Kip Fisher - Co-Founder, Author at Half Ashed

Half Ashed Episode 142: Tabaqueria 1844 Campesino Series

April 25, 2016 By Kip Fisher

Tabaqueria 1844 “Campesino Series”

Another of the DR-based small batch lines I’ve talked about in recent months (Chogui, CDR, El Compartir, etc.), the Campesino Series by Tabacalera 1844 is tonight’s featured Cigar of the Week. The line is owned by Edgar Sued, proprietor of a cigar shop by the same name in Cabarete, DR. It’s produced by the same unnamed factory in Tamboril that manufactures the Chogui, and is a Dominican puro (Havana Vuelto Abajo wrapper over DR filler/binder). Personally, I find them to be more akin to what I envision as a traditional Dominican cigar than others, like Chogui. It has more sedate flavors with a touch of sweetness that never overwhelms the blend but adds a nice accompaniment. I’ve smoked both the robusto and toro, and now tend to prefer the toro for some intangible reason. Let’s see how tonight goes….

Cigar News

Crowned Heads’ Famous Smoke Shop exclusive the Black Belt Buckle has expanded. Originally slated for a 10,000 stick run of corona gordas, they have added 2 sizes (6”x54 Sublime and 5”x50 Robusto). It will be an ongoing project, and retail for $8-$9). The line is an adaptation of the Four Kicks, but with a Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper.

Congrats to Cigar Aficionado’s latest inductees to their Hall of Fame – Litto Gomez, Jorge Padrón, and Rocky Patel – bringing the total number of inductees to 18.

The guys at Ezra Zion released a follow-up maduro version of the All My Exes line. This version has a couple of minor blend tweaks, with the most significant being the addition of a San Andres wrapper (vs. the original Ecuadoran Habano). Total production is 800 boxes of 25 in three sizes – Toro, Lancero, and Robusto. Pricing is set at $8.50-$9, based on size. The cigars are made by Noel Rojas at his Tabacalera Aroma de Jalapa.

In the continuing legacy of Smoke Inn’s Microblend Series, Davidoff will be producing the 13th iteration of the line. It’s a celebration of Smoke Inn’s 20th Anniversary, and will feature an Ecuadoran Connecticut wrapper over Dominican internal components. Pricing is set at $19.95 per stick, and should start shipping in about 3 weeks. Total production is 300 boxes of 10.

What Else We’ve Been Smoking

Craig

Farm Rolled Cuban Cigar – Legal! – Very unique with a slightly floral sweetness. Unlike any cuban cigar I’ve had.

House blend cigar for The Cigar Lounge – I’ve discussed my take on house blend cigars before and this one is a perfect example of what I believe in: putting your name on something you stand behind. FYI, Casa Fernandez can learn a thing or two here. This is what their cigars should be :)

Kip

San Cristobal de la Habana El Principe- ~4.25” x 42. I really enjoyed this, even though one of the two I had was a bit tight and gave me fits. Lots of mild (almost faint) floral flavors, tempered with some cacao/dark chocolate.

TL Johnson Legend Reserve – Sweetness!

Nestor Miranda SS Regional Exclusivo – I revisited this after forgetting about them for a couple years. They’re definitely not over-the-hill, but the flavors were far more muted. And, while the strength was still in the medium range it seemed a bit lighter than I remember as well. Bold milk chocolate and mild spice. Good stuff…wish I had more.

CDR (Christian del Rosario de la Rocha) – This is one of the Dominican lines that I’ve recently been exploring. The flavors were very good – they seem more spicy than most, a bit like a more approachable version of some My Father blends – but my only example to go on struggled with the burn for the first couple inches. It wanted to tunnel and the wrapper/binder were resistant to combustion. I persisted, and it finally came around. It was worth another try, though. I’ll report back whenever I get around to it.

Next Episode

Next episode (143), we will be smoking the Club Havana Coronas Especiale. So come by Friday night 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.

Half Ashed Episode 141: Hoyo de Monterrey Hoyo de Dauphin

April 24, 2016 By Kip Fisher

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Hoyo de Monterrey Hoyo de Dauphin

Front runner in the longest cigar name competition, the Hoyo de Monterrey Hoyo de Dauphin is a little known gem from Havana. Rolled in 2001, the Laguito#2 (6” x 38”) is a beautiful example of the complexity that comes with certain examples form the Hoyo de Monterrey line. It explodes with nothing but “soft” style flavors and falls right within the sweet spot of “morning smoke” and “after dinner relaxation”. It’s only downfall may be its burn time. This stick often ends sooner than you’d like, and unfortunately that’s not just because of its size. Some people say the finish is very woodsy but that can be misleading to a N/C smoke who typically can equate a woody flavor to Jalapan Nicaraguan tobacco. This woodsy flavor is more fresh dry forest than dark, smokey hardwoods. It is also almost always paired well with a light brown sugar flavor.

Cigar News

Back to Chicagoland for an update…Mayor Rahm Emanuel has, for the most part, gotten his way. After a brief delay on voting, the City Council passed legislation to increase the already steep Chicago-area tobacco taxes by a margin of 35-10. Additionally, the legal age to purchase tobacco products has been increased from 18 to 21. The new tax will be effective July 1st, and there will be no floor tax on existing inventory held before that date. There’s a good deal of math on how the tax will be calculated, but it essentially boils down to about an extra $0.20 per cigar for large cigars. Small cigars, pipe tobacco and smokeless tobacco will have additional taxes as well.

Craig will be happy to learn that the Hirochi Robaina inventory is being replenished as we speak. We talked recently about the formation of White Hat Tobacco, the new company responsible for distributing the cigars. The HR Habano will have the same blend and manufacturer as in the past, and should be on store shelves shortly.

Cuban cigars for Americans?!? Yes….kinda. It’s no longer illegal for Americans traveling abroad to *partake* of Cuban produced goods in third-party countries. The prohibition still exists to bring the goods back into the USA unless you’re traveling from Cuba. Until now, it was technically illegal for Americans to purchase Cuba’s products while abroad, although it was a nearly unenforceable statute. This, to my uninformed mind, is a big step politically in that it’s progress along an intended path….but means little in practice specifically.

As an editorial sidenote to this story, it’s interesting to me for two other reasons. First, some vendors offer on site storage of cigars you purchase. To me, that becomes legal for Americans. I haven’t spoken to anyone who interprets this new executive action to preclude that opportunity. Secondly, there are people intimately familiar with Cuba and Cuban/US politics who believe the embargo is more of a mess to be sorted out than a political fiasco to compromise over. There is so much financially which needs to be sorted out. Congress won’t overturn Helms/Burton unless it knows its not opening Pandora’s Box in regard to legal & financial lawsuits. This loosening of the embargo’s belt is seen by me as another casual step in sorting out the financials of the past 53+ years.

Davidoff has been putting out a little info on some upcoming additions to their Cusano lineup. After sweeping revamps at Camacho, Avo, and expanding outside the former Davidoff “box,” they appear to be trickling down into some of their other holdings now. The company bought out Cusano from founders Joe & Mike Chiusano several years ago, but hasn’t really done a great deal with the offerings under the name since. Within the past month or so, they’ve announced upcoming releases in the Cusano Dominican line – in Connecticut and Maduro. The CT will feature an EC CT wrapper and binder, and a mix of Dominican filler tobacco. The Maduro will have a Mexican San Andres wrapper over EC CT binder, and Dominican filler blend. It’s going to be available in a robusto, toro, churchill, and gordo and retail for $4.50 – $6.00, depending on size. I have a long history with this brand, but haven’t had any in quite a long while.

The Cigar Authority is reporting that the FDA’s deeming regulations have been “frozen” at this time. I am unfamiliar with details but the news has just broken of this tonight. First thoughts seem to be that this is for the best.

What Else We’ve Been Smoking

Craig

Illusione Rothschild – These are a milk chocolate bomb. When on, they can be a go-to stick for just about anyone. I find them to be inconsistent, not in overall blend, but in how that blend comes across. This one’s tendency was to taste as it always has but be so dirty & palate coating that it negatively impacted the experience.

Warped Flor de Valle – Kip can keep em. I’m still not a CF fan…

Cabaiguan Maduro PC – I love this line but think this may be my least favorite of them. It does not demonstrate the lovely maduro qualities of the larger sizes. I typically prefer smaller stuff. Not in this blend. Good despite its shortcomings. Great in larger sizes.

Kip

AJF Puro Autentico

Montecristo #2

Next Episode

Next episode (142), we will be smoking the Campesino Series by Tabaqueria 1844. So come by Friday night 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.

Half Ashed Episode 140: Arturo Fuente Añejo 888

April 16, 2016 By Kip Fisher

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Arturo Fuente Añejo 888

I initially received prototypes of the Fuente Añejo 888 at CFC 2014, and they were released later the same year. Tonight’s samples are from around the time of this initial release (Fall/Winter ‘14). I really liked them in those early days, although they seemed to lose a step quicker than other Añejo. When they were fresh, there was an interesting spice early in the cigar that was unique for me from the Añejo line – but later developed into the familiar dark cocoa that I get from them. It had a bit of a Nicaraguan “zing” that I don’t typically find in the series. I haven’t had one in quite some time, so we’ll see how tonight goes…

Cigar News

Xikar is releasing a special 20th anniversary edition of their Xi1 cutter…in the four original colors. Production has been referred to as “limited,” although no numbers have been announced. They are going to retail for $10 more than the typical current production, which leads me to wonder “Why?” I see no difference besides color in the announced information….

Viaje has another blend-partnership in the works. “Juntos” (together, in Spanish) will be produced by Quesada in the Dominican Republic, and feature a Dominican negrito wrapper, criollo binder, and Nicaraguan filler blend. It’s coming in a singular vitola – 6” x 54. This series, originally known as Collaboration, showcases partnerships between Viaje and various factories to produce often limited run cigars. This blend will be shown at this Summer’s IPCPR trade show, and is limited to 1,000 packages of 20 cigars.

In an uncommon move, La Palina is reducing prices on some of their cigars. The Black, Red and Classic lines will have their pricing drop between $1 and $1.50 per cigar. According the information released by the company, they are simply passing along cost reductions due to higher volumes of production. Am I mis-remembering or do I recall a similar move from La Palina a couple years ago?

Just in time for St. Patrick’s Day, Moya Ruiz is releasing their candela offering for this year – Pickle Juice. It comes in a single 6” x 50 vitola, and will retail just over $7.50 per cigar. It’s only going to be available via 50 retailers, who will receive 10 jars apiece. I’m not generally a fan of the crisp, grassy sharpness often delivered by candela leaf…but I know a lot of folks like to fire one up around this time of year….

Carlos Fuente Sr. Way has been named in Ybor City, Tampa as a commemoration of the 25th anniversary of Fuente & Newman Premium Cigars.

What Else We’ve Been Smoking

Kip

J. London lonsdale

Pipin’ – MacB Navy Flake. Diggin’ it…

Next Episode

Next episode (141), we will be smoking the Hoyo de Monterrey “Le Hoyo de Dauphin.” So come by Friday night 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.

TL Johnson: 2016 Outlook

April 5, 2016 By Kip Fisher

Top to Bottom: TLJ Reserva Sumatra, TLJ Legend Reserve, Connecticut Counsellor

In the works for TL Johnson…

One of the advantages of living in Cigar Country is that many of the Dominican cigar factories are a 10 minute drive from my house. So, I occasionally have the opportunity to stop by for a visit to check in and see what’s new and upcoming. I knew Terry Johnson was in town at the moment, so I dropped by Tabacalera TL Johnson yesterday and had the chance to catch up with him for a while. Terry tells me he has quite a few projects in the works for this year. It’s no secret that I’m a fan of his work since opening his factory last year. I got the chance to look over and smoke some of his new projects yesterday…and my appreciation for the work continues.¹

I’ve been vocal on Half Ashed that I believe he’s doing all the right things to get TLJ into a position of prominence within the industry. He’s laid a groundwork of producing a quality product and controlled the growth of his brand so as not to outpace his capacity. The quality control is on par, his leaf inventory is solid and sustainable for controlled growth, the blends are well thought-out, and he has assembled a good team with which to work.

I had the opportunity to look over some of the currently-under-development packaging and cigars. I’ll withhold pictures of the packaging pending revision. While there, we smoked the reblended TLJ Reserva and Legend Reserve. I also came back with a Connecticut version of the recently released Counsellor as well. Here’s the quick 40,000-ft overview of some upcoming projects….

TLJ Reserva Sumatra

The TLJ Reserva Sumatra comes with a Sumatran wrapper over all Dominican binder and filler. I found it to be very clean on the palate, with a prominent cedar component and a slight sweetness that intermittently came into play throughout.

TLJ Legend Reserve

The ’63 is being dropped from the name, and the blend for the line has been tweaked. It has a San Andres wrapper over Dominican binder and filler. This may actually be my new favorite cigar from his range. It provided a flavor profile that was quite dark and sweet, with some raisin and date flavors that were astoundingly good for my tastes.

Counsellor Connecticut

The Counsellor line is available at the moment in a San Andres wrapper, but will soon add a Connecticut wrapped version. I have not yet lit this one up, but look forward to it based on some of Terry’s other CT work I sampled back in January. I will report back via our forum once I’ve had the chance to give it a fair shake. Besides the Connecticut wrapper, it carries Connecticut Ecuador binder and all Dominican filler.

All three blends contain most/all tobacco grown by TL Johnson & Co. The TLJ Legend Reserve contains one particular pilot varietal solely produced by TLJ. All of these should be shipping as we near the IPCPR tradeshow this July.

Going Forward

I contend that 2016 could very well be a pivotal year in the development of Tabacalera TL Johnson. They have picked up production of several lines for a number of shop/house blends, as well as Tarazona and a couple other boutique companies. I believe some of the early groundwork and patience will pay off, and the foothold they have enjoyed in regional pockets will expand over the next 12 months. I’m looking forward to these and other upcoming projects Terry’s not yet willing to talk about publicly. If nothing else, I’m anxiously awaiting ready availability of the new TL Johnson Legend Reserve. These early samples are phenomenal….

¹ – Terry has appeared on our show as a guest (way back on Episode 021), but as you may know we don’t sell advertising on Half Ashed to avoid any real or perceived bias due to monetary factors…so while the opinions expressed here are personal to me, they’re based on my enjoyment of what I consider a good product.

Half Ashed Episode 139: Unbanded 026

March 20, 2016 By Kip Fisher

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Unbanded #026, from K. Hasselwander

The unbanded vitals, as we have ’em before the unveiling….

Kip: 6.875” x 36; nicely assembled (from outward appearances); even-toned, dark brown, dry complexion.

Craig: My measurements have it at 6 ⅞” inch x 36 ring gauge. Very dry in appearance and slightly rustic, almost in a saturated and dried out sort of way.

Cigar News

Tampa’s new Davidoff lounge has its grand opening tomorrow…

Continuing with the TAA-limited releases, this year’s Angel’s Anvil has been announced by Crowned Heads. This year, the release will feature a CT broadleaf wrapper over Nicaraguan internal components. It’s a 5.5” x 54 box-pressed (Cañonazo?), made at Tabacalera La Alianza (EPC), and will retail for around $10.50 a stick. Expect these to begin shipping in May – only to TAA retailers who order at the annual meeting.

Next year’s federal budget could include a doubling of the federal cigar tax. A new program has been proposed – Preschool for All – which could be funded by an increase on tobacco taxes. Federal cigarette tax would increase from just over $1 to almost $2; the $.40 tax cap on cigars would increase to about $.94. Pipe tobacco would suffer a far greater fate – halfwheel is reporting an increase there from $2.83 per pound to $44.23! This is not likely to come to fruition, but like everything else it’ll come back around again….

The “La Tache” is coming from L’Atelier, a limited-edition 5.5” x 50 robusto. It is based off last year’s LE Cote D’Or (which we smoked back on episode 127) – which included Nicaraguan binder and filler. The La Tache will have a wrapper Sanctic Spiritus wrapper, but from a lower position on the plant than the original.

Tatuaje has announced the impending release of the “Skinny Monsters,” which will be offered in a sampler containing each of the past 10 Monsters Series blends…but in a 6” x 38 petit lancero. According to an interview on Cigar Chat, it appears that the blends will be available singly in 25 count boxes some time in the future. Expect these to ship between now and the July IPCPR trade show.

Congrats to Skip Martin and Michael Rosales for the opening of their new RoMaCraft headquarters in Austin, TX. The new site will house offices, packing for distribution, and a lounge area. Don’t get too excited for a visit, though. Unless you’re a retail account, I don’t believe it’s open to the public.

What Else We’ve Been Smoking

Craig

Ashton VSG Tres Mystique – I used to love these. The VSGs were my go to “luxury” cigar in the early aughts. Something has changed in them though. They’re good, but they’re not the unique, bold expression they once were. This is a little too run of the mill. It was my first cigar in 4 weeks, other than our last CotW. My palate was fresh, though I have been medicated…

Kip

Suriel – (made at Kelner Boutique Factory; Brazilian wrapper over DR/Nica/Peru…a slightly tweaked version will be hitting American shores soon).

AF SG 858 – Please, sir, I want some more…

Next Episode

Next episode (140), we will be smoking the Arturo Fuente Añejo 888. So come by Friday night 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.

Half Ashed Episode 138: Hirochi Robaina HR Habano

March 20, 2016 By Kip Fisher

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Hirochi Robaina HR Habano

From Craig: This stunning Hermoso #4 is a sight to behold. It’s Ecuadorian colorado maduro wrapper sits over all Nicaraguan innards. The first cigar from the Robaina family released outside of cuba, this cigar was originally released and made in a partnership with Cubanacan. Throughout the much covered turmoil that emerged prior to IPCPR 2015 the HR line of cigars was in limbo. The public wasn’t aware of whether the cigar would continue to be made. Questions about its ownership, manufacture & distribution all existed. Thankfully, just this past month the last of the questions was answered and the HR cigars will continue to be manufactured at their original factory, and will still be owned by Hirochi Robaina.

Cigar News

Boutiques United (formerly House of Emilio) picks up a new distribution agreement in Black Label Trading Co. I’m not terribly familiar with BLTC, although I remember being given some samples with the name before the company says it was founded on their website. I wasn’t a huge fan of those, but I understand a great deal of “rebooting” took place before they launched their initial line “officially”. They now have their own factory in Estelí….which, as Cigar Coop pointed out, differentiates them from the rest of BU’s current lineup. It’s probably worth my checking into them some time soon…

262 Cigars launched a campaign dubbed “The Internship” to allow consumers to select a 2017 line. It’s an interesting approach, and the cynic in me thinks it’s probably not a bad way to market some cigars :). They will sell 5-packs of four different blends over this year, with buyers having the ability to take notes and rate them online…the winning blend will become a full-production offering in 2017. The four test blends will be: The Search, The Resume, The Interview, and The Offer. The Search is already available at 262cigars.com, and is available in a corona, robusto and toro.

We mentioned this a couple months ago, but haven’t talked much more about La Galera from Jochy Blanco/Tabacalera Palma. I’ve had the chance to smoke a few of them recently, and found them rather enjoyable. The Habano version (Ec Habano over DR corojo binder & DR piloto Cubano//DR criollo ‘98//DR pelo oro filler) comes in a number of sizes (5”x50, 6”x54, 6.5”x52, and 6.25”x60) and retails for $7-8. The Connecticut version (EC CT wrapper over same internal blend), comes in 5.125”x50, 6”x54, 6.125”x52, 5.25”x60, and 7.25”x50 and retails slightly lower, ranging from about $5-6. There are a couple other sizes available in the European market (and the DR…I’ve been digging the lancero myself). I wouldn’t hesitate to personally recommend giving these a try. They’re a very good deal at the pricepoint. I tend to prefer the habano-wrapped version, but both and worth investigating.

What Else We’ve Been Smoking

Craig

La Pipa!

Kip

La Galera – habano & CT

The PrimerAño from Chogüí came in went here in the DR…and I missed the boat. Almost.

Padilla Artemis

Next Episode

Next episode (139), we will be smoking Unbanded #026, from Kevin Hasselwander. So come by Friday night 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.

Punch Rare Corojo Returns for 2016

February 17, 2016 By Kip Fisher

2016 Punch Rare Corojo with New Frontmark

General Cigar has announced that the annual return of the Punch Rare Corojo has begun. A new limited frontmark will be added to the lineup, while one of the former sizes is being retired.

This year, an addition comes to the line in the form of the Regalias Perfecto, a 7.25” x 54 perfecto, exclusively available as part of a trade offer. The Regalias Perfecto will come in 10-count wooden boxes and carries a suggested retail price of $7.99 per cigar.

The existing 6.75″ x 48 Double Corona will be retired after this year’s production allotment has been exhausted.

The Rare Corojo line is rolled in Honduras and features an Ecuadoran Sumatra wrapper. This wrapper leaf is grown in limited quantity, and are attributed with giving the Punch Rare Corojo its uniquely smooth taste. The binder is Connecticut Broadleaf, and the filler blend features Nicaraguan, Honduran and Dominican tobacco.

Ed McKenna, senior brand manager for General Cigar’s Punch brand said, “The trend of seasonal cigars started with Punch Rare Corojo, and each year, cigar lovers eagerly anticipate the return of this exceptional blend. Given the range of frontmarks and the addition of Regalias Perfecto to this year’s lineup, we are confident that the limited supply of Punch Rare Corojo will be depleted quickly.”

From General Cigar:

Reintroduced in 2001 after a shortage of wrapper leaves caused the product to disappear at retail for several years, Punch Rare Corojo sold out as quickly as it returned that year. Since then, General Cigar has been able to secure a sufficient amount of the rare Ecuadoran Sumatra wrapper for a limited annual release of Punch Rare Corojo. This year’s allotment is available in nine sizes, ranging in SRP from $4.19 to $8.29 per cigar.

CLE Releases TAA Exclusive Azabache

February 17, 2016 By Kip Fisher

CLE Cigar Releases TAA Exclusive Cigar – The CLE Azabache

Earlier today, CLE Cigar Company announced the impending release of the CLE Azabache – this year’s TAA exclusive offering. The line will be launched at the annual TAA convention in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Azabache (jet) is a dark glossy type of coal often used in the Cuban culture to produce jewelry. The cigar is presented as a medium to full bodied maduro that is “delightfully creamy,” and will be available only through TAA member retailers.

“Last year we released the Asylum Nyctophilia at TAA. This year we decided to showcase a cigar under the C.L.E. portfolio. I can’t wait to get there and show or friends and customers what I have been working on this year. ” says Christian Eiroa, founder of C.L.E. Cigar Company.

The CLE Azabache will be have a production run limited to 320, 25-count boxes for each vitola. The sizes will included 5″ x 50, 6″ x 54, and 6″ x 60. The line will come with a Mexican maduro wrapper, Honduran binder and a filler blend comprised of Honduran, Nicaraguan, and Peruvian tobaccos. The cigars will be box pressed and rolled at the CLE Aladino factory in Danli, Honduras. Each will be wrapped in tissue adorned with both the CLE and TAA logos to showcase their TAA-exclusive availability.

Suggested retail pricing has been set, and ranges from $7.00 – $9.00 per cigar.

The CLE Azabache is the latest of this year’s offerings from CLE and its client companies. Other announced products for 2016 include the Asylum 13 Connecticut, as well as the new Asylum 13 toro. Additionally, CLE is being rebranded and will debut the CLE Prieto and CLE Chele.

Half Ashed Episode 137: Tatuaje Black Corona Gorda

February 15, 2016 By Kip Fisher

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Tatuaje Black Corona Gorda

Re-released for the Tatuaje 10th Anniversary in 2013 (after a limited 2007 initial release), the Tatuaje Black Corona Gorda is one of my favorite Tatuaje blends of all time. They’re rolled by My Father, and feature a Sungrown Criollo Estelian wrapper over Nicaraguan binder and filler blend. It comes in at the typical 5 5/8” x 46 and retails somewhere around the $10 mark, depending on retailer.

Cigar News

El Niño is wreaking havoc with Cuba’s tobacco crop…what are the lasting effects after 3-4 consecutive years of weather troubles?

This news came out a couple weeks ago, but I don’t believe we talked about it. Chicago has a new proposed tax increase on cigars…to the tune of $.90 per cigar! According to some estimates, it will add upwards of $2 to the completed retail pricing of some cigars. The proposal asks for the tax to finance transition classes for incoming high school students.

I smoked a couple of new upcoming blends from TL Johnson this week…including the Counsellor, a prototype cigar for a retailer, and a blend slated for this year’s IPCPR which he’s not yet ready to talk much about….

PSA: It’s that time of year to stock up before the annual price increases for many brands….I know Altadis (to be fair, some of theirs are decreasing), Fuente, CLE, AKA all have planned increases come February-ish.

Halfwheel is reporting the formation of a new distribution company – White Hat Tobacco – by former Cubanacan employee Spence Drake. The company will distribute Hirochi Robaina’s cigar(s). The expected launch is due in March, with coverage of the existing HR Habano. Two additional lines, as yet unnamed publicly, will launch at IPCPR 2016. Both of those lines will come in significantly less expensive than the HR Habano.

Diana Silvius of Up Down Tobacco has passed away as of last Saturday night. Our condolences to the family.

What Else We’ve Been Smoking

Craig

Club Havana Coronas Especial (Lag#2) – Short Lancero – These are from a bundle just over a year old. They’re not going sick but are perhaps a bit flat. Good sweetness & mild strength but a shadow of what they were when ROTT

La Aroma de Cuba Mi Amor Torpedo – This cigar was self infused. I was given it at Christmas and forgot about it in my truck for a few days. WHen I came back to it, the cigar desperately needed humidification. I put it in an old tubo with a dab of the only water I had; coffee. I closed the top, left it sit for a few weeks and it was… spectacular.

Pipe tobacco – Escudo Navy De Luxe – 04/04

Kip

TL Johnson: Counsellor, something for a retailer (possibly), and something in the works for IPCPR 2016….

Next Episode

In the next episode (138), we will be smoking the Hirochi Robaina HR Habano. So come by Friday night 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.

Half Ashed Episode 136: Partagas Maduro No 1

February 15, 2016 By Kip Fisher

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Partagas Maduro Number 1

At 5-⅛”x52 the Partagas Maduro Number 1 Robusto (plus) gets my vote as most controversial cigar of 2015. It’s the second “maduro” regular production cigar ever produced after the Revolution in Cuba, with the Cohiba Maduro 5 being the other. It made its debut in the 3rd quarter but trumped just about everything else Habanos put out last year, in terms of chatter. People balked at the Añejados but shouted to the heavens about the Maduro 1. The word on the street was that this cigar tasted Nicaraguan. In fact, nearly the same arguments were made about this as were made about the Maddie 5s back in 07. This cigar brings typical maduro sweetness to the game but really displays a plethora of other flavors at the forefront of sensation. It’s an enigma to me, but certainly one I enjoy exploring. FWIW, I think I might be the only person I know who enjoys them…

Cigar News

Sam Leccia departs from General….despite originally being described as an “acquisition” by General of the Leccia blends in 2014, Sam apparently still holds his own trademarks and branding. He is leaving both the distribution arrangement and his position within Foundry and striking out on his own again.

Pete Johnson has shown off a picture of this upcoming year’s Tatuaje Monster release – the Kreuger, named after Freddy Kreuger of Nightmare on Elm Street fame. Specifics for blend and exact size haven’t been revealed, but it’s a large, pressed torpedo shape.

House of Emilio has rebranded itself as Boutiques United. The company unveiled its new website and branding, showcasing the four remaining marques they distribute – Ezra Zion, Emilio, Global Premium Cigars (1502), and Nomad. Sales force and distribution arrangements reportedly remain the same.

Our friend Terry Johnson is *finally* getting Counsellor Cigars to market. The line was originally to be a joint effort between TLJ and LTC, but was held up when the two parted ways last Summer. It’s a revival of an old, long out of use trademark that Johnson picked up quite some time ago. It will feature a Mexican San Andres wrapper, Dominican criollo ‘98 binder and a corojo/criollo filler blend. Counsellor is slated to ship next month in five vitolas, boxes of 10, and will retail between $5.50 and $6.50 per cigar. I smoked a couple of these a few months ago, with spectacular results….

Since we touched on La Tradicion Cubana, Luis has announced a price *decrease* on all his products across the board. He’ll be trimming his pricing by about 10% on most all his lines. Good news, indeed!

This year’s CMA awards have been published…

Brand of the Year: Warped Cigars
Cigar of the Year: Matilde Oscura
Member of the Year: Coop

What Else We’ve Been Smoking

Craig

J. Fuego Americana

Kip

Joya Red. What happened?!?

Nick Melillo’s El Gueguense.

Next Episode

In the next episode (137), we will be smoking the Tatuaje Black Corona Gorda. So come by Friday night 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.

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