Kip Fisher - Co-Founder, Author at Half Ashed

Half Ashed Episode 089: Cohiba Reserva Media Corona

November 3, 2014 By Kip Fisher

Welcome to Episode 089 of Half Ashed, featuring the Cohiba Reserva Media Corona

This week, we’re smoking this very special selection from Craig’s list of favorites. His own words about the cigar:

5-⅝”x38rg – A size only produced only for the 2002/03 “reserva” assorted box of 30. All tobacco was aged a minimum of 3 years prior to rolling; a rarity for cigars from Cuba. It is said that premium selections from the ‘99 harvest was all that went into these cigars. Typical Cohiba “beany” flavors are present and though thought of as a “special” release, these just seem to be standard in flavor intensity and complexity. Nevertheless, they are enjoyable examples of the blend.

Tune in to see me falling all over myself enjoying this cigar. In the news, we covered items from Alec Bradley, AVO, Crowned Heads, Jose Blanco, and Xikar. We also talked over what we’ve been smoking lately, discussed the continuing upgrade of Half Ashed (and consolidation with The Cigarmy), and took a moment to answer a recent listener email. In the next episode we will be featuring the Blessed Leaf Kairos, so be sure to check back in Friday night at 9:30pm EST on halfashed.com where you can catch us recording and participate in the chatroom. If you would like to contact us in the meantime, you can reach us through the contact 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!

News: Emilio releases Mia Dora

October 29, 2014 By Kip Fisher

Mia Dora to ship after a long wait

In a story with origins going back almost two whole years, Emilio Cigars owner Gary Griffith announced today that another addition to the House of Emilio is on the way. I wrote a bit about this on The Cigarmy in March of 2013, and I believe we also covered it in minor detail on an earlier episode of Half Ashed. Mia Dora is a line in tribute to the light of Gary’s life Dora, and her Italian heritage.

The Mia Dora is being produced by AJ Fernandez in Esteli, Nicaragua and features a Habano wrapper over Nicaraguan binder and filler tobaccos. The line will be available in three vitolas, including robusto (in 21 count boxes), toro (also 21 count boxes), and coronita (boxes of 40 available). The boxes themselves are embossed with gold coloration, with bands and packaging dedicated to the town of Aascoli Piceno (Italy). This town is the ancestral birthplace of Griffith’s beloved Dora. Gary published a blog post detailing the full back story in March of 2013 as well. Not much more in terms of final packaging detail is known as of yet, but the original band imagery is included below.

Pipe Tobacco Review: 2005 Dunhill Light Flake

October 28, 2014 By Kip Fisher

Blend History

On the heels of our first ever Pipe Night on Half Ashed (Episode 088), I figured I’d post up a review of the tin opened for the show. What we’re looking at is a roughly 9 year old tin of Dunhill’s Light Flake. Today, this blend is today marketed under the moniker “Dunhill Flake.” Some European markets have prohibited use of the word “Light” on tobacco packaging. At the time this tin was produced, Murray’s of Northern Ireland was the manufacturer. The blending subsequently went to Orlik, now owned by Scandinavian Tobacco Group. I have not been in a buying mode for a few years, but may go out of my way to track down a current tin just for kicks. Comparing a sample of this age to current production – even the same blend – would be fruitless.

This Tin

Dunhill Light Flake (DLF) does not bear its name in reference to its potency, but color. In terms of strength, it is well within the medium spectrum, although at times on the heavier end from center. Color is golden and bright, but will darken with age as this particular tin has. At first pop, the aroma is entertaining; filled with some honey and graham cracker notes. A darker, more floral aroma sallies forth for a few moments after rejoining the airy environ. The flakes are beautifully stacked on edge in the tin, but prove difficult to extricate intact. They are loosely bound, but will hold enough to fold and stuff if that’s your desired packing method. I typically prefer to rub out flakes in all but the windiest of conditions, so there’s no issue for me. Moisture is quite acceptable, and my efforts have proven effective at keeping the seal unbroken before time to smoke.

Tasting Notes

I find DLF to consistently offer plenty of bright, sweet flavors at any time of day or night. While it isn’t in the business of knocking your socks off with sharp or flashy flavors, it is unfailingly entertaining. Hay, oats and honey abound, without becoming cloying or even overt. Tongue bite could become an issue if you’re prone to over-puffing, but to be frank DLF is not on my list of common offenders in this respect. It is typically well behaved. The floral aroma and supple feel are almost as enjoyable as the actual smoke itself. Almost. The blend can be enjoyed right out of the tin (although I tend to let it dry for just a few minutes), will stand up to a number of relights before acridity creeps in, and can be held over for an encore should the need arise. In fact, day-after DGT (Delayed Gratification Technique) can be very pleasing in its own right. Truthfully, one of the things I love most about DLF is its flexibility and ability to shine in most any set of conditions; shape and size of bowl, wind, stillness, day or night. Dunhill Light Flake will work in just about anything able to keep an ember together, hanging from the face of any level smoker who has the aptitude to mind his cadence.

Final Thoughts

While not a barnburner, Dunhill Light Flake shines as a “workhorse” blend. I’m not going to blow smoke and tell you it will change your life for the better, but I don’t think any of us are any worse for wear with another serviceable pipe tobacco blend to enjoy. I wouldn’t give it a perfect 5-star rating on its merits as a blend among blends, but it performs admirably and is worthwhile for all but the most inveterate latakia-philes.’

Summary

A glowing example of sweet, medium strength Virginia blend. Toasty with a delicate, lovely floral aroma and moderate potential for tongue bite. An any-time smoke for me personally. (2005 vintage)

Half Ashed Episode 088: Pipe Smoking Volume 1

October 26, 2014 By Kip Fisher

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Welcome to Episode 088, our first Pipe Smoking episode! This is Volume One of what will be an occasional feature here on Half Ashed. We spent the first hour going through the process of how you go about readying a flake tobacco for smoking (either rubbed out or folded/stuffed). Admittedly, last night’s show is much better absorbed if you watch the video – but I hope you find some value in the audio as well. We should have another pipe smoking related topic and show lined up in about three months or so. While we realize we are a cigar podcast, we’re total tobacco geeks at heart and
since pipe smoking is a big part of my life (Kip), we’d like to include some info here as well.

Once we got through the longer-than-imagined pipe smoking content, we did manage to hit a couple of news items. First and foremost the sale of Drew Estate from the past week. We also hit the high spots for some important legislative potentialities and some upcoming Cigar Tourism trips. We didn’t get to a couple of listener emails as we normally would; we will be sure to get them in next week’s show.

In the next episode we will be featuring the Cohiba Reserva Media Corona, so be sure to check back in Friday night at 9:30pm EST on halfashed.com where you can catch us recording and participate in the chatroom. If you would like to contact us in the meantime, you can reach us through the contact 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.

Half Ashed Episode 087: Don Pepin Garcia Blue

October 24, 2014 By Kip Fisher

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Good day everyone! I hope the week finds you doing well. Welcome to Half Ashed Episode 087, featuring the Don Pepin Garcia Blue Exquisito (corona gorda; 5-5/8″ x 46). This was one of my (Kip) suggestions, and my brief summation was:

For a time, this was my favorite vitola in the DPG Blue lineup. Nowadays, I strongly prefer the robusto or lancero in the line. Constant, but not overbearing spice is a fixture with this blend. The other vitolas have markedly sweeter dispositions. This one is pleasant in its own right, but has more of a savory bent to it. The DPG Blue comes in no less than NINE vitolas, so you have a big range to choose from. The only blend specifications known are that it’s a Nicaraguan puro with corojo wrapper. For whatever reason, I find wildly varying pricing for these. Tonight’s selection can be found anywhere from $6-8 locally.

In the news, we had items from Alec Bradley, IPCPR, a PSA for all costumers out there, further updates on the Cigar – Half Ashed migration, and a good bit of news for some of the displaced Torano salesforce. As always, we covered several cigars we’ve enjoyed this past week and hit a few ratholes along the way.

In the next episode we will be featuring our first “semi-pipe” show, so be sure to check back in Friday night at 9:30pm EST on halfashed.com where you can catch us recording and participate in the chatroom. If you would like to contact us in the meantime, you can reach us through the contact 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 CigFed Half Ashed Video Archive.

Half Ashed Episode 086: My Father Flor de las Antillas

October 19, 2014 By Kip Fisher

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Good day, folks. I’m having to dig out the wayback machine to even post this episode. We recorded this on October 3rd, but after a week off I still failed to get it posted. None the less, here it is for all you listening pleasure. In Episode 086, we take a look at the My Father Flor de las Antillas. Specifically we’re smoking the 6×60 edition of this line, a retail exclusive for Binny’s Beverage Depot which is a chain of cigar/liquor stores in the Chicago Illinois area. Craigs words:

A shop exclusive to Binny’s Beverage Depot out of Chicago, this behemoth rounds out the large cigar offerings for the FdlA line. Binny’s says it is “Relentless from beginning to end, this medium to full-bodied blend is loaded with coffee and cocoa notes that are accompanied with a sweet woody finish and just the right amount of spice. Only 500 boxes will ever be produced” A nicaraguan cigar with a sun grown nicaraguan wrapper. I was given a box of them and they’re what I have to reach for when I want the FdlA blend. They’re… different. Imagine going from espresso to american coffee. Flavor is still there but not as robust as it could be.

In the news, we have items from Tatuaje (the “Unlucky 13” have been announced), Quesada, Oliva, and a bit of historical background from Craig. Of course, we cover what we’ve been smoking and what has drawn our attention lately. Additionally, this week we talk about some pretty massive changes coming for our websites. The Cigarmy and Half Ashed are being merged into one singular media outlet at halfashed.com.

In the next episode we will be featuring another Don Pepin Garcia cigar – the DPG Blue Exquisito (corona gorda), so be sure to check back in Friday night at 9:30pm EST on halfashed.com where you can catch us recording and participate in the chatroom. If you would like to contact us in the meantime, you can reach us through the contact 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 CigFed Half Ashed Video Archive.

Cigar Review: Casa Fernandez JFR XT Corojo

October 17, 2014 By Kip Fisher

I recently had the opportunity to sample a few upcoming blends from Casa Fernandez. First up is the extension for the company’s JFR (Just For Retailers) line – the JFR XT Corojo. This cigar is also available in Maduro, and is produced in three vitolas: 654 (6×54), 660 (6×60), and 770 (7×70). They will be packaged in boxes of 24 and retail between $7-$9 based on vitola. The Corojo version has AGANORSA Corojo (Nicaragua) wrapper, Nicaragua (AGANORSA) binder, and Nicaraguan filler. Today I’m covering the 6X54.

The preliminary once-over shows a light to medium brown color, which is remarkably consistent. So much so that the seams are difficult to find. The soft press has also hidden the veins to a great degree. The complexion is incredibly silky smooth – yet with very little discernible oil to the touch. I found neither soft nor hard spots in any of the three examples. Two of my examples had very small (1/8”) voids in the wrap, between seams. This did not impact that smoking experience; I just thought it worth noting.

The pre-light draw is slightly open, and provides solid oats, or grain flavor. Aroma is leathery and “clean.” Once fire is applied, the first puffs from the JFR XT were spectacularly filled with sweet cedar and a soft, almost creamy spice. This was likely due to the fact that it was largely composed of wrapper leaf from the closed foot. Lighting this closed foot was enough to carry forth and light the cigar itself. I’m always impressed when that occurs. The idea that 3-4 seconds with a torch can light a leaf that puts the entire foot of the cigar itself to fire serves multiple purposes. First, it makes lighting a breeze (and saves fuel for all you gas-misers out there). More importantly, to me, is the fact that this design gives the smoker an opportunity to sample the wrapper alone and get an idea of what it is specifically contributing to the cigar overall. The close foot has become one of my favorite features to see in a cigar.

Once well into this first inch or so of cigar, the spice has ebbed slightly, but still has a peppery quality – think milder, white pepper moreso than flaming red pepper. The draw is within normal range, but maybe a bit more open than the “goldilocks zone.” Outside of this slightly open draw and a flaky ash, the construction is very good post-light.

Passing the midpoint, the flavors have developed into a palette of sweet spices, cedar and leather. It seems Casa Fernandez’ cigars become more polished and blends more thought-out and developed with each passing day. The potency picks up some during the midsection, yet are still manageable for those of us with less tolerance. In all three samples smoked for this review, the middle of the JFR XT Corojo has been most attuned to my preferences in a smoke. The interplay between the sweet cedar and leather is delightful.

In the final stretch, the strength has picked up a bit more – although in comparison to many other Casa Fernandez blends, this one is more medium in nature. The sweet spices remain, but are backed up by some earthiness that has crept in. This is just the transition needed to make the cigar complete. The cigar has performed very well, and leaves me with a sweet, pleasant finish.

Cigar Review: Roberto P. Duran Cacique Guama

October 11, 2014 By Kip Fisher

Roberto P. Duran background

I recently received a few samples of the new eponymous Roberto P. Duran line announced earlier this year. The line was presented as a progressively medium to strong cigar, estimated to be 20% stronger than the company’s earlier Azan brand. The binder and filler are predominantly Nicaraguan, with an added leaf of Latin American filler (no country specified). The wrapper is an Ecuadoran Habana Criollo, grown on Duran’s plantation and described as “very silky with a light brown Colorado color.” The samples I received were the 6” x 60 “Cacique Guama” vitola. Two have been smoked for today’s review. At retail, this vitola will be priced around $16.

Pre Light

As specified, the Roberto P. Duran Cacique Guama (henceforth referred to as RPDCG) is a light to medium brown color across its length, and is indeed silky smooth to the touch. Construction has been solid on each of the samples, with only minor variations between them. The wrapper hides its veins well, but appears to be somewhat thin and telegraphs every bump, nook and cranny beneath

Continuing with the customary pre-light examination, I have found the prelight draw to be quite sweet, with some oat or grain flavors and a slight tingle on the lips. The aroma is a much deeper sweetness, almost plumlike in character.

The Smoke

At first light the RPDCG provided a flood of smoke, with moderate spice and flavors of red pepper accompanied by other, lighter spice. I must say, this has bene the most surprising aspect of this cigar. The deep, sweet aroma and cold flavor led me to believe the spice would be in the background. During the first five minutes, the pepper flavor is unmistakable….not in degree, but in quality. To fully experience what I speak of, get a full retrohale and release the smoke as slowly as possible. The predominant flavor in these early moments has the *quality* of a fresh, just-barely-ripe jalapeno without quite as much bite.

It settles quite a bit by the one-inch point, and the spice and pepper fall to the wayside and a very slightly sweet, leathery profile comes front and center. By midway, most of the spice has dissipated entirely. The sweetness has intensified and at times is even berry-like. That was an unexpected surprise, but presented in both examples smoked for this review. Each of the cigars suffered minor burn issues, in that they tended to go out if left unattended very long. Certainly not enough to ruin the experience, but worth noting for those who obsess over burn lines. The predominant flavors passing the midpoint are woodsy in nature, with a backdrop of the earlier sweetness. The final portion of each cigar showed very consistent development of the woodsy core, coupled with a bright nuttiness and waning sweetness. The strength begins to pick up here as well, and will continue to build for the remainder of the smoke.

Summary

For a cigar with which I was entirely unfamiliar previously, the RPDCG has performed quite well. Construction is generally very good, appearance attractive, and the flavors pleasant – especially for those who enjoy a woodsy core with intermixed with sweetness to keep you guessing throughout. While these examples were not within my normal preferred vitola, I found it entirely entertaining. This is a solid smoke. This price may be an issue for someone unfamiliar with the line, I believe it’s definitely worth checking out.

Find more information at the Roberto P. Duran website, or through the company’s Facebook or Twitter pages

Pros

Solid Construction
Pleasant interplay of sweet & woodsy flavors

Cons

Occasional minor burn issues
Pricing possibly out of some consumers’ range

La Aurora Celebrates by Giving Back

October 8, 2014 By Kip Fisher

LA AURORA TO DONATE 11 CENTS FOR EVERY PICTURE RECEIVED VIA SOCIAL MEDIA IN SUPPORT OF THE FIGHT AGAINST DIABETES

One picture, eleven cents: #LA111th. La Aurora turns 111 years old this yeartoday and wants to celebrate with all the smokers in the world, inviting them to toast with Guillermo and Michelle León in celebration of such a special date. That being a reason to celebrate is also a reason to “give back.” The company has announced a target to collect funds for one of the social programs supported by La Aurora. For every picture received by the brand’s social media, 11 cents will be donated to the Patronato de Lucha contra la Diabetes de Santiago de los Caballeros, a local institution that fights against diabetes disease. La Aurora will also use all the pictures received to adorn their tabaquería, in the factory, in an effort to make everyone feel part of La Aurora Family. The campaign “Become part of the family” invites everyone to have their own picture hung in La Aurora’s facilities and we want to fill it all!

“La Aurora is a family and we want to invite all our friends from all around the world to join our family on this very special day in which we accomplish 111 years of history,” said Guillermo León, president of La Aurora. “We want to share the joy of this celebration with all our employees, our International distributors, the tobacco shops and with all smokers and friends, with a double challenge. We aim to fill the factory walls with the pictures of so many friends and make a generous contribution to the research of such a cruel disease as diabetes.”

The hash tags that will be used to collect the pictures, on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram are #LA111th.

La Aurora’s commitment is to keep everyone informed about their progress and the evolution of the factory walls. Become part of the family…

About La Aurora Cigars

La Aurora is the original cigar factory in Dominican Republic. Its master craftsman roll the best quality premium cigars since 1903, 111 years ago today. Located in Santiago de los Caballeros, the premium cigar capital of the world, La Aurora is a family owned company headed by Guillermo León, a fourth generation tobacco artisan, and is a symbol for all the Dominican people.

About the Patronato de Lucha contra la Diabetes

Between 8% and 10% of the global population is affected by diabetes, a disease that has turned into a world health problem, as it is not about social or economic level to develop it. Till now, there has been no programs to prevent and educate people about the fight against this disease in Dominican Republic nor to help people affected by it. Known as the “Epidemic of the century”, this disease has no cure and its treatment costs are very high. The Patronato de Lucha Contra la Diabetes de Santiago is a NGO created to help and service people affected by diabetes with poor economic resources in Cibao Region.

About Miami Cigar & Co.
Miami Cigar & Co. proudly celebrates its 25th Year in the cigar industry. Founded by Nestor and Mariana Miranda, Miami Cigar & Co. has become one of the premier distributors of premium cigars boasting a portfolio which includes Tatiana, Don Lino and the Nestor Miranda brands. Miami Cigar &Co. also serves as the exclusive United States distributor for La Aurora, S.A and all Viva Republica brands.

Follow Miami Cigar & Company on Social Media:

Facebook: Miami Cigar & Company,

Instagram: MiamiCigar, Hashtag: #OneLife

Half Ashed Episode 085: Cigar Federation “Collective”

October 5, 2014 By Kip Fisher

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Sorry for the late post again. I should be all caught up and back on schedule after this week. In the interest of brevity I’ll just include a short list of topics for this show:

Cigar of the Week: Cigar Federation’s “Collective”

News:

Don Kiki Berger passes
Cigar Federation charity raffle comes to a close
Crowned Heads has another LE coming down the pike – the “Hecho con Corazon”
Operation Chokepoint = potential bad news for cigar retailers
Room101 Uncle Lee has been announced
Speculation on some possible news items coming soon….

Next week, we will be featuring the My Father Flor de las Antillas 6×60 Binny’s exclusive as our Cigar of the Week. Be sure to check back in Friday night at 9:30pm EST on halfashed.com where you can catch us recording and participate in the chatroom. If you would like to contact us in the meantime, you can reach us through the contact 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 our YouTube channel.