Kip Fisher - Co-Founder, Author at Half Ashed

IPCPR and New Orleans

January 22, 2015 By Kip Fisher

Good News?

As expected and reported on last week’s episode of Half Ashed, the New Orleans City Council has voted on an extensive smoking ban, which had potential impact on this year’s IPCPR tradeshow in the city. The ban, proposed by Councilwoman LaToya Cantrell, passed unanimously today. I received an email update from IPCPR earlier this afternoon with some minor details, notably that some favorable exemptions/amendments were included in the ordinance. From that email:

“As amended, the legislation will not impact the International Premium Cigar and Pipe Retailer Association’s (IPCPR) local members or our 83rd Annual Convention & International Trade Show. The ability to smoke in cigar bars, the convention center, and in facilities being used for private events is protected by the amendments.”

“Your representatives from IPCPR and the Cigar Association of America have been working diligently with the New Orleans City Council on behalf of retailers and manufacturers. Thank you to all IPCPR members who contacted the City Council to voice your concerns regarding the original legislation. With your help, we generated nearly 700 emails to the Councilmembers. Your active participation was critical to our success.”

While on the surface this seems favorable, I have reservation about declaring it a victory by any stretch of the imagination. Granted, I’m no fan of smoking bans in just about any form, but believe an organization or entity should be left to make its own decisions about how/if/when legal behaviors are conducted on its premises. Consumers and employees can make their own choice as to whether or not they are willing to patronize or work in a given establishment based on their support of those decisions.

Where Do We Go From Here?

I appreciate the efforts of IPCPR staff, and those of other groups like CRA. I really do. But, a group is only as strong as the membership. Where do we (cigar smokers) go from here? I don’t think we’ve thrown in the towel yet, but it gets tougher to see the light at the far end of the tunnel with every passing day. If we can’t muster more than 1-2% of the cigar smoking public to join the effort…and, on average, 10-20% of those who have to take a few minutes to type out an email or make a phone call, we’re doomed. Sometimes it feels as if we (the cigar community at large) are “coming home with ‘D’ on [our] report card and telling [our] parents “at least I didn’t get a F.” to quote another member of the cigar media this afternoon. The virality of smoking bans and other anti-tobacco legislation is progressing at a more alarming rate than ever before in our lifetime (unless you were alive in 17th century England). We continue to take our lumps and move on to tomorrow. That approach is beneficial in some situations, but rolling over quietly has little place here.

The statement being made by the New Orleans City Council is that of disapproval for tobacco; however, they have no qualms about any direct or collateral monies received via an event such as the IPCPR tradeshow. The governmental bodies imposing such restrictions are sending a mixed message, to be generous. More egregious are the states who have banned smoking across the board, only to later decide some exemptions would be made if establishment owners would follow a set of guidelines and pay exorbitant fees for the privilege. If the intent is truly to protect public health (as they so often declare), how is it appropriate to assign a value? Why is smoking so dangerous to the innocent bystanders hanging out in cigar bars unless the owner has paid a yearly endorsement (every last dripping bit of facetiousness intended)?

God has given you one face and you make yourselves another. –William Shakespeare, Hamlet, Act 3 Scene 1

My Worthless $.02

I’m certainly not a proponent of outright bans. But this cloudy gray area is often a prelude to one-sided concession, presented as a compromise. We should fight to win, not give a mile to preserve an inch and spin it as success. The fuzzy political lines in this battle are tiresome to say the least. I don’t think we can continue to simply pretend we’re fighting a battle. Lip service is not enough. Paying an annual membership fee for our organization-of-choice and “really hoping for the best” is not enough. There is no reason everyone reading this should be unwilling to at least pick up a phone with some regularity and call legislators…drop frequent emails…and show up at local council meetings with an opinion when (not if) affronts to this hobby sally forth. This isn’t difficult. It doesn’t require an advanced degree in political science or journalism. It ain’t rocket science. If those of us who enjoy an occasional cigar or pipe can’t get on the same page, someone is going to take the book from our hands. Many of the folks we’ve installed to represent us have shown – and increasingly show – where they clearly stand.

“Nothing so needs reforming as other people’s habits.” – Mark Twain, Pudd’nhead Wilson’s Calendar for 1894

Let me encourage you to get involved, whether via the things I just mentioned or some other creative way to make yourselves heard.

Bring on user reviews…

January 22, 2015 By Kip Fisher

Half Ashed User Reviews

Back in the Cigarmy days, I pilot-tested a couple of features that were never perfected. Notably, I wanted to include users in the reviewing process – or at least have user reviews available to supplement my own. I have no special reviewing superpower, and love trading feedback with other folks and their experiences with a given cigar. For whatever reason, I was never happy with what I settled for over there (which also happens to be what we’ve used here on Half Ashed for the past few months). Previously, users could leave nothing more than a comment and an anonymous overall score for a given cigar. My desire was to have it so that users could leave a detailed review with all the same criteria as what is written into my review, as well as any detailed specifics he/she would like to write up. Well, this past week I have finally had some time to install that functionality here on Half Ashed. The basic functionality is in place, although a couple of (very) minor decorative changes are still to be amended. I’d like to invite you to head over to the reviews and drop your own scores into any that you have personally smoked. This system only applies to cigars reviewed since the numerical rating was added – about 20 or so reviews as of January 2014. Of course, all new reviews are in this format so everything going forward will have the option.[/one_half]

Details

If you would first like to see details about my philosophy on the reviews, you can check out the current cigar review guidelines. There are also a couple of recent pipe tobacco reviews (and accompanying guidelines), which originated with our first pipe episode in October 2014. This is an aspect of Half Ashed that will likely grow quickly in the days to come. Our plan is to have a (roughly) quarterly episode featuring the myriad aspects of pipe smoking, along with occasional spots as well.

Come On In!

So, swing by the review listing and see if there are any for which you’d like to leave input. Any reviews that appear with a numerical score in the listing should have the user review functionality already in place. My only request is that you not be “that guy” – the jackwagon who leaves unrealistically low scores to skew the results. If you drop a few “0’s” in there, I’ll have to back them out. We’re looking for something useful to the community at large. Craig and I have proclaimed from the inaugural episode of Half Ashed that we’re all about community. This is just the latest effort in building just that.

Half Ashed Episode 099: 2000 Partagas Serie D Robusto

January 21, 2015 By Kip Fisher

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

2000 Partagas Serie D Robusto (#4)

Welcome to Episode 099 of Half Ashed, featuring one of Craig’s selections – and quite a treat – the 2000 Partagas Serie D #4 Robusto. Craig’s words about this special cigar:

A traditional robusto which helped popularize the size in the 70’s. This classic cigar from Cuba is the only remaining specimen from a 16 cigar series from A-D & 1-4. Originally the rings escalated by letter and lengths shortened by number. This little trivia tidbit is a lesser known fact about what is now an incredibly popular cigar. Filled with classic “old school” tobacco based flavors, this cigar blossoms with “twang” and displays quite a bit of spice and bold sweetness when young. With a decade and a half of age, these samples are well rounded and smoothed out, while still being powerful enough to hold anyone’s interest.

News

In the news, we covered and explored a few items, including the stories summarized below.

We haven’t talked much in the past about Cabal, but they’ve been busily building a growing following. It’s a partnership between Chris Arolfo and Hendrik Kelner, Jr. as the flagship line for Kelner Boutique Factory in the DR. Chris posted up this week that he will be releasing a new line – the Linda, in honor of his Mom who passed away with a rare brain disorder 2 years ago. It will help support a research/support organization for Frontotemporal Degeneration. No details for the cigar, but I dig the idea already.

Jon Huber at The Crowned Heads has again hinted at another upcoming project for the company. He put up a picture captioned: “Dark..bold..& beautiful. An old vitola called “Dukes” (5 1/2 x 54). Coming #2015”. That’s all the info he’s given out thus far, but it did indeed look dark, bold and beautiful….

Longtime general manager of Davidoff’s Dominican operations Hendrik Kelner has handed over the reins. He’s not leaving the organization, but taking on “a more global role within the company.” Longtime employee and current VP of Tabadom’s cigar operations Hamlet Espinal will be taking over. “Some of Kelner’s new global roles will include government relations, corporate affairs, chairing the blending and tasting panel at Tabadom and conducting educational tasting seminars around the world.”(story from Cigar Aficionado)

The CMA, which we are a part of, put out their list of awards today. This inaugural year included three awards:

Cigar of the Year: illusione Fume D’Amour
Company of the Year: The Crowned Heads
Cigar Media of the Year: Cigar Dojo

New Orleans is trying to pass a smoking ban that would prohibit smoking at most businesses and public space throughout the city….the year IPCPR is coming to town….

Back to Nebraska! A bill has been introduced – but no action taken – by State Senator Ty Larson that would restore the ability of cigar bars to allow smoking in their establishments. It has language that differentiates cigars and pipes from other tobacco use and asserts that the exemption does not interfere with the intent behind the existing smoking ban. We’ll keep you updated on this story as it continues…..

Sam Brownback (gov., Kansas) has been busily making cuts to government in his home state…but has just this week proposed making up the near $650 million budget gap in increased taxes on tobacco and alcohol. Liquor would have an increase of about 50% (from 8% up to 12%), while tobacco would see a much bigger jump…especially cigarettes, which have the tax rate nearly tripled.

Finally, Craig had some more insight into the recent changes in U.S. relations with Cuba – and specifically how the requirements for travel are slightly different than originally promoted…

What Have We Been Smoking?

Craig – KBF Smoking Jacket, EPC La Historia, EPC 5-year Anni, Behike 52

Kip – The Crowned Heads Four Kicks, La Flor Dominicana 1994

Listener Email

We talked over one listener email question this week, from Officer Paul:

In November I picked up a pipe and a tin of Dunhill tobacco. I left the tobacco in the tin because it looked like there was a seal on the lid. I opened it last week to find it had dried out. Is there a way to rehydrate it or is it dead and gone?

Tune in for my answer!

Wrap Up

Next week, for our 100th Episode (!) we’ll be featuring the 2005 Opus X Double Corona as our Cigar of the Week. Be sure to tune in 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 Us!” tab at the side of this page, or at 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 to [email protected] if you have something you’d like to send in. I will provide an address to send them. Thanks!

What’s wrong with my @xikarinc Xi1?

January 19, 2015 By Kip Fisher

First off.this is absolutely NOT a dig on Xikar. I’m a huge fan and have been for many years. I own no fewer than a dozen pieces of their product, and believe they produce a quality product. This is merely an honest request to see if someone has a solution for this. The Xi1 pictured above is one of my favorite cutters. It’s been a trusty companion for an unfathomable number of gatherings, clipping hundreds – if not a couple thousand – of mine and any cutterless cohorts’ cigars. But, in recent months it has begun to stick. Badly. The picture shows what happens when I press the button down these days. It simply won’t open without several gyrations and attempts at prying it open to make the cut. This wouldn’t be a huge issue, except it also sticks when actually making the cut.which often tears or dings the head of the cigar producing a poor cut. A quick Google search produced advice that it was merely getting sticky from bits of tobacco leaf, oils or other detritus. The solution is a quick soak and/or scrub with rubbing alcohol.

So that’s what I did.

I’ve soaked. I’ve scrubbed. I’ve removed the button and really gone to town with an alcohol-drenched Q-Tip in ever nook, cranny and crevice. It’s about as clean as a lay person can get it. Something is still “catching” every time.

I know – Xikar has a great warranty. I could send it back and they’d likely repair/replace it without even question. I’ve done such before with lighters. However, I am trying to avoid that if there’s another good solution I could just do myself and save the time and trouble of shipping, etc. Yes, I have other cutters that would suitably stand in during transit. I get it. I’m just “that guy.” If there’s a quicker way, I’m up for it.

(And no, I’m not looking for advice on a different brand. I have plenty. This particular cutter just has some sentimentality behind it.)

What are your “workhorse” blends?

January 19, 2015 By Kip Fisher

So I’ve finally got the morning revved up and rolling..and realize it’s noon already. Sleeping in and car repairs have pushed my morning coffee and cigar back into lunchtime territory. I’m not happy about *that*, but I am happy with this little guy. I’ve been a big fan of Sam Leccia’s Black since day one. I was intrigued when he came on Episode 10 of Half Ashed and told us a little about the upcoming blend, and ran out to pick up a few as soon as they hit shelves. I’ve been buying them ever since.

The sheer volume of *Black* robustos I’ve smoked is incalculable at this point, but it’s a pretty big number. They’ve become a “workhorse cigar” for me, and often fit the bill when I don’t have something specific in mind. I know they never disappoint, so it’s a great opportunity to grab one and go. I love Sam’s use of the KY DarkFire leaf in this blend. In comparison to some of the other fire-cured blends that hit the market around the same time, the leaf is much more delicately applied in the *Black*. It’s bold enough that anyone can find it from first puff, but not so in your face that it becomes cloying. It’s a good match for my personal preferences. I dig it

Tell me about your longstanding favorites. Like I said, this one is a “workhorse” for me. Reliable; dependable; often filling the niche of when something else “just won’t do.” What’s your default that you know – without doubt – will perform day in and day out. Something of which your humidor is never devoid. Drop me a line below..

What are your favorites of which we might not know?

January 17, 2015 By Kip Fisher

Tonight I’m wrapping up the evening with an El Triunfador lancero, one of my favorite (and incredibly under-rated) cigars. After all the years these things have been out, I still love ’em..and don’t understand why the rest of the world doesn’t clamber after them. The woodsy, charred-oak flavors, impeccable burn and reasonable price make them a home run for me.
Granted, I know most of the cigar buying public are regrettably head over heels for bigger rings these days, at least in the U.S. Still, you’d think these would get *some* attention in the public eye. I encounter a lot of people who are not even familiar with the line. There’s no accounting for taste, I reckon. I suppose I should be thankful there are more for me :).
What about you all? Any favorites that you adore but scurry off with, to tuck them gently away in your reserves..chuckling at all the other folks who are missing out? What are your favorite line(s) that maybe don’t get the attention they should? Maybe something you’d recommend trying?

Crowned Heads Mason Dixon

January 17, 2015 By Kip Fisher

So I’m just hanging around the house today getting caught up on a few web maintenance items I’ve been putting off. I decided to light up a Crowned Heads Mason Dixon Project Northern edition. This is my second of the Northern line, which has a Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper over Nicaragua binder & filler – as opposed to the Southern edition’s Ecuadoran Connecticut binder.
After trying both, I believe I’m a much bigger fan of the broadleaf. Being born, bred and raised Southern, it feels a little odd even saying that. None the less, the Southern is a little “bright” for my tastes – there’s nothing inherently wrong with the cigar, it’s just a personal preference thing. I’m really grooving on the dark, sweet flavors that push through (more noticeably in the midsection of the cigar).
I am more than a little surprised at how light the spice is on this blend, considering it comes out of the My Father factory. It’s almost an afterthought and never builds to any great amount at any point in the smoke. I might have to dig u a couple more of these before they’re gone and do a side-by-side review.
What about you guys? For those who have tried both, which do you find yourself preferring? And, why?

Cigar Review: La Flor Dominicana 1994 Rumba

January 16, 2015 By Kip Fisher

Background: La Flor Dominicana 1994

Today’s review is for the La Flor Dominicana 1994 “Rumba.” The cigar was introduced at IPCPR 2014, in celebration of the Gomez family’s 20 years in the cigar industry. The 1994 has a Mexican San Andres wrapper over Dominican binder and fillers. As detailed in a news item last July, a limited maduro version of the cigar has been introduced in collectible steins. The standard 1994 is available in 4 sizes, a 58 x 6 “Aldaba”, a 52 x 6.5 “Rumba”, a 52 x 5 “Conga”, and a 54 x 7 “Mambo”. While the maduro version is limited in nature, this non-maduro version of the same will remain a part of regular production. Retail for the Rumba is about $7.40 in the Tampa market, where I purchased all cigars in preparation for today’s review. We will also be featuring this cigar as our Cigar of the Week on Half Ashed Episode 106, scheduled for March 6, 2015.

Pre Light

As mentioned above, the standard La Flor Dominicana 1994 I’m smoking today is not presented as a maduro, although it is as dark in color as many cigars that are. It has a very toothy wrapper that gives it a bit of a hazy appearance, but the background color is definitely in the darker spectrum of medium brown. The tooth also gives it an almost “sandy” feel at times. It has modest veins and visible but not prominent seams. The pack density has varied widely on the examples I have smoked. Of the dozen or so I’ve had, I have encountered draw issues on a few. None have been plugged or unsmokeable, but some (today’s included) have been very tight and required some effort to manage and keep stably lit. The prelight draw provides some initial berry sweetness and perhaps a bit of an earthy bent at finish. The aroma is more akin to sweet oats or even worn leather.

The Smoke

The initial puffs from the La Flor Dominicana 1994 come through as bready and sweet. There is a modest amount of spice, which is only felt upon retrohale. This spice is tempered by the fact that I don’t really feel it on the soft palate as one might normally expect. It’s almost an afterthought at the tail end of retrohale. During this first third I have typically gotten some sweet citrus, although the flavor is quite sedate on today’s example. The burn has been generally well mannered on the 1994 – especially in the early portions of the cigar – although some have wandered at times. This is despite the issues I have had with the draw on some.

Going into the midsection of the LFD 1994, I typically begin to notice that the earlier spice has entirely faded into the background and only comes through on the occasional puff. I personally retrohale the majority of draws, and probably tend to notice this more than most. This portion of the cigar is characterized by an intensifying sweetness, reminiscent of the berry flavor pre-light. I won’t say that it is prominent, but recognizable. The bready flavor continues to play the protagonist, with the sweetness as support.

Summary

In the final stretch of the cigar, the spice returns a bit and can now be felt on the soft palate. I have also noticed a tendency to develop a slightly tannic finish. The spice increase is a noticeable uptick, but none of those I’ve had were overpowering. I’d put the 1994’s strength firmly into the medium range. It probably brings a little less body than I typically expect from La Flor Dominicana as well. I don’t get the palate-drenching body that I would normally associate with the brand. The flavors are bold at times, but overall subdued. I’m comfortable keeping a few of these around in the humidor but don’t foresee filling a coolidor with them. With the first couple I smoked, I was quite enamored; after having a few with tighter-than-optimal draws I’m less so. Still, it is a solid blend that can be enjoyed by most any smoker at any particular time. I’d definitely recommend giving them a try. I think there’s plenty to enjoy, and with its “sweetspot” pricing it’s a winner.

Fuente Anejo 888

January 15, 2015 By Kip Fisher

The day doesn’t seem to have been very busy, but inexplicably I’m beat. I even had a nice “old-man” nap this evening. A couple of corn dogs later and I’m ready for a cigar. Coffee is brewing, and I think I’ll fire up this little guy. The Anejo 888 was a new introduction from Fuente this past year, although I had the chance to sample it at last year’s CFC event (which I’ll be returning to in a couple weeks.hoowahh!). It didn’t seem to drum up as much hubbub as I expected, but I have to confess it has quickly jumped to the top of my favorites list in the Anejo lineup. I love ’em.and they’re much easier to find (and cheaper) than Sharks. There are at least a couple of shops around here that still have them. There’s a full review of them posted up around here somewhere..I’ll link to it in a bit, as I’m sending this post from my phone.

What are you all smoking tonight?

Feelin’ Musical Tonight

January 13, 2015 By Kip Fisher

So, I opted to wrap up the evening on the patio with a Crowned Heads Four Kicks and some Led Zeppelin. I’m not really much of a Kings of Leon fan, so I won’t be too dedicated to the cigar’s namesake. I guess the closest I’ll get tonight is maybe a playing of Four Sticks..
I usually like to have something playing in the background when the evening hours roll around, whether it’s Zeppelin, Lynyrd Skynyrd, 80’s hair metal or even some Delta Blues. What about you fine folks? Have a regular go-to playlist of band you prefer when you’re relaxing with a good cigar?