Posts filed under Sybarite Guide

Experience: Tapis Rouge Cocktail. Inspired by the Red Tip on the Seconds Hand of the Piaget Polo Date.

Every once in a while we talk about legendary cocktails but this time, we have created one inspired by the red tip on the seconds hand on the Piaget Polo Date with a black dial. The perfect harmony of flavors in a glass with a tantalizing blend that will captivate your taste buds. This sophisticated libation begins with the bittersweet notes of Aperol, lending a refreshing citrusy character to the drink. The addition of Cynar, a delightful artichoke-based liqueur, adds a subtle herbal complexity, teasing the palate with its unique blend of botanicals.

Experience: Davidoff of Geneva Chef's Edition Cigar 2021 Limited Edition. As Rare as a Laurent Ferrier Sport Auto.

When it comes to luxury cigars, one name that stands out is Davidoff. With a rich history dating back to the early 1900s, Davidoff has become synonymous with quality, craftsmanship, and an unparalleled smoking experience. Known for their meticulous attention to detail, Davidoff cigars are meticulously crafted using the finest tobacco leaves sourced from around the world.

Experience: Aguasol Tequila Blanco. As Understated and Captivating as a Royal Oak Offshore Perpetual Calendar Chronograph.

Aguasol Tequila Blanco is our latest discovery in the world of fine spirits, because ultimately who wants to drink overrated vanilla-tasting tequilas like Clase Azul and Don Julio 1942? For sure, not us here at WCL. Aguasol is the product of four generations of unparalleled tequila producers since 1904. Produced and bottled in México in El Arenal, Jalisco, this premium tequila is made from just three ingredients —sun, spring water, and agave.

Experience: Licor Cuarenta y Tres 43 'Carajillo'. As Tasteful as a Girard-Perregaux Laureato Skeleton.

If you follow WCL’s journey on the gram or you are from Mexico or Spain, the Carajillo —pronounced kaa·ra·hee·yo— is no stranger to you. The Carajillo is one of the most popular after-dinner drinks in Mexico and has quickly gained popularity throughout the U.S. Licor 43 is a Spanish liqueur that originated in Cartagena, Spain in 1946 when Diego Zamora along with his brother Angel, his sister Josefina and brother-in-law Emilio Restoy created the famed liquor off of local ingredients —fruits and herbs— and by following a recipe dating back to the year 300 AC.

Experience: Hendrick's Flora Adora Edition and a Hublot Big Bang

Flora Adora is the latest release within the Cabinet of Curiosities line from Hendrick’s Gin. Hendrick’s Gin is produced by the family-owned William Grant & Sons distillery in Scotland and their gin is distilled at the Girvan distillery which mainly focuses on distilling whiskey. Here at WCL, we’ve talked about other limited editions from Hendrick’s Cabinet of Curiosities including Orbium, Lunar, and Midsummer Solstice.

Experience: Vegas Robaina Famosos. Introduced the Same Year the Patek Philippe Aquanaut was Born.

Introduced to the Habanos. S.A. portfolio in 1997, the same year the Patek Philippe Aquanaut was born as reference 5065A and 5066A, Vegas Robaina cigars are a tribute to the Robaina family who had been cultivating tobacco since 1845 in the region of Vuelta Abajo in Cuba. The name 'Vegas Robaina' is composed of two words where the word 'vegas' is the Spanish word commonly utilized in Cuba to refer to plantation fields and the word 'Robaina' is Don Alejandro Robaina's —descendent of the Robaina family— last name.

Experience: Happy New Year 2023. Our Best Wishes in Style with the Art of Sabrage.

Wishing all of you the best wishes for the year 2023 that is about to start. We couldn’t be more grateful for your readership and loyalty. Because of you, our readers, we strive to do better every day. How about a little feature on Sabrage to welcome the new year in style. The act of Sabrage refers to the act of opening a bottle of champagne by sliding a saber over its neck. Now, while many believe that the saber slices the neck of the bottle or pushes the cork out, what in reality happens is that the slight impact of the saber on the seam of the bottle creates a chain reaction that makes the bottle release its pressure by breaking its top cork included.

Experience: Macán Rothschild Vega Sicilia. An Understated Wine Like a Platinum Offshore.

Much like watches, some amazing wines are not necessarily those that everyone knows and only those that really know will recognize certain names, just like they’ll point out watch references or the metal composition of certain particular timepieces. When it comes to the AP Royal Oak Offshore 44 in platinum, only if you really know, you’ll be able to call out its platinum nature and the same happens with the Macán wine by Vega Sicilia.

Experience: Cinco Jotas Iberico Ham & Alion. The Patek of Jamones and the Small Child from Vega Sicilia.

Just like Patek Philippe is at the pinnacle of watchmaking, the same goes for Iberico hams and Cinco Jotas —the five Js. With Joselito ham only a small notch above Cinco Jotas, when it comes to the pinnacle of Iberico hams from Spain, Cinco Jotas is the authority. Faithful to its origins, Cinco Jotas makes one of the finest acorn-fed hams in Spain and the company has maintained the purity of the 'Pata Negra' —black hoof— Iberian pigs they use, flawlessly.

Experience: Montecristo Línea 1935 Dumas. A Bold and Beautiful Cigar Like a Panerai Radiomir 1940 PAM 662.

The year 1935 marks a big milestone for Panerai as they landed their first contract to supply the Italian Navy with professional diving instruments, but it also does for the world of cigars, as the iconic Montecristo Cuban cigar brand was founded that year. The Montecristo Línea 1935 celebrates the founding of Montecristo and it was released last year as a ‘totally by hand long filler’ line of cigars. The Línea 1935 cigars are available in three different vitolas and packaged in a very distinct presentation box unlike other Habanos. The beautiful box is dark brown matte Carmelite lacquer finished and uniquely shaped with beveled edges and the traditional fleur-de-lis that has distinguished the Montecristo brand since its founding.

Experience: Santiago de Cuba Extra Añejo 12 Years Rum. As Scarce as a Patek Philippe Nautilus ref. 5980R.

Just as scarce as a Patek Philippe Nautilus ref. 5980R is one of Cuba’s most legendary rums. Less popular outside Cuba than the well-known Havana Club —produced by the same state company Cubaron—, Ron Santiago de Cuba takes its name from its birthplace, Santiago de Cuba a.k.a the cradle of Cuban light rum. Established in 1862 and produced by Cubaron since 1960 when the revolutionary government nationalized the Bacardí and Matusalén factories.

Experience: Nusr-Et Steakhouse. You Come to see #Saltbae's Patek and you Leave in Awe by his Food.

When you're a watch collector and a foodie, a visit to one of Nusret Gökçe's restaurants Nusr-Et Steakhouse is a must. Better know as #Saltbae, Nusret is one of Instagram's biggest hit stars with more than 33 million followers. However, what makes Nusret more interesting to us, is his fascination for watches, specifically Patek Philippe timepieces that we've spotted a dozen times on his wrist throughout his posts on the gram.

Experience: Partagas 8-9-8 Cigar Jar Meets a Platinum Offshore

Cuban cigars come in all shapes and forms and today there are 27 different brands. While all Habanos are Cuban, by no means all Cuban cigars are Habanos. The title ‘Habano’ is the Protected Denomination of Origin —Denominación de Origen Protegida D.O.P—, reserved for a selection of the most outstanding brands whose cigars are manufactured to the highest standards from tobaccos grown only in particular areas of Cuba and fully hand made.

Experience: The Art of Sabrage. The Finest Champagne Ritual to Celebrate Your Watchlife.

A special afternoon ritual at the St. Regis hotels, Napoleon’s way to celebrate a victory in the battlefield or simply the coolest way to open a bottle of champagne, that’s exactly what the art of sabrage is about. Sabrage refers to the act of opening a bottle of champagne by sliding a saber over its neck. Now, while many believe that the saber slices the neck of the bottle or pushes the cork out, what in reality happens is that the slight impact of the saber on the seam of the bottle creates a chain reaction that makes the bottle release its pressure by breaking its top cork included. If you want to experience the art of sabrage yourself, there are a few things to keep in mind.

Experience: La Flor de Las Antillas 'Toro'. Number One Cigar in 2012 and Still as Good as Back Then.

La Flor de Las Antillas 'Toro' was ranked by Cigar Aficionado as the number one cigar for 2012 made by the renowned Nicaraguan cigar company My Father Cigars S.A. which is owned and lead by acclaimed Cuban cigar maker José 'Pepin' Garcia, his son Jaime and daughter Janny. My Father Cigars is a company that started as a small family operation out of Miami with a dozen rollers that slowly grew into one of the most prominent cigar makers establishing their factory in Estelí, Nicaragua. This company is also well known for being the manufacturers of Tatuaje when that brand was first started by Pete Johnson.

Experience: Sipsmith London Dry Gin. As Refreshing as the Look on the Vacheron Constantin FiftySix Collection.

A few months ago while we attended the release of the Vacheron Constantin FiftySix Tourbillon, we visited the Sipsmith distillery in London. Sipsmith is the first copper pot distillery in London in nearly two hundred years. A classic and refreshing London Dry Gin that is bold, complex and very aromatic, this well balanced gin is perfectly suited for a Negroni or a classic Gin and Tonic. As refreshing as the look on the recently launched Vacheron Constantin FiftySix collection, Sipsmith is produced using a complex mix of botanicals that include the fundamental juniper berries —without them you can’t make Gin—, Bulgarian coriander seed, Belgian angelica root, Chinese cassia bark —from the same family as cinnamon—, Italian orris root, Spanish ground almond, Madagascan cinnamon bark, Spanish liquorice root, Seville orange peel and lemon peel.

Experience: Moët & Chandon Ice Imperial. The Only Champagne to be Served Over Ice.

Moët & Chandon Ice Imperial is still a relatively new champagne launched a few years ago but one that have not gotten as popular in the U.S. as it is in the rest of the world. This is the first and only champagne especially created to be served over ice. Refreshing, crisp and ideal for champagne based cocktails, this new champagne combines fun, fresh and free sensations while remaining true to the Moët & Chandon style, a style distinguished by its bright fruitiness, its seductive palate and its elegant maturity.  

Experience: El Rey del Mundo 'Exclusivo Francia'. A Mild Habano with Strong Character Like the Patek Philippe Golden Ellipse.

Just like a Patek Philippe Golden Ellipse ref. 3738, the El Rey del Mundo, is a cigar reserved for connoisseurs. While the Patek Philippe Golden Ellipse might not be the most popular watch in the Patek line-up, it is one of those references that is instantly recognizable. With its divine proportions, the case of the Golden Ellipse, launched in 1968, has no doubt inspired one of the most beautiful chapters of horological history. Thanks to its unique blend of bold simplicity and formal purity, this watch has become one of the flagships of the Patek Philippe collection. The same goes to El Rey del Mundo, a cigar that might not be the most popular among cigar connoisseurs that enjoy Habanos, but for sure one of the most iconic brands in the Habanos, S.A. line-up.

Experience: Cohiba Exquisitos. When Time is of Essence and You Need a Quick Cigar.

Cohiba is a brand that enjoys a formidable reputation in the world of cigars and is considered to be the 'crème de la crème' when it comes to Habanos —Cuban cigars. Created in 1966 for Fidel Castro and handmade at the world famous 'El Laguito' factory, these cigars were originally only seen outside of the island when presented as gifts to heads of state or dignitaries throughout the world. Today, Cohiba cigars are sold internationally and are the most reputable and consistent brand when it comes to quality and a superior cigar smoking experience.

Posted on November 3, 2017 and filed under Food Wine & Cigars, IWC, Sybarite Guide.

Experience: The Negroni. The Quintessential Cocktail That is as Florentine as a Panerai.

For the last seven years the Negroni has been our cocktail of choice. Surprisingly, despite its recent popularity and comeback, this cocktail is not necessarily well known by all bartenders and often we find ourselves explaining how it needs to be served and what goes in it. The Negroni, just like Panerai, comes from the cradle of the renaissance and the home to the Medici, Florence, Italy. As Florentine as an Officine Panerai wristwatch, the Negroni is a quintessential and very distinctive cocktail.