Produced: 1998
Made by: Cervantes
Vitola: 507
Shape: Parejo
Ring Gauge: 42
Length: 6 1/2 inches
Purchased: Baranows, Melbourne, Australia, 2006.
Date: October 27th, 2006
Time: 9:00pm Pacific
Location: Greek Theatre, University of California, Berkeley, California
Conditions: Starry Skies, Mild 73 degrees
The Locations
It’s late Friday afternoon and L picks me up in SOMA so that we can get to the Greek Theatre for Tom Petty’s next to last concert of his Highway Companion tour. The Bay Bridge traffic is horrendous, so we stop short at The Salt House to wait it out.
Located in a century old renovated building, the restaurant is buzzing with young groovy urban types and a mass of waiters (there are 2 for every customer). Opened last week, they are still ironing out all the kinks so they take us without a reservation (a rarity in SFO). We are seated next to the owner (who also owns Town Hall), his wife and their baby daughter, who I nickname “carrot top”. Although our food took too long (apparently they overcooked my steak?), when it ultimately arrived it was fantastic…best chook L has ever had…which is saying something!
We arrive at the Greek in time to see the Dandy Warhols finish their last couple of songs. We have great seats (Section C, Row 1) and I mingle with the Berkeley crowd, a mixture of wealthy hippies, “liberal conservationists”, and some guy who sits next to me and starts meditation chanting! Being the conservative that I am, I decide to go incognito in my OBL getup…
As the air starts to reek of “Berkeley Buds”, Tom takes the stage… a no nonsense high energy performance of his greatest hits including “American Girl”, “Breakdown”, “Don’t Do Me Like That”, “Refugee”, “You Got Lucky”, “Runnin Down a Dream” and my personal favorite, “Free Fallin’”. Just as the show is hitting a fever pitch, Tom has to ruin it by introducing his special surprise guest….. Yes, it’s Stevie Nicks of Fleetwood Mac and they break into their duet “Stop Draggin my Heart Around”. Time has not been kind to poor Stevie, who is now obese, bloated and floats around the stage like some large grotesque humpty dumpty in a black billowing silk dress. She struggles through the song and is overly appreciative of performing at this sold out concert. Thankfully she joins the back-up singer almost off-stage.
After the duet, Tom kicks into some classic tracks from The Yardbirds . I motion to L we should head for the exits as a 50 something groupie (showing way too much cleavage and cellulite around the belly button) begins to heave her kielbasa all over the seats behind me…a clear signal that the show is almost over and I sense it will take us hours to get back to the city…besides, I want to smoke the Bolivar I have in my pocket.
The Smoke!
The more I smoke them, the more I am getting a greater appreciation for Bolivars. Without exception, every aged artifact I have smoked from this venerable brand has been great. This Lonsdale would keep the tradition going. It’s medium-firm and has a light brown color with some veins.
Well constructed, this cigar is in great condition and lights up almost instantly. The draw is smooth and straightforward and a pearl white ash develops. It’s a complex smoke and has a cedar woody taste. Combined with the taste, the size creates such an elegant and aristocratic smoking experience….where’s my smoking jacket when I need it most?
As we enter the city I wish this smoke could last longer. It seems the better smoking experiences tend to be with these smaller sizes. It now develops a nutty taste that is almost like butter…very unusual and quite delicious. This is indeed a VERY GOOD smoke that should be smoked soon.
Next week I will be reporting from Cigar Aficionado’s Big Smoke in Las Vegas!
Rating: (3) VERY GOOD
(5) Classic, (4) Outstanding, (3) Very Good, (2) Average, (1) Don’t Bother
Humidor: SMOKE SOON: 2007 - 2009
Smoke Now, Smoke Soon:1–3 Years, Put Away:3–7 Years, Vault:7-12 Years, Inheritance Gift:12+ Years
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