “lounge” atmosphere. the cigar lounge oviedo

The first thing you notice when you walk into the Cigar Lounge is the great variety of places to sit and relax. Most shops only have a small section to enjoy a smoke. The CL has several comfortable leather chairs and couches..as well as tables and a large bar. Their Bar offer several brands of beer and wine to compliment your smoke. There are also large flatscreens on every wall. They have made sure you can keep an eye on the game or whatever is on from any seat in the house. the cigar lounge oviedo

The humidor is located along the left side of the store and offers a very good selection of smokes. They carry most of my favorites…Padron, My Father, Ashton, La Aroma de Cuba… and many others. You’ll have no problem finding a smoke that fits your taste. I think the main thing that distinguishes them from other spots is that they cater to the night crowd. While most shops close early.. the CL is open until 10pm (and sometimes later). They are also located in a shopping complex that has some great food at Circosta’s (Italian) and Beef of Brady’s(wings, burgers, etc.). You can grab a quick bite then head over to the Lounge.the cigar lounge oviedo

Location:

The Cigar Lounge

2960 W State Rd 426 Ste 1032

Oviedo, FL 32765

(407) 657-3552

 

Conclusion… JK recommends that everyone stop by the Cigar Lounge next time you’re in Oviedo. Make sure to check my post here about their upcoming My Father Event.


Leave a Comment

Filed under Smoke Thoughts

The “Links” were made for smoking…

There are very few places that are as cigar friendly as a golf course. The sport is almost set-up for a two cigar day… one on the font and one on the back.

Historical Dubsdread Golf Course in Orlando, FL

I have always been an extremely average golfer. I introduced cigars to my game and they have served as a distraction from my bad shots and something to enhance the day. I usually try to stick with a good smoke but nothing rare or too expensive. I either bring one big cigar or two short ones. It’s always smart to bring extra in case you get stuck behind a slow group and need a stress reliever. Today I brought a couple of the Family Reserve Robustos by Cordoba and Morales. They were the perfect smoke to start out with. Great taste and a nice slow even burn. They have a great taste from the first puff and are not too strong for the occasional smoker. I bring the same small humidor on the course as I do when tailgating.  I would recommend throwing a “humidpack” into your portable humidor to make sure that the cigars stay while your outside. Golf and cigar

In Conclusion… JK says to bring extra cigars when you golf. They will only enhance your game!


Leave a Comment

Filed under Smoke Thoughts

The Legendary Opus X

Even if you are new to the cigar world.. you have probably heard of the Opus X brand by Arturo Fuente. They were one of the first super premium cigars that I was introduced to by my cigar buddies.Opus XThe cigar maker, Fuente, makes several other lines of cigars but this one has a legendary mystique.  They limit the quantity of boxes purchased by each retailer. Making them harder to find and driving up the price tag. I’m lucky enough to know a few local shops where they sell them at a reasonable price. Ol’ Times cigars in Casselberry always seems to have some in stock and are priced as competitive as anywhere. The Smoke that I enjoyed this weekend was a limited edition “Lost City” Opus X.Lost City Opus XThis cigar was a gift from a very good friend last year. I’ve had it sitting in my humidor waiting for the right opportunity to break it out. It just happens that the same friend was in town this weekend for a UCF football game. The weather was perfect and we had several hours to tailgate… What a perfect time to enjoy this amazing smoke. I’ve had a lot of different Opus over the years, but this one was extremely good. It was beautiful to look at and had a perfect draw. The initial taste was smooth but strong. The cigar burned slow and even, while the flavors continued to develop. I wish it only lasted longer. Which is always a great sign!Lost City Opus X

In conclusion… JK definitely recommends. It comes with a stiff price but  it’s worth it for the serious smoker or a special event.


Leave a Comment

Filed under Smoke Thoughts

Cordoba and Morales Family Reserve..a solid new smoke!

I had the pleasure of being introduced to the Cordoba & Morales brand by the owner himself. Azarias was at a charity golf tournament supporting the troops with the help of many cigar enthusiasts. I wanted to like the cigar before I even smoked it based on how nice and outgoing he was with me and the other attendees.  I was pleasantly surprised by the smoke he handed me that day and promised to try another soon. Cordoba and Morales Family Reserve

I decided to bring two “Family Reserve Robustos” with me on my morning boat trip… Once again I was very pleased with the smoke. The cigar has a great appearance and beautiful wrapper. The draw is great and there is a very consistent strength throughout. I really enjoyed the change of pace from some of my normal smokes. I can see this being worked into my regular rotation.Cordoba and Morales Family Reserve

In Conclsuion… JK recommends!

Make sure to grab one the next time you’re in a local shop. I know they are available in most central florida locations (Definitely at Cigarz on the Avenue, Ol’ Times Cigars of Casselberry, and The Cigar Lounge in Oviedo). 


1 Comment

Filed under Smoke Thoughts

I don’t always drink beer with cigars, but when I do…

Most cigar connoisseurs don’t think beer and cigars mix well. I happen to be a big fan of a good beer..besides being a huge cigar enthusiast. Therefore, I have tried several beers with my cigars to see which ones work together best.beer and cigars

In my opinion, the stronger/richer beers work well with a cigar. Some of the best are made by Sam Adams. One of my all time favorites is their seasonal brew “Octoberfest”. The demand for this particular beer has really risen in recent years. I make sure to buy a few cases as soon as it comes out (Usually end of August-September). They make a limited supply so dont wait till the last minute. Grab yours while it’s fresh. As a backup option, they brew their “Boston Lager” year round and its also a great one. These beers can hang with your strongest smokes, such as the Padron 5000 or any full bodied cigar.

from www.samueladams.com

If you are not a heavy beer drinker and prefer to stick with the light stuff… then I would recommend my favorite light beer “Amstel Light”. I feel like it gives you more flavor and can hang with a cigar better than the rest (Miller, Bud, etc.). You might want to pair it with a light or medium smoke such as the San Cristobal Elegancia.

from www.amstellight.com

 

In conclusion: I always prefer a mixed cocktail or diet coke when having a good cigar… but if you are in the situation where beer is the option then try some of the above choices. You wont be disappointed.


Leave a Comment

Filed under Smoke Thoughts