The 33rd Annual Concorso Italiano

Famous for its diverse and significant collection of over 1,000 Italian cars from rare to exotic, this year’s show, the 33rd annual Concorso Italiano, exhibited many iconic Italian vehicles like a 1985 Ferrari 288 GTO, a 1951 Siata Gran Sport Spyder and the 1966 Bizzarrini P538, to name but a few.

The automotive event also celebrated the Ferrari this year, as one of the nameplate’s most iconic grand touring cars has just reached its golden anniversary.  It was 50 years ago in 1968 that the Ferrari 365 GTB4 made its grand debut in Paris.  The car was official designated as the Ferrari Daytona, which was a name given after the 1-2-3 victory at the 1967 Daytona 500 race. What makes the Daytona very special? It’s the replacement for the 275 GTB4.  The GTB4 has become a highly sought after car in collector circles as a rare barn find.  Now the Daytona’s 50th year is being honored as the last of the true ENZO Ferraris created before the Fiat influence arrived in 1969. The big Daytona is a car, and a legacy worth celebrating in grand style.

Concorso Italiano declared a 1951 Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 Super Sport, the last 6C cabriolet ever built, as this year’s winner of the Best in Show award.  Presented by Mitja Borkert, Lamborghini Head of Design, Herb and Rose Wysard of Fullerton, California, the owners of the 1951 Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 Super Sport, received a custom sculpture as the award for Best in Show.

“Concorso Italiano continues to be a guiding force in the automotive collector and enthusiast world and we are proud to showcase more exotics and collectibles than any other event during Monterey Historics Week,” said Tom McDowell, Chairman of Concorso Italiano. “Attendees enjoyed a staggering amount of curated programming this year, from one-of-a-kind vehicles to automotive industry legends. We’d like to personally thank all of our partners, sponsors, participants and attendees for making this year’s show a great success.”

Concorso Italiano had gathered many rare Italian vehicles this year, which even reached an estimated total worth of $200 million.  What made the event particularly great was the ambiance that provided the guests with entertainment such as musical performances and on-stage interviews with authorities in the auto industry like Franco Bacchelli of Bacchelli & Villa.

This automotive event embodies Italian culture by not only having a stellar line-up of Italian vehicles, but also incorporating traditional Italian music, gourmet and more.

Mecum’s 47 Million Dollar Auction at Monterey Car Week 2018

Mecum Auctions received an astounding 38% increase in total sales at the end of their 10th annual Daytime Auction. Like the years before, the auction was a hot attraction for automotive enthusiasts during famed Monterey Car Week. A wide selection of vehicles that are high in rarity, extremely diverse and in excellent quality have made the overall sales break past last year’s total and reach a massive $47 million. This year’s auction was certainly something to celebrate about, and not just for its 10 year anniversary, because its overall sales topped all other years with the highest gross ever at a Mecum’s auction in the Peninsula.

From August 23rd-25th, a total of 394 vehicles experienced a change in owner. In addition, individual sale prices mirrored the overall power of the entire lineup from the auction. The three-day long auction included a unique automobile collection ranging from pre-war motorcars to racing legends and avant-garde hypercars. This year’s lineup was impressive to say the least as nearly a dozen offerings sold individually for a minimum of a million dollars, which were quite the multi-million dollar investment for automotive aficionados.

The top 10 sellers from the auction were the embodiments of refinement, class and innovation. The number one seller in particular could be said to have been the climax of the whole auction as a ravishing 1933 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Coupe Disappearing Top Roadster (Lot S93) sold for a whopping $3.85 million. Coming in second place was a 307-mile 2014 hybrid-drive Ferrari LaFerrari (Lot S111) that was bought for $3.19 million. Closely followed behind the Ferrari LaFerrari was a 2003 Ferrari Enzo (Lot S48.1) that sold at $2.86 million and a 1989 Porsche 962 (Lot S126) purchased at $2.2 million. And finally, another Duesenberg was listed among the top 5 sales when the 1929 Model J Convertible Sedan (Lot S116.1) sold for $1.155 million. This Duesenberg model was part of the headlining Academy of Art University Collection, which had a seven-car offering that sold for a total of $2.82 million.

Additionally, quite a few sales were unique enough to catch a lot of attention from those at the auction. One of which being the Indy 500-winning 2012 Dallara DW12 Honda Indy Car (Lot S90) that sold at $1.127 million. This lot came with an uncommon engine lease agreement, which grants the future owner full possession of the car’s race-winning powerplant; this is something that has never happened before within the factory-sponsored racing industry. Another unmistakably, eye-catching vehicle was seen on Friday as the 1987 Porsche 959 Komfort (Lot F109.1) reached a sale of $467,500. And we can’t leave out the 1985 Modena GT Spyder California (Lot S189) that is most famous for its debut in “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” and was bought for $407,000.

The complete top 10 collector-car sales at the Mecum Monterey 2018 auction include:

1. 1933 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Coupe Disappearing Top Roadster (Lot S93) at $3,850,000
2. 2014 Ferrari LaFerrari (Lot S111) at $3,190,000
3. 2003 Ferrari Enzo (Lot S48.1) at $2,860,000
4. 1989 Porsche 962 (Lot S126) at $2,200,000
5. 1969 Lamborghini Miura P400 S (Lot F114) at $1,155,000
6. 1929 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Sedan (Lot S116.1) at $1,155,000
7. 2012 Dallara DW12 Honda Indy Car (Lot S90) at $1,127,500
8. 1958 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster (Lot F116) at $1,072,500
9. 2017 Ferrari F12tdf (Lot S125) at $1,045,000
10. 1936 Auburn 852 SC Boattail Speedster (Lot S89) at $1,017,500

To gain complete access to the auction results, you can sign up for the InfoNet service from Mecum.com at no charge. For more information concerning the upcoming auctions, for registering as a bidder or to list a vehicle, visit Mecum.com, or you can phone (262) 275-5050 to obtain more details.

Best of Show Winner at The 68th Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance

Following significant international competition at the 2018 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, a 1937 Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B Touring Berlinetta captured the gold Best of Show award. Opposition was stiff to say the least as the highly prestigious Pebble Beach Concours draws over 200 vehicles a year from more than half a dozen countries.

This particular example owned by David Sydorick achieved its title as best in class prior to acquiring the the highly sought after Best of Show award. Highlights of the 8C model include a more steeply raked grille and lack of running boards compared to it’s younger 8Cs sister.

“As a Zagato collector, I broke the rules and bought a Touring-bodied car because this Alfa Romeo is very special,” stated David Sydorick of Beverly Hills, California. “It is a piece of automotive architecture mounted on a Grand Prix chassis that has technology that was top of the line for prewar cars. It’s a wonderful combination. It’s beautiful from top to bottom.”

Sydorick’s car was awarded the title of Most Elegant Closed Car at the 2001 Pebble Beach Concours, however, the vehicle’s exceptionally high caliber recent restoration has elevated this example to new heights. The return of the car to its 1938 Berlin Motor Show specification allowed it to stand out against the competition, which included both a 1929 Duesenberg J Murphy Town Limousine and a 1948 Talbot-Lago T26 Grand Sport Figoni Fastback Coupé.

“This Alfa Romeo 8C 2.9 has all that one would wish for in a car—speed, style and, frankly, sex appeal,” said Pebble Beach Concours Chairman Sandra Button. “The Touring styling is simply magical, and to top it off it makes all the right noises!”

The Concours, which occurs during famed Monterey Car Week, is routinely hosted on the 18th fairway of Pebble Beach Golf Links. This year the Pebble Beach Company Foundation in partnership with the Concours raised an astounding $1.8 million USD for philanthropic causes. These funds will be distributed to close to 100 local charities with a special emphasis on those that better the lives of children in Monterey, California.

On Sunday August 18, 2019 the annual Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance will return for it’s 69th incarnation to conclude Car Week with a bang as the event will be celebrating the continental anniversaries of both Bentley and Zagato.

Please visit the Pebble Beach Concours website for more information and to purchase tickets to next year’s event.

Image courtesy of the: Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance

1953 Lancia Awarded “Best of Show” at The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering 2018

Among a crowd of over 250 contestants at The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering, a 1953 Lancia Aurelia PF200C was dubbed the “Best of Show” winner. An assemblage of over 5,000 motorsport enthusiasts and global influencers converged on the lawns of Quail Lodge & Golf Club to revel in the highly-anticipated awards ceremony. The Lancia Aurelia was celebrated at the ceremony for its well defined yet innovative design.

Of the 12 finalists competing for the “Best of Show” award, other than the Lancia Aurelia, three were honored with other awards. The first to be awarded was a 1917 Volkswagen Tamiya Sand Scorcher owned by Dean Lanzante, which was recognized with the “Spirit of The Quail” award. A 1970 Datsun 24OZ that is owned by Eric Breslow was honored with the “FIVA” award. Last, but certainly not least, was The Hon. Sir Michael Kadoorie’s 1958 Ferrari 250 Testarossa, which earned it the “Octane Choice” award.

Four special classes were the focal point of this year’s The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering. One of them being the “50th Anniversary of the Lamborghini Espada & Islero,” which paid homage by showcasing two of the Italian Marque’s most classic V12-powered touring cars. Another embodiment of Italian automotive enginuity is the “The Great Lancias” class that threw out a collection of remarkable models to represent the long-standing history of the nameplate.

“70 Years of the Iconic Porsche 356” class was also prominently displayed at the event, which featured several of the first production sports cars from Porsche. Furthermore, an excellent line-up of bespoke sports cars, such as the newly built RUF CTR from the Pfaffenhausen manufacturer and tuner, were at the event as part of the “The Alois Ruf Reunion.”

The show featured programmatic events like the Fireside Chat Series with road racing professional and winemaker Scott Pruett, renowned former race car driver Tom Kristensen, InStyle Editor in Chief Laura Brown and luxury women’s shoe designer Tamara Mellon. Additionally, famed manufacturers and sponsors (including Polestar, Karma Automotive, Gunther Werks, Lamborghini, Rolls-Royce, Bugatti and Hennessey Performance) were at the show to set up press conferences in order to announce upcoming developments in the industry as well as to promote new products.

“The success of our 16th-anniversary celebration was truly overwhelming,” said Gordon McCall, Director of Motorsports for The Peninsula Signature Events. “Because of the support of our sponsors, the gourmet selection of food, the unbeatable program of events and, most importantly, the amazing collector car community, we are continuously proud of how far we’ve come as a staple of Monterey Car Week. We are thrilled to see what 2019 will have to offer.”

The Next event is scheduled for Friday, August 16th, 2019.

For more information visit: Peninsula.com

Cigar Leaf Lovers: a Guide to a Quality Smoke

This is the ideal time to enjoy some of the newest premium cigars that are on the market today.

MONTE BY MONTECRISTO AJ FERNANDEZ

One thing about this Nicaraguan Cigar factory is that they are always creating a variety of this type of prestigious collection of Montecristos.  The new creation is a handsome full body: A dark Ecuadorian Habano wrapper and a Corojo 98 binder encircle the Criollo 98 and Piloto Cubano fillers create a sweet espresso cedar, chocolate flavor.  The Monte by Montecristo AJ Fernandez is offered in four different sizes: toro, robusto, belicoso, and corona.

Image courtesy of Montecristo cigars

LA FLOR DE YNCLAN

This Dominican Cigar was named after an old Cuban brand following ten long years of perfecting, which resulted in a beyond excellent quality cigar.  The cigar is a recent addition of La Flor and has hints of coffee and leather.  The De Ynclan cigar by La Flor is available either as a torpedo, a robusto, or as a Churchill.

WINSTON CHURCHILL THE LATE HOUR BY DAVIDOFF

This earthly cigar is far more different than the other mild-grade cigars from Winston.  This unique Late Hour variation was given a boost because of its famous namesake.  It has a full body because the leafs were aged for 6 month in scotch-whisky casks.  Winston Churchill The Late Hour is available in three separate sizes: toro, robusto and Churchill.

Image courtesy of Davidoff cigars

PARTAGAS HERITAGE

This kind of cigar was created in the Dominican Republic about 11 years ago.  The rosado wrapper is from the Olancho San Augustine valley in Honduras; it consists of Honduran Jamastran, Dominican piloto Cubano and Mexican San Andres tobaccos that subsequently creates a medium bodied smoke.  Four sizes are produced: robusto, Rothschild, Churchill and gigante.

Surgeon General Warning: Cigar Smoking Can Cause Cancers of the Mouth And Throat, Even If You Do Not Inhale.

The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering Introduces Four Special Classes For 2018

The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering officially celebrates their 16th anniversary with the announcement of Four Special Classes to the premier automotive event: Lancia, Lamborghini, Porsche and RUF Cars.  The special selection features “The Great Lancias,” “50th Anniversary of the Espada & Islero,” “70 Years of the Iconic Porsche 356” and “The Alois Ruf Reunion,” all of which being nameplates that pay heritage to the Italian Marques and German automakers.  The celebration, which will once again be held during famed Monterey Car Week at Quail Lodge & Golf Club, welcomes these four spectacular classes as the centerpieces this year on Friday, August 24th.

“The Great Lancias” class will include many outstanding models that impeccably embody their Italian heritage.  Along with the special arrival of these Lancias’, which give off an intense flair of  Italian ingenuity, a 1974 Stratos HF Group IV, a 1955 Aurelia B24S and a 1988 Delta Intergrale 8V will be put on display, to just name a few.

Furthermore, the “50th Anniversary of the Espada & Islero” class introduces two of Lamborghini’s most classic and iconic V12-powered touring cars, which are respectably the 2+2 Espada that was named as one of Sant’Agata’s best-selling models and the low-production Islero GT.  It has been a total of five decades since both the Espada & Islero had their premier at the Geneva Motor Show, and The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering have now the honor of displaying 21 of these classic automobiles for the event’s 16th anniversary.

Next up, The Quail pays homage to German automotive innovations and longstanding history by exhibiting the “70 Years of the Iconic Porsche 356” class, which comprises of time-honored vehicles that were a part of the first production sports cars from the Marque. This special class offers tribute to the legendary cars of the past like a 1951 356 Pre-A Split Window, a 1958 356 A Speedster, a 1965 356 C Coupe and many more vintage models.

And finally, “The Alois Ruf Reunion” symbolizes the sheer brilliance of German automotive manufacturing with a line-up of remarkable sports cars from RUF Automobile, which is headquartered in Pfaffenhausen, Germany.  This special class will be featuring the 1988 CTR “Yellowbird” #001, which RUF  themselves masterfully restored to an immaculate condition.  “Yellowbird,” with its newly added 710 horsepower CTR, will definitely make a spectacular North American debut during this year’s Monterey Car Week.  In addition to the 1988 “Yellowbird,” RUF also plans to deliver several other notable automobiles such as the CTR2, the RCT, and many other examples.

“To amp up the anticipation surrounding The Quail, we are featuring four new classes for car enthusiasts from around the world to enjoy,” said Gordon McCall, Director of Motorsports for The Peninsula Signature Events. “Guests of the show will be delighted to see a remarkable selection of cars that represent the Italian and German perspectives of automotive excellence.”

These four special classes were selected together in order to complement both the of pre and post-war classes across the enchanting verdant grasses of Quail Lodge & Golf Club, where they will be put on display. In fact, the prestigious Quail Lodge & Golf Club sets the stage for the Peninsula Signature Events such as The Quail Ride, The Quail Motorcycle Gathering, The Quail Rally and The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering.

Aside from the peerless line-up of distinguished vehicles exhibited throughout the event, The Quail will also be providing those in-attendance with a wide range of culinary pavilions, award-winning wines & spirits and a Fireside Chat Series in the luxurious yet cordial setting.  After viewing the exceptional vehicles on display as well as savoring the culinary delicacies and drinks, guests will later be lead to the Bonhams Quail Lodge Auction, which is going to be held at the Quail Lodge Farm Field.

For those who are planning to attend the event and have yet to obtain their ticket, unfortunately, The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering is now sold out.  However, even if you missed this chance, you may still have the opportunity to purchase tickets by submitting a waitlist request online.  Additionally, there are alternative premium admissions such as The Quail Helicopter Ticket and The Quail Charitable Patron Ticket that are also available for purchase.

For further details about the available ticket options, visit:  FestivalTicketing.com

For more information about the event, visit:  SignatureEvents.Peninsula.com

Oceanco Reveals Their New 90-metre Superyacht Y717: Project Shark

Delivered by the prominent yacht builder, Oceanco, this new 90-metre (295 ft) superyacht makes waves with its contemporary exterior from DeBasto Design and its elegant and refined interior styling by Nuvolari Lenard.  Superyacht Y717 is a masterful creation that greatly differs from other current superyachts in a positive way to allow those on board to sail across the seas in absolute class, luxury, comfort and security. Y717 mirrors the same unique design DNA and technological installments that is distinctive of Oceanco’s awe-inspiring fleet.  The superyacht showcases the latest from the forefront of glass technology and, most impressively, it was the first yacht to be bestowed the official Lloyd’s Register Integrated Bridge System (IBS) notation and classification in the Netherlands.

“The profile has a unique sense of contrast and homogeneity between the dark glass and the white balconies, providing a constant exchange in shape and lines between the two elements,” says Luiz DeBasto. “My initial drawings may have looked like a futuristic concept, yet she is now a very real yacht on account of the execution made possible by the advanced technology of the Oceanco engineering team and by the vision of her experienced owner and his team.”

The aluminium superstructure of Y717 is fully finished in reflective glass, which, viewed from the interior, provides a sweeping floor-to-ceiling view from aft to port to starboard.  DeBasto made sure that, though the superyacht yeilds an immense amount of volume, it still prevails to be lengthy, sporty and slender.  This is especially significant when you compare these aspects with the heavy superstructures of which individualize many of the considerable large superyachts of today.

“The main theme is nature, starting from blossom cascades, and moving to feathers, fish, waves and so on,” says Valentina Zannier, chief interior designer and junior partner at Nuvolari Lenard. “It is all nicely integrated in a fluent feeling that would make every guest feel very comfortable in any room, any time of the day. The richness is almost invisible because it’s expressed by the quality of the details and the tasteful combination of complete bespoke finishes.”

The interior of the superyacht was skillfully integrated to complement and harmonize with the exterior.  Nuvolari Lenard previously stated that Y717’s owners decided to not use dark timbers and instead favored the exquisite and cultured use of materials and finishes like wallpaper, 3D lacquer, fine fabrics and loads of upholstery.  The interior layout featured many different tones of  sycamore fiddleback, minor specifics in tinted Brazilian carballo wood and the abundant use of maple bleached gray.  Furthermore, there are also additional accents such as bas-reliefs; metallic facades and 3D cut leather panels.

Given the moniker ‘Project Shark’, the superyacht greatly resembles the appearance of a hammerhead shark from the viewpoint of the wing stations; one would discover this when they stand on the wing stations that the contour of the mast bears a resemblance to a fin, whilst the sinuous accent of the steel hull below brings about a contrast.

The design of Oceanco’s Project Shark is such an ingenious design concept that it is going to inevitably play a huge part in revolutionizing the future of yachting designs.  Just like how a shark carries the important duty of keeping the ecosystem throughout the world’s oceans under control by ensuring a harmonious balance for marine life, Project Shark plays its part by leading a new direction to yacht design development that is sure to come.

Y717 was created with the thought of giving those aboard numerous outdoor living spaces and to allow them more time to connect with the nautical environment.  The whole upper deck is reserved solely for the owners, therefore it was designed without any walkaround corridors to allow for ultimate privacy.  The owners has full access to the outside via their own balconies, which not only engulfs the interior with light but also provides wondrous, all-encompassing views.  In addition, the owners has access to their own personal forward-facing Jacuzzi.

Also similarly relating to the aspects of a shark is the superyacht’s speed as Y717 can maintain a speed of 20 knots thanks to its 2 x MTU 4,828hp / 3,600kW MTU 20V 4000 M73L engine.

For more information visit:  www.BuiltByOceanCo.com

Naval architecture is by Oceanco / Azure

How to Properly Age Cigars

Do cigars improve with age? Absolutely. How much so depends on a number of factors, principally what brand and type of cigars you’re aging to begin with. Today, a number of premium brands are rolled from select tobaccos that have been optimally aged before the finished product is shipped to the retailer.

A Few Great Brands

Ashton Cabinet, for example, is handcrafted at the world-renowned Fuente factory in the Dominican Republic from tobaccos that have been aged for a 4 to 5-year minimum. The award-winning Nicaraguan brand, Padron, is lauded for multiple cigars in its aged portfolio: Padron 1964 Anniversary is aged for a minimum of 6 years; Padron 1926 Series is aged for a minimum of 8 years; and Padron Family Reserve is handmade from tobaccos that are at least 10 years old. In most cases, with each tier of age comes an increase in price. Similar parallels can be drawn in the wine industry.

That doesn’t mean that you can’t age these celebrated smokes further. Keep in mind though, that also like wine, cigars can peak and decline after a period of time. And with that said, Holt’s Cigar Company sells all of the aforementioned brands, plus thousands of highly rated cigars that are perfect for aging.

The Aging Process

Generally speaking, cigars can be aged for many months or years, provided they are kept in the ideal storage conditions – preferably a cedar humidor or storage cabinet at 70% relative humidity and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Humidity and temperature will always fluctuate seasonally, but major swings in storage conditions affect cigars adversely. Cigars expand and contract as temperature and humidity levels change, which can cause a cigar’s wrapper leaf to crack.

A large part of what you pay for when you buy a premium cigar is its construction. Ideal storage conditions protect the integrity of a cigar’s construction. Measure the temperature and humidity regularly with a digital hygrometer to insure your humidor stays within that 70/70 range. Also, cedar is a highly aromatic wood that reacts positively with moisture and encourages the mellowing and melding of a cigar’s many tasting notes, while conserving its original flavor.

If you prefer a more hands-off method, you can also age cigars with self-regulating humidity pouches that produce a predetermined humidity level. Simply replace the pouch(es) when the humidity has been exhausted. Humidity pouches will even work in a Ziplock freezer bag with a strong seal if you haven’t invested in a humidor yet. You may not get the added nuances of flavor that a cedar humidor can lend to a cigar over time, but you’ll still perceive a noticeable difference in the cigar’s taste.

Rotate Your Cigars

Another key to aging cigars correctly, especially in a humidor, is to rotate them. Make sure the same cigars aren’t always closest to the humidification source. Every couple of weeks simply shift the top layer to the bottom and vice versa. It’s also a good idea to make sure your humidor isn’t totally jam-packed. Leaving a little extra space inside the box allows the air and the humidity to circulate more freely.

Do “Bad” Cigars Get Better with Age?

If you ever buy a cigar (or box of cigars) that tastes bitter or furnishes unwanted traces of ammonia – which is part of the natural fermentation process that premium tobaccos undergo – aging will almost certainly deliver a beneficial end result. That doesn’t necessarily mean that you can always make a “bad” cigar taste “good.” However, you can often make a “good” cigar taste “great.”

How Long Should I Age My Cigars?

Aging cigars can be a bit like rolling the dice. We recommend buying a box, or at least a handful of cigars, from a brand you already know you like. Smoke one right out of the box or off the store shelf. Pay close attention to its flavor transitions, burn, and finish. It may be useful to take a few notes for reference. After you are assured that the quality of cigar meets your satisfaction, place the remaining cigars in your humidor and allow them to rest.

After about 6 weeks, take a cigar out from the same batch and smoke it. As cigars rest, the oils from the binder, filler, and wrapper leaf meld with one another and deliver a more uniform profile. Also, as time passes, any residual bitterness or acidity that may be present in a younger cigar will dissipate. Smoke another cigar after 12 weeks and continue to indulge at roughly 4 or 6-week intervals until your cigars have been resting for a year or two, or more.

I have personally aged a number of blends from different brands over the years. When La Flor Dominicana first expanded its Double Ligero series, I became a fan of the potent spices and dense texture the heavy, Ligero-laden smokes produced. I stuck a few dozen away, smoking them from time to time.

As I revisited these feisty smokes while they aged past the 5th year, much of their intensity had waned – and not necessarily in a good way. The hearty, beefy spices I was accustomed to no longer registered and the cigars displayed a less complex, somewhat flat flavor profile. Upon reflection, this was a blend best enjoyed within a year or two of rest at most.

Smoking Old Cigars

At the other end of the spectrum, I recently had the pleasure of enjoying a handful of Ashton VSG (Virgin Sun Grown) shapes from the blend’s inaugural year of release – 1998 – making them 20 years old. They had been resting at the Fuente factory for the past two decades under the watchful eye of legendary cigar-maker Carlito Fuente. I have always been a big fan of Ashton VSG, with its succulent Ecuador Sumatra wrapper and a premium core of select Dominican binder and filler tobaccos.

Before I lit up one of these supremely old cigars, I wondered if much of the original VSG flavor would be preserved, or if it had dissipated. I have to say, the results were astounding. Not only did the renowned blend display familiar VSG tasting notes of cedar, raisins, and black pepper, but everything about the profile was ultra-refined. The cigar was so impeccably smooth and disarming, I can easily put it in the top five best cigars I have ever had the privilege to smoke. It remained silky, approachable, and rich throughout a lingering finish.

Hands down, Ashton VSG is a cigar I would not hesitate to purchase in quantity. Not only does the blend taste fantastic right out of the box, but after 20 years, it’s tough to beat by any cigar lover’s standards.

I have also, on a small number of occasions, indulged in a pre-embargo Cuban or two. Luckily, they were provided gratis courtesy of outside sources. And, I can honestly say, after more than 50 years of rest, they were entirely unremarkable, if not un-smokable. Ultimately, I found them flat, papery and bitter. While I would be curious to try a pre-embargo Cuban one day again, perhaps in another brand or blend, I would be skeptical of purchasing one based on my previous experiences, as I know they are fairly expensive.

The Best Cigar-Makers Know the Value of Age

The best cigar-makers have become exceptionally sophisticated over the past 30 years when it comes to growing, fermenting, and blending tobaccos that reveal deeply refined flavors by the time they reach the retail environment. Many of the best-tasting cigars of today will exhibit marvelous complexity tomorrow.

Begin a cigar-aging odyssey with your own favorites and plan to celebrate life’s most momentous future occasions with cigars that you love now and can set aside for later.

Surgeon General Warning: Cigar Smoking Can Cause Cancers of the Mouth And Throat, Even If You Do Not Inhale.

A Capital Idea: A Jetsetter’s Guide to Mexico City

Long eschewed by Yours Truly in favour of its coastal climes, we have found that the Mexican capital; known as CDMX in the vernacular, offers a world of entertainment for the errant jetsetter. It is a city filled with a seemingly endless supply of art museums, stellar restaurants, and history alongside a decidedly metropolitan hustle and bustle. Its relative close proximity to New York makes it an appealing city escape in just under 6-hours when other destinations just seem too far, and there is that delightful currency exchange to consider. We began our trip departing Kennedy on Aeromexico at a reasonable hour. My travel companion blessed with the ability to sleep through any circumstance knocked off almost instantaneously, while I picked my way through the mute version of It (incidentally still terrifying, even without the sound).

Our flight brought us into the city in time for a civilized 2pm luncheon at Contramar, a breezy open plan restaurant that would not look out of place in Greece. Contramar became our first encounter with the exciting CDMX food scene. We might have even ordered second and third helpings of the tuna tostadas (simply divine)… accompanied by tuna tacos al pastor, and fish carnitas. Frankly nothing succeeds like excess when it comes to fish tacos.

Tuna Tostadas at Contramar

After lunch we happened across a charming weekly street fair that had a bewildering array of Kylie Jenner lip-kits and pom-pom trimmed tunics and dallied for a moment. Somehow failing to trace our steps backwards to our discrete hotel La Valise, we got lost in tree-lined art deco Condesa for about an hour which would have been less dire had it not been under a high afternoon sun. With three rooms La Valise is easily the smallest hotel I have ever been in. The seamless townhouse is so subtle that we walked past it many times on Tonola. La Valise is an absolute delight, melding all the attentiveness of a small luxury hotel with the feeling of being in your glamorous yet understated friend’s home. Our room comprised of an enfilade of sitting room, bedroom and a private checkered tile courtyard fully loaded with a chic black hammock and swing. This charming configuration was guarded by a porcelain walrus, naturally! I happily would have moved in forever, replenishing the vase of tall white lilies under the sitting room’s approving portrait.

The door at charming La Valise, and adjacent Alma Negra, a coffee shop with a glorious cointreau affogato.

We capped off our first night with the tasting menu at Pujol, considered among the best restaurants in the world. Given our lunchtime gorging, we had to power through, sampling the amuse bouche of baby corn with crushed ants, and some stellar courses like the perfection of softshell crab, the beautifully plated duck, and a stunning mango confection of sorbet, fresh mango, mousse, and ice cream. Having had a couple of mezcals before dinner we opted to pair dinner with a dry Mexican white from Baja. Aside from the food, I appreciated the elegant ephemerality of the dated and wax sealed hospital white menu cards.

The Summer Squash at Pujol topped with Camomile Blossoms

An 8am breakfast of fresh fruit and patisserie from nearby Rosetta Bakery put us in the mood for tourism. We headed over to the Zócalo to gawk at the Metropolitan Cathedral. The main square of the city acts as a crash course in Mexican history. It began its life as the religious center of the Aztec capital of Tenochtitlan. After changing to Spanish hands the cathedral was consecrated there in 1656. The sprawling building is an admixture of colonial interpretations of renaissance, baroque, and neoclassical architecture, making it an interesting building to read, and in true Spanish colonial fashion the main interior decorative feature is a lot of gold. The cathedral’s main building material; however, comes from the stones of the Templo Mayor. The ruins of this sacred Aztec precinct are visible adjacent to the church’s tabernacle. As we walked over there was some Aztec Flyers preparing for a street performance, a living reminder of the advanced civilization that predated Spanish conquest and continues to influence Mexico.

If you haven’t the time to make it to the glorious sun pyramid at Teotihucan; Templo Mayor Museum and the Anthropological Museum will fulfill your need for Aztec expertise.

Switching from the archaeological to the art historical, to the north east of the Templo Mayor lays Antiguo Colegio de San Idelfonso. The beautiful courtyard building was home to a Jesuit school before becoming the birthplace of the Mexican muralist movement, featuring the nascent works of Leal, Orozco, Siqueiros and of course Rivera. The building now hosts contemporary art exhibitions, and at the time of writing was exhibiting some works on urban planning. Continuing our Rivera Safari, we circled around to the Palacio Nacional first mistakenly entering the National Museum of World Culture. This detour proved diverting with exhibitions by contemporary Mexican photographer Favian Vergara, both kitschy and full of dark humour, as well as a more sedate Alfonso Mena offering, Habitar-Pensar-Construir, exploring the relationship between buildings and human psyche. We regained Rivera ground when we were directed across the street and into the right building. After waving off a ‘professor tour guide’ and forking over our I.D.’s, we entered the government complex only to find that Rivera’s History of the Mexican People was rudely undergoing a facelift. The sweeping bridal staircase was somewhat diminished by the diamonds of steel beams carefully concealing Hazmat suited painters diligently prodding the frescoed surface, although a helpful schematic upstairs with the other murals helped provide contextual reference.

Assassin’s Kiss, Favian Vergara

Exhausted after a quick enchilada stop at chic courtyard restaurant Azul and a churro pick-me-up from the original and much beloved Churros el Moro, we opted to leave the Franz Mayer collection for another time, and retreating back to leafy Condesa for a foray into the art gallery and boutique scene. Marching down Cordoba the first stop was Goodbye Folks, a vintage emporium cum custom cobbler. CDMX really goes in for the American rock star look so there was racks of moto jackets, varsity bombers, jeans, and plenty of band t-shirts, alongside a gorgeous white 40’s cocktail dress that barely fit over my thigh (le sigh). We also loved vintage mansion Void and spent some time drooling over the museum-worthy Courrèges pieces (which also didn’t fit but were amazing all the same). Through much consulting of Google maps I finally found the buzzer of Proyectos Monclova, a contemporary art gallery featuring From Metric to Imperial the work of Balkan artist Istvan Ist Huzjan, who works in that wonderfully soviet abstract sculptural tradition alongside some emotive silver gelatin prints covering a diversity of subjects. At Galeria OMR the current exhibition Ghost Nets explored of the role of bones by drawing on themes of structure. The cohort of artists responded to the prompt through a mixture of the personal psychology to the literal physiology. Among the artists featured were Pedro Neves Marques and Anri Sala. After a long day exploring, we cooled off with an aperitif at sleek Condesa DF’s rooftop bar, the perfect place to watch the sunset on a perfect day.

Gelatin Print by Istvan Ist Huzjan at Proyectos Monclova

Photo Courtesy of: Proyectos Monclova

It is amazing how quickly time slipped by without barely made a dent on what I expected to do. We missed entire neighborhoods such as Coyoacan, wherein lies Frida Khalo’s house (and rather oddly Leon Trotsky’s house). The truth is that even armed with my ambitious touring schedule and a custom Google map, CDMX is simply too large to take in on a Weekend. In fact it does the city a disservice to try and understand it in such a short span of time. Of course that just means we are plotting our return trip.

the National Anthropological Museum designed by Pedro Ramirez Vazquez.

Benetti’s Brand New Meediterraneo 116′ “Mr Loui”

This impressive 35-meter superyacht, which is the second variation of the Mediterraneo 116′ model, has just recently made its debut at the start of 2018 during the acclaimed Miami Yacht Show.  The superyacht, also classified as Mr Loui, was created by Italian yard Benetti with exteriors accomplished by Italian designer Giorgio Maria Cassetta and interiors designed by the Benetti Interior Style Department and the owner’s architect, Ezequiel Farca.

Benetti’s shipyard had provided crucial assistance in the development of the superyacht’s interior layout with aim towards sustainability and harmonious expansion of living space.  This is further demonstrated by the superyacht’s three-metre long windows that run throughout each area, allowing light to flow ceaselessly; the upper deck al fresco dining area, which incorporates a six-metre-wide table; and the eighty-square-metre sundeck that features deckchairs, armchairs, sofas, loungers, and two dining areas.  Additionally, there is even an elevator that provides excellent access to each of the three decks.

Inside the interior is an expansive lounge space that was divided into two separate areas, with one side made to give guests some quality R&R and the other for dining purposes.  Accommodating up to a total of 12 guests, Mr Loui includes a full-beam Master Suite on the main deck, two VIP quarters and two convertible cabins that come together with Pullman berths.  In addition, the crew quarters can accommodate up to seven, which includes the captains cabin located on the upper deck.

Officially launched in Viareggio on August 9, Mr Loui is powered by a pair of 1600hp Caterpiller ACER C32 diesel engines, which allow for a satisfactory cruising speed of 14 knots and a top speed of 15 knots.  When the superyacht’s speed stays at a steady 10 knots, not only does the electric fin stabilization system guarantee both a gentle ride underway or at anchor, but also allows it to attain a maximum range of 3,000 nautical miles.

For more information visit:  BenettiYachts.it

Image Credit: Quin Bisset