Primetime

Smoking a cigar is like a mini vacation during an ordinary day. Smoking a cigar whilst on vacation is perfection. Add my favorite drink and I might not want to leave. Recently I went on vacation to visit my parents in Boca Raton and although Boca is not known for its steamy night life like South Beach I was able to find this hidden oasis. Prime Cigar & Wine Bar is not new to me, having lived in Florida for seventeen years I had been there on numerous occasions. But this time something was different. After a five hour flight from LAX to Ft. Lauderdale, dinner with my family and some much needed catching up I was more than ready for a cigar. I arrived at Prime around ten o'clock on a Wednesday night, the parking lot was sparsley populated with cars, so I pulled up to the front and parked. I put on my sports coat and walked in,  immediately greeted by the bartender, I made my way to the humidor for the crucial task of choosing my first cigar. Selection of your first cigar is important to me as it sets the tone for the entire evening. I'm not the kind of smoker who follows ratings or only smokes high end cigars. I like what I like, robust cigars with flavor and complexity. I had a friend Steve Goodstat who was the same way. We would always wind up smoking the same cigar and since he was about thirty years my senior having the same palate was a huge compliment. He passed away about a year ago and being unable to make it back to Florida for his memorial service this cigar was for him. I grabbed a Cabaiguan Guapos Toro Grande Maduro and made my way to the bar to grab a seat. I ordered a Don Julio Añejo neat from the bartender, she responded with an approving smile and asked if I wanted it garnished with an orange. I nodded yes and she followed up asking if I have tried it with cinnamon. I had not but was open to trying it so she sprinkled cinnamon on the orange. If you have never tried this I suggest you do so. You can thank me later or better yet, thank her. Steve was also a tequila drinker and would've approved. I sat back in my seat and lit my cigar as I would be here for the duration of the night. 

Prime Cigar & Wine Bar, Boca Raton

It had been almost two years since my last visit to Florida. In that time my then girlfriend became ill with TMJ Disorder, we got engaged and I took on the role of caretaker, I lost some dear friends and made new ones. For the most part the theme for the past two years was me working like a pack animal trekking across the Andes. This was the first moment I had to myself void of responsibility. I took it all in with deep puffs from my cigar as the tension eased from my shoulders I relaxed and began chatting with patrons and staff alike. Everyone was friendly, eagerly asking questions about the left coast. I felt very much at home as I grabbed a second cigar and ordered a few more drinks. Music played in the background while NBA playoff highlights were shown on the TVs. I repeated this every night during my vacation with the exception of a sneak peek tour of Prime's new location in the Brickell area of Miami called Casa de Montecristo by Prime Cigar and Whiskey Bar facilitated by my good friend Luis who was working late that night in preparation of the grand opening. A place I look forward to visiting on my future trips to Florida. But all good things must come to an end so on my last night of vacation I returned to Prime to end my vacation as good as it started, this time with the help of my friend Al. We toasted to our lasting friendship, memories of nights at Aromas of Havana and a future that looks bright. I closed the night out with a Don Julio Añejo and an Espinosa Especial. As last call came around and I took the final puffs from my cigar that punctuated the perfect evening, I said my goodbyes, thanked the staff for their hospitality and made my way home grateful I found such a great place to catch my breath and regroup. If you're ever in the area stop in and you'll understand. 

Don Julio Añejo and an Espinosa Especial