Xikar Desktop Humidor

Over the years, Xikar has established itself as a signature for both quality and value. Specializing in cutlery, it is the maker of the Xi line of guillotine cutters. The Kansas based company also features hand knives, cigar cases, lighters, and now humidors. Xikar has developed two different boxes for the discerning cigarist; one for the carry-on suitcase and the other for the office desk. And as a tradition, you would expect Xikar's humidors to be nothing less than solid quality.

You would be right.

The desktop humidor sports a very sleek design. The curvy sides, slanted edges, and polished hardware remind me of an old school roadster straight from a Dunhill poster. The rounded silver press-button compliments the matted finish beautifully. The whole thing is aesthetically astonishing! My only complaint is the tacky and rather comical Xikar logo emblazoned on the front.

Once you open the lid of this humidor, you will discover its party piece. Xikar has cleverly fused a desktop humidor with a dresser organizer, allowing you to store your Rolex along with your prized Habanos. The organizer is essentially a felt-lined tray balanced on two ledges from the side of the humidor; creating a small cigar compartment underneath. The tray is trimmed with leather and sectioned into four areas of different sizes. The largest section fits your wallet, and the other three would fit a watch, lighter, and spare change. Two leather tabs are placed on either side of the tray, so it could be lifted out with little effort. The interior is, of course, lined with spanish cedar.

One thing I really like about this humidor is its hinges. These stainless steel quadrant hinges have holes punched into them; giving it a retro sporty feel. As a person who is quite keen on aesthetical beauty, this humidor does not disappoint. However, I am rather ticked off by the joineries. As a Xikar product, I would expect them to be seamless. Sadly, that is not the case. Nevertheless, the humidor redeemed itself by its secure and tight seal.

The humidor comes with a short rectangular humidifier with a synthetic canvas that covers the openings. Unfortunately, the real problem with this seemingly perfect box is its storage capacity. With the organizer tray down, it can hold no more than ten 50 gauge cigars.

Fortunately for me, I have no use for another desktop humidor and no use for an organizer tray. With the tray tossed, I can store up to 25 cigars. The humidor also comes with a velvet bag that protects the beautiful box finish. Perfect.

Both Xikar humidors come at a retail price of $79.99, though there are places where you can get them for less.

Zino Platinum Sceptre Grand Master

Ah, Puff Daddy's cigar. This 52 gauge Toro has the "bling" factor of a Cadillac Escalade on chrome rims. Introduced in 2002, the Zino Platinum series is the newest line of luxury cigars to emerge from Genevan den of Davidoff. The original Crown series came at a mind-boggling price of $39 per cigar. As a follow up to it's pretentious older cousin, the Sceptre series was created as cheaper alternative - with an almost reasonable price of $13 per stick. Rolled in the same factory as the Avo's, Davidoff used a premium blend of Ecuadorian wrapper and five-year old fillers.

Considering how much hype these jewel encrusted stogies caused, I decided that I had to give them a try. The Grand Master I obtained presented itself in a sleek black and silver tubo.

The cigar sported a smooth, silky, vein-less wrapper in the golden colour of cognac. Cleanly capped, the Grand Master was definitely well constructed; however it was a little too spongy for my liking. Pre-light aroma offered a glimpse of the nutty flavour. A small amount of spice also made me tingle at the nose.

The cigar started off with a very light nutty flavour. A pleasant change from the heavy maduros I've been smoking lately. The non-existent draw billowed with smoke, but also made the cigar heat up like an oven. I had to pace myself in fears of over-heating it. The smoke remained light throughout, medium-bodied at most.

By half way, I noted a flow of creamy flavours, which was extremely satisfying on my palate. The ash was rather flaky with a mixture of grey and black blotches. Down to the final two inches, a very sweet, almost caramel like flavour kicked in. Even though the smoke became unbearably hot, I refused to deprive myself from this tasty treat.

At a finger-burning length, the once flawless wrapper unraveled. Fortunately, I was ready to put this cigar down and clean my palate with some water.

Undoubtedly, the Zino was a solid performer. As a light smoke, it was an interesting change of pace. However, this change comes at a price too much. Despite my ravings, at $13 a pop, this cigar is simply too expensive. I just don't see the Grand Master having the qualities that can possibly equate to its price tag. With a little more, I can buy myself a Cohiba, and then truly indulge myself in an exquisite smoke.

And if you think my rant is over, you are dead wrong.

You might call me paranoid, but I see something fundamentally wrong with this cigar, and the whole of the Platinum line. With silly names like Chubby, Low Rider, and Barrel for their cigars, one might harmlessly wonder if their next cigar would be named Pimps & Hos. For their mascots, Davidoff dressed silly dogs up in ruffles, and slapped on the label: "His Majesty's Smokin' Dawgs." And to think the average cigar smoker would know how to spell properly...

When cigars are sold in tin cans like dog food, it is a hint of a misunderstanding somewhere in the marketing department. This whole hip-hop, red-carpeted glam market that Zino Platinum’s attempts to appeal is as ridiculous as the idea itself. I question whether these cigars hold the quality of a real Davidoff, I question whether the Platinum’s are real cigars for real cigar smokers, or just a multi-million dollar marketing device for the next rap star music video.