The Manhattan is unpretentious. It’s a simple drink to prepare, yet complex to savour. The backbones of the drink (spirit, fortified, bitter) provide infinite permutations and nuance. It’s a drink one can order in a dive bar in New York. It's a drink one can order in the Savoy in London or the Ritz in Paris with equal confidence. While a Martini signals (or possibly is intended to signal) elegance, class, precision, a Manhattan evokes a different, hi-lo proposition. Sophisticated perhaps. Louche maybe. Above all versatile. It serves well before dinner, but also as a post dinner sipper. Moreover, its rich, unctuous profile flavour can also provide a lovely counterpoint for a cigar. Here then are a few Manhattan options to consider (with a suggested cigar pairing).
Classic Manhattan
Simple as you like. 3 ingredients: bourbon, sweet (red) vermouth, bitters. Chill a cocktail glass on one side. Fill a mixing glass with ice. Add 2 measures of bourbon (Bulleit works well), 1 measure of sweet vermouth (Martini Rosso) and 3 dashes of Angostura bitters. Stir evenly until mixing glass is frosted. Strain into cocktail glass and add maraschino cherry. That’s it. However even this classic is subject to debate and internal preference.
Some purists prefer the drink to be less cloying, and substitute rye to bourbon. Some want more power in the drink, calling for a 3 to 1 whisky/vermouth mix. David Embury in his cocktail masterwork ‘The Fine Art of Mixing Drinks’ proposes a 5 to 1 mix. This is heroic and approach with caution. You can also play with the vermouth. If Martini Rossi is too sweet, consider Punt e Mes, an amaro from Turin. Using orange bitters instead of angostura bitters can provide more brightness and lift. My advice, start with the 2 to 1 bourbon Manhattan and iterate from there until you’ve found your preferred beverage.
Manhattan is a serious drink. Considerations on cigar pairing likely relate more to the timing of your drink. Pre-dinner, consider a smaller, medium strength cigar, for example a Montecristo Especial #2. Post-dinner, select a cigar with more heft and power. The Robusto vitola would pair nicely, say a Partagas D4 or a Ramon Allones Specially Selected. Your post dinner Manhattan has the backbone to stand up to these more full-blooded cigars.
Rob Roy
A Rob Roy is possibly the best known of the Manhattan variants where the underlying spirit is altered. The Rob Roy, which replaces bourbon with scotch, was invented in the early 1900s. According to Willliam Grimes in his work ‘Straight Up or On the Rocks’, the cocktail was named after a Broadway play that was popular at that time. It’s a charming drink. Add 2.5 parts blended Scotch (say J&B), 1 of sweet vermouth, 2 dashes of Peychaud’s bitters to a mixing glass filled with ice. Stir with enthusiasm. Pour into a chilled ‘Nick and Nora’ cocktail glass. Express the oil from a slice of lemon skin, then drop into the drink.
It's a lighter drink than the Manhattan. The peat and smoke of the Scotch whisky provides a little more lift and the spirit less viscous. The Peychaud’s bitters are more aromatic and sweeter than its Angostura counterpart. I would recommend this as a pre-dinner aperitif. It would pair nicely with a lighter profile cigar, say for example a Fonseca Cosaco. The Fonseca’s attractive presentation and dimensions (135mm by 42 ring gauge) might serve very well with the Rob Roy before dinner.
Some Manhattan Variants: New School & Old School
The Manhattan – by virtue of its simplicity and broad appeal – has spawned countless permutations. Allow me to share 2 variants that show the versatility of this 3-ingredient drink.
The Brooklyn has recently emerged from obscurity due to the love for all things amaro. It consists of 2 parts rye whiskey, ½ part dry vermouth, ¼ part Maraschino liqueur and ¼ part Amer Picon. Construction is the same as for the others. Add to mixing glass filled with ice. Stir until chilled, then pour into frosted cocktail glass. No ornamentation is required though a maraschino cherry may add interest. It’s an intriguing beverage. The dry and powerful rye yields to the sweetness of the Maraschino and the herbal, medicinal qualities of the Amer Picon.
For a glimpse into the Manhattan’s antecedents, experiment with this version formulated by the magnificently named barman, William ‘The Only William’ Schmidt. He penned this recipe in his opus ‘The Flowing Bowl’ in 1892. For this drink, combine: half a tumblerful of cracked ice, 5 dashes of gum (sugar syrup), 2 dashes of bitters, 1 dash of absinthe, 2 parts rye (100% proof please), 1 part vermouth, 1 splash of maraschino. Stir and pour into cocktail glass. Cut a slice of lemon peel, express the peel over the drink and drop it into the glass. It’s the same as the above but different. Sample and allow yourself to be transported to the tail end of the Gay Nineties.
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A Night to Remember
The EGM 6th Anniversary Party was a celebration of creativity, style, and community. This year, we unveiled our latest creation - a stunning collection of Athletic Leisurewear that pays homage to the classic elegance of university sportswear. Drawing inspiration from timeless designs and infusing them with a modern twist, our new line captured the essence of effortless style and comfort.
Return to El Bleco
Once again, El Bleco played host to our anniversary festivities. Known for its magnetic charm and as a gathering place for Havana's trendsetting and creative individuals, the bar set the perfect stage for our celebration. The energy was electric, the atmosphere buzzing with excitement as guests mingled, danced, and revelled in the spirit of camaraderie.
Guest Enjoyment of El Bleco Cigars
Adding to the ambiance and luxury of our 6th-anniversary celebration at El Bleco, guests were delighted to indulge in our exclusive cigar, aptly named El Bleco. Crafted with precision and passion, El Bleco cigars offered a unique blend of flavours and aromas that captivated the senses of all who partook. From the first draw to the final exhale, guests savoured each moment, experiencing a taste of sophistication and refinement that perfectly complemented the evening's festivities.
Bigger, Better, Brighter
This year's party surpassed all expectations, drawing an even larger crowd and igniting a fire of energy that lit up the night. From the moment the first guests arrived to the final beats spun by El Bleco's resident DJ, the party was a whirlwind of fun and festivity. The air was filled with laughter, music, and the clinking of glasses as we toasted to another year of growth, creativity, and success.
Looking Ahead
As we reflect on the past six years at EGM, we are filled with gratitude for our loyal followers and clients who have been with us every step of the way. With each anniversary celebration, we are reminded of how far we've come and inspired by the endless possibilities that lie ahead. Here's to many more years of innovation, collaboration, and unforgettable moments shared with all who make EGM what it is today.
In conclusion, our 6th anniversary party at El Bleco was a night to remember - a testament to our commitment to pushing boundaries, embracing creativity, and celebrating in style. Thank you to everyone who joined us in making this event truly special. Here's to another year of growth, success, and endless possibilities!
]]>There's nothing quite like an Alexander Kraft party at Pitti Uomo. There's nothing quite like a Plaza Uomo party at Pitti Uomo. So when the two combine, you're almost certainly in for a good time. The AK x EGM cigars were on hand to be smoked, and smoked they were. Such was the demand since its release, that this event marked the complete sell out of stock of the limited edition cigar! With queue stretching around the corner, lively music, a delectable spread, and some of the finest-dressed people in the world, it was a curtain raiser that would've given even Bacchus a run for his money.
Hosted at Palazzo Budini Gattai, the Pitti crowd sauntered into the beautiful space on the opening night of the four-day trade show, to enjoy the final selection of our collaborative cigars with the inimitable Alexander Kraft. The customary Kraftonis kept the crowd hydrated, so to speak, and the venue—consisting of several floors and a beautiful garden space—was full to the brim. A wonderful turnout, to celebrate a camaraderie (and a cigar) unlike any other.
Florence has a tendency of delighting its guests with surprisingly mild weather for the time of year. Whilst London was essentially frozen over, the warm sun in Florence kept everyone in good spirits, especially when you think about how busy things can get during the show. We caught up with some of our international friends and got their thoughts on what makes Pitti so special, which you can see over on our Instagram highlights.
Steve Gonzalez starts his days at Pitti Uomo with a coffee from one of our favourite spots, SimBIOsi.
Youssou Bamar Gueye loves how Pitti draws together people that are passionate about clothing and craftsmanship.
Our good friend Austin is a foodie, and loves the culinary scene in Florence.
When people with a collective passion for clothing, craftsmanship, food and photography come together, it's hard not to have a good time. The days may certainly be long, but the time absolutely flies. Before you know it, you're back on the plane already planning for the summer. However, the final rite of passage if you will, is Thursday nights with J. Mueser and Maximilian Mogg. The street party brings together the sartorial set for a last hurrah, whilst trying not to get your feet run over as taxis slowly inch past the narrow corridor of a road. It's here where the cigars are brought out, wine glasses are topped up without anyone actually realising how, and the world's best menswear trade show comes full circle. We can't wait to be back in June to do it all over again.
]]>As we bid farewell to an extraordinary year, please allow me to extend our deepest gratitude to you, our valued clients. Your support has been a driving force behind our remarkable journey this year, and for that, we are ever so grateful.
2023 has been a year of exciting launches and achievements for us. We kicked off with the launch of our Guayabera in February, a product that has already made a significant impact. We expanded our EGM Cigars brand offerings with four new formats, bringing our total to nine vitolas, each crafted with the highest quality tobacco from the Dominican Republic.
Another highlight was the launch of HALO, our uniquely designed cigar rest, a testament to our commitment to innovation and excellence. This masterpiece, created by the visionary designer Kacper Hamilton, has set a new standard in our industry.
And, let’s not forget, a milestone that still has us buzzing with excitement – reaching over 2 million views on one of our TikTok videos! This achievement is not just a number; it's a wonderful demonstration of your engagement and enthusiasm for our brand.
As we step into the new year, we're filled with anticipation for what's to come. We promise to keep delivering exceptional experiences, products, and moments that will connect us even more.
Thank you once again for being such an invaluable part of our story and for making this year truly unforgettable. Here's to continued success and shared growth in 2024.
Happy New Year to you all!
Ettore Gabriele Moraschinelli.
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Kacper Hamilton in his Haggerston studio
EGM: Tell us a bit about yourself…
Kacper Hamilton: I’m a British artist, designer and creative director with my studio based in Haggerston, London. I was born and raised in London, with Polish roots and ancestry.
EGM: How did you first get into design?
KH: I was brought up in the arts—I recall always being at private views and surrounded by artists. At the age of 11, I went to a boarding school called Christ's Hospital located in West Sussex, which was founded in 1552. It had excellent art and design departments and I have fond memories of spending most of my time drawing, painting, sculpting and making objects out of metal and wood, as well as other materials. I also studied History of Art and this is where I became fascinated and inspired by the Old Masters, as well as the architecture of ancient civilisations. I knew from a young age that I wanted to be an artist; it then became a quest of working out what kind.
At Central Saint Martins, I studied Product Design where I was able to experiment with what the boundaries were between art and design and if any existed for me. My second year was based out in Florence which proved to have significant influence as it’s a city full of culture, history, beauty and of course, art. My final CSM graduation project was called 7 Deadly Glasses, which was a set of conceptual-yet-functional hand-blown wine glasses based on the seven deadly sins. The project was widely published and exhibited and subsequently launched me into the professional art and design world.
7 Deadly Glasses by Kacper Hamilton
Soon, after graduating, I took up a position as a Vitrine Designer for Louis Vuitton in Paris, working with a small team at their Pont Neuf HQ. Each designer was responsible for their project, which consisted of designing an installation to work in over four hundred LV shops across the globe. All the stores needed the same installation; however, each was to be designed for each individual space. LV is renowned for its vitrine installations, as they approach it as an art form and look to always create something extraordinary. I worked on a range of different campaigns, but my most notable one was called Quartz, which was designed for the opening of a new LV shop in the Ion Orchard in Singapore. Although it was a great experience to work for such a large luxury brand, I decided after some time that I wanted to establish and run my own studio, so I could work with clients directly and on a broader range of projects.
Louis Vuitton Quartz by Kacper Hamilton
I returned to London and soon after got my first big commission from Ballantine’s 12-Year-Old whisky. I created L’Art de la Degustation, which was inspired by the concepts of balance, sharing and equilibrium.
L’Art de la Degustation
The set was launched as a limited edition of 60. Having found myself designing limited edition collections for a number of luxury brands, I decided to further pursue a Masters in Design for Luxury & Craftsmanship at ECAL in Switzerland. This was a great experience, as I designed for some incredible luxury brands and visited the manufacturers.
Inside Hamilton's studio in Haggerston, London
EGM: You’re quite multi-disciplinary in terms of being a designer. What would you say are your core areas of expertise, and do you have one particular preference?
KH: I would say one of the overarching themes of my work is the concept of alchemy. I’m interested in taking a simple idea and turning it into something extraordinary. My expertise lies in using design to create new rituals and ceremonies and develop art as a form of storytelling. Although I have a particular style to my work, no project is the same. I get approached by clients who have an idea or brief and commission me to research the subject and then execute my vision. When I take on a project, I am fully committed and put my heart, as well as soul, into it.
HALO, designed by Kacper Hamilton for EGM
EGM: When it comes to creating, where do you draw inspiration from?
KH: I would say that, in general, I am inspired by other artists' work, architecture, literature and films. I love Brutalist architecture, sculptures from the Futurism Art Movement, as well as minimalist design.
In terms of artists, front of mind are the likes of Michael Heizer, Constantin Brâncuși, Christo and Jeanne-Claude, James Turrell, Olafur Eliasson and Anish Kapoor. I love arthouse films, too, which have proved to be very influential in my way of thinking, seeing and storytelling from directors including Akira Kurosawa, Ingmar Bergman, Gaspar Noé, Alejandro Jodorowsky, David Lynch, Quentin Tarantino and Stanley Kubrick.
I have also taken a lot of inspiration from reading Classical Literature and Gothic Fiction. Authors spanning Franz Kafka, George Orwell, Fyodor Dostoevsky, Matthew Gregory Lewis, Choderlos de Laclos, Mary Shelley, Alexander Dumas and Paulo Coelho. I’m inspired by the artworks of old masters such as Caravaggio, Hieronymus Bosch and Gustave Doré. When it comes to architecture, I love the works of Antoni Gaudí, Oscar Niemeyer, Frank Lloyd Wright and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe.
I’ve also been very inspired by the art, design, architecture and culture of ancient civilisations—especially the Ancient Egyptians. In fact, there was a rebellious and infamous Pharaoh called Akhenaten who I have a lot of respect and admiration for and I’m deeply inspired by him. He made Ancient Egypt into a monotheistic society by making Aten (the Sun) the only single deity and building a new capital city called Amarna, using entirely new architectural techniques. I have several sculptures of his bust in my studio.
As a young child, I served as an altar boy in a Polish Catholic Church in South Kensington. I realised that this had a profound influence on my mind. I was fascinated by the ceremony conducted by the priest and all the beautiful precious objects used to conduct the service and Holy Communion, as well as all the incredible churches, cathedrals and religious paintings I saw later in life. Whenever I travel to a new place, I love to visit the local churches and while I am now more of a spiritual man than a religious one, I have never forgotten my past.
EGM: How crucial is London to your identity as an artist?
KH: I have always loved that London is such a cosmopolitan city as it makes it feel like the world is at your fingertips. It’s an open-minded place where everyone is free to be who they want to be and there is a world of opportunity. It’s also the epicentre of art and I feel incredibly lucky to have visited so many exhibitions at museums and galleries over the years. London is, therefore, important to me, as it has given me the freedom to explore and develop my identity as an artist. I work with clients from all around the world, but I love to have my base and home in London. Clubland is also an important part of my life in London and I am often found at either the Savile Club or the Chelsea Arts Club, the latter of which I am on the Council.
EGM: You’ve been working with EGM on creating HALO. How did this collaboration first come about?
KH: I approached EGM a few years ago to offer to work on a collaboration for the ritual of smoking cigars. This had been a dream of mine for some years and EGM felt like the perfect fit as they are a visionary company; unique as they are bringing the traditional world of cigars into the modern day and age. They make cigar smoking accessible to all and present the elegant lifestyle that comes with it. It’s not about quantity; it’s about quality. EGM and myself have a shared passion and synergy and I think this is seen in all the projects we collaborate on. We worked on a range of ideas and HALO is our first official release of hopefully many.
EGM: So what exactly is HALO in your own words?
KH: I’ve smoked cigars for a long time and have always had issues when wanting to rest my lit cigar. The only options were to either sit the cigar on the edge of a table with the danger of it rolling off or burning the tablecloth or to place it in a crowded and oftentimes dirty ashtray.
It is also important to note that it is not necessary to ash a cigar often, in-fact less is better as this helps keep the cigar and flavour in optimum condition. I, therefore, wanted to create a cigar rest that would act as an invitation to a new ritual to elevate one’s experience when smoking a cigar.
I believe it’s unique in the way that it presents and frames a cigar, almost like a throne or an altar. It makes the entire experience of smoking feel more elevated and precious, creating greater reverence. It is designed so a lit cigar will sit in HALO at an optimum level without damaging the surface or tabletop beneath and it will accommodate every sized cigar. Furthermore, I always have a few accessories I carry with me when I plan to smoke, including a large 1920s crocodile skin cigar case, a 1990s Dunhill silver stripe design lighter, a cigar cutter and now I feel that HALO is the final missing piece of the puzzle. HALO is like a portable piece of functional jewellery for one’s cigar.
EGM: You’re quite the seasoned smoker. How did you first get into cigars?
KH: This was something I was also drawn into from a young age. I recall smoking my first cigar at around 16 years old. I started buying my own boxes a few years later and the rest is history.
A selection of cigar bands collected by Hamilton over the years
In 2014, I co-founded and ran Black Wolf Cigar Club for around five years. This was a Members Club which met on a monthly basis to pair Cuban Cigars and New World Cigars with different spirits, at various locations across London. The Club attracted new smokers as well as seasoned ones, so it was a wonderful mix. It was through this experience that I made some great contacts in the cigar world, as well as becoming more knowledgeable myself. It was only a matter of time before I created something for the cigar world.
EGM: You designed all the branding for the EGM Cigar Line. What was your inspiration behind it? And what did you enjoy most about the creative process?
KH: I’ve always been in great awe of the design of Cuban cigar labels and boxes. There is a real beauty and charm to them. So, when it came to designing the artwork for EGM, I wanted to take inspiration from the tradition of classical Cuban cigar brands. However, at the same time, I wanted to present EGM as a new and forward-thinking brand, so it pays homage to the past but is firmly placed in the modern age.
I first redesigned the EGM logo to make it more minimal, yet bold: the EGM monogram is surrounded by a wreath composed of cigar leaves. All in all, this made the EGM logo more unique, impactful and memorable. After this, I worked on designing a new brand identity for EGM, which can now be seen across all its products. I incorporated small elements of embossed holofoil, which gave the label a beautiful and magical sheen.
For the cigar boxes, I wanted to pay homage to traditional Cuban cedar boxes. I therefore designed a simple unvarnished cedar box with EGM branded details, but with a striking and contrasting detail—a holographic security seal. We worked with a high-tech specialist printing company to produce the security seals. They have some incredible security details, which would be almost impossible to forge. It’s important to note that there is a strong collaborative effort between myself and EGM. We started working together almost two years ago and it’s wonderful to see what we have achieved in that time.
EGM: It’s important to touch on AI, particularly in the creative industries. We’ve seen it being incorporated into processes for efficiency and inspiration. Where does AI sit with you?
KH: I see AI as a tool, just like a computer is with software such as Illustrator, Photoshop and Solidworks (3D CAD). They make my job more efficient and streamlined which allows me to deliver better results and faster. I think AI is a fantastic research and support tool. I don’t see it as a replacement for creativity, but rather an assistant of sorts. I personally use Midjourney for research when I want to explore a visual concept quickly. I can then use this in a presentation or in a brief for another artist. There are also occasions where I will use AI to create an image and then build on top of it to get the image I want. It acts as a sort of base layer, but by no means the final product. It's also important to note that curation is vital when working with AI and especially with programs like Midjourney. However, everyone will use AI in their own way. I’m a perfectionist at heart, so I need to precisely formalise what’s in my mind in the real world, rather than something which is just a computer-generated image.
Concept by Hamilton using Midjourney
If we use AI in the right way then I believe it can be an incredible tool which will take us to a whole new level of intelligence and capabilities as a human race. On the other hand, the main issue I see is that more and more people and companies will start to use AI as an easy and quick creative solution for branding, advertising, design, writing copy et cetera. Another and far more worrying part is AI-generated images looking so real, leaving us not knowing whether they are fake or not. I believe that AI will become more and more integrated into our everyday lives and this will have an impact on society as a whole, for better or for worse.
EGM: What book are you currently reading?
KH: I’m currently reading Hell's Angels: The Strange and Terrible Saga of the Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs by Hunter S. Thompson, who also wrote Fear & Loathing in Las Vegas.
EGM: Favourite film of all time?
KH: 2001: A Space Odyssey. This is a true masterpiece in every sense: storytelling, design, props, cinematography and music. It is a film that was way ahead of its time and it still feels contemporary. I rewatch it about once a year. I actually remember watching it as a young kid for the first time at the Curzon Cinema in Mayfair and being absolutely blown away by it. I felt almost hypnotised.
EGM: What are your core rules to live by?
KH: Firstly: “We are the Music Makers and we are the Dreamers of Dreams”. This is the first line from a poem called “Ode”, which was written by the English poet Arthur O'Shaughnessy in 1873. It basically means that artists have a responsibility and obligation to sculpt the future. We need to be visionaries and fully commit to making our dreams a reality. Secondly: “Wabi-Sabi”. I’m a perfectionist at heart, but I’ve had to come to terms that life and art doesn’t always turn out the way you imagine. I, therefore, often turn to the Japanese concept of wabi-sabi, where beauty lies in the imperfect and this story sums it up perfectly: Rikyu was asked to clean Joo’s leaf-strewn garden. First, he raked until the grounds were spotless. Then, in a gesture pregnant with wabi-sabi overtones, he shook a tree trunk, causing a few leaves to fall.
To see more of Kacper Hamilton's work, click here.
]]>In typical Kraft fashion, no event is complete without a show stopping classic automobile. Courtesy of RM Sotheby's, displayed in front of Richard Gelding for the evening was an absolutely stunning 1953 Bentley Continental R-Type by Mulliner.
Despite it being a typically rainy and cold winter's night in London, it didn't stop guests from getting comfortable and enjoying the cigars, clothes, cars and company. Here are some of the highlights from the evening.
For many men, dressing up means Black Tie. As the world retreats further from the classical strictures of suit and tie, Black Tie stands alone to remind us of a more elegant mythical period that we can – however briefly – step into once more. Choices on Black Tie can present a myriad of rules and potential pitfalls for the unwary. The few remarks below may provide some pointers on the subject with a particular focus on its two principal variants: the Dinner Jacket and the Smoking Jacket.
Some Guiding Principles
Consider some guidelines to inform and educate your decision-making. Understanding the underlying rationale may lead to more thoughtful Black Tie dress choices appropriate for your situation or context.
Often this most basic premise is overlooked. The thoughtful dresser understands intuitively this balance. A dinner jacket should be comfortable. There should be enough cut to accommodate the dynamics of the evening: prodigious efforts with the claret and port, active debate and raucous rhetoric over dining room table, heroic moves on the ballroom floor. Comfort should be not come at the expense of fit. The minimalism of Black Tie provides no distraction, so avoid tent like jackets, poorly fitting collars, over-long sleeves, and puddling trousers at all costs. Consult your tailor.
Also consider the material of the suit. Tradition once called for heavy barathea (20 ounce plus), but this was in an era of castles and mansions not overly encumbered by central heating. While barathea provides a deep, inky black and lovely drape, a heavyweight wool would be intolerable to wear indoors. If you like barathea, go lighter. Alternatively, experiment with a mohair or tropical weight wool. These will have a ‘drier’ texture which loses some of the drapey quality of barathea but make for a sharper and more breathable suit.
The elegance of Black Tie is assured by its minimalism, its stripping back to the essentials. Ensure that this effect is maximised by solicitous fit and consideration to the impact of light and dark. Dinner shirts should be freshly pressed and spotless, the white punctuating the silhouette of black at the vee of the chest and at the cuff. Subtle but important contrast is achieved by the choice of black silk used for the bow tie. Bow ties are usually constructed in satin or grosgrain, and it is customary to match this silk with the silk lapels of the dinner jacket. The silk faced lapels are then echoed in the single stripe running down the seam of the dinner trousers. This texture and sheen of the silk provides a subtle, pleasing contrast to the mohair or barathea material of the suit.
Accessories should complete and play to this arrangement. Black silk hose and patent shoes for footwear. Onyx studs to punctuate shirt facings and cuffs. White linen pocket square exposed in the pocket breast for contrast.
Advanced dressers may consider a boutonniere, but admittedly this requires self-confidence in dress sense, underpinned by a strong understanding of the tenets of Black Tie. A boutonniere is rarely seen but can be very appealing if done well. If you do go down this path, there are really four colours to play with: a blue cornflower, a white camelia, or a red or pink carnation.
Black Tie is intended to flatter the dresser by establishing length and slimming the wearer. Focus then on the vertical. The silk lapels draw the viewer up towards to the face. The silk stripe along the trouser lengthens the leg.
Covering the waist provides further extension to the perceived leg length. This can be achieved either by a cummerbund or a dress waistcoat. Cummerbunds is a horizontally pleated band of silk – in the same material as the facings above – that sits across the waist. A dress waistcoat provides the same service. These waistcoats maximize the presentation of the dinner shirt, typically distinguished by a low-cut front, shawl collars and buttons and facings matching the rest of the dinner suit.
The Standard: Black Tie Formal
The dinner jacket (known as tuxedo in the US, as le smoking in France) is the default option for formalwear. Briefly applying the guidelines above, let us enumerate the components. Jacket in black or midnight blue wool. Mohair for lightness and sheen, mid-weight barathea for inkiness and drape. Single buttoned, single breasted with peak lapels faced in grosgrain or satin silk. A vent-free back and jetting pockets to minimize bulk. Trousers in matching material, high waisted with single silk strip as above. Low cut waistcoat or cummerbund to cover the waist.
Complement with dinner shirt in white cotton or voile with marcella or pleated front. Bow tie - self-tied if you please - in matching grosgrain or satin. Accessories to include braces, cuff links and shirt studs, pocket square in white linen, dinner shoes or pumps in patent leather, silk hose. Additional accessories, such as cigar cases, lighters, pocket watches, boutonnieres are a function of context, needs and the judgement of the individual. Select with care. Restraint is a sensible guide.
The Variant: Smoking Jacket
The smoking jacket has a different origin and provides a more relaxed sartorial proposition to the dinner jacket. Velvet smoking jackets were originally tailored – no surprise - with smokers in mind. Men would change into their smoking jackets after dinner before addressing their brandies, whiskies, and cigars. The received wisdom was that the velvet material of the smoking jacket would absorb the fumes of the cigar and thus protect the dinner jacket. Traditionally the domain of private homes and Gentlemen’s Clubs, the smoking jacket ensemble has started to appear as a substitute for a dinner jacket in more public gatherings.
Smoking jackets strike a very different, though no less elegant proposition to the restrained monochrome of the dinner jacket. The velvet smoking jacket has flair, made of striking colours such as emerald, burgundy, and sapphire. Note that while all smoking jackets are velvet not all velvet jackets are smoking jackets. The smoking jackets are typically single or double breasted with a shawl collar faced in silk (satin, grosgrain or quilted). The jackets are frequently decorated with embroidery – known as frogging - at cuff and in lieu of buttons. Turnback cuffs – faced in silk - are another design variant.
To complete the look, select a silk dinner shirt in a vintage cream, black silk bow tie with material to match the facings and dinner trousers as above. Keep accessories to a minimum. White linen or silk pochette for the breast pocket should be sufficient. Pumps serve well for this more relaxed ensemble, either in patent black or in a deeply coloured velvet, possibly echoing the colour of the smoking jacket. This ensemble can make a dramatic statement so consider once again context and intention.
Dressing for a formal event is as much about respect for the host and the event itself. Be thoughtful and deliberate in your preparations. Don’t rush. Enjoy the process and theatre of Black Tie. Participate in and contribute to the dignity and elegance of the event and ensure that your behaviour matches the efforts you have made with your dress. And try to keep your jacket on.
]]>Shop Now: EGM Encantos Cabinet of 50
The eye-catching shape mirrors the infamous Laguito No. 1 vitola—one of the hardest cigars to make, and which can only be achieved by Grade 9 rollers. We felt it the perfect challenge to not only exceed the craft artisanship, but also develop a flavour profile that is truly unlike anything else.
Shop Now: EGM Encantos Cabinet of 50
The unique combination of this specific length and ring gauge—192mm by 39—creates a balanced body with a smoke time we at EGM best describe as ‘social’. It’s made to be enjoyed amongst friends, and therefore we are delighted to announce the Cabinet of 50.
The cabinet, known as the Half Wheel, is one of the best configurations to age cigars in and synonymous with the golden era of cigar making. It’s our way of paying homage, whilst ushering in a new era of cigars.
Creative Direction and photography by Samurai Crab
Film by Alessandro Sinx
Production by Karla Batte
Hair and makeup by Ari Regina
Modelled by Lea
When you think of Como, you probably imagine Riva Boats in the height of summer, sun-kissed skin and free-flowing aperitivos, as well as trying to figure out where exactly George Clooney lives. We're no strangers to the Italian getaway, having spent a fair bit of time there whenever there's a (rare) moment of respite. It was even the location for our campaign launch of the debut EGM Cigars line. In case you missed it, here's what went down...
That trip marked a special and long-awaited moment for us: our own range of cigars named Bravos, Escudos, Encantos, Poderosos and Robustos. Since then, we've launched an additional three to the portfolio: Blecos, Media Coronas and Tiburones. It felt only right that we returned to Como—this time in the cooler tones of Autumn, to enjoy the newest additions. We took our friends Brett and Scott Staniland and Brit Bones along for the ride, too.
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For generations, indigenous communities within South America have understood this, and have been using the organic plant to treat ailments, improve and maintain health as well as for sacred religious practises. It’s important when discussing the use of tobacco today to see the picture beyond what’s in front of our eyes.
Tobacco’s ancient properties—including but not limited to being an antiseptic and sedative—have allowed it to be used in many ways, especially in the Americas and native communities throughout the world. Not only was it used for ceremonial as well as recreational purposes, but tobacco was a tool for trade as well as medicine. Similarly to how smoking tobacco is bought and sold for business and pleasure today, it was often used as a bargaining tool along with the perhaps better known spices, tea, furs and luxurious silks that one would find during the Silk Roads.
In terms of personal and local use, the Taíno community were said to have smoked tobacco regularly. Native to the Caribbean, the Taíno people were the majority inhabitants of Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico and to a lesser extent, Jamaica and Haiti. This practise of smoking tobacco is better appreciated and understood today through the etymological origin of the word ‘cigar’.
‘Sikar’ was used by the Mayas for the ritual of smoking as religious practise, and was first observed and understood by Western civilization through Italian explorer and coloniser Christopher Columbus. Bartolomé de las Casas, the Spanish historian, was also said to have documented that, “Men with half-burned wood in their hands and certain herbs to take their smokes, which are some dry herbs put in a certain leaf, also dry, like those the boys make on the day of the Passover of the Holy Ghost; and having lighted one part of it, by the other they suck, absorb, or receive that smoke inside with the breath, by which they become benumbed and almost drunk, and so it is said they do not feel fatigue. These, muskets as we will call them, they call tabacos.”
With most things, excess can be damaging, but when used efficiently and appropriately there are significant positives to be gained. There are over sixty tobacco species today, with 60% of those native to South America. Only around a dozen or so contain enough nicotine to affect human beings.
The cigar as we know it today is probably the purest form of smoking tobacco — free from the additives and harmful manufactured ingredients you commonly find in cigarettes. It is therefore closer to the ancient sikar that was enjoyed by the indigenous communities of the Americas than the cigarettes smoked today.
The composition of a cigar—binder, filler and wrapper—is made using dried and fermented tobacco leaves only, making the experience a natural and unfiltered one. It’s an unfair situation for the cigar industry to be painted with the same brush as other forms of smoking tobacco which are significantly harmful, but as they say - knowledge is power. The more we know and the more we are able to understand, the greater the ability we will have to change the narrative.
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Firstly, the Bleco is somewhat of a jack-of-all-trades in that it's an ideal size for whatever the day may throw at you. With its unique vitola (we'll get to that next), it's 120mm by 52 ring gauge, giving you a great smoke time of just over an hour—it can be enjoyed with a coffee in the morning or an aperitif in the evening.
The vitola, Bleco, is truly unique. The name 'Bleco' was given to Cuba's Malecón by the Havana locals and is one of our favourite places in the world. The vitola features a cabeza tumbada, or dropped head, an icon of the Cuban 109 format. It was only natural for this cigar to be our homage to the Malecón, and to Havana itself.
When going up against some of the heavyweights of similar size, the EGM Blecos holds its own and then some. The cigar is rolled totalmente a mano using only the finest long filler, binder and wrapper leaves that the Dominican Republic has to offer. These Dominican Puros are truly special smokes, and definitely nothing like what you've tried before—from a quality standpoint as well as price.
]]>Alexander Kraft is a man of many talents and exceptional taste. It is no surprise to know that he is also quite the host. All those that attended his Tailgating Parties at Pitti Uomo can certainly attest. This year, the Sotheby's France Realty Rally took a selection of lucky gentlemen and women through the South of France—between Cassis, Aix-en-Provence and Marseille.
On hand for the rally were our collaborative cigars, the AK x EGM Robustos. The perfect accompaniment for all of life's adventures, the Robusto was created with Alexander, using the finest long filler, binder and wrapper leaves from the Dominican Republic, as is with our main EGM Cigars line. The iconic Robusto format ensures you get a mighty punch of flavour all throughout the relatively short smoke time of 45 minutes. Great when you're on the go but just at home for an foray on a legendary 1920s sailboat called Marge...
Guests aboard Marge, the boat which starred in Plein Soliel with Alain Delon
Camilla, Alexander and Gussie
Alexander's incredible fleet of cars for the Rally
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Recently though, I've tried being mindful of this. Being in a rush, always trying to get to the next place, zig-zagging past pedestrians is something we're used to seeing in films, but that doesn't necessarily mean it's all or nothing. I also don't condone ambling through the city at a leisurely pace whilst people are trying to get somewhere, mainly out of common courtesy for others. The same way that taking a moment to breathe deeply and exhale allows a stillness of mind, by taking a little extra time to appreciate your surroundings makes for a much more peaceful day, without losing any time in the process.
So what did the most recent foray into London look like?
If you know me, which I hope you do by now, you won't be surprised that every meeting point is usually a coffee shop. One lesser known spot in Soho, but one that rivals any other local, is Archetype. Small in stature, the shop only has a handful of tables, and is usually soundtracked with lo-fi Nujabes-esqe records. It's perfect if you're not in a rush to be anywhere, but it's also a handy take-away spot if you do.
The trusty flat white is a great choice to kick off the day especially when paired with the Media Corona, or, should you have a little bit more time, the Tiburon, both of which are part of the new EGM Cigars collection.
When I travel through London, I always remind myself to look up. We have a proclivity at times to keep our heads down, usually staring at phone screens whilst trying not to knock into anyone. But the beauty of the architecture London has to offer is quite something. Especially if you look above the shop façades on Oxford Street. And particularly once you get to St. James's.
Once there, any lunch meeting is always made better when takes place at Franco's on Jermyn Street. The EGM Encantos, a favourite of ours, is a perfect choice for a smoke that's still light enough so you can get on with your day, but the format means it can be savoured throughout lunch - regardless of how long you spend there.
The trick with living in a city as fast-paced and erratic as London tends to be, is to make the most of the smaller pockets of time where you can switch your brain off. Enjoy the noise, the atmosphere, the food, the people, the culture and community, and of course, cap it all off with your favourite cigar.
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The allure of cigars is undeniable, there's no need to tell you that. From the meticulous art of its construction to the rich history it carries, a good cigar exudes luxury, status, and culture. For aficionados who may be pressed for time but still yearn for rich smoke and aroma, short cigars offer the perfect solution. Here are five top picks in the market.
Offering a robust flavor in a condensed size, EGM Media Coronas cater perfectly to those on tight schedules. Its Dominican roots promise a rich and satisfying smoke.
Synonymous with excellence, the Montecristo brand ensures a delightful experience with the Petit Edmundo. A smaller incarnation of its revered counterpart, it delivers intensity and richness with every puff.
Showcasing the exquisite craftsmanship from the Dominican Republic, the EGM Tiburones offer a flavour profile that's both memorable and indulgent.
A sublime choice for those favouring a gentler smoke, the Hoyo de Monterrey Petit Robusto carries the grace and elegance that Cuban cigars are celebrated for.
Hailing from the legendary Romeo y Julieta line, the Petit Churchills exhibit a medium-bodied profile, maintaining the brand's tradition of consistent quality.
In wrapping up, these diminutive cigars are a reflection of the expansive world of cigars. Their compact size does not detract from the richness of flavor, craftsmanship, and legacy they carry. Ideal for those moments when you're short on time but refuse to settle for anything less than perfection.
]]>Those that have followed our journey, be it on here or via social media, will be no stranger to Angel Ramos. Quite possibly one of the best-dressed men to set foot in New York, Angel is a connoisseur of the fine things—tailoring, jewellery, and of course, cigars. We caught up with him to talk life, shop and smokes in the Big Apple.
EGM Cigars: How did you start your career?
Angel Ramos: It was back in 2010 after being a luxury real estate broker with Sotheby’s International Realty for six years. In that period of working in real estate I fell in love with tailoring and menswear. To be quite honest, I attempted to exit the industry several times and in several cities applying for jobs at major name design houses (I'll leave it at that, ha) only to not be hired due to lack of experience. So in 2010, after being awarded “America’s Best Dressed Real Man” by Esquire Magazine, I took a leap of faith and decided to start my own business, knowing absolutely nothing about any of it. It was then called Angel Bespoke.
EGM: What drew you into menswear?
AR: The OG of menswear blogs, The Sartorialist, back in the early 2000s. Scott [Schuman] was able to not only take us through New York and see the street style but with his international travels, he helped me learn that dressing was more of a conveyance of your personality than a uniform for work.
EGM: What's the tailoring scene like in New York?
AR: It remains an emblem of sartorial elegance amidst the ever-evolving landscape of fashion. In Manhattan, one can find bespoke tailoring shops that have been serving clientele for generations, alongside modern ateliers pushing the boundaries of traditional craftsmanship. I personally think what we’re building here on Christopher Street in Greenwich Village is truly special, and a solid menswear destination when one travels to New York City.
EGM: Aside from your own, are there any brands that you're particularly excited about?
AR: I’ve always had an admiration for Loro Piana and Ralph Lauren. They both continue to be my first stop to draw inspiration from, especially the brand’s older campaigns from the 1970s, '80s and '90s.
EGM: Where's your favourite city for clothing?
AR: London because of its rich sartorial heritage and unmatched craftsmanship. Every time I visit, I am enamoured by the history tied to the city, the architecture and all it offers.
EGM: Do you have a go-to cigar brand?
AR: I absolutely love Partagas. My favorite stick is the Serie D No. 6, or as I like calling it, “The Dog Walker”. It’s a perfect ring gauge and length for a proper walk around Greenwich Village between fittings.
EGM: What are you smoking right now?
AR: I’m smoking a Plasencia 1865 Alma Fuerte. If I’m not smoking a Cuban, I love smoking a Nicaraguan cigar. This specific stick I love because of its rich and bold blend. Ironically, the hints of leather, cocoa and spice coincides with the fragrance smells I prefer. It’s a great full-body smoke that’s not so crazy on a day of light eating.
EGM: If you could only ever smoke one cigar for the rest of your life, what would it be?
AR: I’ve been lucky enough to smoke a custom Cuban cigar made for Michael Jordan which is a Double Lancero. I’ve acquired at least 100 sticks of them. It’s an epic smoke. I truly love the elegance, strength and draw from this cigar. This would easily be my pick if I had only one cigar to smoke for the rest of my life.
EGM: What's your favourite watch you currently own and why?
AR: It's a hodgepodge “Gold Presidential” watch my father (who was a jeweller for forty-five years) built with different Rolex pieces he was given by other jewellers because he couldn’t afford the actual Gold Presidential. The bracelet, and latch are proper Rolex, but the actual watch is an off-brand 14k gold watch. It’s such a cool watch, plus I love the story behind it.
EGM: What's something always worth paying for?
AR: Quality.
EGM: What's the last thing you did for the first time?
AR: Hopped on a “non-electric” Citi Bike in black tie for a 3.5-mile ride from Meat Packing to Wall Street thinking it would be easy and cool, only to find out it was a silly mistake as I arrived to dinner sweating profusely.
EGM: Last film you watched?
AR: Paddington with the kids!
EGM: Last book you read?
AR: Good to Great by James C. Collins.
EGM: What are your rules to live by?
AR: Love relentlessly.
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The naming of Cuban cigars, or cigars from any nation for that matter, after Winston Churchill has become a proud tradition. To my knowledge, no other cigar smoker has become so intrinsically linked with luxury tobacco that their preferred size is now known by their name, and most if not all cigar-producing countries have at least one Churchill cigar in their roster. Honduras is no different, with the Aladino Connecticut Churchill being just one example.
The 52 ring gauge by 7-inch size of this cigar actually makes it slightly thicker than most Churchills tend to be, but one suspects the man himself would not have been put off by that extra girth. The smoke will be with you for around 90 minutes – maybe more, if you really savour it – so is perfectly suited for an opulent evening or an extravagant afternoon.
Construction: 10/10
Draw: 10/10
Combustion: 10/10
Ash: 5/5
Smoke: 5/5
Flavour: 20/25
Overall: 32/35
Final Score: 92/100
Expanding their horizons across the Caribbean is something more and more Cuban cigar lovers are doing these days. A great many factors – some well-documented, some not – have led to smokers everywhere exploring the New World of luxury tobacco to find something great to enjoy. Luckily, great things are easy to find in the cigar world, and many of them are the fruits of the Eiroa family’s labour.
Famous for revamping the reputation of Camacho cigars before embarking on several new brand journeys, the Eiroas are the clan behind Aladino cigars. This collection is designed to honour the Corojo leaf and bring the modern market a taste of how cigars were in the “Golden Era” before the Cuban Revolution. The Aladino Corojo Reserva No.4 is a classic corona cigar, 5 inch by 44 ring gauge and about 35 minutes of smoke. Supplies each year are limited because only the finest leaves of the crop are used for the Reserva series, but are well worth looking out for.
Construction: 10/10
Draw: 10/10
Combustion: 9/10
Ash: 5/5
Smoke: 5/5
Flavour: 19/25
Overall: 31/35
Final Score: 89/100
To me, and I suspect to a great many readers of this blog, smoking a cigar is something akin to meditation. Smoking alone is a moment of contemplation, of absorbing ritual, which allows the mind to relax and reset before taking on the complex challenges of modern life. Millions of people take to yoga each morning to anchor their mind so the rest of the day can be tackled with a clear head – a peaceful breakfast cigar can have exactly the same effect. The natural affinity tobacco flavours have with coffee, that most popular of breakfast beverages, only serves to make the practice feel more logical; the sight of smoke curling through the air and illuminated by rays of morning sunlight is soothing in itself.
The early start may place a couple of limitations of the choice of stick – time before scheduled tasks may be more limited than after, and even the most hardened of smokers will probably baulk at the thought of a Partagas Lusitania on an empty stomach – but cigar options at breakfast are still plentiful. Here we present the EGM Cigars guide to the Top Five Cigars for Breakfast.
The smallest Cohiba of them all is probably the most luxurious breakfast cigar of all, but didn’t we say it’s good for the soul to begin your day with the best? This little powerhouse can pack a surprising amount of strength, but the diminutive nature means it will not be around long enough to overwhelm your palette before the day really gets going. Only around 20 minutes of smoking are involved, but the pungent aromas of rich earth and sharp cedar will mingle beautifully with a strong black coffee, and the added strength will ensure you are truly woken up and energised. This is a short, sharp burst of cigar perfection – the perfect standard to set for the rest of your busy day.
Unique sizes are something of a rarity in Havana these days, as many brands share factory space and therefore vitolas, but the Caprichos shape used for the Romeo y Julieta Petit Royales is exactly that. No other Cuban cigar shares the 47 ring gauge by 3 ¾ inch dimensions of this stick, and the proportions make it ideal for those who love a chunky ring gauge but usually have busy mornings. The medium body and strength will perk you up without overwhelming, and the leather notes and gentle sweetness which are traditional of Romeo y Julieta will complement your cappuccino. This cigar is one for the dynamic early starter.
From one of the most famous brands around to one which is almost criminally undervalued: San Cristobal de La Habana. This marca was introduced at the turn of the 21st century as a way to pay homage to the 500 years of cigar history which had come before it, and El Principe was one of the original cigars used to launch it. Again measuring at 4 ⅜ inches long, the slimmer ring gauge of 42 mean this cigar will last around half as long as the Vigia, but the woody, leathery flavours will be no less appealing. With relative anonymity comes a price point which belies the quality of this brand, and will surely not last forever. Fill your mornings with them now, before the rest of the cigar world does the same and the cost begins to reflect the (justifiable) demand.
The makeup of Romeo y Julieta cigars make them particularly suited to earlier in the day, which is why we have two on this list. At 5 ⅝ inches long, the Cedros de Luxe No. 2 is longer than any of the other cigars here, but still relatively slim at 42 ring gauge and so not so significant a smoke for the morning. The cedar sheath will impart an extra sharp tang to the flavour, and the scent is exceptionally well-suited to accompanying a jasmine tea on a warmer morning, but this cigar really can be enjoyed year-round.
The star of Trinidad continues to rise, as it climbs up to the tier of the most revered cigar brands in Cuba. The Vigia is another cigar suited to those who like heavy ring gauge – at an impressive 54 – but don’t quite have the time in the morning for something longer than 4 ⅜ inches. A forty-minute smoke to begin the day may not always be possible, but when it is the eucalyptus tang and honey sweetness of the Vigia make it worth postponing that first meeting. The freshness of the flavours will pair with breakfast tea, and invigorate the palette enough to give you a spark which will carry through the rest of the day. Sometimes it is good for the soul to begin the day with a touch of luxury.
]]>Not everyone, however, thinks like the aficionado. Like most gastronomic pleasures cigar smoking is best when shared, and while the majority of smokers will have their cigar “inner circle” who are always keen to join for a smoke it can be difficult to convince all the guests at larger social gatherings that the moment calls for a tobacco pairing. Luckily, there is at least one event where the atmosphere seems to make cigars seem even more appropriate, even to the most infrequent of indulgers – the Aperitivo.
The traditional Italian Aperitivo is a magical time of the day, just between work finishing and dinner beginning, where friends, neighbours, and sometimes even total strangers, can come together to unwind with a drink, strike up good conversation and prepare for the serious business of enjoying the final meal of the day. The word itself derives from the Latin aperire – to open – and signifies exactly that – the opening of doors, bottles, homes and hearts so that people may join together to process the day just finished. Drinks served are usually wines or cocktails – but this really depends on local taste – along with a selection of nibbles, so that the combination of alcohol and small plates can stimulate the appetite for the larger evening meal to come. A delicious cigar will complete a holy trinity when added, but it is important to choose the correct stick: something too large may intimidate guests less familiar with smoking; something too strong may overpower the food and drink, and spoil the appetite for dinner. Here to take the pressure off your selection, then, is the EGM Guide to the Top 5 Cigars for Aperitivo.
The long, slender profile of the Cohiba Coronas Especiales is the pinnacle of cigar elegance. The shape is ideal for aperitivo gatherings – not so imposing it will put off the uninitiated, not so small it will disappoint the connoisseur. The body is medium-full, so it will not combat too fiercely with whatever drink you decide to serve, and the prominent cedar notes will accompany all the most popular cocktails for this type of occasion. The legendary foil band of Cohiba is something everyone recognises, and will make your party stand out from all the other post-work gatherings. For aperitivo with guests who truly appreciate cigars, or guests you wish to impress with your knowledge and refined taste, there can be no better choice.
The Mareva vitola is one of, if not the, most well-loved sizes in the Habanos portfolio, but the Rafael Gonzalez version is probably the most overlooked. What began as a super-luxe brand in the 1930s has now become a little under-appreciated in the smoking community, which is a great shame as the excellence of the cigars has been consistent in the 90-odd years of their existence. The medium body smoke and earthy, spicy flavours of the Petit Corona will be with you for about 30-40 minutes, and create a fine pairing with the meats and cheeses most often served at aperitivo gatherings. It goes great with a Negroni, and will even provide a conversation topic if guests are unfamiliar with the brand.
The sweet and creamy nature of the fine Dominican tobacco which has gone into our own line of EGM Cigars is perfectly suited to early-evening cocktails. The medium body of the smoke will stand up to classic cocktails but not overpower sparkling wines, and the smoking time of this 52 ring gauge expression will not interfere with whatever plans follow. Our Blecos are designed to stand out from the crowd, with their use of the “dropped head” at the cap, and will introduce less-familiar guests to a cigar rolling technique rarely seen in the modern industry. The name pays homage to the famous oceanside esplanade of Havana – serve it with a rum cocktail for a Caribbean twist on this traditional Italian gathering.
Sometimes aperitivos will not be able to last longer than one glass, and sometimes they will be attended by people who only wish to smoke a little at a time. For such occasions, look no further than the Romeo y Julieta Sports Largo. At only 35 ring gauge and 4 ⅝ inches long, this cigar is a mere 15 minutes of smoke, so will address either situation perfectly. The smaller stature does not mean a drop in quality, as the medium body and complex flavours of Romeo y Julieta are still very much in evidence. Cutting your party short does not mean pouring sub-standard drinks, and nor should it mean concessions on quality of cigar.
The same vitola which began this list shall finish it – the superb Laguito No. 2. As with the Cohiba, the long and slim nature of the Montecristo Especiales No. 2 makes it a superbly elegant cigar to smoke. Richer in body and deeper in flavour, this cigar is probably for parties where the drink is a little stronger and the smoker a little more experienced, but it will still be an excellent choice for pre-dinner drinks. Aperitivo may be most commonly associated with warmer months and al fresco enjoyment, but in the autumn with a mulled wine is an equally valid way to host one. Those evenings, where cosiness and warmth are more required than sweetness and light, are perfect for this cigar.
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The annals of Cuban cigar history – and of all cigar history, for that matter – contain a great many tales of illustrious family dynasties. Many of the most famous family names have trodden a similar path over the last 180-odd years: depart Spain to find fortune in the Caribbean, fall foul of Fidel’s revolution, then rebuild the family enterprise elsewhere in Central America. Some of the greatest cigars it is possible to smoke today are brought to us by families who have followed this route to the ‘New World of Cigars’ – the Eiroa family, makers of Aladino Cigars, are one of them.
Aladino cigars are crafted in Honduras, where the Eiroa family have most of their farms and factories. All of the sticks in their 7 collections are Honduran puros, with some sporting Cameroon and Connecticut wrappers. All use wonderful Corojo tobacco for filler and binder, grown in Honduras and blended to give today’s cigar lovers the tastes enjoyed by Cuban smokers way back in the 1960s. Keeping those flavours alive in the world of cigars is the dream and mission of family patriarch Julio R. Eiroa.
Julio R. Eiroa was himself one of the farmers forced to leave Cuba after the revolution. Born in Pinar del Rio in 1938, the political turmoil in his native land saw him forced to flee twice in total – once from Batista, and a second time from Castro – before finding himself with many other tobacco industry refugees in the city of Tampa, Florida. Work for the Oliva family led him to Honduras, and within a year of arrival he had established himself as an independent tobacco farmer. With each passing year Julio bought more and more farmland from the Honduran government, laying the foundation for today’s Eiroa family empire.
In July 1977 an event occurred which changed Julio Eiroa’s life, and the wider cigar industry, forever. A plane crash left Julio reliant on a wheelchair, unable to visit the farms which were his passion. Without his expertise on-site the farms struggled; corporate partners lost faith and sold up; all of a sudden Eiroa owned even more production, but lost a main customer for the sale of the tobacco he grew. His only solution was for the family to make the cigars themselves.
The same success which was found in the fields transferred to the factories, and by the mid-90s the Eiroa family controlled the Camacho brand, transforming it from a Nicaraguan to a Honduran cigar and making it one of the most popular names in the cigar world. In 2008 Camacho was sold to Davidoff, with the intention of allowing Julio to concentrate on his passion for cultivating tobacco. By 2016 his ambition to make his own cigars from what he grew had returned, and Aladino was born.
The Aladino collection has grown, in the short time since its inception, to become one of the most popular Honduran cigars on the market. The experience of its founder in growing the best tobacco and marrying the most flavoursome blends is undoubtedly key to its success. It was this knowledge which led to the decision to use Corojo tobacco to replicate pre-embargo flavour profiles, transporting today’s cigar aficionado back to the “Golden Age” of cigar smoking. Classic Cuban flavours, and a generous amount of strength, are found in each stick, and construction is of the high quality always to be expected of the finest New World cigars. The Cameroon and Connecticut wrappers used for some expressions offer a little extra variety to the range, meaning there is something in the Aladino range to delight every smoker and to fit every cigar moment.
Today, Julio R. Eiroa is 85 years old. His sons, Justo and Christian, have followed him into the tobacco and cigar industries, with Justo joining him at the helm of Aladino. As well as his reputation for hard work – even into his 80s he could be found on the farm at 5am – and dedication to excellence in both tobacco farming and cigar manufacture, Julio is known as an innovator. His farms were the first to adopt Bayer standards and apply them to tobacco farming, ensuring every leaf to be harvested is of the highest quality and free from harmful pesticides. His tobacco wheel, invented to speed up the process of drying tobacco while reducing the risk of breaking the leaves, was quickly adopted by farms around the central America and Caribbean growing regions. Even today, at his impressive old age, he continues to put the hours into the craft he loves. “My father does not believe in retirement,” says Justo, his eldest son.
The work ethic of the Eiroa family is of particular benefit to us cigar lovers, as it provides us with so many wonderful things to smoke. Honduras is perhaps a lesser-known cigar nation, lagging slightly behind its neighbours in Dominican Republic and Nicaragua as an alternative producer to Cuba, but it is still capable of producing some wonderful cigars. That is exactly what we find with Aladino: cigars which are expertly constructed from tobacco grown with expertise and love, which give the smoker a new perspective on classic Cuban flavours, all at an extremely accessible price point. Offered in a wide range of vitolas, and therefore smoking times, Aladino cigars are a testament to the skill of their creators and the brilliance it is possible to find in Honduras.
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I’ve said many times that lighting a cigar is akin to lighting the fuse on a conversation. Whilst it’s certainly true that I smoke most cigars in the company of good friends, I find that most cigars smoked at home are a solo affair. My wife doesn’t partake so I am often relegated to being outside with the dogs and a glass of something brown – be it coffee, bourbon, or even good old Coca-Cola. All worthy accompaniments to the EGM Media Coronas – a smaller format smoke, perfect for a solo session. Don’t let its diminutive size fool you, this is an excellent spicy cigar and makes for a great entry point into fuller-flavoured vitolas.
I prefer a little soft music to silence and am sharing with you some of my picks for such an occasion. Like most good playlist, it’s a bit of Old, New, Borrowed and Blue. We open with a song named as such – Open by Rhye. The string intro serves to immediately calm me, and that clarinet flourish might be my favourite bit of any song. We then move into a few oldies – songs from my childhood that aren’t necessarily attached to certain memories, more feelings of comfort and warmth.
Frank Ocean has some tracks that never fail to put me in a trance; I stare deep into the music production and lyrics, picking out something new every time. The sheer number of times I’ve sat and played Channel Orange or Blonde from start to end isn’t worth thinking about. This first playlist could have been one of those albums in its entirety, but that’s a little low effort in terms of curation, right?
Jazz is a genre I don’t find myself listening to very often when smoking. I find the image of a smoky club a little trite these days – and instead preferring to soundtrack these solo smoke sessions with Latin rhythms, Afro Funk and R&B. Patrice Rushen and Mulatu Astatke bring these niche interests together with some seriously smooth tracks.
Young Fathers and Kendrick help keep me awake as we delve into the spicy final third of the cigar. If you asked me to describe Young Fathers' music, I’d be completely stumped. All I know is that I was hooked from the moment I heard this song back in 2015. To Pimp a Butterfly came out that same year and blew the doors off what hip-hop could be.
We end with some Clarence Carter – a song I adore from watching The Commitments a million times when I was far too young. A bunch of swearing, smoking Dubliners making soul music probably had more of an effect on me than I realised at the time.
Drams & Dopamine: EGM Tiburones
My next selection of tunes is more the vibe I will play when there’s friends over – the good times are flowing and the music must be a little more energetic, but never distracting. You need a great cigar to go with these tracks, as the head bopping will almost certainly shake some ash loose. The EGM Tiburones is a medium strength stick with a 30-minute smoke time – perfect for dishing out to apprentice smokers. Everyone is going to have a good time here.
I am a big fan of songs with horns, so you’ll find lots of brass alongside the beats. ZHU’s production has an infectious, driving quality that I love, so he’s definitely in this lineup. His jazz upbringing pairs well with Thundercat, who frankly has no place being that good a bassist.
There’s two songs from Flight Facilities in here. With You is a song that came out in 2012, the year I moved from North Wales to start my career in menswear. It got played a lot, and I have a huge soft spot for it. The other is a rework of Marvin Gaye’s Let’s Get It On which brings an already perfect song into a modern light.
I think of my music consumption as having two different modes – one is where I listen to the songs I know and love. Enjoying the familiarity of favourites old and new. The other is where I am actively trying to find new music – I will hunt down a featured artist in a song, follow them to their own tracks, and then rediscover them in new songs down the road. This kind of listening hurls me into unexplored genres and styles of music, which is always exciting. I find I am open to more and more varied styles compared to what I listened to as a teenager. I Know There’s Gonna Be (Good Times) was probably my first encounter with Popcaan. Hearing him a few years later on a Gorillaz track felt like seeing an old friend and reconnecting as if no time went by.
Sur La Plage: EGM Blecos
This playlist is all-out party. It’s a sort of completion arc of the first two playlists – you may be by yourself, you may be with friends. But either way - you’re outside, the weather is fantastic, and your teeth grip your EGM Blecos because well, both hands are in the air.
I regularly played the first track at the end of a Friday at work, so it naturally recalls thoughts of the weekend ahead. It’s a dance rework of a Sister Sledge track – how can you not be in a good mood?
Disclosure’s use of West African vocals in Douha is inspired, as far as I’m concerned. What could have been any old dance track from the brothers hailing from Reigate of all places, instead it’s a tropical anthem – an ode to the singer’s home country. Sticking with the theme, the next song uses an excellent sample from a Ghanian band.
The EGM Beach Club then takes us through some modern classics – Kaytranada, Peggy Gou and the duo from Bicep are all in their thirties and have excellent production chops alongside their DJ skills. By now your cigar is at its peak, and your mood is at an all time high. The image of a cigar smoker might traditionally be someone sat in a stuffy private club, but picture yourself poolside in your unbuttoned EGM Guayabera, with your pockets stuffed with your favourite vitolas. I think we know who’s having a better time.
I’ve thrown in some piano-laden Italo House next, alongside some more atmospheric underground house tunes. No need for some lyrical context here – it’s all about the beats.
We end with some big house tunes that have been undoubtably been chopped up, sped up or slowed down at some point to fit in with someone’s TikTok. These crowd pleasers bring the big finish before settling into a bass-heavy remix of Idris Mohammad’s iconic '70s jam – Could Heaven Ever Be Like This? The EGM Beach Club doesn’t exist in the real world, but I hope to be recreating these same moods with friends as soon as summer decides to show its face in the UK.
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It’s—as you can probably imagine—my go-to order when I visit a specialty coffee shop. I tend to avoid ordering milk-based coffees (or coffee, in general) at restaurants unless they happen to work with a specialty roaster or roast their own—Caravan in London being one such example.
When I visit a new coffee spot, it’s usually because I have some time and would like to expand my repertoire (and recommendations for when people ask me). Anything with outdoor seating comes as an added bonus, particularly in the summer months. As I don’t often find myself with heaps of spare time, I try to make the most of it. This usually means reading a new book or magazine, and when time permits, enjoying a good cigar. I’ve gotten pretty decent at pairing cigars with specific flat whites, and one of my latest concoctions is the new EGM Tiburones and WatchHouse’s flat white, made using their 1829 espresso. Both the coffee and cigar are rich, complex and flavoursome, which could have the adverse effect of clashing. This pairing is thankfully a harmonious one, as the coffee mellows over time, and the cigar in contrast gradually increases in spice. It means that you’re left with a perfect balance and a high level of satisfaction.
What other cigars work really well with flat whites, then? Well, first and foremost is a cigar I waffle on and on about—and for good reason. While most cigars from this brand would do the job, the Epicure No. 2 by Hoyo de Monterrey I find is the perfect length of smoke time. In terms of flavour alone, I love the Double Coronas but you’d need a hell of a lot of coffee to go pound for pound with that stick. You may also live to regret it.
A slightly more intense choice (compared to the Epicure, not the Double Coronas), and one I’d reserve for seasoned smokers is the Cohiba Siglo VI. A connoisseur’s cigar of choice, due to Cohiba’s medium-to-full strength, it is best matched with a slightly sweeter roast. A flat white from Origin or Ozone, in this case, will certainly work well.
Going back to EGM’s own line, the Encantos and Media Coronas are tailor-made for a good coffee in terms of their vitola, ring gauge and strength. These two sticks have the ability to work well with a double espresso if you want a bit of a punch, but are also fine complements to a well-made flat white.
]]>You get home, knowing you can finally put your feet up and relax. You get your cigar and cigar accoutrements, drink in hand. You light up your beautiful Cuban cigar and turn on the radio for some much needed ambiance, only to hear high energy, impossibly loud EDM you'd usually reserve for a club night. You stick on Spotify instead, but struggle to find a playlist that best suits the mood you're after. The Rat Pack is a little too Rat Packy, the mellow is too mellow, the upbeat records are a bit intense for right now. What a let down.
Well, hopefully now this scenario never needs to happen again. As cigar aficionados, we pride ourselves in not only providing beautiful cigars—be it Cuban or our very own EGM Cigars line—but elevating the whole cigar smoking experience. In addition to supplying lighters, cutters, ashtrays and even clothing, we've now firmly stepped into the music side of things, creating bespoke playlists for every occasion. Here are our new playlists for this month:
London Cigar Lounge Playlist
This playlist aims to replicate the ambiance of the traditional London cigar lounge. It nods to smoke of our favourite spots such as Oscuro at The Arts Club, Mark's Club, The Connaught, Sautter and more. Recommended Cigar: Ramón Allones Specially Selected.
Kick Back & Chill Playlist
Our Head of Editorial Rikesh Chauhan grew up listening to classic R&B and hip-hop, and this playlist provides a mellow soundtrack that blends classic and contemporary sounds—perfect for a chilled evening at home with a long smoke. Recommended Cigar: Hoyo de Monterrey Double Coronas Gran Reserva Cosecha 2013.
Buon Appetito Beats Playlist
Resident good guy and friend of EGM Cigars, Austin Pollak is a dab hand in the kitchen, and when he's cooking up an Italian feast, these are sounds that usually accompany. Recommended Cigar: EGM Poderosos.
Homegrown Flavours Playlist
Mike Hughes has arguably one of the best, and most wide-ranging, tastes in music. For EGM Cigars, he created an eclectic playlist inspired by the rhythms of one of our favourite cities in the world, Havana. Recommended Cigar: Cohiba Siglo de Oro.
Dinner With A View Playlist
There's something magical about hearing Ella croon in the background, whilst you're having one of your favourite meals al fresco, looking out at the beautiful waters of the Riviera. Don't you think? Recommended Cigar: Trinidad Topes Edición Limitada 2016.
]]>The cigar uses binder, wrapper and beautifully long filler leaves grown from the Cibao Valley in the Dominican Republic. Using the finest traditional Cuban rolling techniques (totalmente a mano), this cigar blends together the best of both worlds and has taken the cigar world by storm. The cigar itself measures 102mm in length with a 52 ring gauge and is medium- to full-strength. While the smoke will last around 30 to 45 minutes, don't let the short time fool you, for this cigar is certainly one of the most flavoursome you'll find.
So why the name Tiburones? We wanted to first and foremost pay homage to the Taíno people, the community indigenous to Cuba and Dominican Republic, whose traditions and language shaped amongst many things, the cigar world we know and love today. Tiburon was the original Taíno word for shark, and is the current word for shark in Spanish. "It is the only Taíno word, as far as we know, that has been absorbed literally into the Spanish language," says EGM founder. "It's almost like the last surviving literal reference to the Taíno people."
In May of this year, we opted to launch the EGM Tiburones exclusively to our clientele in Saudi Arabia, with an event held at Il Baretto in Riyadh. A selection of guests were invited to try the cigar for the first time, and to enjoy the beautiful hospitality from one of our favourite locations in the city. It was our way of saying thank you for their incredible supporting and championing of the EGM brand for all these years.
As with the rest of the EGM Cigars line, the smokes are versatile and can work with many different drinks and food flavour pairings. So whether you need a cigar to pair with your morning coffee, your lunch, or after hours with a drink or two, the EGM Tiburones will hit the spot time after time.
]]>It's a favourite pastime for locals and tourists alike, and you'll see hundreds of people perching along the Malecón, particularly as the sun begins to set and the temperature cools. However, there is one spot that truly stole our heart. A place we've spoken about frequently, and our new cigar's namesake—El Bleco.
For the launch of this cigar, we felt it right to shoot the campaign in Cuba, with our friends at Bleco Havana. Known for their energy, dancing, iconic uniforms and unrivalled hospitality, it was the perfect opportunity to truly embrace the city that has affectionately taken us in.
The vitola of our new Bleco cigar features the cabeza tumbada, or dropped head, which is typical of the Cuban 109 cigar format. For those in the know, you'll be aware that examples of this format include the Diplomaticos Bushido or, more recently, the new Linea Maestra by Partagas.
The cigar comes with a 52-ring gauge and is 120mm in length—an all-rounder for every occasion—with a medium strength. They're the ideal smoke to enjoy for special moments, from El Bleco's rooftop bar in Havana to the busy streets of London, Florence and all the places that you hold dear. As part of our new collection, you can shop the Bleco cigar here, as well as the Tiburones and Media Coronas.
You’ll find some of the world’s best and most sought-after restaurants in Florence, such is their culinary expertise. We have the pleasure of visiting the city twice annually due to menswear tradeshow, Pitti Uomo, that takes place every January and June. In build up to these trips, restaurants like Cammillo, Sostanza and Coco Lezzone for example, need to be booked months in advance if you’re looking for a big dinner setting. Whilst it’s a worthwhile necessity, it’s not always possible to book a spot for every single meal for the entire week.
With a 30-minute break for lunch one stifling hot summer’s day, we stumbled upon a pizzeria with outdoor seating which had just opened and immediately sat ourselves down. The staff, who had begun their shift, welcomed us and we utilised the pre-lunch rush to chat to them about the food, the restaurant, and of course, football. The 30-minute break ended up lasting just shy of three hours, with several pizzas, beer and antipasti consumed within that time. It’s safe to say, Ristorante Pizzeria Ginori immediately became a favourite of ours.
In fact, every Pitti Uomo since that day, we’ve visited Ginori at least twice during the week, be it for beers, lunch or dinner. In fact, on one occasion between meals we just used the seating to take some shelter and let the water-mist fans work their magic.
For the launch of our latest cigar collection, we wanted to visit locations that are close to our heart, and of course, Ginori was top of the list. It also helped that SimBIOsi, our favourite specialty coffee spot, is located a couple of minutes up the road.
The EGM Bleco cigar we find to be the perfect pairing for a hearty lunch, especially when pizza and beers are involved. Should you not drink, a soda (I prefer Diet Coke) or sparkling water works just as well. The menu at Ginori is expansive, which gives you the opportunity to light up your cigar and peruse without being rushed. The outdoor seating, located opposite the restaurant on the other side of the narrow road, is surprisingly spacious and with a good amount of sun and shade—depending on your preference. It’s the perfect place to dine al fresco and enjoy a cigar or two, with good company, delightful staff and delectable Tuscan cuisine.
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The inception of the Media Corona cigar by EGM stemmed from the desire to create smokes for all occasions, lifestyles and interests. If you've been following us for some time, you'll know we're big fans of coffee mornings. Finding a format perfect for an espresso means having a cigar that is short, flavourful and not too spicy. The Half Corona vitola was the obvious choice, and has proved to be a popular format.
But there's more to it than that. All of our cigars take inspiration from people and parts of the world. The Media Coronas pay homage to the quintessential English gentleman, and his quest for the perfect smoke on his carriage journeys to the theatre.
Seeking a cigar that balanced elegance with a shorter smoking time, H. Upmann was entrusted with a mission to craft a cigar that would last long enough to accompany him from his residence in Regent's Park, to the grandeur of theatre in Haymarket. Thus, the H. Upmann Half (Media) Corona was born—a creation that effortlessly blended convenience with the refined taste of the discerning connoisseur. Whilst the journey via carriage may not necessarily be the norm today, the area itself is teeming with beautiful spots to enjoy a coffee and watch the world go by.
Taking in the scenery en route, it's easy to get lost in the beauty of what Florence has to offer. Following a hearty lunch, there's no better cigar to enjoy the occasion than the Bleco. Bringing Havana to Florence, this unique vitola features the emblematic 'cabeza tumbada' or dropped head, typical of the Cuban '109' cigar format. It comes with a 52-ring gauge and is 120mm in length, an all-rounder for every occasion, and its flavour profile is medium.
Nightlife is something else in Florence, and whilst we have our favourite spots—be it Harry's, Paszkowski or pretty much anywhere that serves wine—to experience the WMBrown Magazine summer party during Pitti Uomo, held at Sina Villa Medici, is to experience a night like no other. Here, the occasion calls for the Tiburones. Initially debuted in Saudi Arabia, we finally launched this delectable cigar this summer. Short but punchy, with a medium to full strength and crafted in the popular Medio Siglo vitola, it measures 102mm in length by 52 ring gauge— perfect 30-minute smoke.
Video and photography by Rikesh Chauhan, directed by Samurai Crab.
]]>Cigars are best enjoyed in good company, and particularly the Media Corona. The genesis of this particular cigar lies in the tale of an English gentleman's quest for the perfect smoke on his carriage journeys to the theatre. Seeking a cigar that balanced elegance with a shorter smoking time, H. Upmann was entrusted with a mission—to craft a cigar that would last long enough to accompany him from his residence in Regent's Park, to the grandeur of theatre in Haymarket. Thus, the H. Upmann Half (Media) Corona was born—a creation that effortlessly blended convenience with the refined taste of the discerning connoisseur.
Crafted entirely by hand, this cigar embodies the pinnacle of artisanal craftsmanship. Master blenders and torcedores meticulously select and roll the finest long filler leaves, from the Cibao Valley of Dominican Republic, adhering to a centuries-old Cuban tradition. With its rich history and elegant format, this Dominican masterpiece pays homage to the traditions of a bygone era while catering to the modern aficionado.
This June also saw the launch of The Accessible Magazine, in which EGM Cigars take a trip to Havana to get a closer look at the beautiful and iconic city. The inaugural annual print edition was celebrated in Mayfair, with EGM debuting the Media Coronas for the first time. Unlike our other cigars, the Media Coronas come in a box of 20, making it a perfect choice for an evening in good company.
EGM: Tell us a little about yourself…
Brit Bones: I’m Brit, and I’m a creative—that means I do photography, videography and content creation mainly, but I dabble in illustration and music when I have time, too.
EGM: You’re quite the multi-hyphenate. Is there a particular art form you most enjoy?
BB: I really, really enjoy videography. I feel like that form of creation allows me to express myself in similar ways to photography, illustration, fashion and music all combined. I am so inspired by direction, light, angles, narrative, how a video can make you feel, the technical aspects… I love it all.
EGM: Were you always drawn (ha, pun) to the arts or is it something you discovered you were good at later in life?
BB: Children always draw—it’s what they’re “supposed” to do. At what age does it stop being something you’re expected to do and start being creative practice (either as a hobby or job)? I always drew, as did my twin brother. In fact, we both draw, interact with fashion, do photography and make music, so I think maybe it was genetic. Or perhaps nurture? How can you separate it when you’ve grown up so similarly as twins? I remember the first time that it was an urge though, like… I have to create, I have to express my feelings. I was 13 and really struggling to express my emotions. For me, being creative is a very emotionally-charged and sometimes painful practice.
EGM: What does style mean to you?
BB: It’s about taking how I feel inside and exploring it externally. In a way, it is a collaboration with other creatives—designers. I take what they make and I create something else with it. When we take a piece of clothing and style it in our own way, we transform it. No one’s ever going to wear it exactly like you, so in that regard, style is about being one-of-a-kind.
EGM: What book are you currently reading?
BB: I’m so bad at reading books, mainly because I usually read three at once and take forever… I’m currently reading a book about post-Victorian female artists and how the home, kitchen and still life art confined them. I’m also reading the biography of Picasso by Arianna Huffington (she created The Huffington Post) and I’m reading a copy of A Rabbit’s Foot, a friend’s publication on film.
EGM: You've recently started smoking cigars. What do you most enjoy about it?
BB: Growing up up North I was never exposed to the scent of cigar smoke, so the first time I experienced it, it made me think of the past… I love history and so I was hooked on the smell (you can’t even say “West London pub” without smelling the woody aroma of a cigar). I really enjoy the social aspect of it, too. My friends smoke them on evenings at the pub, events, weekends, a lot of great social memories are associated with cigars for me.
EGM: What kind of cigar do you most enjoy smoking?
BB: I can’t say I’m very knowledgeable yet, I usually follow friends leads and recommendations… I recently asked our mutual friend Mike Hughes what his favourites were (I often smoke with him) and he says… Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure Especial and the H. Upmann Connoisseur No.1— I’ll take his word for it.
EGM: This is the second year you're attending Pitti Uomo - what are you most excited about this time?
BB: I’m most looking forward to meeting interesting people and being inspired by other people’s styles. It’s really a congregation of creatives from around the world, and I feel so honoured to be able to experience it.
EGM: Do you prefer being in front or behind the camera?
BB: It’s hard to say! I think it depends on how I feel. I really enjoy being behind the camera because I love directing; I enjoy the level of creative control I have. At times though, I enjoy being in front of the camera because I get to share my style with others.
EGM: Favourite restaurant in Florence?
BB: I might regret telling you this (because I don’t want there to be queues out of the door like all the other places in Florence during Pitti…) but I was taken to a small family-run place called Restaurante Natalino where my friend vouched for beautifully friendly service and their Pear-stuffed Pasta (yep, you heard it right). All I can say is, my friend was right…
EGM: What are your rules to live by…
BB: Be as kind to others as you can. Be even kinder to yourself. Create as much as you can and don’t take everything so seriously… you blink and life’s gone.
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