50 cigars lit up at the same time
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The club "Il TOSCANO: Tradizione in Garfanana" and two expert sommeliers from FISAR were called upon by the Hotel and Restaurant Ludovico Ariosto of Castelnuovo Garfanana, Italy to help with the inauguration and testing of their new fully air-conditioned smoking and dining area. As the members lit up the room with a pre dinner delicate and aromatic "Toscanelli" a few devoted passive smokers took deep pilfering breaths in a vain attempt to join us in this cigar relishing moment. The first test was a success, the air conditioning was doing its job wonderfully, not even a whiff managed to escape and hence, if those miserly passives wanted to delight with the rest of us, then they would have to procure and smoke their own cigars for once. The evening continued at a very civilised and leisurely pace with some deliciously prepared unhurried food and expertly harmonised wine. In-between courses and in anticipation to the really big test event some members teased the aeration system by indulging in the more conventional but less challenging smoking tests. Finally the big moment had arrived, the president of the club Francesco Bertoncini presented the hotel Ludovico Ariosto a plaque to commemorate this historic occasion and then gave way to the final testing session. Paolo from the Tabaccheria Paolini carefully opened the elegant wooden box containing standard issue fully loaded Toscano cigars and gave one to each of the 50 strong testing squad. The room went silent, we slowly raised our cigars to our mouths, then we took one final look around and although we couldn't hear anything we knew that we were surrounded by some of the most modern and efficient ventilation system ever to set foot in this part of the world. The order to fire was given, and with even better timing that a synchronised swimming team we lit our Toscano cigars. We did our best but soon realised that 50 simultaneously glowing Toscano's were no match, the air freshening rate was just too much. Still we held our ground and managed to keep the testing going for a few more hours. Everyone had a wonderful evening and I would like to personally thank the hotel Ludovico Ariosto because although like any other public place the hotel's main restaurant and other areas are strictly non smoking, it is nice to see that the owners have taken the trouble to create this small well ventilated oasis in an otherwise smokeless desert Images and text by Cub reporter barganews.com
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