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Cuban Cigars & Whisky

Unique Pleasures

By RoseMarie LaCoursiere

“If I cannot smoke a cigar in Heaven, I shall not go!” - Mark Twain

Great cigars, great whisky and great men have always held sex appeal to women. This greatness in cigars, whisky, and the men that know best how to appreciate them are a special breed sure to make a woman smile. Cigar smoking remains an art few can fully grasp. While most cigar aficionados enjoy smoking their cigars in private, this relaxing tradition relishes an upward trend shared by men and women alike. The aroma and gentle buzz brought on by a cigar are elements that awake quiet reflection in a man, his private habit and deepest passions.

On a perfect winter night, I sat alone in a luxurious leather armchair of Scandinavian design at ‘Le Whisky Bar’, part of an enchanting hideaway I invite you to discover. Sex & the City writers couldn’t have written a better setting to run away with observations on this intriguing topic. I do not smoke any kind of leaf, however the aroma of a fine cigar causes my eyes to wander in search of the gent flexing his appeal, wondering if he is flexing in private or among friends.

While being tempted to experience something this French bar is famous the world over for, I came across a list of one hundred popular and influential people who have embraced this time-honored pastime. President Clinton is ranked number thirteen on the aficionado list. Clinton gave new definitions to a number of privacies enjoyed by both men and women…with and without cigars.

The Mood Was Set. As Dean Martin’s AMORE played in the background, visions of a laid back, Dean Martin so sleek, chic, on stage with a cigar in one hand and a glass of whisky in the other had me smiling...on his lips a ‘come hither’ smile so suggestive made me shake my head reminiscing a time of pure allure and romance. This allure and romance is slowly making its way back through hip crooners of the likes of Michael Bublé and secret hideaways such as Le Whisky Bar in the heart of Quebec’s Tremblant.

As I started to key a few observations of my own after asking ‘le garcon de table’ to surprise me, an image crossed my mind influenced by the warm glow coming from a striking fireplace that soared some 39’ to a beamed ceiling. It was the thrill never experienced of rolling bared skinned in the snow with my lover, losing myself in the extremes of cold snow to the hot waters of the steaming whirlpool beneath a northern star-filled sky so perfect, locked in a warm embrace…of being bundled in warmed blankets while enjoying Whisky on ice…surely that would be the way to enjoy Whisky and an authentic Cuban cigar!

“The more things change, the more they stay the same”. Each generation has its’ own way of enjoying fulfillment and experiencing self-gratification. No matter how much things change, the REAL THING stays the same. Sexual freedom brought on by the flower generation of the 60’s removed restricting taboos. Sex & the City’s high ratings even with watered-down repeats made for TBS aren’t a surprise either. There are always new ways to presenting sex but ‘sex without love’ is an empty, physical act. Today’s younger generation using a different lingo confuses the two. The art of love between true lovers will never change. 

The same holds true for cigars. Cigars, and the art of rolling, cutting, selecting and smoking the finest has never changed…only the rules under which aficionados can smoke them have changed. The skillful blending and balance struck between the quantity and types of ‘ligero, seco and volado tobaccos’ dictates the fundamental difference in flavor between brands. While at Le Whisky Bar, you and your lover can enjoy one of the world’s finest selections of Cuban cigars cherished by aficionados.

“Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass, all of the four essential food groups: Whisky, Caffeine, Sugar& Fat!”

Distilling the world’s finest Whisky remains an art. The distillation of Whisky is sourced back to the 6th century, a process discovered by traveling monks; the process of distillation may have changed over centuries, however the taste of a great Whisky will never change either.

Whisky Magazine reports more women than ever are choosing Whisky as the drink of choice, invading a market that has been a male-dominated bastion. At Le Whisky Bar, the world’s finest collection of genuine Cuban grown, rolled and cut cigars and the world’s finest collection of connoisseur Whisky, Bourbon, Scotch and Rye from Scotland, Ireland, the USA and Canada can be yours for the tasting.

Le Whisky Bar Menu

If You Go

“Le Whisky Bar’ is nestled beside a 39’ field stone fireplace in the intimate lounge of  “Le Grand Lodge Mont Tremblant.” Le Grand Lodge is a grand, sturdy structure of British Columbia pine logs and stone. The cathedral ceilings soar forming great rooms, furnished with luxurious leather with seating grouped around the inviting fireplace. Le Grand Lodge Mont Tremblant is a cozy mountain retreat that offers year-round adventure packed vacations. Winter activities include alpine and cross-country skiing, snowboarding, sleigh riding, snowshoeing, skating, ice sculpting, Swedish saunas and skiing lessons form Olympic skier Peter Duncan. Summer activities include world-class golfing, tennis, swimming, fishing, canoe and kayaking, mountain climbing, hiking, horse back riding and evening bon fires.

Le Grand Lodge Mont Tremblant is a vacationing paradise retreat. Hotel-apartments feature country décor. Suites feature fireplaces, large decks and kitchens. After a long day out on the mountain, Jean-Luc de la Bruyère is the young chef who will satisfy your appetite with delicious, generous portions of gourmet dining.

Mont Tremblant is a 90-minute drive from Montreal. Take Highways 15 and 117 north to St. Jovite and turn right on Route 327.

Le Grand Lodge Mont Tremblant: 2396 Labelle St., Mont Tremblant, 1-(800) 567-6763, www.legrandlodge.com.  Spa information at Helene Mouton Massotherapie: 1-(866)-766-8866, www.tremblantspa.ca

Price: Depending on availability, based on a one-night stay, on weekends, $180 for two people in a basic hotel room with two queen beds; $240 to $310 for two people in a one-bedroom suite with kitchen; or $360 to $400 for four in a two-bedroom suite. Children 17 and younger stay for free and those 5 and younger do not pay for meals. Prices include access to indoor pool, spa, skating rink and other facilities. Breakfast buffet with omelet station costs $15 for adults or $8 for children 6 to 12. Breakfast and dinner meal package costs $56.50 per person per day.

Mont Tremblant Ski & Snowboard Information: 1(888) 738.1777, (514) 876.7273 www.tremblant.ca

Domaine St. Bernard/Ski de Fond Mont Tremblant: A cross-country ski centre with 65 kilometers of trails, $12 for adults, free for children under 16. Details: (819) 425-5588.

Photos by Jean-Francois Brun and Getty Images

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