My Favorite Cigar
Aldo Sohm • Sommelier • Padrón 1964 Anniversary Exclusivo
Aldo Sohm learned about cigar presentation as part of his training as an international sommelier before he ever smoked one. Today, he is the wine director of Wine Spectator Grand Award-winning restaurant Le Bernardin and the nearby Aldo Sohm Wine Bar. But in the 1990s, he was being tutored in how to describe and serve cigars to customers by a former champion who gave Sohm his first cigar.
“I said I don’t smoke—he said it’s like you’re selling a car but you can’t drive.” Sohm was handed an Avo, which he enjoyed. He’s became a regular cigar lover since.
“My go-to is always Padrón,” he says. He gravitates toward the 1964s, but also loves the 1926 80 Years. He also enjoys Ferio Tegos, along with Cubans, but he finds Havana cigars less consistent.
Sohm, 52, smokes when he’s relaxing. “I do it on the weekends,” he says. He avoids puffing indoors and skips the vino when he’s around cigars. “When I’m drinking wine I taste very analytical,” he says. When smoking a cigar, his drink of choice is usually a fine Tequila, mezcal or Armagnac.
