• Home
  • Forum
  • About Us
  • Half Ashed Episodes
  • Cigar Review Guidelines
  • Review Listing
  • Cigar News Clippings
  • Minute Musings
  • Half Ashed on Facebook
  • Twitter – Kip
  • Twitter – Craig
  • Instagram – Kip

Half Ashed

Cigar Podcast and Cigar Reviews

  • Home
  • The Show
    • Social Media
      • Half Ashed on Facebook
      • Twitter – KIP
      • Twitter – CRAIG
      • Instagram – KIP
    • About The Show
    • Half Ashed Episodes
    • Contact Us
  • Review Information
    • Cigar Review Structure
    • Pipe Tobacco Review Structure
    • Review Archive
  • Featured Articles
    • Cigar News Clippings
    • Rants and Ramblings
    • Cigar Pictures
    • Minute Musings
    • IPCPR 2013 Profiles
      • 2013 New/to Me Exhibitors – Group 1
      • 2013 New/to Me Exhibitors – Group 2
  • Half Ashed LIVE!
  • FORUM
Home » My Father

Episode 188: My Father LE 2010

February 1, 2019 By Kip Fisher

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | Stitcher | RSS | Upcoming Schedule

my father le 2010

My Father LE 2010

Craig – In late 2009 I was preparing to take my second trip to Nicaragua. I had visited a few years before in 2006 when I took a day trip to Jalapa from a home base in Danli, Honduras. This time I was staying in the cigar town of Esteli, and I couldn’t be happier. That was until I started hearing whispers of “special” cigars being made at the My Father factory. In January of ‘10 I had the pleasure to personally witness the manufacture of these very cigars we’re smoking tonight. Jaime and Jose Garcia had individualized rolling tables next to each other at the head of their main rolling room where each and every one of these 24, 000 2010 My Father Limited Editions were made… by them. Pepin was 100% tight lipped about the experience except to say what later became his marketed release: 6-½”x52 all Nicaraguan innards grown at the farm. A Nicaraguan wrapper grown elsewhere.

The only 1st hand thing I could take from the experience was their pride. Both Jose and his son were bordering on giddy about this project. I don’t know if they felt like the cigar was exceptional, rather I think they were proud to be doing what they know and love.
The cigar is perfect in appearance and obvious construction. Color, weight, density, spacing “the face”, the prelight draw (albeit easier than I would prefer). I can’t score the cigar high enough on initial quality. It tastes almost dominican on the prelight with sweetness, cedar and a noticeable tingle of spice. These cigars were intimidating when my box was opened at 5 years old. The cigars were strong and bold. Both moreso than I would prefer. At approaching 10 years old I expect them to have continued in their maturation and overall balancing.

Kip’s initial thoughts: Incredibly solid construction. Like…laser lined and leveled. Crazy good. Lovely, dark aroma of figs or raisins on the foot; less so on the wrapper. Near perfect draw, just ever-so-slightly more tight than what I’d call perfect. Some slight sweetness along the same lines as the foot aroma previously mentioned. The only real negative I can dig for is that it appears both of the samples I have were put into the casket while the finish was still wet. This sounds far-fetched because it doesn’t seem to make sense, yet there are splotches of varnish inside the casket and on the cello (thankfully it has cello). It doesn’t harm the cigars; just something I noticed. Presentation is tastefully and nicely done – showing care for the product and its appearance, rather than just simple “flash”.

Cigar News

Rather than the typical news items, which have been scant in recent months, tonight we’re talking about Kip’s “Crotchety Old Guy’s Smoky Hopes for 2019…

A bunch of people are shuffling around the industry, through RIF and incestuous fishtrading. On an individual level, I feel for these folks and hope they land on their feet in a position where they’re fulfilled and happy.

Price increases are coming….happens about this time every year. I hope they’re of little impact.

Several companies are releasing cigars they swear have been hanging out in storage just waiting for the right time. I hope they’re noteworthy. I hope the same for special limited vitolas in existing lines that seem to be oozing out of the woodwork.

I’ve seen a few packaging schemes changing. Some of the changes don’t seem like progress. I hope it pans out for the companies and bears the intended fruit.

Palio lighters are now plastic, under $20US, and come in cardboard counter-top boxes. I hope they’re worth it.

What Else We’ve Been Smoking

Craig

Deadwood Tobacco “Sweet Jane” A, from Drew Estate – There’s a good cigar in here, maybe even a great one. It’s just wrapped in a layer of sweetness that has been added to the seemingly Broadleaf wrapper. The cigar took over 150 minutes and still had 3” left. The sweetness never built but never went away. I’d like for someone to figure out how to make it water soluble so it disappears after being exposed to your saliva for a while…

Hoyo de Monterrey Añejados Robusto (Hermoso#4) – Tangy, tart, sweet and woody. Part perfect Hoyo, part deflated aged tobacco. This box was stored poorly at one point and has that funky aroma. It’s detectable on the band and was perceptible while smoking. It didn’t take away from the experience but it certainly wasn’t helped by it. Good not great

Kip

Tatuaje El Triunfador #3 (5.625” x 46…ish; Ec Hab over Nica/Nica) – bought these from a friend’s big sell-off…holy crap. I’m not sure the age, although the cello is very, very yellowed. These are a favored line for me, and these specifically some of the best I’ve ever had. Either they’re just randomly great or I should be stockpiling these to lay down for years to come. Phenomenal. Caramel, coffee, pure/simple/beautiful toasty tobacco flavors.

Tagged With: new format

Half Ashed Episode 137: Tatuaje Black Corona Gorda

February 15, 2016 By Kip Fisher

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | Stitcher | RSS | Upcoming Schedule

tatuaje black corona gorda

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.

Tagged With: Cuba, cubanacan, legislation, Tatuaje, TL Johnson

Half Ashed Episode 127: L’Atelier Cote d’Or

October 29, 2015 By Kip Fisher

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | Stitcher | RSS | Upcoming Schedule

L'Atelier Cote d'Or

L’Atelier Cote d’Or

The L’Atelier Cote d’Or debuted in April ‘15, as a special limited release.  It was produced by My Father for the company, and features a small amount of Pelo de Oro, an Ecuadoran Sancti Spiritus wrapper, and an all-Nicaraguan binder/filler combination.  Total production for the cigar was limited to about 21,000 cigars, packaged in boxes of ten and retailed for about $16 per stick.  It measures 7”x47.

Cigar News

In celebration of Carlos Fuente Sr.’s 80th birthday, Fuente is releasing the famed “Senior Blend” Don Carlos to the public.  Previously, it was hard to come by outside of a few events or from a family members’ hand.  It is a tweaked version of the regular production Don Carlos blend, and will be available in two vitolas – a 5×50 robusto ($14) and the “Eye of the Shark,” a box pressed belicoso measuring 5.75” x 52 ($11.95).  The robusto is all Dominican internally, with a Cameroon wrapper – while the blend details for the Eye of the Shark have not been revealed.  Cigar Aficionado has mistakenly reported that this is the 30th anniversary of the Don Carlos line….however, the series came out in 1976 and celebrated with the 30th Anniversary blend in 2006….

Hammer & Sickle, a cigar line with which I’m only vaguely familiar, is releasing a special “Peat-fired” cigar called the Caleanoch 25.  I understand some of the leaf is fire cured like others we’ve seen in the past – with one change.  Rather than various hardwoods being used, peat will be burned during the curing process.  It will feature an Ecuadoran CT wrapper over Dominican corojo binder and Dominican fillers.  Initially, the 25 will have about 25% peat-fired leaf in the filler blend – but, subsequent releases will have 50 and 75%, and be renamed respectively.  It will be available in a single 6”x50 vitola and retailer for $12.50.

Cubanacan Eastern Sales Manager and friend of Half Ashed Nate McIntyre is launching his own line of cigars, called Percy Ray Cigars.  It will be a limited annual release, produced by Cubanacan in their Nicaraguan factory, with the first release coming in a batch of about 800 boxes.  The name of the line is a tribute to McIntyre’s grandfather, to whom Nate attributes his work ethic and values.  

Chogui, a line currently only available in the DR, is coming to the US.  I had the chance to sit down at a Santiago cigar shop with Victor Nicolas last week, and he tells me he’ll soon be shipping several thousand cigars to the states.  They will be from his second offering, Dos77 (which has an interesting backstory for that name), and were rolled in August 2014.  I am trying to catch up with him at the factory this upcoming week when he returns to Santiago and check out his next project….I have to tell you, though, the Dos77 is probably the most refreshing new cigar I’ve had since moving to the DR.

What Else We’ve Been Smoking

Craig

Reynaldo Corona Gorda 11/14 – Gift from Zedman – An alluring mild/medium cigar. Slightly tannic & tart but with a terrific pseudo-cocoa undertone. It was sweet and difficult to describe. The burn was perfect, even while driving, and smoking time was nearly 90 minutes

Southern Draw Kudzu – AJ Fernandez through and through. Nicaragua sweet spice. Dusty & full bodied. Strength was there but not overpowering. The palate pollution was a bit high but trading swigs of water and puffs kept it at bay. Very very enjoyable if you like the style.

Arturo Fuente Destino al Siglo – Lots here. Not all of it is good.

 

Kip

Recent production Fuente Shark

Chogui Dos77

Quesada Oktoberfest 2015

Next Episode

In the next episode (128), we will be smoking one of Craig’s selections, the Room101 Serie SA.  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.

Tagged With: cigar, Ecuador, limited edition, My Father, Nicaragua

Half Ashed Episode 125: Crowned Heads Jericho Hill OBS

September 24, 2015 By Kip Fisher

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | Stitcher | RSS | Upcoming Schedule

jericho hill a

 

Crowned Heads Jericho Hill OBS

This week, we’re smoking the OBS (Orange Blossom Special), from Crowned Heads’ Jericho Hill line.  The OBS is a 4.75”x52 robusto, and Kip’s favorite from the line thus far.  The Jericho Hill is produced for Crowned Heads by My Father, and this particular vitola retails for $8.75.  It features a Mexican San Andres wrapper over Nicaraguan binder and filler.

Cigar News

Palio lives!  Well, kinda.  Maybe not really….Quality Importers has acquired the company.  QI is predominantly a humidor and accessory distributor who has taken over distribution for a handful of other branding in recent years (most recently Eddie Ortega’s cigars).  They did NOT assume control of the Esencia cigar line with Palio.  Halfwheel is reporting that the company will honor existing warranty claims, and that its very unlikely that production will be US-based.  Michael Giordano, QI president, doesn’t seem to think it’s feasible to continue producing the products in the U.S. due to production costs, leadtimes and inflexibility…

This year’s Tatuaje TAA blend has shipped, and I (Kip) can’t get ‘em.  For the first time in its history, I’ll be missing this release.  Reportedly, it’s based on the 2011 blend – which was the best (or 2nd best) blend for my personal tastes.  As usual, it’s only available at the 75 or so TAA retailers.  This year’s production is up significantly to 3,800 boxes of twenty; fewer than 3,000 boxes were produced last year.  Pricing is set at $11 per cigar for the 5-⅝” x 54 stick, and it will feature CT Broadleaf over Nicaraguan binder/filler.

In a move that should surprise no one, the Cubanacan/Gonzalez battle (remember…Hirochi Robaina, etc.?) has moved into the judicial system.  The Gonzalez family claims they were never paid any of the funds they were due from sales of the Soneros branded cigars.  Additionally, there are allegations of other unpaid debts, trademark issues, and various ownership disagreement.

The IPCPR is reporting to Halfwheel that Operation Chokepoint is continuing and expanding to one South Florida manufacturer. Article

What Else We’ve Been Smoking

Craig

Bolivar Petit Corona – Perhaps the best Bolivar out there. Deep dark & earthy with an amazing citrus sweetness that’s reinforced with graham cracker tastes. Ahhh…

 

Kip

TL Johnson Legend Reserve 63, taking a cue from Cigar Coop last week.

90 Miles from Flor de Gonzalez

Next Episode

In the next episode (126), we will be smoking one of Craig’s selections, the 1993 Punch Margaritas.  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.

Tagged With: Crowned Heads, My Father, Nicaragua, robusto

Half Ashed Episode 093: Tatuaje La Verite 2008

December 1, 2014 By Kip Fisher

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | Stitcher | RSS | Upcoming Schedule

Tatuaje La Verite fi

Tatuaje La Verite 2008

Welcome, everyone, to Episode 093 of Half Ashed – featuring the 2008 Tatuaje La Vérité Churchill.  Craig’s description was as follows:  “Tatuaje’s La Verite 2008 Churchill is our CoTW. Released in 2010 to much fanfare, these “single origin” cigars are similar in fashion to the “farm rolled” cigars found throughout Cuba. All components were grown on Jose Garcia’s La Estrella farm in Esteli, Nicaragua and are from the 2008 vintage Habano Criollo (read: Criollo. All Criollo tobacco came from Cuba originally). Besides being a single vintage, single origin cigar, the tobacco used was not aged in bales. After fermentation it was rolled into finished cigars and box aged until sale.”

News

Tune in to find out how it went…and just how our experience went with this cigar.  In the news, we only covered a few stories this week.  Last week was relatively light in cigar news, except for several legislative issues that are coming to a head.  We did have a couple of stories from Tatuaje, and an interesting item from Padilla and Oliva.  Of course, we also spent a little time talking about what we’ve been smoking this week and covered a listener email from Don Hubbell.

Next Episode

In the next episode Craig will be vacationing with Mrs. Schneider in celebration of a milestone birthday (Happy Birthday, Ms. Craig!).  I will be joined by the venerable Aaron Loomis from Blind Mans Puff.  You may remember us mentioning the site over the past few weeks in reference to a series of collaborations we’ve been doing with them.  Be sure to check back in Friday night at 9:30pm EST on our Half Ashed LIVE page, where you can catch the live video feed and join us, as well as other listeners, in the chatroom.  If you would like to contact Craig or myself 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!

Tagged With: Oliva, Tatuaje

Half Ashed Episode 092: My Father Lancero

November 23, 2014 By Kip Fisher

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | Stitcher | RSS | Upcoming Schedule

My Father LanceroThis week, we’re smoking the 7.5” x 38 My Father Lancero (aka No. 4).  It features an Ecuadoran Habano Rosado wrapper over Nicaraguan binder and filler leaf and retails around $9.90 per stick.  Our cigars this week are recent production from early 2014.  These seem to be a notch or two lower on the strength-o-meter for me in comparison to many other My Father offerings within this line, yet retain much of the prototypical “Pepin spice.”  Craig would disagree on that strength rating….so take it with a grain of salt.  I really dig the aforementioned  spice, but love it when these provide a characteristic citrus sweetness to accompany.  This sweetness can at times build into tropical spice/cedar kind of mishmash that I truly enjoy.  One of my favorite vitolas in this line….strangely enough, my other favorite is about as opposite as you can get: the #1 (Robusto at 5.2”x52)

In the news this week, we dedicated a bit more time to the study that recently made some bold claims about “cigar smokers” without accurately recording, measuring, or reporting any differentiation between 2-pack per day little cigar smokers and one per week premium handmade long filler cigars.  The Stogie Guys have posted an insightful article after some communication with the folks behind this study.  Additionally, we covered items from El Primer Mundo, Davidoff, and two interesting Drew Estate stories.  As always, we also talked about a few things we’ve been smoking this week and a couple minor updates to the Cigarmy/Half Ashed merge.

One final note for this week: By popular demand, we will be publishing a second video for this show.  For those who don’t have the time or desire to watch the entire 1.5-2 hour show, I will be stripping out the portions focused solely on the Cigar of the Week and publishing that on our YouTube channel.  It will act as a simplified review for our focal cigar each week.  It will generally run 15-20 minutes and cover our thoughts on the cigar at critical stages throughout.  A subsequent post will give full details in the next couple of days.

In the next episode we will be featuring the Tatuaje La Verite 2008 as our Cigar of the Week.  Be sure to check back in Friday night at 9:30pm EST on our Half Ashed LIVE page, where you can catch the live video feed and join Craig and myself, as well as other listeners, 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!

Tagged With: Davidoff, Drew Estate, lancero, My Father

Half Ashed Episode 091: Tatuaje Belle Encre Reserva

November 19, 2014 By Kip Fisher

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | Stitcher | RSS | Upcoming Schedule

Welcome back for another fun-filled, exciting episode of Half Ashed!  This marks the 91st episode of the show, and features the Tatuaje Belle Encre Reserva as our Cigar of the Week.  The cigar was one of Kip’s selections, and he described it thusly:

The Tatuaje Belle Encre Reserva was a limited run of the Belle Encre (5 ⅜” x 48 perfecto), featuring a CT Broadleaf wrapper rather than the Ecuadoran Habano found on the standard line.  It’s packed with the same internal components as the regular line (Nicaraguan throughout).  This was released early this year as part of the 10th Anniversary product lineup from Tatuaje, and features the 10th Anniversary band.  The standard Habano-wrapped version will continue, although the Reserva was limited, and may or may not see the light of day once again.  These retailed at ~$11/stick, which was about $1 more per cigar than the standard line.  Total production was just under 2000 boxes of 22 (just shy of 44k cigars).  I did a brief comparison of the two back in May 2014.

In the news, we covered items from Smoke Inn’s Microblend Series, Casa Fernandez, Villiger, and Davidoff.  Legislatively, there were stories from Nebraska and Massachusetts.  As always, we wrapped up with what we’ve been smoking, talked through the ongoing upgrades to Half Ashed and covered a listener email from Ian Winchester.

In the next episode we will be featuring one of Kip’s favorites, the My Father #4 Lancero.  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 new and much improved 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!

Tagged With: Casa Fernandez, Davidoff, legislation, My Father, Tatuaje

Half Ashed Episode 087: Don Pepin Garcia Blue

October 24, 2014 By Kip Fisher

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | Stitcher | RSS | Upcoming Schedule

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.

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!

Tagged With: corona, corona gorda, My Father

Half Ashed Episode 086: My Father Flor de las Antillas

October 19, 2014 By Kip Fisher

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | Stitcher | RSS | Upcoming Schedule

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.

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!

Tagged With: Gordo, My Father, toro

Half Ashed Episode 074: Tatuaje Tattoo Caballeros

July 16, 2014 By Kip Fisher

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | Stitcher | RSS | Upcoming Schedule

tatuaje tattoo caballerosGood evening, folks.  Welcome back for another exciting – albeit audio-challenged episode of Half Ashed.  This week, we had some difficulty in getting Craig into the hangout, but we managed via his handy dandy iPhone (hence the peculiar sound).  Our Cigar of the Week was the Tatuaje Tattoo Caballeros, so tune in to get our thoughts on this recently released budget-friendly Tatuaje.  In the news, we covered items from Hirochi Robaina, Casa Fernandez, Toraño, RoMa Craft, and AJ Fernandez.  Of course, we also discussed what we’ve been smoking and a couple of other minor items in the course of this abbreviated show (one hour vs. our normal two).  So, you’re invited to fire up, kick back and enjoy!

Next week, we will be returning to our normal Friday night schedule.  Our Cigar of the Week will be Unbanded #016, from Jacob Pinkas, so be sure to check back in next Friday night at 9:30pm EST at 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), or find us on iTunes to subscribe.  Video, as always, will be available at the CigFed Half Ashed Video Archive.

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!

Tagged With: Tatuaje

  • 1
  • 2
  • Next Page »

Sign up for our Newsletter:

Copyright © 2011-2021 · The Cigarmy / Half Ashed · Powered by Caffeine and Nicotine

Half Ashed by Kip Fisher and Craig Schneider is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License

Log out

Copyright © 2022 · News Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in