Kip Fisher - Co-Founder, Author at Half Ashed

Half Ashed Episode 113: Davidoff Nicaragua

May 20, 2015 By Kip Fisher

Davidoff Nicaragua Short Corona

I’m joined this week by longtime friend of the show and former Dogwatch Cigar Radio cohost Dale Roush. A huge thanks to Dale for sitting in with me and catching up. We’re smoking the Davidoff Nicaragua Short Corona, a 3.75″ x 46 beauty featuring a 10 year old Habano seed Rosado wrapper, and Nicaraguan binder/fillers. This line debuted in summer of 2013, and retails for about $9.90 depending on local tax situation. Tune in to get our thoughts on the cigar, as well as a chance to see what Dale has been up to and a bit of cigar news!

News

In a topic we talked briefly about last week as an outlying possibility for a developing trend, Camacho has announced their contribution to the world of barrel-aged cigars. The Camacho American Barrel Aged will feature bourbon barrel-aged corojo as a core component. It will also come with a 5-year old American broadleaf wrapper. In fact, it almost exclusively utilizes American grown tobacco, including the broadleaf wrapper, binder and filler – including a maduro filler tobacco from Pennsylvania. A single leaf of six year old bourbon barrel aged Corojo was added to the recipe. They are promoting a national event tour to launch the line, beginning in Orlando June 8th and ending up at Tampa Humidor December 19th. It will be shipping June 15th and retail for $10-12 per cigar. I posted a story about it on the website with full tour schedule.

United Cigar, who we’ve spoken of several times in the past 2 months, is partnering with Selected Tobacco to extend the Byron line by two vitolas. Both cigars are the largest Byron vitolas to date, and as a result each blend is tweaked a bit with a higher priming to maintain the strength and flavor required to match the larger ring gauge format. The packaging has also been revamped and will include individual humitubes with the cigars. MSRP has been set at a whopping $33 a stick. Here are the details on the cigars. See full story posted earlier.

The Serie Siglo XIX, was blended by Nelson Alfonso with a goal of best representing Cuban Cigars of the 19th Century is now available in a 6 x 56, known as the Grand Poemas.

The Serie Siglo XX – also blended by Nelson Alfonso – aims at representing Cuban Cigars of the 20th Century, and is also available in a 6 x 56 format known as Habanero.

A few weeks ago we reported on an upcoming event-only offering from Crowned Heads…just as an update, the name has changed from “Snake Oil” to “Blood Medicine.” Turns out, Kendall Culbertson of Outlaw Cigar Co. owns the trademark for Snake Oil. So, to maintain the peace, the Crowned Heads folks opted to just change the name. Other details remain the same: it’s a 5.5” x 48 “super corona”; Ecuador Habano wrapper over Nicaraguan binder and filler. It will not be available for stand-alone purchase, and will come through event special purchases.

The still-recovering Skip Martin is closing in on shipping the much-anticipated release of RoMa Craft’s Neanderthal this upcoming week. The line carries a Mexican San Andrés wrapper, Connecticut broadleaf binder and fillers that include tobacco from Condega, Estelí, Jalapa and Pueblo Nuevo from Nicaragua; Dominican olor ligero and Pennsylvania “Green River Sucker One” double ligero. The line will be distributed initially in a single 5” x 52/58 vitola, but will also include extensions soon. A shop exclusive/event 4.25” x 52 vitola will also be available soon for Riverside Cigar Shop in Indiana and Serious Cigars in TX. These two sizes will retail for $12 and $9 respectively.

While cruising the social media nether regions today, I noticed an article halfwheel posted up that they’d found in the Cañon City Daily Record from Dale’s home state of Colorado. It appears some folks in Cañon City CO are shooting for a ban on outdoor smoking in the Central Business District of the city. The claim is that smokers spilling out of buildings (due to an indoor ban) are giving the area an inconvenient image. Councilman James Characky, Jr. said. “I want to create an image of healthy, vibrant people, not an image of cigarette smoking, beer drinkers.” The mayor has proposed limiting the ban to Main Street alone, rather than the entire district.

What Else We’ve Been Smoking

Dale

Man O” War Armada War Horse
Black Market Vandal Toro
Camacho Triple Maduro Robusto

Kip

A peculiar Tramp Stamp – Wrapper: Habano Ecuador, Binder: Nicaraguan, Filler: Nicaraguan

Next Episode

Next episode (114) we will be featuring the Unbanded #024 from zedman. So come by Half Ashed Friday night at 9:30pm EST and hang out with us in the chatroom during the show. If you would like to contact us in the meantime, you can reach us via the Contact Page or the following emails:[email protected] or [email protected]. Please feel free to drop us a line if you have any questions you’d like answered, comments to make…or even compliments and complaints. We love to get your emails! Also, remember you can always go back and listen to previous episodes, which can be found in the Half Ashed Archive. You can download this week’s audio directly below (right-click “Download” and save), find us on iTunes, or subscribe with any podcast app at our RSS Feed. Video, as always, will be available at the Half Ashed YouTube Channel.

P.S. – If you have unbanded suggestions or contributions, you can get those to us by sending an email to [email protected]. This email address goes directly to my wife, so you can simply suggest an unbanded cigar for her to source, or send [email protected] if you have something you’d like to send in. I will provide an address to send them. Thanks!

MBombay Tobak introduces new Habano Blend

May 11, 2015 By Kip Fisher

After a successful launch of their Connecticut Classic and Corojo Oscuro lines, MBombay Tobak has announced a new introduction into the marketplace. The company will soon release a “medium bodied, flavor packed cigar” called the MBombay Habano. The offering will be a part of their core line portfolio.

“It is our Passion as a Brand to create an enjoyable Experience for cigar smokers of all levels. It is our pleasure to create a medium bodied blend that truly encompasses the complexity and nuances a tasty cigar should provide.” ~ Mel Shah (Owner/Creator)

The new cigar will feature and Ecuadoran Habano wrapper over an Ecuadoran Criollo binder and filler tobacco from Nicaragua and Peru. It will be available in five vitolas, including a corona, robusto, belicoso, churchill, and gordo. Suggested retail pricing will range from $8.50 to $12.50, depending on size.

The MBombay Habano is a follow up to the company’s first year introductions listed above. MBombay supports its retailers by refusing to allow for online sales of their cigars, and provides online marketing coverage for their accounts. The company reports more than 65 retail accounts after its first year of production, and growth in the U.S. market. More information can be found at: www.bombaytobak.com.

Cigar Sense launches service to match consumer tastes with cigars

May 11, 2015 By Kip Fisher

Cigar Sense Inc., a group we have discussed on past episodes of Half Ashed, has launched a service to aid consumers in finding new cigars that suit their unique tastes, and hopes to eliminate some of the guesswork that comes with choosing new cigars. The service acts in an advisory role, and offers personalized advice about which cigars best suit one’s taste preferences.

“It all began when I re-located to California in 2013. I was suddenly confronted with two problems” Cigar Sense founder Franca Comparetto explains “I could not legally buy the Cuban cigars I was accustomed to smoking in Italy, and instead was overwhelmed by the thousands of non-Cuban cigars available in the New World.”

The Cigar Sense aromas wheel is based on the most commonly used descriptors by the company’s panel when testing cigars

This led to the Cigar Sense concept. Knowing that not all cigar smokers are dedicated to a specific brand or line, she aims to provide help to both novices and aficionados in search of expanding their horizons. The goal is to reduce trial-and-error while simultaneously organizing a smoker’s preferences and tendencies in choosing a favorite cigar.

“Cigar Sense is a unique service that has helped me further grow as a cigar smoker. I’ve discovered what flavors and characters appeal most to me, and the selections have exposed me to cigars I would not normally try.” says early adopter and longtime aficionado Art Schlussel.

The company has built a methodology around a database of blind tasting protocols from its international panel of cigar experts.

“Independence is one of our key pillars. Cigar Sense does not sell cigars, ads, nor our members’ personal information” states co-founder David Wells, who adds “In the process, we believe we can help all segments of the industry, since happier consumers will inevitably buy more cigars. Rather than competing with retailers by selling cigars, we want to partner with them.“

About the Company:

Cigar Sense Inc. is a Silicon Valley based, lean agile start up focused on maximizing the premium cigar lovers experience. Established in 2014, the company offers personalized expert advice on which cigars best suit a consumer’s unique tastes.

TL Johnson and La Tradicion Cubana to Part

May 11, 2015 By Kip Fisher

Long time friends of Half Ashed Luis Sanchez (La Tradicion Cubana) and Terry Johnson (TL Johnson Cigars) have decided to part ways, with TL Johnson to found a new factory in the Dominican Republic. The news came from TL Johnson first on May 9th, with the following announcement on the company’s Facebook page:

T.L. Johnson Cigars is no longer part of the Cuban Tradition Cigar Group. We have decided to part ways with the Cuban Tradition Cigar Group and open our own factory in the Dominican Republic. We will be rolling all T.L. Johnson Cigars as well as Counsellor Cigars and will be taking on producing private label cigars as well. We are exciting about our new endeavor and producing the best quality cigars as you have come to expect from T.L. Johnson Cigars.

Earlier today, I received a subsequent message from Luis Sanchez of LTC, relating the following:

After 3 -years working with Tabacalera LTC in Dominican Republic and La Tradicion Cubana in Miami and being part of The Cuban Tradition Cigar Group., TL Johnson Cigars has decided to branch out and open its own cigar factory. We at Tabacalera LTC, La Tradicion Cubana and The Cuban Tradition Cigar Group are happy that as a result of the great product we produced for TL Johnson Cigars, and the market exposure we provided, they are now able to go out on their own. Just like a parent is proud and wishes only the best for their child, so we at Tabacalera LTC, La Tradicion Cubana and The Cuban Tradition Cigar Group wish TL Johnson Cigars ‘long ashes’.

The two have been partners in a joint farming venture in Villa Gonzàlez, Dominican Republic for the past two years, and La Tradicion Cubana has rolled TL Johnson cigars since 2012. Terry was a guest on Episode 021 of Half Ashed

Half Ashed Episode 112: Southern Draw Cigars

May 10, 2015 By Kip Fisher

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Southern Draw Cigars – Kudzu Toro

Welcome to episode 112! This week, we have guest Robert Holt of Southern Draw Cigars. Tune in as we chat with Robert about his cigars, the philosophy behind the brand and blending, as well as a few off-topic rabbit trails. We had a fantastic time…all while smoking the Southern Draw Kudzu. Tonight’s stick is the 6″ x 52 toro, featuring Nicaraguan internal components wrapped in a Nicaraguan Habano Oscuro wrapper leaf. The Kudzu is softly pressed, with moderate tooth and beautiful dark chocolate-brown coloration throughout. It also has an element I increasingly enjoy for lighting purposes – a closed foot, which makes lighting a breeze. Besides the toro, it is also available in a 5.5″ x 54 robusto and 6.5″ x 60 Gordo. Tune in to see how it went!

News

Big news today from House of Emilio. Founder Gary Griffith has left the company, per a statement from them on social media this afternoon:

Today’s post is to inform our friends in the cigar industry about the retirement of Gary Griffith from Emilio Cigars, House of Emilio, and Delaware Cigars. Gary was a visionary and a social media marketing pioneer. His time with us was filled with laughter, caring, and many great cigars. Going forward, his legacy will continue through the brands he’s helped, the distribution company he led, and the cigars that he blended. We wish him all the best in his future adventures!

So…what does this mean? Nate McIntyre left a few months back, and I’m not even sure who is left to take the helm. I know they have several sales folks at this point, but I don’t know who is in a position to continue on.

Yesterday, we learned of that 4 Senators (including Craig’s own Dick Durbin) have proposed a NEW tax on tobacco products, including cigars. The proposal would add $0.94 per pack of cigarettes and an “equivalent amount” on other tobacco products. One of the specified goals is to make the taxation similar on all types of tobacco usage. And…predictably….it’s “for the kids.” Speculation is that the tax would add close to $1 to the retail price of premium cigars, depending on wholesale pricing. While it isn’t expected to make it to law, some day it will likely do so should the environment shift….

Nicholas Melillo – aka Nick R. Agua – has been hinting around for weeks or even months concerning possible future involvement in the cigar industry post-Drew Estate. He finally made it a bit clearer this week, with a post stating that “I don’t think there is any better way for people to understand my experience in Nicaragua than through a cigar and a brand, which i hope to debut this summer/fall. As I did with Drew Estate I am putting heart and soul into these new projects, because that’s the only way I know how to do it.”

In a story we didn’t get to last week, Davidoff will be mixing it up again – they will be introducing a Brazilian themed line. It will be rolled in the Dominican Republic, and feature tobacco from the DR, Ecuador and Brazil. Availability is limited to three vitolas – a 3.25” x 50 short robusto, 4.5” x 54 robusto, and 5.5” x 58 gran toro. Pricing has not been released, but the smallest is expected to come in around the $10 mark. The line should debut at this year’s IPCPR tradeshow.

What Else We’ve Been Smoking

Craig

isla del sol – What can I say about a sugar tipped cigar from my boss? The gift was a nice gesture while we were working together on site but the reality is not my style. A better quality wrapper would have been appreciated. As would no artificial additives to the wrappers head. The cigar had an enjoyable natural tasting sweetness that I did find palatable but I just can’t get over the sticky coating. My lips ripped the wrapper a quarter of the way in and I progressively had to pick pieces off of my lips. If I wasn’t frustrated continuously I would have enjoyed the experience a bit. It reminds me of something my dad would smoke. I’m sure I’d find myself smiling one day after he’s gone if I happened to light one of these up. Too bad it would be the type of laughter accompanying those frustrating moments in life that are so mundane they’re humorous. I guess there’s something redeeming in everything if you look deep enough.

Kip

Tatuaje “Hassell” from 2013 SNS pack. Incredibly sweet aroma off the foot; The initial puffs were wildly entertaining – dark and chocolatey; lots of early sweetness with dark, cherry flavors. From midpoint on, I got a peculiar and unique flavor – hoarhound candy, or even root beer. One of the best cigars I’ve had this year….wish there were more.

Ortega “Cubao” – A couple years ago, when Eddie re-introduced these, I really enjoyed them. They had lots of bright, approachable spice and just enough of a kick to stay interesting. They seem to have maintained all their strength but lost some flavor. It seemed a bit out of balance; definitely tilted toward strength on the ol’ scale.

Some Fuente prototype from CFC2012. I love Fuente. I truly do…but I was left a bit disappointed by this one. It began with delicious, sweet toasty goodness. But around the midpoint, it became increasingly hard to get smoke from it – and the flavor went a bit more vegetal than I’d typically prefer. At first I wished I knew what it was and how to get more…but by the end I didn’t really care.

Next Episode

Next episode (113) we will be featuring the Davidoff Nicaragua short corona, with special guest Dale Roush. So come by Half Ashed Friday night at 9:30pm EST and hang out with us in the chatroom during the show. If you would like to contact us in the meantime, you can reach us via the Contact Page or the following emails: [email protected] or [email protected]. Please feel free to drop us a line if you have any questions you’d like answered, comments to make…or even compliments and complaints. We love to get your emails! Also, remember you can always go back and listen to previous episodes, which can be found in the Half Ashed Archive. You can download this week’s audio directly below (right-click “Download” and save), find us on iTunes, or subscribe with any podcast app at our RSS Feed. Video, as always, will be available at the Half Ashed YouTube Channel.

P.S. – If you have unbanded suggestions or contributions, you can get those to us by sending an email to [email protected]. This email address goes directly to my wife, so you can simply suggest an unbanded cigar for her to source, or send me [email protected] if you have something you’d like to send in. I will provide an address to send them. Thanks!

Cigar News: Camacho Announces American Barrel Aged

May 4, 2015 By Kip Fisher

The New Camacho American Barrel-Aged

HONORING ONE TRADITION, WHILE BREAKING ANOTHER

This past Thursday, Camacho announced the first release of their new Master Built Series, the Camacho American Barrel Aged. The cigar will feature bourbon barrel-aged Corojo as a core component.

The line is promoted to celebrate “the hardworking grit of Kentucky bourbon makers and the passionate artistry of our master builders. Challenging convention at every turn. Working together to forge an intense smoking experience unlike anything else. A process that begins  with the original Corojo plant, aging its legendary leaves for six years and then locking them in charred Kentucky bourbon barrels.”

The American Barrel Aged will feature a five year old American broadleaf wrapper, which is said to provide oaken flavors and sweet bourbon aromas.

“American Barrel-Aged is something we have been working on for some time and we are very excited to finally share it with aficionados now in the US and across global markets in the near future. This project marks the first time a Camacho core line has been made outside of Honduras and we are extremely proud of what our master builders in the Dominican Republic have brought to life. Barrel aging is a very tedious and hands-on process. We are aging around 2,000 lbs of Corojo filler tobacco and rotating the barrels one leaf at a time every few weeks. Each batch takes a full five months to complete and requires constant attention to ensure the proper journey for this special tobacco,” said Dylan Austin, Director of Marketing for Davidoff of Geneva USA.

Interestingly, the cigar almost entirely utilizes American grown tobacco, including the broadleaf wrapper, binder and filler – including a maduro filler tobacco from Pennsylvania. A single leaf of six year old bourbon barrel aged Corojo was added to the recipe, aiming to amplify the complexity of the blend.”

A full nationwide road tour is in the works, and will kick off with “a week-long extravaganza at Corona Cigar in Orlando starting on June 8th.” Each of the remaining American Barrel Aged launch events will last for three days, and are being limited to a group of twenty five selected retailers. The grand finale will close out the tour at Tampa Humidor in Tampa, FL on December 19th.

The new line will begin shipping nationwide on Monday June 15th, with a suggested retail of $10-$12 per cigar.

Camacho American Barrel Aged Road Tour Dates & Locations

Jun 8 – 13
Corona Cigar Co. (Orlando, FL)

Jun 18 – 20
Prime Cigar (Boca Raton, FL)

Jun 25 – 27
Emerson’s (Virginia Beach, VA)

Jul 1 – 3
Cigar Realm (Ashland, VA)

Jul 9 – 11
Tinderbox Waldorf (Waldorf, MD)

Jul 30 – Aug 1
Humidour Cigar Shoppe (Cockeysville, MD)

Aug 6 – 8
TBD

Aug 13 – 15
Two Guys Smoke Shop (Nashua, NH)

Aug 20 – 22
Cup of Joes (Queensbury, NY)

Aug 27 – 29
TBD

Sept 3 – 5
Blend Bar (Indianapolis, IN)

Sept 9 – 11
Just For Him (Springfield, MO)

Sept 17 – 19
Outlaw Cigar Co (Overland Park, KS)

Sept 23 – 25
Addison Cigar (Addison, TX)

Oct 1 – 3
Club Humidor (San Antonio, TX)

Oct 8 – 10
Heroes & Legacies 9Austin, TX)

Oct 15 – 17
Serious Cigar (Houston, TX)

Oct 22 – 24
Cigar Shop Biloxi (Biloxi, MS)

Oct 29 – 31
Franklin Cigar (Franklin, TN)

Nov 5 – 7
Cigars & More (Birmingham, AL)

Nov 12 – 14
Havana Phil’s (Greensboro, NC)

Nov 19 – 21
Ansteads Tobacco (Fayetteville, NC)

Dec 3 – 5
5 Point Bottle Shop (Athens, GA)

Dec 10 – 12
Smoke Inn (Boynton Beach, FL)

Dec 17 – 19
Tampa Humidor ((Grand Finale) Tampa, FL)

The company also released the following teaser video:

About Camacho Cigars

Camacho is the world’s leading brand of bold cigars, representing the concept of unleashing unmistakable and intense
experiences. Infamous since 1962, the brand has become a sanctuary for the powerful, elemental being who seeks to fill their lives with unapologetic good times. A combination of rich heritage, product excellence and a never surrender attitude has enabled Camacho to grow into an aggressive brand globally recognized as the standard of full-frontal flavor and full-frontal lifestyle.

For more information about Camacho, please visit www.camachocigars.com or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Half Ashed Episode 111: Crowned Heads Single Action

May 3, 2015 By Kip Fisher

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Crowned Heads JD Howard Reserve Single Action

One of several 2015 LE’s from Crowned Heads, the Single Action was an addition to the JD Howard Reserve line. Only about 2,000 boxes of 10 cigars were produced, and the cigar carries an MSRP of $9.25 per cigar (and they’re still out there if you’re interested). It is a 6×38 petit lancero, featuring a Brazilian Arapiraca wrapper over Ecuador Sumatran binder and Nicaraguan fillers. The line is produced by EP Carrillo in the Dominican Republic. Carrying with the JD Howard theme, the cigar is named after Jesse James’ weapon of choice – the Colt Single Action.

News

I got some info on a new line from Luis Sanchez this week, called the Figurado Series. It will initially be available in a single 5”x54 “Chulo” vitola, and two different wrappers -Ecuadoran (natural) and San Andres (maduro). Filler leaf will include some of the tobacco grown by Luis and Terry Johnson at their DOMUSA farming operation in Villa Gonzalez, DR. I did not get pricing information, but it should be stateside in the next couple of weeks.

AJ Fernandez is extending the New World line to include a Connecticut wrapped version. The New World Connecticut will feature an American-grown CT shade wrapper, Mexican San Andres binder, and a filler mix of Nicaraguan and Brazilian leaf – which is very different from the standard New World (“Dark Nicaragua” wrapper over Jalapa binder and a filler blend of Viso Ometepe, Condega ligero, and Estelí-Finca Soledad ligero, and “Dark Nicaragua” wrapper). It will be available in four vitolas – Corona Gorda (5.5×46), Robusto (5×50), Toro (6×52), and Belicoso (6×54). Pricing will be in line with the existing New World lineup.

Following our recent mentions of a few pipe tobacco related items, I’m happy to report that Pete Johnson is working on some blends himself. He posted up a pic of something he was smoking this week and commented that he was working on something new. He said he hopes to have something by the tradeshow. I asked where his focus might be in terms of the types of blends he was working on, and he said “Plan on more English and some English with some aromatic twists.” If that’s the case, I’m all in for trying them out. I’d love to see this project take on life. I really hope he’s actually creating blends from the ground up, and not going through a bulk blending house and just mixing off some existing compositions. Pete’s history, palate and following could really make this a boon to the pipe tobacco industry. Time will tell…

A few weeks ago, we talked a bit about La Flor Dominicana’s novel idea for having TAA members vote on this year’s TAA LE with their pocketbooks. The gathering is over, orders placed and a winner selected. The winning cigar is the 5.5” x 52 robusto. The line features an Ecuadoran habano wrapper, Mexican binder, and Dominican fillers. MSRP is about $9 per stick, and it should arrive on retailers’ shelves in about a month – assuming you have a TAA member retailer in your neck of the woods.

Following the lead of several municipalities around the state, Florida’s capital Tallahassee is looking to make it harder on employees who smoke. An intent has been announced to end the hiring of any tobacco users, and prohibiting tobacco/e-cig use in all govt owned buildings, vehicles, etc. – even during break times. Hiring changes would go into effect July 1, 2015, while other aspects would be phased in over the next two years (including a $20 fee [and it’s not an increased insurance premium….it’s a fee]from employees’ paychecks if they smoke).

A follow up to a program we previously discussed called Cigar Sense. Back in November we (Craig) had some choice words for a few of the statistics they shared from a survey of 400+ cigar smokers they recently spoke with. We saw some irregularities and downright confusing data being thrown about and rightfully scratched our head when trying to make heads or tails out of it. That same organization has just today discussed that they are using a “control” group of over 1,200 cigar reviews to provide a database to help smokers pinpoint sticks that will line up with their palate. The rub here is that the program determines what will fit your tastes based upon what else you like. Check out cigarsense.com for some cool introductions into the program and to formulate some of your own opinions.

What Else We’ve Been Smoking

This is where we chat about our week in smoke…tune in to the show for full details about our experience with these (and more).

Craig

TL Johnson Legend Reserve 63 Maduro – I second what I said a couple shows back. Genius exemplified in a cigar.

Kip

LEAF by Oscar Connecticut. I got this from Franky99 when he was down from the GWN visiting Tampa.

Nestor Miranda SS Exclusivo Regional –

Listener Email

We (finally) got around to an email series between Craig and listener “Cigar City.” Craig fills us in on the exchange about David Garofalo’s recent trip report about his excursion to Cuba…

Next Episode

Next episode (112) we will be featuring the Southern Draw KUDZU, with special guest owner Robert Holt. So come by Half Ashed Friday night at 9:30pm EST and hang out with us in the chatroom during the show. If you would like to contact us in the meantime, you can reach us via the Contact Page or the following emails: [email protected] or [email protected]. Please feel free to drop us a line if you have any questions you’d like answered, comments to make…or even compliments and complaints. We love to get your emails! Also, remember you can always go back and listen to previous episodes, which can be found in the Half Ashed Archive. You can download this week’s audio directly below (right-click “Download” and save), find us on iTunes, or subscribe with any podcast app at our RSS Feed. Video, as always, will be available at the Half Ashed YouTube Channel.

P.S. – If you have unbanded suggestions or contributions, you can get those to us by sending an email to [email protected]. This email address goes directly to my wife, so you can simply suggest an unbanded cigar for her to source, or send me an [email protected] if you have something you’d like to send in. I will provide an address to send them. Thanks!

Selected Tobacco Releases 2 New Byron Vitolas

April 30, 2015 By Kip Fisher

Selected Tobacco adds two new sizes to Byron line; updated packaging

Founded in 1850, the Byron brand is a longstanding marque as one of the oldest brands in production today. Selected Tobacco is pleased to announce the addition of 2 new sizes to the line, as well as updated packaging.

The Serie Siglo XIX, carefully blended by Nelson Alfonso with a goal of best representing Cuban Cigars of the 19th Century is now available in a 6 x 56, known as the Grand Poemas.

The Serie Siglo XX – also blended by Nelson Alfonso – aims at representing Cuban Cigars of the 20th Century, and is also available in a 6 x 56 format known as Habanero.

Since the beginning, Byron was destined to unite smokers with exquisite taste, and today Byron continues to strive toward delivering a superior cigar that is the epitome of luxury.

Both cigars are the largest Byron vitolas to date, and as a result each blend is tweaked a bit with a higher priming to maintain the strength and flavor required to match the larger ring gauge format.

Each cigar is protected inside a Humitube^®, a uniquely effective humidified cigar tube chambered system that lets the cigar receive slow humidification through the wall of the tube that makes for a balanced humidity level throughout the cigar at any length.

The new Byron will retail for $33 per cigar, and are available in three packs with an MSRP of $98.99. The cigar is set to get a full release at IPCPR in New Orleans July 17-21, 2015.

About Selected Tobacco

Selected Tobacco is the brainchild of Nelson Alfonso who has designed some of the best known Cuban brands in the world, including the design of Cohiba Behike. He is also the Master Blender for Atabey, Byron and Bandolero which are distributed in the United States by United Cigar Group.

About United Cigar Group

United Cigar Group is the distributor for all Selected Tobacco Products in the United States as well as the Garofolo, Fleur de la Reine, La Gianna and the soon to be released KILO. They can be found on the web at http://www.unitedcigargroup.com

Asia Marketing Services to represent Drew Estate

April 30, 2015 By Kip Fisher

This past week, Swisher International Inc. and Drew Estate announced the appointment of Asia Marketing Services (AMS), led by Hans Rijfkogel, as an Independent Sales Representative for the Asian Domestic and Duty-‐Free Market. The company is based in Taipei, Taiwan.

“The international marketplace holds tremendous growth opportunities for Swisher and Drew Estate. As the two companies have been able to combine resources in specific geographies following the acquisition of Drew Estate last year, we have seen an almost immediate increase in the number of retailers carrying our brands and the number of consumers smoking our product.” stated Alex Goldman, Vice President of International Business Development.

Joe Augustus, Senior Vice President of Global Affairs, added “The Asian region has been a growing market for Swisher for several years, and we have set some ambitious goals for its growth. With the addition of the Drew Estate portfolio of products, it made sense to add a resource located in the region to better service our customers, and keep them informed of our growing product mix. With over 20 years of selling experience in the region, we feel Hans and his team are the perfect representatives to help further our goals.”

Reached at AMS headquarters in the Taipei 101 Tower, Hans Rijfkogel, Director of Asia Marketing Services stated “When I started AMS the goal was to build solid relationships with a small group of prominent manufacturers in order to represent a well rounded portfolio of quality products. Adding both Swisher International and Drew Estate to our mix has allowed us to reach that goal. I am excited to be a part of the Swisher/Drew Estate family and look forward to great success in the future.”

AMS will represent both Swisher and Drew Estate in several domestic and duty-‐free markets, including China, Cambodia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Korea, Macau, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Japan (Swisher only), Vietnam, Myanmar, Laos, and India.

About Swisher International

Swisher International, Inc. is a leading tobacco manufacturer of various filtered cigars and smokeless tobacco brands as well as a number of premium cigars through its Royal Gold Premium Cigars division. Swisher products are exported to over 80 countries. Swisher International, Inc. is headquartered in Jacksonville, FL and also has manufacturing facilities in Wheeling, WV and Santiago, Dominican Republic.

About Drew Estate Inc.

Founded in New York City in 1996, Drew Estate has become one of the fastest growing tobacco companies in the world. Under their mantra “The Rebirth of Cigars”^TM, Drew Estate has led The “Boutique Cigar” movement by innovating new elements to the tobacco industry with their unique tobaccos and blending styles that have attracted new and traditional cigar enthusiasts. In their Gran Fabrica Drew Estate, the Nicaraguan headquarters, Drew Estate produces a variety of brands such as ACID, Herrera Estelí, Kentucky Fired Cured, Liga Privada, MUWAT, Natural by Drew Estate, Nica Rustica, Nirvana, Tabak Especial, UnderCrown, and Java by Drew Estate.

About Asia Marketing Services

Established in Taipei in 2013, Asia Marketing Services (AMS) has been successfully marketing and promoting imported tobacco products of the highest quality throughout Asia. AMS has developed a deep understanding of how to market and promote these products and build them into powerful brands. AMS represents Swisher, Drew Estate, Royal Agio Cigars and Flandria in the Asian domestic and duty free markets and maintains close relationships with all the major tobacco importers and Duty Free operators.

Cigar News: La Tradicion Cubana shipping Figurado Series

April 23, 2015 By Kip Fisher

Luis Sanchez at La Tradicion Cubana has provided more information on a new line he has arriving in the very near future. Regular Half Ashed listeners will recognize Luis’ name from frequent mentions on the show whenever Craig and I have delved into our LTC supply. Both Craig and I are fans of his work, and both regular purchase La Tradicion products for our own humidors. For those interested, some of our favorites include the TL Johnson Tempio and most recently the La Tradicion Cubana Reserva Familiar…as well as the corona in his original La Tradicion Cubana line. In June of 2013, we also featured the Tempio on Episode 021 when we had guest Terry Johnson on the show.

The new line is to be called the Figurado Series, and for the time being will only come in a singular 5” x 54 “Chulo” vitola. As is obvious from the series name and accompanying picture, it is a figurado. Both a natural and maduro version will be available, and features the blend composition given below.

The wrapper will be either Ecuadoran (natural) or San Andres (maduro), with Dominican filler tobacco. Interestingly, the filler tobacco was grown by Sanchez and partner Terry Johnson of TL Johnson Cigars through their DOMUSA farming company. Their tobacco has begun to show up in a couple of their recent blends, and the operation has been in the works for the past three years. How extensively the two will utilize their own tobacco in the future is yet to be seen, but based on initial results my interest is piqued to say the least.

The La Tradicion Cubana Figurado Series should be available to U.S. retailers’ shelves within the next couple of weeks.