The Daily Doormatt

Montecristo's Operation Hope aims to rebuild in the Gulf Region

2009-09-17T13:35:00.009-05:00

Who says cigar companies don't have a heart?

Check out the great program Altadis launched through its Montecristo Relief Organization on Wed (9/16) to help support the rebuilding the countries across the Caribbean that have been ravaged by hurricanes.

Altadis is offering an exclusive cigars and "signature accessories" package or enthusiasts at special events at select retailers through the months of October and November (the height of hurricane season). A $75 purchase will net smokers some great stuff and all for a worthy cause.

In a few emails with Altadis's vice president of communications Janelle Rosenfeld, I learned that they cigar giant hopes raise somewhere in the neighborhood of half a million to help rebuild and renew these tobacco-growing countries.

From their press release:

"We are extremely grateful for our retailers and customers who have supported the Montecristo Relief Organization over the years," said Jim Colucci, executive vice president of Altadis U.S.A. "The financial aid we have received has made a huge difference to those who depend on us to help rebuild their lives."

Good on ya, Altadis.

End of the Embargo - Beginning of the Rumbles

2009-06-24T10:43:00.005-05:00

Oh what will become of Cohiba. And Montecristo. And Sancho Panza.
Once the embargo is lifted, let the lawsuits begin.

Story in Today's Star Ledger by Mark Drajem of Bloomberg.

Let's hope it means that Cuba can revamp its quality - in my opinion, with the overfarming and unskilled labor, they have fallen behind competing nations.

Davidoff snatches up Boutique Cusano Cigars

2009-06-23T11:08:00.004-05:00

Mr. Razzo will be interested in this, since he has given high praise to Cusano in the past...

According to the Bradenton Herald, Davidoff has purchased Cusano for an undiscliosed ammount. Michael Chiusano will remain president of the company. Full story found here.

If the cigars are as beautiful as the box....

2009-06-19T08:35:00.008-05:00

...then the new Espinosa and Ortega "Mi Barrio" Limited Editions are going to be some SPECIAL smokes. Is what's inside a comparable work of art to what is featured outside?

Today, E&O announced the release of El Forro and El Billetero. From its press release: "Espinosa y Ortega is now combining the release of El Forro with the release of the final cigar in the series, “El Billetero,” a 5.5” x 52 Belicoso.

The names of the last two cigars reflect very traditional Cuban happenings in the barrio (neighbourhood).

El Forro is a move in dominos, not necessarily respectable, where a player tries to sneak the wrong tile onto the table. He has a 6/3, the available dominos are 4 and 8 – he uses the 6/3 in the hope that no one will notice. It happens!

El Billetero is a ‘lottery ticket seller’, and one is depicted in Gutierrez’s art in a traditional street scene. “La Bolita” is somewhat like a lottery, on a smaller scale. Playing La Bolita is an everyday occurrence in Cuban culture."

The artwork on the box is courtesy of Cuban artist Edin Gutierez.

Looking forward to trying these out, I am huge fan of the 601 series and really enjoyed the El Puro when it came out last year.

If I had an iPhone, Mobile Stogie would be my first app

2009-05-30T18:09:00.007-05:00

When it comes to technology, I am the first to admit I am a little behind the curve.

My friends know that I was late to the cell phone game. My first iPod was a gift given to me by my beautiful wife last year - which I can't imagine being a commuter without it.

So its no surprise that I don't own an iPhone. But let me tell you, if I did, Mobile Stogie would be the first application, or "app", I would purchase.

As my cigar inventory has exponentially increased over the last few weeks, knowing what I have in stock at my cigar locker at Fume is essential. Especially now this it is hard to get to most of them. So how could I keep track?

Mobile Stogie is a great answer. In a roundabout chain of events that usually happens only in the cigar world I got to talking to Ken Sayward, the creator of this application. In one of those necessity spawns inspiration moments this avid cigar smoker dedicated himself to developing an app for his iPhone that has been available on the Apple's iTunes App Store since the end of March. The appc omes preloaded with a directory of nearly 2,000 cigars and provides one-click web search information on a certain cigar.

Smokers can even manage their personal collections on the "My Cigar" section, which can track quantity, year, date acquired, and where the cigar was acquired from. This section also includes fields to add your personal rating and notes and keeps a wish list of cigars you are looking to try so your friends and family can, maybe, pick you up a nice gift for holidays and occassions.

"I've done this simply as a hobby, not a business," Ken told me in some emails back and forth. "But it has been really cool to interact with people from all over the world, as feature requests and other ideas come in to me via email. for example, somebody in France is currently working with me to localize the application for the french language."

I can see tobacconists using this at their shops to better manage their businesses, maybe even allow them to do business with greater mobility.

The app also works with the iPod Touch models.

Email of the day - my friends at Fume

2009-02-03T17:54:00.004-05:00

So I just got this message from my friend Ralph Alberto from Fume in Montclair:

Dear Members and Friends,
Happy New Year. Its been a while since I last e-mailed and am taking this opportunity to let everyone know whats new at Fume'. the new Mi Barrio size is out it is called El Acere and costs $14 a stick. also new and very limited is the La Flor Dominicana Salomone. A great smoke with a medium body. It takes about 3 hours to smoke but it well worth it. it costs $28 a stick and I only have 2 boxes of 10 left.

Thank You, Fume'

WOW - "3 hours to smoke?" Is it a cigar or a side of beef?

2008 YEAR IN PHOTOS

2009-01-14T15:22:00.006-05:00

APRIL, 2008 McDuffie/Spinelli wedding Bay Shore, NY

MAY, 2008 South Denver soccer field

JUNE, 2008 Jack & Bill, Newfield, NY

Editing & selecting photos is never easy, especially when you are attached to each one emotionally. I hope who is ever watching enjoys these selections. Each one tells a story unique to the year passed. I could tell the story but my belief is creating photos that require the viewer to make his or her own decisions about it. If I had to tell the story than the photography is not effective, that is how I see it.

Cheers,

Jason

2008 YEAR IN PHOTOS

2009-01-08T12:10:00.009-05:00

Over the next four weeks stay tuned for the Doormatts 2008 year in photo review direct from the editors desk. Best of luck, health & prosperity in 2009, clearly not if you are a JETS fan.

January, 2008
Alta Chutes, Beaver Creek Ski Area

Feburary, 2008
Winter Landscape, Keystone, Colorado

March, 2008 Portrait Sydney & Antonio
Bayshore, NY

Cheers,

Jason

Hard News NJ Goes Live

2009-01-07T10:41:00.005-05:00

Congrats to my friends at Hard News NJ. Providing yet another way to make my commute into the city a bit more bearable. With the major newspapers drying up, sites like Hard News NJ will become even more important to the media landscape in months to come.

Cigar company could hold the answers for larger business in tough economy

2009-01-02T23:03:00.003-05:00

CNN's John Zarella takes a tour of the J.C. Newman factory - a story that shows how this small business is bucking the trend by working with its labor force to find alternative ways to save money other than laying off its workers.

Chalk one up for the Doormatt - Value Cigars getting ink

2009-01-02T18:59:00.004-05:00

Number one on my list a few days ago..... justified by today's Seattle Times.

From today's article:

"Just as folks seem to be opting for less-expensive spirits, those who enjoy cigars also seem to be moving from top-priced brands to more middle-of-the-road stogies, said Joe Arundel, co-owner of Rain City Cigar in Seattle's Georgetown neighborhood."

Cigar forecast - 2009

2008-12-31T14:27:00.006-05:00

Cigar forecast for 2009 - last year, I pulled out the crystal ball and came up with some thoughts on what 2008 would hold for the cigar industry - didn't do half bad either.

So here's what the Daily Doormatt sees in his crystal ball for the upcoming year:

Value cigars make a comeback - 2008 might be the last year you see the focus on decadence fade a bit when it comes to cigars and their price tags (hmm, Stradivarius?). As municipalities look to improve their bottom lines on the backs of cigar smokers, wine drinkers, poker players and others "risky" behaviorists, I expect to see cigar makers touting their value menus and new products lines that won't don't do too much damage to your wallet. Expect to see maker's market their products as the "best cigar under 5 bucks." Will other companies match the magic of Flor de Oliva, which I bought for $2.75 in New Hampshire over the weekend. A well-constructed, spicy but sort sacchariny-sweet smoke, I found the corojo to be high in value and satisfaction.
Copycats - no, I am not talking about counterfeits, I am talking about municipalities that may look to copy Boston's cigar bar ban as their perceived way to further improve the public health and welfare of their citizens. Cigar enthusiasts and their advocates need to circle the wagons and defend small business. During these tough economic times, lawmakers should be wary of harming the interests of Mom, Pop, Joe and Bobby.
New partnerships - both when it comes to companies and stores and makers. The Nat Sherman Bench Selection serves as a fine examples of premier cigar makers offering unique blends and batches to retailers - large and small. Given the state of economics, now might be the time some of the larger cigar companies pick up add some of the boutique-brands to their portfolio.
Expansion of social media outreach - some companies got with the program and established Facebook pages and dove into the social media world and they are realizing that their fandom could translate into new customer crops. Others will follow suit, some will continue to innovate. Its still the cheapest and best way to get the message out there. Will retailers join the fray?

Looking forward to 2009 and many reasons to light up a victory smoke. All the best to you and your families.

Maryland cigar shops fight for samplers

2008-12-30T09:51:00.003-05:00

Ah the sample pack. We've been in love with the sample pack since Kellogg's started making mini-boxes of cereal and selling them in variety six-packs. (Plus we loved slicing the boxes down the middle and pouring the milk right in the package. It was like the TV dinner breakfast.)

Sample packs give cigar enthusiasts the ability to test out a maker's product line without buying separate boxes. Around the holidays, stores usually put together unique concoctions and offer them at a discount. In fact I wrote about a favorite sampler from Holt's.

Now, Prince George's County in Maryland is looking to do away with the sampler pack by outlawing the sale of cigars in packages of less than five. Led by a cigar wholesaler and some enthusiasts, a lawsuit was filed against the county, stating that it is the jurisdiction of the state, not the county, to impose such regulations. County lawmakers argued that cigars sold as single sticks were considered drug paraphernalia for those who chose to hollow out the cigar and fill it with marijuana.

Here's another example of government over thinking the process. Ask any of the folks who participate in this behavior and you will find that they aren't purchasing high-end quality cigars. They are purchasing such illustrious brands as Phillies, Dutch Masters and White Owl, and the last time I went to my cigar shops, none of these brands are being sold. Pharmacies and convenience stores, on the other hand, are stocked with these cheap smokes.

A little bit of research would have went a long way for the folks in Prince George's County and here's hoping that the cigar enthusiasts in this region win their battle.

Update - Nat Sherman Bench Selection

2008-12-15T15:00:00.001-05:00

Wow, almost 60 degrees in December here in NY. Perfect cigar weather. Today I thought would be good day to stroll back down during my lunch break and get some more information about the Nat Sherman Bench selection and possibly get an answer to a question I have had on my mind all weekend - "What's up the numbers and letter on the Nat Sherman bench label."

Providing the answer was Linsday Heller - who was rather knowledgeable and was actually enjoying a cigar while I was in there. So on the way back to the humidor, I asked about what I smoked last week and what she would recommend. Given that I only wanted a 20 minute smoke, she pulled out a TDG Selection Brazil 21-03 and a TDG Selection Maduro 297.

Ok so the letters and numbers - TDG stands for Tabacalera De Garcia, the famed plantation run by Jose Seijas, who oversees the creations of Montecristo H. Upmann and Romeo y Julieta.

Ms. Heller was interested in my thoughts on the Brazil since she said it was very different than any of the Brazilian Mata Finas that she has ever tried. Well I am totally in the dark about Mata Fina so chances of this tasting different than anything else is pretty good.

And it was a unique experience. I think if you want one word to describe the smoke, gingerbread comes to mind and not just because its Christmas time. Its sweet to the taste, but the smoke that burns from the ash is really spicy. What's strange is that the two don't intersect in your mouth. The spice that's wafting around the air could wrinkle your nose a bit, but it leaves no spiciness to the tounge or throat. Even as I blew smoke from my nose, there was no spicy sensation.

As described in their pamphlet - the TDG Selection-Brazil consists of an:

oily Mata Fina wrapper from Brazil...paired with tobaccos ranging from Domincan Olor to Piloto Cubano to create a smoke reminiscent of the cigars that Cuban expatriates were rolling soon after their departure from Cuba.

Overall, I get a real "Sugar in the Raw" feeling about this cigar. Tightly made, but again after about 5 minutes, this starts to really blossom into a nice cigar.

I have a real liking to the Bench selection. With many of the most prominent makers crafting the Bench selection, I know its not your typical "house" blend, but Nat Sherman isn't excatly your typical smoke shoppe. I rate this smoke a pretty "sweet" score of 89.5.

CAO LX 2 - Malted Statisfaction

2008-12-13T11:49:00.011-05:00

What a week for cigar smoking - I feel like i made up 3 months of absence in 3 days.

Thursday night was another trip over to Fume. I don't usually get to get over there on Thursday nights since I am usually at choir practice, but I met my brother in law at the lounge. I directed him to the My Father #1 - he's a big pale ale fan and he thought my observation was fairly accurate. He's as crazy about beer as I am about cigars and has a good palate and pulls out flavors.

I pulled out a lot of flavors from the CAO LX 2 robusto, the most dominant was almost like a malted milk ball. I think if I were able to take a malted milk ball and stick it on a skewer and roast it in front of the fire, it was would be the same as this cigar. Not burnt, roasted.

It's an elegant cigar, deep brown in color, and there's a nice black pepper spiciness for the majority of the cigar. I get a lot of action in the back of the throat. I also detect a barbecue flavor, almost hickory in the plumes of smoke that surrounded me as I enjoyed. Actually, it reminded me a lot of black-peppered bacon. The spicy and the smokiness. It was like eating a meal.

My brother-in-law, who was experiencing Fume for the first time, was struck by the congenial nature of the place and I have to say it was the busiest I had seen it. Reading and hearing all the news about the Boston ban, I couldn't imagine not having a place like Fume around.

The LX 2 is a very fine smoke, it seems to be more balanced than other double ligero blends, but I would be interested to se how the cigar evolves over a year or so. Overall, this is a strong 89 rating in my book. You can 't take anything away from the craftsmanship and the experience, but from the taste factor, I think I looking for a bit more zip than what is offered.

My Father #1 by Don Pepin Garcia - Big Daddy in a Uncle Junior Body

2008-12-10T14:02:00.005-05:00

Photo taken from Habana House

I am smoking the Garcia and Garcia My Father Number 1. Although many others have had success with the Don Pepin blue labels, I have smoked a fair share that have exhibited some construction and taste issues. But like the dawn of every morning, every day is a new day and every cigar is a new start.

As I watch the Flying Ace All Stars, which are two guys jumping on a trampoline on snowboards in Bryant Park, I am as captivated by the flavors of this cigar as I am with this jumping exhibition.

I know I am using a beer term, but I am struck by the hoppy flavor the cigar. The bitterness on the tongue and the tingle on the inside cheek reminds me of a well crafted pale ale. In fact, the cigar has many of the same characteristics as a pale ale; golden brown in color, the bitterness, the contradictions of light density in the mouth yet spicy and flavorful. The relative ease of the smoke is noticeable as well. Its well constructed, burns and ashes perfectly and draws easily.

Again, like pale ale, there's a good deal of spice at the back of the throat. The aroma is sweet and strong, like Cuban coffee. And its smoky, some fairly dense clouds of smoke.

Although I could not locate info from the company on it, Cigars Direct offers this insight:

This blend consists of specially selected tobacco grown at the most prestigious farms in Esteli, Nicaragua. The wrapper is a beautiful Ecuadorian grown Habano-Rosado leaf, which is combined with a Nicaraguan binder to create a full-bodied complexity that is earthy with spicy undertones but expels a phenomenal aroma. "

This is definitely a cigar I can see myself getting quite familiar with and certainly changes my expectations of Don Pepin Garcia to the point that it matches the overall enthusiasm expressed by other cigar connoisseurs.

Overall, I am giving it a strong 90. It's definitely geared toward cigar enthusiasts who have better formulated palates and can discern the spicy flavors. This is a cigar you graduate to once you have found your palate and can stomach a more flavorful smoke.

La Flor Dominicana Factory Press III - Lessons Learned

2008-12-09T09:29:00.008-05:00

Things you should do before, during and after enjoying a La Flor Dominicana Factory Press III:

Eat a meal - perhaps it was because I hadn't smoked anything for about 2 months, but this cigar destroyed me - more on that later. When someone tells you "full-bodied," it means you better have a full body to absorb what this cigar has to offer
Don't let the lack of aroma fool you - my sniffer was working pretty well last night and really all I could smell was sweetness, mostly molasses. But the physical meanness of the cigar was telling me a different story. It was telling me that I was in for a wild ride.
Be prepared for a wild ride - The pepper upon ignition is like mace (in your face means peace see ya later). I was coughing. I haven't coughed on a cigar in about a year.
Watch and feel the cigar blossom - Every cigar opens up when it gets warm, but this one blossoms and still holds its perfect square form. It starts out really tight to the draw and then becomes an easy pull. But take it easy, because, naturally, you will want to smoke it in 10 seconds. Why turn a 60 minutes smoke and turn it into a 20 minute smoke? And if you do choose the express route, I am afraid it will spell doom for you.
Enjoy the sweetness and pair it with a nice Scotch - Glenlivet 12 Year provided a perfect balance for this cigar because midway through, the chocolaty, syrupiness of the cigar takes over.
Wash your hands when you are done - unless of course you want to look like you just spent the day reading the Sunday New York Times front to back. The cigar has a lot of oil and turned my fingers a really deep black.
Take a shower before you head to bed - this is the key piece of advice folks because I woke up with my heart racing at 3AM thanks to this cigar and all I could smell was the cigar. Normally such an fragrance is delicious - but the sweetness of the cigar made my stomach turn. I looked next to me and saw my wife's face buried in the comforter and thought "Wow, I am lousy husband. This is worse than when I eat the Barbacoa Burrito at Chipotle."
Repeat - because even though I am hemming and hawing over the damaging effects of this cigar, it is a real treat. Masterfully made. Flavorful, with as many twists and turns as a Dan Brown novel. I picked this up at Fume in Montclair for $16 and its worth every penny.
Act like you know something and give it a high rating - like 92.

Nat Sherman Bench M-26N 1994

2008-12-02T21:50:00.003-05:00

Today had to be the day.

It had to be the day that I picked up a cigar and got back to basics. Back to writing this blog and sharing some knowledge.

Just in case you forgot what I looked like, here's a recent shot of me pretending to be a wax statue.

After early morning meetings and playing catch up at the office, I had a chance to take a break, and I made a b-line to Nat Sherman on 42nd and 5th and take a taste of their new Bench selection. Locked away in the back of the walk-in humidor, the Bench selection smokes make their home. I opted for the 1994 crop of the M-26N. Its a robusto and of course, my rust is showing because I didn't ask the most important question - what does M-26N stand for.

I'll tell you what it stands for, it stands for a nutty, tight TIGHT smoke. I mean the draw on this cigar, which seems a brownish green at the tip and funnels into a beigeish brown throughout the wrapper, is wound really tight. As it warmed up, the cigar relaxes and unwinds, much like the one who enjoys the smoke. On a sunny December day in Bryant Park, as the skaters glide by on the ice rink, relaxing is easy to do with this cigar.

The major flavors that I did pull from this were toasted walnuts, a bit of pepper, and a gritty earthy aftertaste. The smoke content was rather light, both in the mouth and from the ash. The ash was a mousy brown color that hit the ground hard and maintained perfect form.

The M-26N was a perfect reintroduction for me as we approach the holiday season. A post-Thanksgiving cigar, especially after cooking the feast my wife and I prepared, was definitely in order on Turkey Day, but I waited until today to finally take a seat and enjoy.

Out of 100 points, I rank the Nat Sherman M-26N a strong 88.5. I like a more spicy Robusto and one that draws a bit easier, but there's question that the construction on this is impressive and that this is one of Nat Sherman's finest selections on the market.

DNC INSPIRED ILLUSTRATION

2008-09-02T14:19:00.004-05:00

CAN HE CHANGE IT?

Digital photography and Illustration by Jason Razzo

ARGANESE ML3 ROBUSTO

2008-08-13T10:05:00.007-05:00

In an East-Meets-West review, Matt and Jason provide critical insight on the new ML3's from Arganese Cigars.

As benefactors of the test run for the Arganese Cigar Experience, we both enjoyed prototypes of this cigar almost a year ago in the D.R.

It's interesting to see how a product evolves over time and goes through the development process from concept to "on the shelves."

Jay and I thought this could be special back then. What do we think now?

Doormatt - What stikes me first and foremost about the cigar is the appearance - this greenish black wrapper with the reddish brown filler and binders make this cigar look like a a spicy tuna/seaweed roll. Rock solid and really oily, the cigar has one dominating trait - leather. Its like smoking a Coach bag.

Sherpa - Having heard about this smoke for sometime, and having seen it during an experimental phase at the Arganese rolling factory in Tamboril, Dominican Republic, I finally made the time to dissect Gene Arganese's latest creation. A visually handsome smoke, the triple maduro wrapper is dark as night and creates a superb contrast to the ligero filler on the end. With a slick appearance and dark cherry wood aroma, at first sight, this cigar sends the smokers senses wild with possibilities.

Doormatt - Upon ignition, the greenish black hue gave way to a chocolate brown coloring. And after the smoke, there was a substantial residue on my fingers.

Sherpa- Before smoking I puffed the cigar to taste the raw tobacco and experience the draw. The compact construction yielded and excellent draw with that classic tobacco flavor on the palette and lips. Once I started smoking, the cigar was forward and robust on the front palette. As I puffed and drew an ash this smoke mellowed and revealed subtle dark cocca flavors on the back palette.

Doormatt - I sat on my deck and practically ate the cigar. I get the same flavor notes as Jason, but again the prevailing taste on my palette is leather. Draws easily, has a heavy smoke concentration. When I exhale from my nose I pick up some pepper, but again its mostly leather. Really firm ashes and it burns slowly, you can really take your time and enjoy this cigar.

Sherpa - I smoke this cigar to the band while walking with my two terriers around Johnson lake near Columbine High School. The cigar held a firm dark ash and overall was a pleasure to smoke.

Doormatt - The progression of the Arganese line is exciting. I smoked a total of 4 of these and each was consistantly great. No suprises. Mr. Arganese intends for this cigar to retail at around $5.75 to $6.50. Value. Being in the Northeast, I would probably pay on the higher end for these. In today's market, at least up here, a buyer may look at that price point and think its not of signifcant quality. I think they will be pleasantly surprised.

Sherpa - Having had the chance to smoke many of Mr. Arganese's cigars, in fields, from the rolling table, from the aging room, next to the pool in downtown Santiago, I have to say, by far his best creation yet.

Doormatt - My concerns are plainly asthetic as I look at the band. I know it is a temporary band, but I am huge stickler for brand identity and consistency. I know Jason is as well. The cigar band is the icing on the cake, the ribbon atop the gift. But it can't get left to chance. I had my druthers with the Uno labeling and packaging and think that it could be the only detriment to Mr. Arganese's line of cigars.

But the product is wonderful from first puff to last. I rank it a 91.

MONROE BLVD - LONG BEACH, NY

2008-07-28T11:08:00.003-05:00

This could be anyone living in the NY metro area. Just take the LIRR to Long Beach station and walk east 4 blocks, hang a right on Monroe Blvd. Than walk another 4 blocks and you will be standing at the ocean. What you do when you get there is your decision.

NATIVE SOUNDS - NEWFIELD, NY

2008-07-11T12:29:00.003-05:00

Sherry's Pig Roast 2008. This year's pig roast featured the sounds from a local didjeridoo player, rain, excellent BBQ and fine ales.

PAY THE MAN!!!

2008-07-01T16:17:00.004-05:00

Mark it down, July 1, 2008. A banner day for Capitalism in America.

I am just about finished with the book King of the Club. And all of a sudden, news comes out today that the case against Dick Grasso and his $187 Million compensation package is all but dropped. After reading how hard Mr. Grasso worked to get the stock exchange back up and running 1 week after 9/11, after reading how people were trying to steal money that HE EARNED, after reading about how he wisely tried to protect what he had coming to him, it looks like his "excessive" compensation package will wind up where it belongs; in his pockets.

ATTABOY DICK!!!!

This was his money, he earned it. The misfortune for Mr. Grasso was that his lofty compensation package came at a time when corporate greed made headlines and unfortunately his cash out was lumped in with the Enrons and WorldComs of the world. But there is a huge difference here - those men STOLE their fortunes and Dick Grasso earned his. Even if you think the compensation committee for the NYSE was overly generous in determining Mr. Grasso's salary, the bottom line is a contract is a contract.

And let's face it, aren't we the same society that gets bent out of shape of what are athletes make? Are we the ones who say, "It's a shame an athlete makes so much money, but so and so who uses his brain for a living makes next to nothing?"

What country is this again??? Oh yeah that's right, AMERICA!!! If one's job is to oversee the world's premier financial infrastructure, where shares of the biggest and wealthiest companies are traded, wouldn't one expect to be paid handsomely? In America? My head is nodding so much it is about to fall off.

Tough times in Clifton, NJ

2008-06-30T08:43:00.003-05:00

Today's affirmation that times are tough in Clifton, NJ. I think poor Tony is about to receive more phone calls than he could have possibly imagined from his flyer. I took this phot at the shelter at the Delawanna train stop. Every so often, some punks decide to scribble poems and paint anarchist symbols inside the shelter. Almost every month it is painted over.

So needless to say these knuckleheads amused themselves by sullying the reputation of poor Tony and his family.

Let's help Tony out, if you need a train ticket for the month of July, give him a shout.

Coffee Talk - Dazbog and Lion are Faves

2008-06-28T09:09:00.008-05:00

I've been spending a good amount of time talking about pairing cigars with various liquids lately. While most immediately point to a spirit, such as rum, cognac or scotch, I find that the same juice that gets me going in the morning heightens the cigar tasting experience - a nice cup of joe. It doesn't have to be a fru-fru drink like a mocha latte, the straightforward brew with a little cream and sugar does the trick.

A few nights back I was at Fume with one of my buddies and the topic of coffee came up. It was such a coincidence since that day, I placed two orders with some notable coffee companies not named Starbucks and made sure I told my coffee connoisseur buddy that he had to get online and get some.

At the behest of the Doormatt's managing editor, the Garden Sherpa himself, I purchased 3 pounds of beans from a coffee company located in Jay's backyard - Dazbog. Sounds Russian, right? It is - as names like KGB Blend and Svoboda Blend are top sellers. Intensely flavorful, the KGB blend is a new favorite of mine. Jay said the Mocha Java and the KGB are his favorites. The Svoboda Blend is a bit milder than the KGB blend, but it is still gets you going in the A.M.

My pick for top coffee bean instantly takes me back to my honeymoon in Hawaii. Our first morning in Kauai and I am up at 5:30 AM - big surprise, since I am an early riser anyway. When you factor in the the time change, I am surprise I wasn't up earlier. Anyway, I am milling around the pool deck and there is a very nice coffee cart set up with Coconut flavored coffee. Now, I am not a flavored coffee guy. But this was different, I wasn't overpowered with a sickening taste of coconut oil. This was, dare I say, the best cup of coffee I ever had. Turns out the coffee is the Toasted Coconut Blend from Hawaii's Lion Coffee Company. With the perfect balance of coffee and coconut flavors, you can easily drink this coffee every morning, its not a sickening sweet dessert blend.