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It’s true that cigars are often paired with whiskey. But it’s also true that it’s not mandatory. If you frequent this space for tips on cigars, you’ll recall that yours truly prefers pairing cigars with coffee and Coca-Cola or Dr Pepper over whiskey and Scotch. That’s just a personal preference. There’s truly no right or wrong way to pair your cigars. Recently, The Manual was offered the chance to pair a cigar with Isle of Skye Whisky’s new Cigar Reserve. I was initially skeptical because whiskey often overpowers my palate. For that tasting, I opted for Altura’s Third Harvest Lancero, and the experience was mind-altering, for the better.

Tequila can offer a similar experience. I had the pleasure of visiting the Cazcanes distillery earlier this year in Amatitán, an hour outside of Guadalajara, Jalisco. I rarely pair cigars with tequila, but when the folks at Cazcanes reached out about their cigar pairing experience, I was intrigued because their tequila lineup is outstanding. Earlier this year, for example, Cazcanes’ Nuestras Raíces earned a perfect 100 score from Wine Enthusiast. It marked the first time the influential drinks magazine awarded a spirit a perfect score in its 46-year history. I was reminded of the exquisite taste late last month after visiting Cazcanes’ booth at the 11th annual Barra México in Mexico City, the biggest cocktail event in Latin America.

There are no shortages of cigar lounges in Miami. There’s a particular cigar lounge I’ve frequented in Miami where I constantly run into NFL legend and Hall of Famer Ed Reed. But then I found Cigar Club Miami. It’s the place you want to be if you’re looking for an elevated experience. For my money, it’s also your best option in downtown Miami. Elad Smadja opened the joint in January 2023. The objective was simple: give the downtown area a modern cigar lounge offering a premium cigar selection and craft cocktails. He more than delivered.

From the onset, the moody exterior prepares you for what you’re about to walk into. You’re immediately greeted with warm lighting and modern luxury throughout, from the leather barstools and Carrara marble bar top to comfortable suede chairs. The lounge features a wall humidor stocked with some of the finest cigars. The bar is also fully stocked. If you find yourself there during happy hour, peruse the healthy selection of aged whiskeys.

I have said it forever: the 80s had the best music, the 90s had the best movies. I will die on this hill. The movie scene in the 90s was unbeatable. Action stars like Jean-Claude Van Damme, Keanu Reeves, Sylvester Stallone, and Bruce Willis brought some of the best thrill rides that are still being chased today. Comedy greats like Jim Carrey and Ben Stiller rose to stardom, and the romantic comedy reached its apex. Horror films like The Sixth Sense and Scream changed how scary movies were made. And movies like Fight Club pushed the boundaries of what audiences were ready for.

But near the end of that era, we, as a society, discovered something: the perfect movie. What made them perfect? Two and a half things. Number one: They crossed more than two genres. This wasn’t just an action comedy, a romantic adventure, or something that brought two big umbrellas together. This was something that felt like it had it all. Action. Comedy. Romance. Adventure. Maybe even a little horror. Number two: These felt like any age could watch these movies and have a good time. From twelve to twenty or fifteen to fifty, these were a good time at the theater for everyone. The half thing: Great performances by the entire cast. These weren’t led by one person at the front who brought up the median performance.