Kip Fisher - Co-Founder, Author at Half Ashed

Half Ashed Episode 084: Bolivar Regentes

October 1, 2014 By Kip Fisher

Welcome to Episode 084 of Half Ashed, featuring one of Craigs faves as our Cigar of the Week. Of that cigar, Craig says:

My favorite small cigar. These earthy and mildly sweet stick packs a lot of fun into its 34×4-⅞”. Sadly, it has been discontinued for over a decade but the remaining box I have still exhibits some of the characteristics these had when young. At less than 10 years old these were the cigar equivilent of chocolate and mushrooms. That sounds to be an odd combination but it worked so well. So much so, in fact, that once I tried making a savory chocolate cake with sauteed mushrooms within. It didn’t work so well…

Today, these cigars are a shadow of what they once were and only provide an “enjoyable” 30 minutes. No longer the flavor bombs of yesterday, it is my hope that they will continue to evolve and perhaps reveal a subtle complexity of flavors in the future. If no longer bold, than perhaps one day they’ll shine for another reason. The tobacco quality was consistently excellent in over 6 boxes that I’ve personally gone through.

We have news stories from Oliva, Sam Leccia (that’s a biggie!), Hechicera, Casa Fernandez, and Cigar Dojo. We also take care of some housekeeping items, what we’ve been smoking and cover a listener email that we’ve put off for far too long….

Next week, we will be featuring “The Collective” from Cigar Federation 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 from our 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!

Half Ashed Episode 083: Unbanded #018

September 22, 2014 By Kip Fisher

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Unbanded 018

I apologize for such a late (2 weeks) post of this episode…..which means, by the way, that you’ll be getting TWO episodes in rapid succession this week. I’ve been pretty tied up with preparing for my upcoming move. Here is a brief wrap-up of Episode 083, featuring Unbanded #018, generously furnished by zedman.

News

The 2015 CFC dates have been announced by Fuente…

Don Pepin has revived the El Rey do Los Habanos line to release as a shop specific cigar for The Pipe and Pint in Greensboro, NC. Five sizes in 23-count boxes; estimated to retail between $8-11 per stick.

Nomad will be offering a lancero in their CT Fuerte line….presented as Fred Rewey’s personal cigar. He says these were previously just rolled for him, and that he wants to share them with the rest of us…..EC Hab//EC CT//DR & Nica.

The Nebraska AG has requested the court to reconsider their decision to declare the existing exemption for cigar bars as unconstitutional. These requests are rarely accepted, but will at least delay the formalization of the decision for several weeks. If accepted, the case would take several more months to get through the process of review. As a sidenote, I read there are only 11 cigar bars in the entire state of NE!!! STORY HERE

What we’ve been smoking

Craig

H.Upmann Sir Winston

Pueblo Dominicano

Bolivar Belicoso Finos

Kip

El Suelo from DC

per Dale’s recommendation: JdN Fuerte B

Other

A demonstration of Craig’s wrapper dissection.

One listener email from Eric Bernabe.

General Cigar Acquires Toraño Brands

September 12, 2014 By Kip Fisher

[This is a bit of news that spread like wildfire yesterday afternoon….this will most definitely be a topic of discussion on tonight’s Half Ashed Cigar Podcast]

Richmond, VA — General Cigar Company today announced the acquisition of the Toraño Family Cigar Company brands. This acquisition will strengthen General Cigar’s market position and enhance the company’s product mix to deliver greater value and innovation to its retail customers and consumers. It will also allow General Cigar to further expand its exceptional portfolio of leading brands by offering opportunities within the company’s international footprint, while presenting significant growth potential in the domestic market.

Spanning almost 100 years, Toraño Cigars has a vast history that encompasses every area of the cigar industry, from growing to manufacturing, to ultimately the creation of their own brands. Production of Toraño’s portfolio including the popular Exodus, Reserva, Casa Toraño, Vault and Master Collections will remain unchanged.

Dan Carr, president of General Cigar said, “The acquisition of the Toraño brands represents an opportunity for us to strategically expand our portfolio. Our companies have been intertwined for over 50 years and I look forward to working with Charlie Toraño on plans to celebrate the upcoming centennial and to carry forward the vision, passion and innovation that is synonymous with the Toraño name while also leveraging our resources to bring even greater excitement and reach to our trade partners and consumers.”

“There is a long-standing and proud history of partnership between General Cigar and Toraño, dating back to my family’s exodus from Cuba. There is no other company that I would rather have continue my family’s legacy, and I look forward to seeing the Toraño brands prosper under General Cigar’s expertise,” said Toraño president Charlie Toraño.

The transaction will take effect on September 11, 2014.

About Toraño Family Cigar Company

Headquartered in Miami, Toraño Family Cigar Company was established as a leaf growing company in Cuba and spans over four generations. Following the Cuban revolution, the Toraño family grew tobacco in the Dominican Republic and later began manufacturing handmade cigars across Central America. Since the 1990s, Toraño developed its own portfolio of brands, best known for having complex blends featuring tobacco from many different countries of origin and taste profiles.

About General Cigar Company

General Cigar Co. is the leading manufacturer and marketer of handcrafted cigars for the premium market. Committed to delivering cigars of the finest quality, General Cigar’s skilled artisans produce Macanudo®, Cohiba®, La Gloria Cubana®, Partagas®, CAO®, Punch®, Hoyo de Monterrey®, Excalibur® and several other leading premium brands in the company’s Dominican, Honduran and Nicaraguan factories. In addition, the company cultivates proprietary tobacco which is used exclusively in its blends and has a dedicated R&D practice that develops new varieties of tobacco and revitalizes vintage seeds. General Cigar also operates Club Macanudo®, a cigar bar in New York City. In 2010, General Cigar entered into a joint venture agreement with Plasencia Group. Based in Richmond, VA, General Cigar sells through tobacconists nationwide and exports select products to 62 countries. For more information, please visit www.cigarworld.com.

® Macanudo, Cohiba, La Gloria Cubana, Partagas, CAO, Punch, Hoyo de Monterrey, Excalibur and Club Macanudo are registered trademarks of General Cigar Company.

Half Ashed Episode 082: Guest Barry Stein

September 10, 2014 By Kip Fisher

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Welcome to Episode 082 of Half Ashed, featuring special guest Barry Stein of Two Guys Smoke Shop and The Cigar Authority. Craig was traveling this week, Barry graciously agreed to sit in and host with me. So, a huge thanks to Barry. I chose the Insidious by Asylum for the show, and unfortunately Barry was unable to join me due to his lease agreement restrictions.

In addition to an excellent update Barry about his personal recent history, we covered stories from EP Carrillo, Crowned Heads, La Aurora, and My Father. In other topics, we discussed lots of legislative goings-on, and the validity of a couple new packaging concepts. So tune in and enjoy!

Next week, we will be featuring an Unbanded (#018, from Zedman) as our Cigar of the Week. I will be rejoined by my esteemed co-host, 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 081: Joya de Nicaragua Dark Corojo

September 4, 2014 By Kip Fisher

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Welcome to Episode 081 of Half Ashed when we’r featuring the Joya de Nicaragua Dark Corojo – specifically, the “El Martillo” vitola. This week we review this cigar during the show, as well as cover several news items from Willy Herrera/Drew Estate, the Guayabera Lady, some legislative news, Cigar Federation’s charity raffle, and Ezra Zion. We also discuss what we’ve been smoking, and a couple of other interesting diversions….

Next week, we will be featuring a wildcard Cigar of the Week, as Craig will be out of town. I will be joined by special guest host Barry Stein of Cigar Authority, 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 from our YouTube channel.

Half Ashed Episode 080: Bolivar Belicoso Fino

August 27, 2014 By Kip Fisher

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Good evening and welcome to Episode 080 of Half Ashed, featuring the Bolivar Belicoso Fino as our Cigar of the Week. Through a shipping mishap, I (Kip) was without the featured cigar so I partook of a different bunch….and a pipe. We covered industry news from Crowned Heads, L’Atelier, La Sirena, the Rocky Mtn. Cigar Festival and some legislative news from Chicagoland.

We also had quite a bit to discuss in our “What Have We Been Smoking” segment, what else we’ve been pondering this week, and a viewer email from Officer Paul. Next week, we will be featuring the Joya de Nicaragua Dark Corojo “El Martillo” as our Cigar of the Week, 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 079: Kip & Dale

August 21, 2014 By Kip Fisher

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Good day folks, and welcome to Episode 079 of Half Ashed! Craig was unavailable to host this week, so I had former Dogwatch Cigar Radio host Dale Roush sitting in with me. We covered news items from AJ Fernandez, the Rocky Mtn. Cigar Festival, (more!) personnel changes within the cigar industry, a Gran Habano story you need to know about, Tatuaje, and EP Carrillo. Of course, we also talked a bit about our chosen cigars for the night and what we’ve been smoking lately…and closed out with a viewer email.

Next week, we will be featuring the Bolivar Belicoso Fino as our Cigar of the Week, so be sure to check back in next 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: New Fuente Añejo vitola (888)

August 21, 2014 By Kip Fisher

Fuente Añejo 888 background

[NOTE: As with all early iterations of a cigar, some blend changes may occur before final release. This review is subject to revision after the vitola hits the market. Also check out Half Ashed Episode 140, when the 888 was our featured Cigar of the Week.]

Earlier this year, at the CFC gathering in the Dominican Republic, a peculiar Añejo vitola was nonchalantly distributed to attendees (myself included). Essentially no information was given, except vague rumblings from a staff member that it was using the project name “88” or “888” (not necessarily the final name), and was scheduled to ship between then (Feb 2014) and December. In the past week, articles have popped up throughout online cigar media of its imminent delivery in September. So, I thought I’d share my thoughts about the cigar today.

Pre Light

The wrapper, from all appearances, is CT Broadleaf like all the other Añejo. I received no details about the internal components, and won’t speculate until I have something more firm….which is rare, as the Fuentes’ like to keep blend components close to the vest. It is incredibly dark in color, and slightly rustic with pronounced veining as would be expected. Dimensions are roughly 6 5/8″ x 44 – including the long, tapered head. MSRP has not been released as of yet – for review purposes, I estimated pricing based on typical Añejo pricing in the Tampa market.

Before lighting, the draw resistance is near perfect with only a slight clip of the pencil point head. I chose to leave about a 1/4″ opening, knowing that I could cut more off needed. Cold flavor is savory and dark. As for aroma, very little is perceptible from the wrapper, but a bold sweetness with slight cedar note is present at the foot.

The Smoke

The initial puffs from this stick were surprisingly spicy; not something I expect from an Añejo. The flavor is very savory – literally causing a salivary response. In the first third of the cigar, the balance is exceptional, walking a delicate tightwire between strength and flavor. I’d put the strength at a heavy medium/light full, and flavor intensity about the same. The flavors are not the rich cocoa and chocolate I am accustomed to with Añejo, but a bit more “bright.” The cigar is warmer to the touch than normal, with the heat being felt nearly 3/4″ behind the burnline – although the burnline is quite straight, never wandering much.

Into the midsection, the 88x? becomes a little more recognizable as an Añejo. It develops more of the dark sweet, cocoa that is often prevalent in the line. I’m thankful I kept the opening at about 1/4″, as I believe cutting it much further down the head could have led to some overheating and flavor loss. Burn is still very good, with only mild scalloping around its perimeter.

The final stretch shows lots of promise, with an amplification of both flavor and strength (but not too much strength for an admitted nicotine wimp like myself). The burn did wander more during this time than earlier, but continued to self-correct. The flavors maintained the sweetness, but were tempered with solid cedar presence. The interplay was very entertaining.

Summary

Pros

Delicious interplay of sweet and savory flavors

Exceptional balance

Cons

Minor burn issues

Minor construction issues with wrapper

Press Release: Jordan Alexander III Premium Cigar Company

August 20, 2014 By Kip Fisher

DALTON, PA. Jordan Alexander III Premium Cigar Company officially announces a rebranding of the company to include a new logo, band, and release. The new logo, which will be incorporated into future releases and marketing materials, can be seen at left and below text. Replacing the original “lions and crest” logo, this design exemplifies the family tradition theme of JA3Cigars. The rebranding logo is based on the Alexander Family Coat of Arms.

Partnered with the rebranding of the company, JA3Cigars is proud to officially announce a new blend produced through the Quesada Cigar Factory, expected to be released mid-Fall of 2014. Replacing the current corojo blend, the new release (known as the Jordan Alexander III Corojo) is constructed with a Dominican Corojo wrapper, Dominican binder, with Dominican and Nicaraguan filler. The Jordan Alexander III Corojo will be available in four vitolas; robusto (5 ½ x 54), toro (6 x 52), double toro (6×60), and belicoso (6 x 52). All vitoals except the belicoso will feature a pigtail cap. The new release will feature a new band, incorporating the “Alexander Coat of Arms” logo, which will be unveiled with the release.

Retailers interested in carrying the Jordan Alexander III Corojo are asked to contact [email protected] or call 1-866-216-3349. Shipment priorities are given to current retailers and are first come, first serve. The previously carried corojo, along with the original band and logo, will be discontinued at the release of the Jordan Alexander III Corojo. Current retailers wishing to maintain stock of our previously released blend are asked to contact [email protected] regarding limited production options.

Review Scrubbed: High humidity and why TU is necessary

August 19, 2014 By Kip Fisher

So I got everything ready, sat down and fired up to write a review this morning. I gathered the background information, manufacturer website links….the whole spiel. Then, I scrubbed the review. This was the second of this particular cigar, and 6th of the brand that I have smoked, and all share [Read more…]