Last week I finally made it out to Downtown Waukesha, to Nice Ash bar, a cigar spot to which my online contacts pointed me. I made the drive out from Milwaukee, on a cold, crisp, and sunny Sunday afternoon. Not bad for February. The pub was spacious on the inside, with a large four-sided bar in the center, and a digital jukebox and several casino-like arcade games surrounding it, with tables off to the sides. A young lady was bartender, alone, and although my go-to drink while smoking is usually a whiskey of some kind, the vibe called for a shot and a beer.
I cannot explain it, but I ran with it and ordered a shot of Jim Beam and a bottle of Pabst.
I entered the humidor while the bartender served up the drinks, and since she was working alone, and there were other patrons keeping her busy, there was no one in the humidor to offer any advice. So just I allowed the vibe to guide me to a Macanudo Gordo 1968. I had no idea what to expect.
(Side note: I mean no complaint here, but I have read about this by reviewers as a weakness to Nice Ash, the lack of a cigar attendant. But I really do not feel that this detracted from the experience. I enjoy advice AND/OR fending for myself. So this day I fended for myself).
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| Macanudo Gordo 1968 |
When I got back to my seat, the Jim Beam and Pabst were waiting for me and I lit up the Macanudo 1968 and wow! I was not expecting it because in my cigar smoking career I was used to all sorts of sweet, nutty and spicy flavors. But this 1968 was ordinary tobacco and STRONG! I don't mean to say it was bad, but it was unexpected! However, downing the shot and sipping the Pabst was a perfect pairing for this strong-man's cigar. And after a few puffs and taking in the rest of the pub, it started to work for me. Patrons continued to sprinkle in, and Nice Ash had a lot of couples there, and the women were smoking too. They were older women like me, in their fifties and sixties, whereas in my observations in other places the female cigar smokers were a bit younger. So the next thing I knew I was loving this strong tobacco-flavored cigar!
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| Jim Beam and a Pabst - a great pairing! |
I engaged in some small talk with the bartender and few other patrons, and that is when it hit me. My uncle! When I was a little kid, my parents would visit my aunt and uncle in Muskego, and my uncle worked for the railroad, second shift, and he would get home close to midnight. My parents would take my sister and me with them for late visits out there, and I remember my uncle drinking Pabst and smoking strong cigars. And I don't know what kind of cigars he actually smoked, but I do remember they were strong. Therefore, I silently dedicated this cigar stop to my late uncle, the hardworking railroad man!
Nice Ash is a great cigar stop! I will be back there again, for sure, to sample what else they have. The atmosphere was warm and friendly and the bartender was very personable and genuine. And while I drank a Pabst, the patrons were enjoying a lot of really tasty looking beers and ales. As for the Macanudo Gordo 1968? I would definitely smoke it again, but I am not sure I would recommend it to my smoking buddies just yet. They tend to gravitate to the sweeter and nuttier smokes like I do. Maybe in due time?
