Cigar 101 at Merchants Cigar Bar
Event Information
About this event
Have you ever wondered...
- How to expertly cut and light a cigar?
- How to properly enjoy and judge the quality of a cigar?
- How to discern the tasting notes of a cigar?
- How to pair your cigar with a liquor or coffee?
- What makes varying blends and regions unique?
Join Fine Tobacco NYC at the newly redesigned Merchants Cigar Bar on Saturday, May 14th for a discussion of these topics in a friendly and relaxed environment. You'll get an equal dose of cigar history, pro-tips, etiquette, and much more.
The session will be led by Fine Tobacco NYC tobacco expert David Alicea. Alicea has a long history in cigars, with professional experience ranging from tobacco retail and education to cigar rolling and blending.
$30 ticket price includes Cigar 101 class and your choice of one of the following cigars:
- Quesada Casa Magna Colorado (Cigar Aficionado No. 1 Cigar of 2009)
- Quesada Casa Magna Liga F (Fine Tobacco NYC No. 1 Cigar of 2021)
High end bourbon, rum, single malt scotch, cocktails, wine, and food are available at the bar and we can make a pairing recommendation based on your preferences.
Grab a friend or two and come along!
Event capacity: 20 tickets.
Quesada Cigars
We have the distinct privilege of offering Quesada Cigars at our May Cigar 101. Quesada is known for producing blends that, while flavorful, exemplify elegance and nuance.
Casa Magna Colorado: this blend is legendary in its own right, and the winner of Cigar Aficionado's #1 Cigar of 2008. All Nicaraguan, the cigar is medium to full and boasts plenty of flavor: coffee, roasted nuts, black pepper, and a slight saltiness on the tip of the tongue.
Casa Magna Liga F: the newest addition to the Casa Magna portfolio, released in mid 2021. The cigar is a blend of tobaccos from Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic and featuring an Ecuadorian Sun Grown Corojo wrapper (think silky-smooth texture but full of flavor!).
About David Alicea
David Alicea is a professional cigar broker and has worked in the industry for over two decades in retail, tobacco education, blending and rolling. Among his favorite cigars are Opus X, Padron, Davidoff Millenium Blend, Fuente Don Carlos, Don Pepin Blue Label, and Tatuaje Black, to name a few.
Merchants Cigar Bar
Merchants Cigar Bar is a sleek midcentury styled lounge that transports guests to another place and time. True to the age of the decadent Havana High Life – legal indoor smoking, fresh sourced cocktail ingredients, and music playing till the early morning hours. Merchants architecture and decor is alluring and authentic. Every element is a modern adaptation of classic design. Guests descend down a striking mahogany paneled staircase brought to life with brass accents, floor to ceiling bronze mirrors, and diffused lights. Upon entering the lounge, a luxurious custom brass bar greets guests to the right, as intimate tables and bespoke leather booths welcome couples and larger groups to the left. The space is adorned with handmade Calico Wallpaper, and lighting fixtures by Triple Seven and Soho House. Featuring playful branding and artwork by noted Berlin-based agency Maison C.C. and illustrator Benedikt Rugar, Merchants Cigar Bar offers guests an environment fueled by intrigue with hints of glamour in every detail.