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Expert: - 8/28/2009


Question
Dear James,

I must say I am deeply appreciative of the advice and insight you offer, as well as the treatment of all questions with respect.

That being said, I was wondering if you could help recommend a mild to medium bodied cigar or two to go with a glass of Jameson 12 year whiskey? Preferably ones with mainly chocolate or coffee notes.


Thank you for your time and effort!

Sincerely,

Tom

Answer
Hi Tom,

For Cuban cigar brands, I would recommend the following:

Vegas Robaina
Romeo y Julieta (Churchill or Exhibicion No. 4)
El Rey del Mundo
H. Upmann (Sir Winston or #2)
Trinidad

For non-Cuban cigar brands, try the following:

Avo Domaine Maduro
Padron 1964 Anniversario (both natural and maduro)
Arturo Fuente Hemingway
CAO Criollo
Montecristo Serie C or Montecristo White

I think these will compliment a 12 year old Jameson very nicely. :)

Hopes this helps.  As always, if you have any more questions, please feel free to just ask and I will be happy to help.

Regards,
James

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James Yee

Expertise

My main area of expertise is Cuban cigars but I can also assist you with cigar etiquette, humidor maintenance and troubleshooting. Unsure of a certain cigar brand? Wondering what a certain cigar tastes like? Have any questions about Cuban cigars? Just let me know! I have smoked every brand of Cuban cigars and most reputable non-Cuban cigar brands on a regular basis so I know a fair bit about taste profiles, cigar etiquette and other fine nuances to cigar smoking. (NOTE: My main focus is on premium, hand-rolled cigars and not cheap, machine made, convenience store cigars.) IMPORTANT: PLEASE NOTE THAT I DO NOT PROVIDE CIGAR OR CIGAR-RELATED APPRAISALS. If you have a vintage cigar item and you want to know if it's worth something, please contact an antique dealer that specializes in "TOBACCIANA".

Experience

I currently have 19 dedicated years of cigar smoking and counting. I have smoked every brand of Cuban cigars and most reputable non-Cuban cigar brands on a regular basis so I know a fair bit about taste profiles, cigar etiquette and other fine nuances to cigar smoking. For 5 years, I studied with Cuban torcedores (rollers), catadores (taste testers) and revisadores (inspectors) on every aspect involving the production of the Cuban cigar and I am currently writing a book that will help beginners understand everything they need to know about cigars and cigar smoking.

Publications
Maple Leaf Gardens: Memories & Dreams 1931-1999 (1999; ISBN: 0920445616)
50 Things Every Guy Should Know How To Do (2006; ISBN: 0452286654)
The [London] Times (October 8, 2009)


Education/Credentials
B.A. University of Toronto

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