Murcielago Capa Negra Great Go To Cigar
April 2012 - Posted by The Cigar Intelligence Agency
CIGAR REVIEW - This Murcielago is a decent smoke. Capa Negra makes a different flavor to your pallet and offers a deep smoke with strong draw from top to bottom... Another visionary creation from Eddie Ortega & Erik Espinosa, and the gifted hands of Don Pepin Garcia.
We are adding this one to our "Everyday Top Smoke" Category.
TOTAL = 85%
RECOMMENDED = Fair
----------------------
Comments, Feedback & YOUR GRADES below...
Casa Fernandez Value & Quality Makes It a Top Smoke!
April 2012 - Posted by The Cigar Intelligence Agency
CIGAR REVIEW - Casa Fernandez where do we start? It's a surprisingly excellent cigar.
It is a Torpedo Block press smoke with a thick taste and provides a lot of flavor and quality for the price (Retails around $7 / $8).
This is a fairly unknown smoke from the public. I have been asking about these around and you can only really find it in and out of Florida.
Regardless this is a little dirty secret and we all agree there is skills behind this smoke. It's not cutting it into our top list but definitely look after this cigar and the brand.
Bring it Casa Fernandez!
TOTAL = 89%
RECOMMENDED = Great!
----------------------
Comments, Feedback & YOUR GRADES below...
Alec Bradley "Black Market Test #2
April 2012 - Posted by The Cigar Intelligence Agency
CIGAR REVIEW - We have been worried and investigating about this smoke. This is Alec Bradley's Black market. We reviewed this cigar a month ago and I went back to re-explore this cigar.
I regrouped my partners and asked them to have it another try.
We came up with the same conclusions: The smoke is decent but lacks of flavors. It does not assimilates with the overal quality of Alec Bradley. Something is missing here and we can't find what it is.
Insiders told us some technical issues were spotted on the very first smokes that shipped out but it is hard for us to classify this cigar as a top smoke.
One thing is sure it is bolder than most ABs and has a different wrapper quality than most cigars from the Dania, FL based company.
We love Alec Bradley but CIA passes on this one.
TOTAL = Status Quo
RECOMMENDED = Fair
----------------------
Comments, Feedback & YOUR GRADES below...
Alec Bradley Prensado XXL Is BIG!!!
April 2012 - Posted by The Cigar Intelligence Agency
CIGAR REVIEW - We are again positive about this smoke it's a winner.
AB came up with this monster size Prensado that we found at our local Florida Cigar Bar.
It is a Prensado but with a lot more to smoke and gets a gigantic kick when you hit midsmoke.
That's where the surprise lays... Absolutely recommended.
TOTAL = 89%
RECOMMENDED = Great
----------------------
Comments, Feedback & YOUR GRADES below...
CAO Maduro Block Press Does The Job
April 2012 - Posted by The Cigar Intelligence Agency
CIGAR REVIEW - At CIA we are big fans of CAO's Italia but our feelings changed after trying on Traviata which was a very shocking finding...
But here is this very smooth filtered smoke with a highly pleasurable wooden taste to make us feel slightly better about CAO latest blends.
We are not as excited as some of other press partners that engaged in the usual grading (always 90 if you advertise with us) and results in unfortunate hype.
After explaining to so many people that we don't really care and the fact that we do not make any money to say this or that... It became obvious that certain brands are severely overrated.
CAO is a an all time American favorite brand but we are watching and we hope many smokes with more interesting blends will come out.
We wish all brands were on point but often not the case.
To summarize about this smoke it it solid and its wrapper is neatly perfected. This is a decent Maduro cigar with a very deep smoke and great draw. Well crafted but has a lack of picked up flavors in the blend that makes it fall off from our top list.
TOTAL = 83%
RECOMMENDED = Fair
----------------------
Comments, Feedback & YOUR GRADES below...
TOP STORES 2012 : WESTIME LA JOLLA SHOWS SPLENDID DESIGN
Posted by Swiss Watch Authority / Top Stores 2012 Special - Posted 03.13.2012
Westime La Jolla, CA is now open.
The Los Angeles based retailer now has another flagship store in La Jolla. Showcasing nothing but the best such as Harry Winston, Hublot, MB&F, HD3, Urwek, Alpina, Opus HW Series, Greubel, FP Journe, etc.
If you are near San Diego stop by their splendid boutique.
To be continued...
The Grille at Morrison House - Restaurant, Bar, Lounge Review - Alexandria, VA
The Grille at Morrison House
116 S. Alfred St, Alexandria, VA
(703) 838 - 8000
www.thegrillalexandria.com
The Grille at Morrison House, designed with an all-brick exterior and Romanesque courtyard fountain, dining guests can tell that their experience here will be memorable.
Gourmands are faithful to this establishment, as it blends antiquity and charm and provides a rotating menu featuring four delectable main courses (which can be adjusted and cherry picked by patrons).
Chef McPherson ensures that fresh fish is flown in daily, traditional beef falls off the bone after a stew of four hours, and that the butternut squash bisque eases your soul. They also offer a Chef Tasting Menu, which includes 3-5 course meals (personal favorite: Foie: Foie Gras Torchon, Micro Basil, Duck Prosciutto, Fig Puree, & Fig Chutney)
The myriad of pasta dishes serve as standard bearers par excellence. The Grille also offers vegan, vegetarian, and Gluten-Free options, so no guilt can sneak its way into the experience. There are seemingly year round celebrations, so feel free to clap along with Grandma & Grandpa as they celebrate their 50 year anniversary, or give Little Tommy a pat on the back for getting the lead part in the school play.
Always friendly, the waitstaff makes it obvious that they truly and deeply enjoy their job, and as a dining guest, you feel at home and comfortable.
After my dining experience here, I can honestly say that I will return.
YOUR VOICE MATTERS!
------------------------------------------------
Your comments & ratings below!
The Palm Restaurant - Restaurant, Bar, Lounge Review - Washington, DC
The Palm Restaurant
1225 19th St NW Washington, D.C. 20036
(202) 775 - 1468
www.thepalm.com
The place to see and be seen in Washington, D.C., The Palm was voted as “The Best Power Lunch” by Washingtonian Magazine in 2010.
For 38 years, this establishment has been serving delicious lunch and dinner options to the elite. Using the best ingredients available, overly elaborate recipes and culinary fads are not a necessity here. Dishes are honest, succulent and satisfying, from Nova Scotia lobsters to Italian classics like Veal Martini and Chicken Parmigiana.
If you have the power of an elastic stomach, guests recommend their “Fred-Flintstone sized” tender Prime Rib. Furthermore, their classic filet and seafood combos off their menu are never disappointing, and some popular dishes include:
Crunchy Panko Fried Shrimp
Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes
Savory Bacon-Wrapped Scallops (Personal favorite!)
Future dining guests are encouraged to rendezvous to Dupont Circle and get a feel for The Palm’s simple yet classy style and treat their tongues to a well deserved meal. The service here strives constantly for perfection and consistently achieves this, as said by locals, and I cannot agree more. This place is a winner in my book.
YOUR VOICE MATTERS!
------------------------------------------------
Your comments & ratings below!
BASEL 2012 : MB&F RELEASES IMPRESSIVE ROSE GOLD HM4 RT
Posted by Swiss Watch Authority / Basel 2012 Special - Posted 03.08.2012
With its satin-sheen red gold case, MB&F HM4 RT transforms the Thunderbolt into a Jules Verne flying machine.
The sleek aerodynamic case blends majestic red gold with transparent sapphire crystals offering a stunning view into HM4 RT’s specifically-developed, in-house engine, the complex micro-mechanics of which are the result of three long years of development.
Each of the 300-plus movement components – including the regulator and even the screws – was developed specifically for this anarchistic calibre in which a horizontally configured, dual mainspring barrel drives two vertical gear trains, transferring power to twin pods that indicate hours/minutes (on the right) and power reserve (on the left).
Excellent legibility is ensured by red gold, Super-LumiNova filled hands set in dials arranged perpendicular to the wrist.
Read more here!
BASEL 2012 : RICHARD MILLE RM055 BUBBA WATSON LIMITED IS HOT!Posted by Swiss Watch Authority / Basel 2012 Special - Posted 03.08.2012
RM 055 BUBBA WATSON: The new RM 055 Bubba Watson is inspired by the RM 038 Bubba Watson tourbillon watch presented in 2011. Its mechanical movement in grade 5 titanium displays extreme skeletonization, with a PVD- and Titalyt® treated baseplate and bridges.
This combination provides the whole structure with optimum rigidity and excellent surface flatness and finish, essential aspects for the perfect functioning of the gear train. The caliber RMUL2 is thus capable of withstanding accelerations of over 500-G’s.
The movement is equipped with a variable-inertia balance wheel, which ensures reliability in the event of impacts and during assembly and dismantling, thus improving the long-term accuracy of the timepiece.
The regulator index is eliminated, and a more accurate and repeatable inertia adjustment is possible thanks to four small adjustable weights located directly on the balance wheel.
The double barrel mechanism helps to improve and equalize long-term torque stability: This is achieved by dispersing the stored energy within two winding barrels, equalizing torque as well as reducing pressure and friction on the bearings and pivots, resulting in improved long-term performance.
The RM 055 Bubba Watson is assembled using several sizes of spline screws in both the case and the movement. These screws age well and provide better control of the torque applied during assembly, and are therefore unaffected by the physical manipulations involved in assembly and disassembly.
The distinct construction of the RM 055’s case is designed to meet the demanding requirements of sportsmen. Thus the ATZ bezel is made from tubes of aluminum oxide powder injected at a pressure of nearly 2,000 bars. This high-pressure injection increases rigidity by 20 to 30% and reduces the material’s porosity to an absolute minimum.
ATZ is known for its high scratch-resistance (1,400 Vickers) and its unchangeable color. Next to diamond, it is one of the hardest materials in the world.
Long and difficult machining using diamond tools is required to create a perfect example of this complex, curved bezel and satin finish. The case middle and back bezel are in grade 5 titanium with a protective white rubber casing.
This rubber is injected at high pressure around the titanium components, thus insulating the movement from all vibrations. This special surface treatment also makes the watch very comfortable to wear.
A worthy successor to the RM 038 Bubba Watson, the RM 055 is a highly technical creation that is innovative, sporting and hand-finished in the finest watchmaking traditions.
