Cruising with Cigars: Part III: Don Tomas Presidente

Our final evening aboard The Mozart (Riverside Luxury Cruises) unfolded like the perfect last chapter of a novel you never wanted to end. We were moored in Budapest, the city glowing gold and crimson in the fading summer light. Dinner had been light, the company relaxed, and the promise of one more luxurious ritual hung in the air. We made our way to Deck 3, just beyond the elegantly appointed Palm Court, to a sanctuary known as the Connoisseurs Club.

Designed for those who understand the art of slowing down, the Connoisseurs Club is all dark wood, supple leather, and soft light. It is where refined indulgence is more than welcome—it is expected. A curated humidor, a well-versed cigar sommelier, and shelves lined with art books and whisky bottles make it a fitting stage for a final smoke.

On recommendation, I selected a Don Tomás Presidente for the night—an oversized Honduran classic that demands time, attention, and reverence. Paired with a pour of Johnnie Walker Blue Label, a whisky that never fails to stir memories of a weekend in Athens with someone who mattered deeply, the moment was complete before the first spark.

The Don Tomás Clásico Presidente is a stately 7 ½ x 50 vitola, wrapped in silky Ecuadorian Sumatra with a double cap and clean seams. Its aroma at cold was soft tobacco and pepper, promising warmth without aggression. The first draw—firm, deliberate—delivered a medium-full body, with notes of sweet wood, a dash of spice, and earthy tobacco richness. As the cigar opened, it offered a more expressive character: black pepper, subtle sweetness, and a long finish that tingled just enough to keep things interesting. The smoke was velvety, building in volume and depth, never harsh, always measured. For a cigar this affordably priced, the experience was anything but modest.

Originally celebrated in Cigar Aficionado’s Top 25 (2006), it continues to impress both newcomers and long-time aficionados. Its combination of Dominican Corojo and Criollo fillers, Dominican binder, and Honduran craftsmanship is a nod to the country’s cigar-making heritage, and a reminder that luxury does not always come at a premium.

A MOMENT WORTH REPEATING

For those who believe they have smoked everywhere—on terraces, in private lounges, beside firepits, and deep in the embrace of aged leather chairs—let me say this: the top deck of a luxury cruise ship is a world of its own. While the Connoisseurs Club aboard The Mozart offers an atmosphere of refined intimacy with its dark woods, curated humidor, and slow-burning conversations, there is something about lighting up under the open sky that stirs the soul differently.

From the brisk coolness of the morning, through the golden warmth of an afternoon sun, and into the hush of a star-laced evening, each setting adds dimension to the ritual. The top deck is where smoke and sky meet—relaxing, expansive, deeply personal. It is a moment you will carry with you long after disembarkation, and one you would never trade—not even for your finest cigar.

Author Profile

Vlad Xanthopoulos: Vlad Xanthopoulos is the Vices Ambassador at Folio.YVR, host of Cocktails & Cigars, and contributor. A connoisseur of fine cigars and craft cocktails, Vlad explores the art, culture, and stories behind these indulgences. His passion for tradition and refined living elevate Vancouver Vices for Folio.YVR Luxury Lifestyle Magazine.