Having attended most events Lexus of Nashville has thrown, I will definitely say this was not only their best, but also the one most well received and well attended. It really hit the target demographic of Lexus: those who love premium cigars and premium spirits also enjoy more luxurious vehicles. Not mentioning the tables of delicious food circling the Styrofoam Lexus GS hanging from the air, or John Elefante from Kansas singing hits like "Carry On My Wayward Son", Lexus of Nashville definitely had a truly memorable event!
Of the 2,000 RSVPs received, I would dare say 1,900 showed. JR Roper, the man behind Lexus of Nashville, and his wife Joy were obviously there, as was Tim Ozgener, former President of CAO. Members from local press included Ted Clayton and Meagan Nordmann from Nashville Arts, Stacie Standifer of Nashville Lifestyles, and Mike Smith from NFocus. Spied in the crowd were Larry Lipman (The Lipman Group Sotheby's International Realty) and his wife Sandra Lipman (co-chair for the 50th Swan Ball - which JR donated a 2013 GS for their silent auction), songwriter Tim Nichols, Finance Director of the TBI Brian Senecal, as well as Dr. and Mrs. Schwaber chatting with daughter, interior designer Sarah Rohe, and friends songwriter/artist Skippy and his wife, model Amber Chapman. Other notables included Mike Murphy of Bellaterra wines and cigars (CAO used to make Bellaterra cigars before the buyout), celebrity photographer Allen Clark, former White House staff Ben Miller and former Navy SEAL Tim Kenney (working together on an upcoming television project from what I hear), and antique dealer Darren Cioffi (who always has the best Iroquois Steeplechase after parties at his 8,000 sq ft historic Boxwood Hall residence). Also in attendance was my good friend Shelley McBurney, who's fine art from her gallery, Gallery One, was seen hanging throughout the warehouse and halls. As you can see, it was definitely the place to be.
So enough of the social stuff and on to the rum and cigars! Although I've had several rums ranging from Atlantico to Zacapa, I've never had Zaya. Zaya is a rum that has been aged in oak barrels for 12 years before bottling. It has a dark mahogany hue and a nose of nutmeg, vanilla and a bit of brown sugar. The flavor was right in line with the nose: nutmeg, and vanilla, but it developed a tad more spice, maple, with a touch of orange and a buttery finish. I found this rum to be much like Atlantico in taste, and in price point. I definitely would have Zaya again, and encourage those into rum to give it a shot as well.
As for the cigars, the Ozgeners decided to bring out only a couple of vitolas and they were both mild in body, which was probably the best and easiest option considering how many people and how many taste preferences were present. As the cigars were handed out, you were asked "How long do you want to smoke? 30 minutes, or an hour?" The "hour" long smoke was more like a corona/robusto as it was about 5" but had a ring size closer to a 42. The "30 minute" smoke was even smaller, a small panetela like a Petit Julieta. The cigars were lightly dipped in honey making them a bit sweet and very reminiscent of a Swisher Sweet. I guess these were the "adult versions". There were no labels on the cigars as they were still in their bundles. The initial aromas were sweet with a bit of hay and tobacco. The construction was solid although the wrapper on the larger stick had a small tear. Lighting was a breeze and the cigar remained lit and burned evenly throughout. There wasn't a great deal of change as I progressed through the stick. The flavors throughout were cream, a hint of cedar, hay and a touch of pepper at the end. As this is a cigar not in production, I obviously can't say a person should or shouldn't go out and try it. I would say that if I were to rate it, I'd give it somewhere in the mid 80s. It's a good smoke, but very mild with very little change in flavor. Again, I'm sure it was because of the sheer number of people at the event as to why they went with a mild cigar. It was a nice treat, however, and was nice to be at the former HQ for such a great company.
Below are photos from the evening that I thought you might like to see... either something fun from the event, or educational from CAO history. Enjoy!
Inside the former warehouse
The bar by the Escaparate Humidor...
reminded us of the Chalmun's Cantina (Mos Eisley Cantina)
Even though the cigars are gone from the Escaparate humidor,
this beautiful piece of tobacco art is still there
The god Bacchus carved from Styrofoam
stood maybe 25 feet in the air
Working on a new piece, clay/Styrofoam mix
More pieces
Lexus 2013 GS Styrofoam piece hanging in the air
encircled by tables of food
People checking out the inside of the new 2013 GS
Art from the "FLAVOURS" case
Humidors from the humidors case
Prefer the Brazilia? Mx2? La Traviata?
Here's a brief history behind each line.
More humidor work...including the boxes commissioned
for the Chicago Bulls' 5th and 6th NBA championship rings
Incredibly beautiful CAO Meerschaum pipes...
true works of art!
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