Found it... This happened in Oct of 14. I was in Cancun on Vacation and wrote this as I sat there smoking...
It's 5am Cancun time and I've only taken in four hours of sleep last night. My face still tingles from the CPAP mask I wear to sleep, the skies are still dark though turning light. The pools are lit up with a blue glow...at least they were until I typed this then all the pool lights suddenly turned off. I've taken a handful of puffs so far and the flavor is already waking up my pallet with sweet, almost vanilla notes. The exhale smoke floats gently away into the morning air.
I can hear the waves lapping at the shore as I take another draw. The foot lights up red with heat and the ash starts to become visible. Daylight is beginning to take hold and I can now see the distinct teal to dark coloring of the Caribbean Ocean. The clouds are more visible, the skies are showing their colors and I draw again. That wonderful smoke flows from my lips and out into the atmosphere. I wonder if the clouds could be a culmination of the smoke of Padrons. A silly thought but rarely does one get to smoke such a fine cigar. The last time my lips touched a Padron 1964 Anniversario Pyramid must have been over 10 years ago (closer to 15 actually). Another drag, another taste of Nicaraguan tobacco.
I can now see a figure sitting on the rocks down by the ocean. I wonder is she is also experiencing similar memories of a previous time, a previous experience, a previous joy. Another drag and these flavors are so very consistent. The sun has come up, the clouds have moved in yet my memories are still taking me back to that night in that cigar shop (Burns Tobacconist) in Chattanooga Tennessee and the old man who asked me a series of questions and that started me on the journey of cigar smoking.
I remember that tag on the box. It had a number in it...something in the 90s (it was a CA rating and I had no idea what it was at the time). I also remember the words white chocolate and vanilla. I remember thinking “this can't taste like that”, “it's a dried leaf and most smell like ass when being smoked” but the whole place smelled wonderful. It was a cigar shop... no, it was and still is a tobacco shop. One of the best in the world based in the places I've been and the shops I've seen. I had no idea the talent that old guy had in pairing a cigar to its smoker. I wish I could go back and talk to him again.
Another draw and it's smooth. I don't remember them being so smooth. What did I know then! Not much for sure. I had no idea how to pick up flavors, I had no idea how to cut, light and certainly not how to enjoy a good smoke but I managed. I also managed to smoke a dozen or so of these on that trip. Maybe I shared as many as I smoked with my coworkers (at least one has stayed a friend). I was having fun on that trip and little did I know I had found a new passtime.
Another drag and more memories rush in. These are not memories of the smoking but of my other experiences in Chattanooga. So close! None of you will get that reference
but there is a story there and yes, I am smiling right now.
My brain and tongue may be playing tricks on me but I swear I just tasted white chocolate on the last draw. Now I get some cinnamon. I don't remember that from any previous time smoking this cigar before. It could just be some heat or it could be the pallet has refined with age. In the end it doesn't matter. What matters is that it's enjoyable and it brings back memories of earlier days.
I can now see some paddle boarders out for an early morning ride, float or whatever they call it. They must get pleasure from their hobby as I do from mine. I used to smoke these fast. I've learned over the years to draw slow and let the cigar rest between draws. It keeps the heat down and lets the flavors come through.
As I get further into this fine smoke I take longer rests between drags. The shape almost demands it. This cigar has such a shape that not only does the flavor get deeper the heat tends to build. Patience is rewarded and one is almost forced to relax. It's no wonder this was my go to smoke those first couple of years. It is also a disadvantage to every other cigar that I've been lucky to smoke since then.
The flavors are now coming together, blending, into an explosion of vanilla, white chocolate, cinnamon and a hint of coffee. The heat is controlled and the cigar pays dividends on every draw.
The fishing boats are heading out. Sometimes in singles and most times in groups. I wonder what the prized catch is for them. I know what mine is and its time for another draw.
I forget the strength of these pyramids. They pack a pleasant kick when smoked without enhancement. As if there is anything that can enhance the velvety texture of the smoke and the hints of coco I just got. Too light to be coffee, not sweet enough for white chocolate and too smooth to be vanilla. Coco is what comes to mind.
There's something in the water, close to shore making the fish jump. Maybe they are happy, maybe it's a predator. Time for another draw. The paddle boarders have returned and I'm sure we have both had an amazing morning. Theirs paddling out to sea over the light and dark waters, mine reminiscing and enjoying one of the best cigars I've ever smoked. I still have some cigar left and I will excuse myself to enjoy the rest of it left to my personal thoughts.
