Carlos Torano Sr. A Visit By One Of The Industries Heavyweights

Yesterday, Barrister Cigars was visited by one of the cigar industries heavyweights, Carlos Torano Sr. During his short stay at the cigar store, he talked in front a crowd of twenty or so gentleman explaining his rise in the cigar business from a young man to where his company is today. Also we got a chance to do a question and answer session with him, which was great idea because everyone had questions about the cigar industry. Thank you Mr Torano for giving up your time to give us insight on the industry.

Cartier's Changing Faces...

Cartier has revealed a remarkable, limited edition version of its iconic Santos watches. This new timepiece, presented in a limited edition of twenty pieces, features an XL-sized 18K white gold case which is pave-set with round brilliant diamonds and the price is set at $300,000
The Santos Triple 100 watch is distinguished by its system of modulating dials, which allow one to choose between 3 elaborate "faces", merely by turning the crown. One face displays a classic Roman numeral layout, the next showcases a dazzling chessboard of round brilliant diamonds and black sapphires, and the final face reveals an intricately engraved tiger head, which in itself took more than 40 hours to create. The selection of faces took months of research and development, and is based upon white gold prisms whose tiny swiveling motions are controlled by miniaturized gear trains.
Ticking inside the Cartier Santos Triple 100 watch is the manually-wound 9610MC movement which has been skeletonized and extensively decorated by hand. A system of two mainspring barrels ensures a power reserve of 72 hours. The fine aesthetic details of this exclusive Cartier movement may be admired through a sapphire crystal exhibition window.

Not Your Woman's Bag....

Tips for becoming a gentleman:

1. Maintain eye contact.
2. Find a good tailor.
3. Speak softly but carry a big bag.

For that, turn to The Gentlemen’s League, an alliance of talents (industrial designer, graphic artist, creative visionary) customizing mason totes with black indelible ink.

The hand-drawn canvas tattoos are 100 percent unique: You choose the iconic imagery you want to be associated with (serpent, queen of hearts, cherry blossom). Like men of good standing, each bag is designed with public and private sides (one is showy, the other has secret details) and monogramming as you see fit.

The everyday carryall is lightweight with a leather bottom and handles (in black, brown, or white) and hinges that keep it open and standing on its own.

That’s how gentlemen prefer it.

Available at Début New York, 298 Mulberry Street, between Houston and Bleecker Streets (212-343-2717 or debutnewyork.com). To see styles, go to thegentlemensleague.com.

Death Of Auto-Tune

During Hot 97's Summer Jam on June 7, 2009 boasting a line up of superstars like Mary J. Blige, Jim Jones, Young Jeezy, and also newcomers such as Pleasure P, The Dream, and others the G.O.A.T. , Brooklyns finest Jay-Z came on stage, and dropped a bomb on everybody that was using auto-tune the past year, with a song called Death Of Auto-Tune.

His mature perspective is evident on the No I.D.-helmed "D.O.A. (Death of Auto-Tune). He rails against one of the recent banes in music, Auto-Tune a.k.a. the Robot Voice, milked death by Kanye West and T-Pain. But Auto-Tune is just part of the problem. Jay-Z citing a lack of aggression in rap. More to the point, "D.O.A." seems to be about how too many emcees rap about being the best, but don't rap like they are the best. They lack soul and hunger. Everyone knows he's a famous rapper but what sets him apart from his peers is his dedication to the actual craft of rhyming. I recommend non-believers to consult the Jay-Z documentary Fade To Black. You'll become a fan.The message of "D.O.A." is clear:Hip-hop needs more Jay-Zs and less trend-humping rappers.

Summer Style....Brooks Brothers White Buck Wing Tip

White bucks are the gin tonic of shoes, Before you say, "But wait, gin and tonic are delicious and thirst-quenching, and white bucks are not, " hear me out: White bucks are a seasonal refreshment , a break from the usual, and you can wear them easily in late spring and early fall, they're never more appealing that in the hot, sunshiny days of summer. pair them with a lightweight suit.

Wear them like they were real shoes, with seersucker, with wool, with jeans. You don't have to dress them up". "With the visible stitching of its Goodyear welt and elaborate perforation on the toe cap and upper, this is as dressed up as most of us need to be in July. Drink up and enjoy, this never gets old.