Almost a year-and-a-half in the making, our move to the Dominican Republic is finally upon us. Brain tumors and myriad other hurdles have been negotiated, our house has sold in record time and we are in the final throes of packing up our possessions. Our flight has been arranged and we’ll be departing on June 24th for Santiago. I am stoked to say the least.

I’ve settled in this morning for wrapping up some final work issues and putting down some notes on this La Tradicion Cubana Reserva Familiar Maduro, which I should have reviewed months ago. I have to admit, its natural-wrapped brother set a high bar – but the maduro is really shining so far. It will be a tossup as to which I’d reach for first in the future. I suppose I’ll have to buy them in pairs :). Thankfully Luis Sanchez, the manufacturer, has his factory near where I’ll be living….Hopefully, I’ll figure out a good way to buy them once in-country.

So…what cigar so accurately reflects your preferences that you’d pick up and move to another country to be near the factory? Not that this is what I’m doing…but I’m not saying it isn’t either :).

Kip

Some days, my current occupation requires a great deal of driving for things that *should* be handled remotely but can’t due to the environment in which I work. It’s those days where one just has to sit back and enjoy the peace and quiet of six hours’ worth of commute for a one hour meeting. Most would consider that burdensome. I consider it an opportunity to have about three cigars today…..

So I’m doing my taxes today. That’s never fun, but it gave me the chance to dig out a CFC2013 Angel’s Share lancero…in portrayal of the extra prayers I’ll need just to get through the process mentally intact. Not to rub my illustrious co-host’s face in it too much, but holy cow these are flippin’ fantastic. Fuente just has a way of striking at the core of my wheelhouse in terms of flavor…and construction…and blending….and….

I’m a fan of the Angel’s Share in general, but at the moment I’m rueful of the fact that I have no more of these lanceros to enjoy. I’m going to get back at it and try to savor every last puff. What are y’all smoking this afternoon?

These 8 Royal Palms at Chateau de la Fuente. Who knows the story? And where do you commonly see an image of them?

My smoke o’ the evening with my cohort here in Santiago is a Fuente Casa Cuba. While I know it’s largely (or entirely) psychological, Dominican cigars just taste better in their native land. Call it mind tricks, silliness, or kismet….they’re just better. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it…..

It’s a little later than expected, but I’m finally alight in Santiago. Sitting with good friends at my future home (Hoowahh! Can’t wait!) and a great cigar….Doesn’t get much better’n that!

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

So that’s what I did.

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

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

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