My friends over at Groovy Guy Gifts have, once again, increased their selection of cigar related offerings. I always applaud mainstream companies that include cigar items in their product mix. Tommy Bahama does it, and Groovy Guy Gifts does it too. I have a few items from them that they’ve personalized, which they do very well. They are 
great for getting gifts, for guys…I guess that’s obvious. One of the new items they offer is the Stinky Car Ashtray. Unfortunately, this can’t be personalized, but it ships quick, tracking is provided and it’s a solid ashcan for the car. It has a solid hinge, and the spring clips to hold your cigar are gentle enough not to damage a reasonable sized vitola. This is only going to be useful in a cup holder though, as the lid throws 
the balance off (the Xikar Ashcan has the advantage here, it can be used as a stand-alone unit). This will be a welcome addition to the car, as it fits in the cup holder better than the Xikar, it’s one piece, where the Xikar is two, and the rest/holder is more secure. I’ve always had great interactions with the folks at Groovy Guy Gifts, if you have an event or occasion where you need a little something personalized for some guys, this is the place to get it done.
Here’s a news item for my readers in the south Florida area mostly, or those traveling there. It’s an odd time for this, in my thinking. I suppose if you planned this for a long time and kept to your timeline, this is the way it works out. I wish everyone involved the best with this!
EMPIRE SOCIAL LOUNGE LOCATED IN SOUTH MIAMI (DOWNTOWN DADELAND) NOW OPEN
The much-anticipated Empire Social Lounge is the newest project by the proprietors of Casa De Montecristo by Prime Cigar & Whiskey Bar
South Miami welcomes Empire Social Lounge, the second Miami location by the founders of the Prime Cigar brand. Located in Downtown Dadeland at 8955 Dadeland Blvd #D-170, Miami, Florida 33156, Empire Social is bringing a dose of “Sophisticated Relaxation” to South Miami. Proprietors Jason Reznik, Ryan Leeds and Peter Berntsen will proudly unveil Empire Social (which is the evolution of the Prime Cigar brand). Hour of operation Sunday – Saturday, 12:00 Noon until close.
“Sophisticated Relaxation” is a motto created by Empire Social/Prime Cigars founders, Jason Reznik and Ryan Leeds.It was embraced by patrons of their first venture which was Prime Cigar Boca Raton, considered THE cigar & whiskey lounge in all of Florida. The popularity of Prime Cigar Boca Raton carried over to their second venture, the widely acclaimed Casa de Montecristo by Prime Cigar & Whiskey Bar in Brickell-Miami. The success of these two locations created a demand in the Magic City which will spawn the much-anticipated Empire Social Lounge.
The Empire Social brand is a sophisticated lounge, which features a walk-in humidor, full bar stocked with rare and hard to find whiskeys, member’s lounge, and patio. Custom furniture and design elements (which exude simple elegance) will please the cigar aficionados, or those looking for a unique experience, a rare whiskey, craft cocktails, or a nightcap. Empire Social is perfect anchor location for one of Miami’s most dynamic neighborhoods, Downtown Dadeland.
The owners and management are well known for being customer-centric which led to the commission of a state-of-the-art air control system for Empire Social Lounge. This innovative A/C replaces 100 percent of the air constantly to provide an environment which will curb smoke and create a comfortable environment for patrons.
The Prime Cigar/Empire Social brand was born out of the life experiences between father and son. Ryan Leeds and his father shared a close relationship, as they bonded over the love of premium cigars, fine spirits, traveling, and all things luxury. Ryan was inspired to bring together best elements of his travels under one roof. Today, guests come from all over the world to experience “Sophisticated Relaxation.”
About Empire Social Lounge
Empire Social is the evolution of the Prime Cigar brand, founded in 2010, which ushered in a new way to engage those who enjoy sophisticated experiences. Empire Social Lounge will feature premium cigars, top-shelf spirits, and fine wines while boasting a state-of-the-art air control system, ensuring a comfortable smoke-friendly environment. Empire Social Lounge will open its doors respecting all CDC guidelines including social distancing.
For more information about Empire Social Lounge, please visit www.empiresociallounge.com
Follow on social via @EmpireSocialLounge
We’ve been freshening up the back porch, the place I spend most of my time. Repainiting and replacing the screens, mostly, and replacing some wood here and there. I’d say it’s about 40% done. I’m trying to figure out the best way to put windows on the north-east facing side that gets the most rain coming in, solid plexiglass sheets? Old-style jalousie type louvers? As you can imagine, now is not the time to be trying to buy sheets of plexiglass! Anyway, 
between coats of paint yesterday I smoked a Platinum Nova Perfecto that I brought home from the TPE show. I generally wouldn’t sit down, all sweaty, paint on my hands, needing a shower, and smoke a $25 cigar, but this one had been at the top of the humidor, and I’m pretty low on cigars I haven’t smoked before. So I figured, screw it, it’s a perfect size for between coats, I’ll smoke it anyway. This is a beautiful 4½” x 56 perfecto, with a Nicaragua Rojiza 2000 wrapper, Nicaraguan binder and Dominican 98 (Criollo? not telling what varietal of Dominican!) filler. Rojiza means Reddish or ruddy, and the wrapper is that, it’s on the rosado side. The cigar was a brilliant cigar in every way, maybe one of the best Nova cigars I’ve smoked. It had a sweet, floral flavor, very interesting and pleasing. It was on the milder side of medium, but it had a lot of flavor, if that makes sense, and the flavor was entertaining. I really enjoyed this little cigars, although I don’t know how I feel about the cost. Personally, I wouldn’t be able to pry my wallet open that far for a short cigar like this, but it was a great smoke, there’s no denying the quality. I’m humbled to have had the opportunity to smoke this, it was delicious! I smoked a spectacular Dunbarton Tobacco and Trust Todos Las Dias Thick Lonsdale last night too, my favorite size in that line, for sure.
That’s all for today, I think. I need to go to Home Depot and buy some trim for the outside of the screens and put it on, and stop for a birthday cake for my wife. We usually go out for dinner to celebrate, but I don’t see that happening, so maybe I’ll order out tonight. Weird times we live in. It would be so much easier if I could just give her a nice cigar! Anyway, that’s all for today, until the next time,
CigarCraig
