whispers

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"The Roman Empire is luxurious, but it is filled with misery. It is dying but it laughs." - Salvianus

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Cigarettes in Review: Part 3: American (cont.)

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American Spirit (Yellow): These feature all natural tobacco, which has made them popular with the alternative crowd as well as with the neo-hippies. They have a strong nicotine kick, but the flavor is harsh and has a blunt, charred taste. Also they have a poor draw. Vastly overrated. Really, don't smoke these. Nat Sherman’s – Nat Sherman started as a tobacconist in New York in 1930. Nat Sherman all natural cigarettes are American classics, and the company history and tradition adds to the smoking experience . They come in elegant boxes and a variety of styles, and the cigarettes themselves are noticeably well constructed. And while I am hostile to light cigarettes it should be remarked that the various Nat Sherman lights are lighter not because they contain filler, but because of different filters and milder blends. (Note: many Nat Sherman styles are brown cigarettes and I have (for whatever reason) an aversion to smoking brown cigarettes, even though (oddly enough) I smoke cigar
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Cigarettes in review: Part 2: Imported

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Dunhill (Red –International): Strong but smooth flavor, and have a considerable amount of nicotine. An excellent, top of the line smoke. Debonair. This used to be my regular brand. The ones in the attention getting international box are slightly longer than a king size. With taxes where I live they now cost $7.00 a pack, which is an outrage. Sweet Afton’s (non-filter): From Ireland, though the name comes from a Robert Burns poem. Made of quality Virginia tobacco, this great tasting cigarette is far less harsh than the typical non-filter cigarette. Outstanding. My only complaint is that the box they come in is flimsy. Major Extra Size: These are also from Ireland, I think (and manufactured by the people who make Sweet Afton’s). They are actually smaller than a king size. A nice, mild Virginia tobacco taste. They fall into the category of cigarettes I enjoyed, but for some reason was not inclined to smoke on a regular basis. State Express 555: These UK smokes have eye the most aest
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Hangover Cures

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Absinthe is again available in the United States (our long national nightmare is over), so severe drunks with epic hangovers can now make a proper Sea Captain’s Special . This drink was invented by Seattle bartender Harry Porter. The following recipe is from David Wondrich: In an Old-Fashioned glass, place a sugar cube (or 1/2 teaspoon loose sugar). Wet this down with 2 or 3 dashes of Angostura bitters and a short splash of water or club soda and crush the sugar with a muddler or whatever's handy. Rotate the glass so that sugar grains and bitters give it a lining. Add a large ice cube. Pour in 2 1/2 ounces rye (or bourbon) and top off with brut champagne and 2 dashes absinthe. (If you lack this ingredient, you may use one of the substitutes available -- Absente, Herbsaint, Pernod, etc. -- but since they contain no wormwood, this step will be, let's say, homeopathic.) Happy New Year. "I have had occasion, I fancy, to speak before now of these pick-me-ups of Jeeves's and
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