Lounge Lizards This Week: Trinidad Espiritu Series No. 3 Belicoso with twelve year aged Yellow Spot Irish Whiskey/unpleasant flavor notes in cigars/change to the formal rating process/Rafael Nodal's Impression on Trinidad, Davidoff Exclusive Editions

[El Presidente]

This week the Lizards pair the Trinidad Espiritu Series No. 3 Belicoso with twelve year aged Yellow Spot Irish Whiskey. The guys discuss unpleasant flavor notes in cigars, they share a reflective listener email, and they make their first-ever change to the formal rating process. PLUS: Rafael Nodal's Impression of Trinidad, Davidoff Exclusive Editions, Blend Transparency Importance, Consistency vs Marketing Gimmicks & More...

[NYGuido]

Who would have thought that there would be announcements regarding changes to the rating process for two venerable organizations: the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the Lounge Lizards Formal Lizard Rating!? Not since Vatican II has there been such a shift in what was thought to be sacred. But if the Sergeant at Arms is okay with it--and we all know how...stubborn Pagoda is said to be about the ratings system--then so, too, shall Lizard Nation learn to adjust (not that I think anyone but Bam, Chef, and Drunk Grinder really changed their ratings, anyway).

@LizardGizmo, I really enjoyed your discussion about Davidoff's being a bit rudderless right now. I was speaking with the staff at my local lounge, and they have pointed out that Davidoff's public position these days is that they have a team of blenders and that no one person is integral to the success of their offerings. But this, I think, misses the mark for true Cigar Smokers, as you aptly call them, and you guys have demonstrated this over and over again, these past few weeks being the most recent.

When you smoke something that Klaas Kelner or Rafael Nodal have blended, you have certain expectations of quality and flavor that lead you to try that cigar even if you otherwise wouldn't have. Their names carry enough credibility and their blends have rated so highly that adding them to a blend is a signal to smokers to take that particular cigar seriously. This is the same as for well respected chefs, vintners, woodworkers, guitarists, etc. For example, if Steve Lukather is listed on a track, I know I'm in for a great guitar part even if I don't usually listen to the band he's playing with.

It therefore concerns me that Davidoff doesn't disclose who their current master blender is, nor the properties of the blends, themselves. They certainly know how powerful the name recognition is -- they never shied away from it when Eladio or Henke blended for them -- and I think they no longer put it front and center because they know they don't have a satisfactory answer for those who love their cigars for the flavor and not the hype. That is, their saying nothing says something and says it quite loudly. I am concerned for the future of the blends I love from them.

On the flip side, I hope that more brands start advertising who their blenders are or that freelance blenders start insisting in their contracts that they get some kind of name recognition. We smokers love what we love, and just like a brand, we are apt to chase a blender whose work resonates with our palate. I know I am more likely to smoke a Kelner cigar after having fallen in love with the Avowed and Stoic lines and that I will pursue Rafael Nodal's blends thanks to my love of the Sonata (which, thanks for introducing me to that fantastic stick!). For large brands, such an affiliation can entice new smokers to try something (like you all did with a new world Monte) and, for smaller or newer brands, can serve as something of a shortcut to credibility, showcasing that they know and care enough about quality flavors to seek out and work with the best blenders available.

As we experience price crunches in almost every aspect of our lives, a lot of consumers are looking for certainty--certainty of experience, of quality, of anything at all. And we equally look for connection to something other than a nameless and faceless company. Whenever we can keep or amplify the human element of this hobby, it is a good thing, especially when that human is tied to making some of the most exciting new blends being put out there right now. I hope to see more of this in future releases.

And to Davidoff, I love the Millennium Blend Robusto. But not enough that you'll never lose me if you mess with it.

Thanks again, Lizards, for giving me 2+ hours a week of the perfect combination of education and entertainment.

[El Presidente]

I respect very successful restaurants who don't have a "name" chef. Smart business practice as the chef can leave anytime. Cigar world not too different. 

My question mark on Davidoff is their past decades lack (perceived?)  of "punter" involvement. "Punter" simply means the average Joe who steps up and buys their product. 

Drew Estate does it. Steve Saka does it. Pete Johnson does it. I was mentioning on FOH Zoom the other day how Carlito Fuente flew to Colombia last month for the opening of a private lounge. 

Davidoff (in my opinion) would do well to straddle a middle ground. They are a brand behemoth. Yet, a touch of soul/authenticity could be woven in to their magnificent story. 

[NYGuido]

6 hours ago, El Presidente said:

I respect very successful restaurants who don't have a "name" chef. Smart business practice as the chef can leave anytime. Cigar world not too different.

Absolutely, but I think the very best are tied inextricably to their chefs when those chefs are true visionaries. Think of Thomas Keller, Eric Ripert, or Grant Achatz: French Laundry, Le Bernardin, and Alinea would not be what they are without the genius and skill of those three. Davidoff in my view tries to position itself as the Michelin Star cigar brand, in which case I think they have more of an obligation to announce their core creative team.

6 hours ago, El Presidente said:

My question mark on Davidoff is their past decades lack (perceived?)  of "punter" involvement. "Punter" simply means the average Joe who steps up and buys their product. 

I think this is what they view Avo and Camacho as doing for them. I agree that they seem no longer to care about the average smoker otherwise, and they certainly seem to have gotten rid of a lot of their educational programming they used to do around the various blends (at least in NYC).

6 hours ago, El Presidente said:

Davidoff (in my opinion) would do well to straddle a middle ground. They are a brand behemoth. Yet, a touch of soul/authenticity could be woven in to their magnificent story.

They feel very similar to a Rolex boutique. It isn't an altogether welcoming or earnest vibe.