Arturo Fuente | Half Ashed

Half Ashed 182: LFD Air Bender Maduro

September 1, 2018 By Kip Fisher

La Flor Dominicana Air Bender Maduro

The La Flor Dominicana Air Bender Maduro is a cigar that has tempted me since its release. In early 2011 I visited the Dominican Republic for the first time and toured a farm where the Gomez family grows some of its tobacco. Not typically a fan of LFD I often overlooked their releases. The visit to their fields was a welcome awakening for my palate. My traveling companions and I were treated to Air Bender Torpedos and I was immediately surprised by the blend. Being one to typically shy away from strength to the n^th power, I expected nothing else from the famed “double” and “triple ligero” manufacturer. I was shocked to find a blend nuanced with spice, sweetness, and hard flavors wrapped in subtlety. Pair that blend with a sweeter Maduro wrapper and I was intrigued. Fast forward to last winter and I finally had a chance to get my hands on some of them.

This 6-½”x54 behemoth of a cigar has Dominican internals and a Brazilian Habano wrapper. It’s aroma is unique in a spicy sort of presentation and the prelight is similar. The cigar reminds me of a spiced and harder version of the original. Bitter citrus notes cut through the low end to come together in an enjoyable, different package. Speaking of packaging, this cigar was only available in 24 count “Curing Barn” humidors.

Cigar News

Happy birthday Bob McDuffee!

IPCPR was this past week, and as expected there isn’t a huge number of new cigar introductions. I did notice several new things coming from Fuente, although most are limited items that are incentives for retailers. The thing that most readily caught my eye was that the 888 will be available in the Opus blend. I love this size, and frankly I believe Fuente shines in these smaller ring cigars (Casa Fuente lancero, Don Carlos lancero, Opus lancero, etc.). The 888, of course, was the Añejo vitola that launched a few years ago in limited fashion. It is one of my favorites in the line, and I’m betting it could be a favorite for my tastes in the Opus line (which I often pass over in favor of Don Carlos or Hemingway). It will be 6.875” x 44, and is listed as a Dominican puro (obviously). I have to admit, I haven’t been this excited over an Opus introduction in a long time. MSRP is $13.50, but as we all know all bets are off when they actually land on retailers’ shelves…

In a followup to a judgment that went against the cigar industry with reservations, Judge Amit P. Mehta has ruled in another case that the labeling requirements required by the incoming FDA rule must be delayed until 60 days after another pending case has been completed. The labeling requirements have long been considered one of the more onerous items in the rules, and many companies have already invested a great deal of time and money into preparing.

Halfwheel reported on a new Total Flame cigar that is on its way, which includes some Iranian tobacco in the filler blend. It will feature a CT wrapper over Indonesian Sumatra binder and fillers from Iran, Nicaragua, and PA. You may remember this company from Bob McDuffee’s focus back at IPCPR 2012. I have never smoked their lineup, but I’m fascinated with the idea of Iranian tobacco considering the near- and middle-eastern prominence in pipe tobaccos. I’m intrigued as to whether the tobacco will be similarly treated during the curing process, and if they might provide a fire-cured nuance. Anyone who sees these should drop us a line and let us know how it goes….although total production is only 10k, and only half that in will ship to the U.S.

Smokers of AJ Fernandez’ San Lotano Oval will be disappointed to hear that the line is being discontinued, reportedly to avoid confusion with their Requiem line. Apparently, CI has opted to buy out the remaining inventory to make it an exclusive for them until inventory is depleted. Better act quickly….

Drew Estate has entered into the bundle cigar arena, with some very inexpensive value priced cigars. I’m wondering how this will go, and how much influence is coming from parent company Swisher in this endeavor. I could speculate, but probably shouldn’t….tune in to the show to find out why.

Our buddy Luis at La Tradicion Cubana is releasing some aged cigars he’s been sitting on for many years. Fourteen years, to be exact. The cigars are known as the JML 1902 Reserva Familiar, and were rolled at his factory in 2004. The blend is a PA wrapper over Dominican Criollo ‘98 binder and PA filler. I wonder Production numbers haven’t been released, but they will retail for $6-7 in two vitolas – 5”x50 robusto and 7”x50 churchill

What Else We’ve Been Smoking

Craig

Tatuaje Cabaiguan Maduro Robusto Extra
Tatuaje Cabaiguan Maduro Robusto Extra
Tatuaje Cabaguan Maduro Robusto Extra

Kip

Dunbarton Tobacco Trust Sobremesa Robusto Largo (5.25”x52)…”the marker”
OMS Pipes…mostly with MacBaren Navy Flake. Wow!
I replaced my Xikar MTX scissors. Oh, sweet mystery of life at last I’ve found you!

Episode 174: Ezra Zion All My Ex’s Maduro

February 6, 2018 By Kip Fisher

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Ezra Zion All My Ex’s Maduro

Kip – The All My Ex’s maduro made its appearance in April 2016 as a followup to the original released blend. The Ezra Zion guys generously gave us these while I was at IPCPR 2016. The maduro All My Ex’s features a Mexican San Andres wrapper over Nicaraguan binder and filler. They were made via Noel Rojas at the Aroma de Jalapa factory in Estelí. The line was available in three vitolas (6”x52 toro at $8.95, 5”x50 robusto for $8.50, and a 6.5”x42 lancero ($8.95)). Total production was 800 boxes of 25 (20,000 total production). I remember these having a healthy dose of potency, yet being entirely approachable; some dry cocoa flavors and an occasional wisp of smoky woodsiness. I couldn’t help but notice that only 18 months in the cello left it incredibly yellowed. Interesting. Let’s see how the cigars are smoking these days….

Cigar News

My old haunt – Tampa Humidor – announced since our last show that they had been acquired by Casa de Montecristo (Tabacalera USA/Altadis/JR Cigars)….and subsequently, a few more acquisitions have occurred. It was announced that Xikar has been bought by Quality Importers (!), and Thompson Cigar has been purchased by STG, the parent company to General Cigar and CI.
Halfwheel is reporting that Altadis is suing another company for trademark infringement with the fleur-de-lis.
Gary Laden of Smooth Draws Radio Show passed away. Our condolences to his family and friends. Remembering Gary, by Cigar Coop
Carlito Fuente announced during the Puro Sabor festival that the Fuente family is opening a new cigar factory in Nicaragua. They have maintained a farming presence there for many years since their original factory in Estelí was burned in 1978. This comes on the heels of announcing the name change for distribution from Fuente & Newman Premium Cigars Limited to the Arturo Fuente Cigar Co.

What Else We’ve Been Smoking

Craig –

Tatuaje Little Boris Robusto Extra – Holy Poop
Tatuaje Capa Especial 2012 Book Toro – Nirvana
Tatuaje Tattoo Robusto – Overlooked too often
Ramon Allones SS – Not the best example
Ramon Allones PC – Old Faithful
Cornelius & Anthony Cornelius (Corona) – Generic

Kip

JC Newman El Baton –
Fuente 858 Sungrown –
Deer Tongue!

Half Ashed 172: La Tradicion Cubana Reserva Familiar

January 29, 2018 By Kip Fisher

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Preliminary Review – La Tradicion Cubana Reserva Familiar

Kip – Tonight’s sample of the La Tradicion Cubana Reserva Familiar (Family Reserve) is nigh on 3 years old at this point. We are smoking the toro vitola at around 6” x 48-50 ring. This line spun off the original LTC line with some minor changes – these carrying an Ecuadorian wrapper over an undisclosed binder and Dominican fillers. There’s still a similar aroma of hay on the wrapper, with a darker, more raisin-like scent at the foot. Originally, I found these very similar to the standard LTC but with more bold, spicy flavors. Think baking spice with a bit of an edge. Scored a 90.7 in my last review in December 2014.

Cigar News

Tonight, we went light on news (scant days, these are) and heavy on chatter about the featured cigar. We did, however, remember a couple of gentlemen and masters in the cigar world that have recently passed. We also talked a bit about some recent legislative comments from FDA commissioner Gottlieb.

What Else We’ve Been Smoking

Craig –

2008 Fuente Anejo – Holy hell

Kip

Opus “A” from CFC 2013, courtesy of Nick
“Décima”, another offering to recently come from the makers of Chogüí and others I’ve spoken of over the past 18 months or so….
Pipes!

Episode 163: Cohiba Magico Maduro

July 7, 2017 By Kip Fisher

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Cohiba Magico Maduro

From Craig…

LSO JUN 07 Cohiba Magico – These cigars from the original production run of the first non LE post revolution Cuban cigar. In 2002 Cuba started aging the Maduro wrapper leaves for what would eventually become the Cohiba Maduro cigars. Available in three vitolas; Secretos, a Tres Petit Corona, Magicos, roughly a rothschild and the Genios a toro sized cigar. These cigars were met with much anticipation and limited success. Heralded as the best Non Cuban cigar to come out of Cuba, the much maligned “Cocoa & Coffee” flavors reminded smokers of non cuban flavors. For those of us who love cigars from all countries, these cigars represented a holy grail to a small population that appreciated the marriage in style and sensation. Full bodied without being strong, these cigars were sweet and rich, without being overpowering. When on they were some of the best maduro examples ever to be sold. This box is original to the first shipments hitting global market and has been in my possession for nearly 10 years. I broke it open for this occasion and have yet to smoke a single cigar. I smoked numerous boxes of Secretos and found them to run between acceptable and flawless…

Cigar News

There are “hundreds of thousands” more Fuente cigars floating around the black market than 2 weeks ago. An entire 40 foot cargo container was stolen some time between being offloaded in Miami and its scheduled delivery in Tampa. The tractor, and subsequently the trailer, has since been recovered,. Expect some Fuente shortages again this year…..

So Xikar is adding graduated laser etched markings on the blade of some cutters that measure the diameter of the cigar being cut, notably the Ultra Thin model. At first, I thought “that’s neat.” Then, I wondered what the point was? Do these markings gauge the entire diameter? Or, how much someone somewhere thinks should be trimmed off the cap (which should, of course, be less than the overall diameter of the cigar)? Are cap/heads of cigars uniform enough this is close enough to a fixed amount to be trimmed? Does anyone think it matters? There seems like a lot of variation amongst manufacturers’ ability to maintain consistent ring measurements on their cigars.

Turns out…kids aren’t springing the cash for premium cigars! Who’d a thunk it? A study partially funded by the FDA determined that of over 13,000 kids aged 12-17 only 2.3% had ever had a premium cigar (with “ever” meaning have ever had even 1-2 puffs). Less than ¾ of 1% had done so in the past 30 days. This data was part of a much larger study, covering a sample pool of almost 46,000 children and adults. Additionally, the study included the use of flavored cigars – which are often the evil scapegoat decried by anti-smoking factions. The study was funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse and the FDA, and interestingly, the FDA does NOT include these findings in the tobacco section of their website. Originally published by Cigar Aficionado.

Tatuaje has announced the final two offerings in the long-running Monster series. Later this year, “Michael” will be released, and “The Bride” will be the (presumed) final release in 2018. Along with this announcement, it has further come to light that another subset of the Monsters will be coming down the pike. A Cazadores sampler will be coming in the next month or so, and will include 10 of the Monster blends in a 6 ⅜” x 43 vitola. There will also be a lancero version of the sampler in 7 ½” x 38. I’ve enjoyed the regular Monster lineup over the years, but never really went nuts over them, as the sizes tend to run a bit bigger than I typically reach for. I really liked the Skinny Monster release last year, and will go out on a limb to declare I’ll probably invest in the Cazadores…and Lanceros…and one or both a second round after I have had a proper amount of testing :). The Cazadores will run around $90 per sampler, while the Lanceros will come in at about $5 more.

What Else We’ve Been Smoking

Craig

SCdlH El Principe – My love of small cigars is not hidden to anyone who listens to this show. The El Principe always floats amongst my favorites in this vitola. Sweet, flavorful and, like the best Cuba has to offer, always drops an individual thread to accompany the overall theme the island’s tobacco brings to the table. Terrific.
Partagas 898v – Absolutely loaded with amazing sweet spice and tobacco flavor. Also loaded with a roughness akin to youth and bad luck.

Kip

Davidoff Chef’s Edition…typical Davidoff (I dig it).
Lots of Quesada España and 40th Robustos
Partagas Heritage (General) – They have my attention…

Episode 157: La Flor Dominicana TAA 47

January 8, 2017 By Kip Fisher

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La Flor Dominicana TAA 47th

Last year’s (fabled, per Craig) selection process led to the finished product we have before us – the La Flor Dominicana TAA 47th. It’s a 5.5” x 52 robusto extra that features an Ecuadoran Habano wrapper over Nicaraguan binder and Dominican/Nicaraguan filler mix. It was available only through TAA member shops, and retailed for about $9 per stick.

Cigar News

The much anticipated…and much maligned…CA Top 25 list is making its rounds for 2016. If you follow the list, you probably already know that the La Flor Dominicana Andalusian Bull topped it at number 1. I (Kip) haven’t personally smoked this cigar yet, but I have read a bit about it. In fact, quite a few of the things I read deemed it as being uncharacteristic of the typical LFD portfolio. The anecdotal trend I am seeing is folks saying it’s not as potent as the company’s standard fare, with perhaps more of a spicy profile. I suppose I’ll have to track them down, because nicotine-heavy blends has been one of my personal reasons I avoid the brand most of the time (although there are a few I will reach for on occasion, like the Airbender). I’d love to hear what some of our listeners think of it – because this list is often polarizing for the magazine’s readership, and I’m interested to see what Johnny-on-the-street has to say about the cigar. The 6.5” figurado retails for about $15, and features a Corojo-seed Ecuador Habano wrapper over a blend of Dominican Criollo ’98, an undefined hybrid, and some Pelo d’Oro.

Lots of legislative news since our last show. First, a very brief update in the form of a date. July 28, 2017. This is the date that the joint CRA//IPCPR//CAA lawsuit will have its day in court. We’ve covered this in recent shows in terms of its initial filing and the FDA’s response. We’re going to have to wait a few more months before anything really starts to move with it….

Moving along into the second bit of legislative info, the FDA has now alleged that several companies are falsely marketing cigarettes as “Little Cigars.” Swisher is the only company in the list that I recognize having a tie to our standard roster of cigar companies, with their past premium division and current ownership of Drew Estate. Frankly, despite my (Kip’s) typical displeasure with the FDA’s asserted long arm, I’m kinda onboard with this reach. Similar loophole wrangling led to some portion of the mess we’re in today (i.e. roll-your-own tobacco being marketed as pipe tobacco in FL, etc.). If these are cigarettes, call them cigarettes. THIS is why we need a solid definition that differentiates premium cigars from other types of tobacco products. I’m not alleging Swisher did this, but there were a number of cigarette makers in 2009 that simply changed the color of their paper wrapper to brown and called them “little cigars” to manoeuvre the tax framework. These things are sized like cigarettes, have similar composition, and are packaged much alike…

Representative Mark Meadows (NC, Rep.) has compiled and presented a list of over 200 regulations that could beneficially be repealed by incoming President Trump. One of these regulations is the FDA’s claim on regulating tobacco products – specifically premium cigars. The list specifically notes the fear of the overwhelming pre-review process that the industry now faces. Story on Cigar Coop

The 20th Anniversary Opus X has hit the market…in the brand’s 21st year (of course). A number of retailers have been busily posting pictures as they land in stores. The line comes in four sizes: Believe (5 3/4 x 52), Father & Son (6 1/4 x 49), God’s Whisper (6 1/2 x 56) and Power of a Dream (6 3/8 x 52). They come in 20-count boxes with MSRP pricing ranging from $17.75-20 per cigar. I have a couple of these from the 2014 CFC, although without the fancy blue packaging. They were distributed at this event with a simple secondary “Hublot” band, and no information given except they were 20th Anniversary Opus. I suppose it’s time to break them out…

What Else We’ve Been Smoking

Craig

Alphonso custom corona 11/16 from Zedman

Punch London Club Maduro

Perdomo Lot 23 Habano

Kip

SevenSeven Cigars – Sumatra (Ec Sumatran wrapper, Criollo ‘98 binder, Piloto Cubano, Nicaraguan, Criollo ‘98 fillers) milder in flavor but just as potent as its Sumatran brother. Habano (Habano wrapper, Criollo ‘98 binder, Piloto Cubano, Nicaraguan, Criollo ‘98 fillers) – Occasional crispness, but generally came across with lots of dark chocolate flavors.

Tatuaje Skinny Monsters – I’ve begun smoking through these as I get the chance. I’m keeping some notes on each and will post them up once I’m through the lineup. So far, I think the Mummy has been my favorite…which is peculiar, because I believe it has been my least favorite in the full size offerings.

Episode 155: Tatuaje Face – Original

November 21, 2016 By Kip Fisher

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Tatuaje Face

Craig – Monsters! Yes, we’re a couple weeks late to the Halloween Gig but it’s really never a bad time to light up an original Tatuaje Face. This big beast, 6-½”x56 by direct measurement, was the 2010 Monster release, #3 in the series. One of Pete’s first uses of the San Andres wrapper, this cigar takes a left turn from the then typical tobaccos being used in the Esteli MF factory. It does sit on a Nicaraguan binder & filler blend which have always done a good job of keeping the impression of proper pedigree intact. This cigar has always danced around sweet & savory, though more recently diving deep into the meaty depths of other Nicaraguan manufacturers. Some cinnamon offers up a bit of respite but the cigar generally remains in that realm.

Cigar News

Serious Cigars is the latest retailer to be bought out by one of the large tobacco companies. Tabacalera USA acquired them (or at least, have announced the acquisition) since our last show. That name may or may not sound familiar – it’s the parent company behind Altadis, JR Cigars, and a couple other groups. I mention this only because there’s been a great deal of speculation that this (mfr./”big guy” buying up retailers) is developing into a trend and I wanted Craig’s thoughts…

Since we’re smoking Tatuaje tonight, I figured I’d throw in the latest news from the company. This spawned from an Instagram post by Pete Johnson and has been published elsewhere, but the RC line is expanding. Specifically pictured was the RC No.2 (5-5/8 x 54), although other outlets are reporting a couple more sizes (RC No. 1 (4 3/4 x 52), and RC No.3 (6 1/2 x 56)). Pete did comment that it will feature an Ecuadoran habano wrapper, but as of yet no real details on availability and pricing….personally, I welcome the normal human-sized vitolas over the existing behemoths in the line, with the 184 at 7-¼” x 57 and 233 of 9-⅛” x 55 :)

California strongly voted for Prop 56, which raises cigarette taxes from $0.87 to $2.87 per pack. Tax on other tobacco products – including cigars – is computed from the basis of the cigarette tax; existing cigar tax will probably more than double.

For now the 2nd time since Kip had his arm inked, Fuente is changing the Don Carlos band. Back in early 2011, they changed and added some gold trim across the bottom and a couple other minor details. Now, they’re inheriting the band you’ve been seeing on the Eye of the Shark and Don Carlos’ Private Reserve, which is predominantly black rather than the traditional red shared with the Hemingway line.

Somehow we missed this. The US abstained from a vote regarding the UN’s now annual vote on the Embargo. For the first time the US did not cast a vote in support of the nation’s 54 year old “Quarantine”. The reasons are quite political and also rather interesting. Apparently the Obama administration is not fully supporting this year’s movement to damn the embargo but is certainly expressing a bit of solidarity with nearly the rest of the globe’s collective distaste for the legislation. Citing, anonymously, the republican congress’s upholding of the present state of affairs, the Executive branch is further separating themselves from the embargo.

What Else We’ve Been Smoking

Craig –

Ashton Cabinet – WHY is this overlooked??
J.Fuego Origen Originals – Cubby celebration.

Not much, and not much new…Oliva’s Inferno that I mentioned last show…
Padilla Miami Maduro

Half Ashed Episode 149: Ezra Zion Burnt Ends

August 21, 2016 By Kip Fisher

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Ezra Zion Burnt Ends

Kip – Named after the favored “burnt ends” of a Texas BBQ brisket, this was Spring 2015 direct-to-consumer release from Ezra Zion. It had a total production of 1000 cigars, and sported a cured corojo wrapper (cured?)…but little else in terms of recipe. 6”x52 toro.

Cigar News

Carlos Fuente Sr. has passed. We offer our condolences and a few memories of Senior.

Follow up on the companies releasing epic quantities of cigars at IPCPR….

Random things I noticed at the show:

I didn’t dig in hard to the legislative seminars, but they seemed generally better-attended than in years past.
Wide range of answers when mfrs. Were asked their thoughts about FDA
Lots of new packaging on old blends
Lots of “pre-2007” blend marketing…
AJ Fernandez’ booth was crazy busy.
Macanudo Mao…
Excited about Davidoff Yamasa, EPM 10 yr (DLR), Bella Artes, Yayabo, EZ All My Exes Maduro, Pistoff Kristoff
The Cigarmy cutter….

Today’s the first of the “FDA D-day” – August 8th, 2016. Now what?

What Else We’ve Been Smoking

Craig – A GREAT couple of weeks for me

ECCJ 20th was the dog of the show. That should tell you something
Reynaldo Canonazo 2014 from Zedman
1998 Montecristo Especials
La Atalier Racine – How polar opposite this experience was… from itself

Kip – nada

Half Ashed Episode 148: Crowned Heads and Diamond Crown 20th

August 21, 2016 By Kip Fisher

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Crowned Heads & Diamond Crown

Kip – Crowned Heads Las Calaveras 2016 – I’m having the 5×50 edition of this year’s release. It has a Connecticut broadleaf wrapper over Nicaraguan fillers. Produced by My Father. Based on my first experience, I’d liken it more akin to the 2014 version than 2015…which is great for me.
Craig – Diamond Crown 20th Anniversary – A lovely gift from Kip that seemed like it was calling out to me this evening.

Cigar News

FDA Panic much?!

Recluse….9 new lines, with 14 sizes each?!?!?
Kings Cigars will be releasing some new limited editions…to the tune of 40 new facings in 14 different blends!

1502 has given some detail – but not much – on their latest release, the Blue Sapphire. I’ve been a fan of Enrique’s style since he first hit the shelves with the Ruby & Emerald several years ago. The Blue Sapphire will again be a Nicaraguan puro, but little is yet know about the blend outside of it being described as medium-full to full. It’s strange that so little detail sparks an interest from me, but knowing how much I’ve enjoyed his past efforts I’ll be excited to try this one.

Many listeners may not be familiar with El Artista, but I’ve lived just a couple miles from their factory the past year. The company is celebrating 60 years in business, although they don’t have huge name recognition in the American market. They do a steady business of house blends and a few others you may know like the Puro Ambar. I profiled them a few years back at the 2013 show. They have a long history in growing and buying/selling leaf, as well as making cigars. This year’s new release is the Pulita, which uses negrito wrapper, criollo 98 binder and fillers from the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, Colombia, and Pennsylvania. The Aniversario will come in two sizes, a 5×50 Robusto and 6×54 Toro.

Celebrating a 10 year anniversary, illusione will have several changes in the works for this year’s show…but probably few will bring a tear to my eye like the fact that the eccj blend is going mainstream! The robusto, churchill, and corona gorda will become regular production items. Secondarily, my other favorite bit of news from Dion is that there will be a 5-⅝” x 46 Fume D’Amour called the Concepcion. Hoowahh!

One last item that has my knickers in a twist is the Yamasa from Davidoff. I’ll be attending a media gathering in their booth and the official launch at the opening of the Davidoff lounge in Vegas. This blend will feature tobacco from a region between Santo Domingo & Bonao in the Dominican Republic, where they have some limited tobacco crops. The region is known as Yamasa, where the cigar draws its name and wrapper. The binder will also be from here (San Vincente), and the filler will have tobacco from Condega and Estelí, Nicaragua and other Dominican tobaccos (piloto and mejorado). There’s been a good deal of science applied in their development of these tobaccos…as well as its treatment during processing. It’s available in Robusto (5 x 50), Toro (6 x 52), Pirámides (6 1/8 x 52) and Petit Churchill (4 x 48), and will retail between $13-23 per stick depending on size

What the frack is an “energy cigar?” The Nicaragua Cigar Distributors are banking on the energy drink phenomena with an entry this year. They claim to have infused FDA approved food grade components to provide a “boost” minutes after lighting the cigar. Interesting idea, or regulation-fodder? There will be a premium version as well as an inexpensive mass market short filler edition…

What Else We’ve Been Smoking

Craig

España Corona
Crowned Heads Four Kicks Torpedo

Kip

RoMaCraft Aquitaine Anthropology
EZ Tantrum PA
Oliva Serie V Maduro x2
Emilio Carpe Noctem & AF2

What have we been enjoying in the world of cigars lately?

Writing again! I’ve got a hankering to put a story idea down on paper. It’s somewhat autobiographical but more off, it’s a great accompaniment to the cigar.

Half Ashed Episode 144: Unbanded 027

June 1, 2016 By Kip Fisher

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Unbanded 027

Unbanded 027 – A 5”x50 robusto with a dark wrapper and smooth but dry complexion. There’s a faint aroma on both wrapper and foot…not much else is known. Let’s see how it goes, shall we?

Cigar News

The FDA has spoken. Now what?

Since buying Toraño a couple years ago, General has left it pretty much under the radar. Until now. They’re making four new additions to the Vault Series. The packaging is very brightly colored and you won’t have trouble locating the boxes – they’re purple, yellow, orange(ish) and turquoise. Some have remarked at some pretty close similarity to Camacho’s most recent packaging…but I digress. Each new line will retail around $5.50-6.50, in robusto (5”x50) & gordo (6”x60) respectively. The new cigars are as follows:

For B&M shops:
P-044 (yellow) =Nica puro with a sun grown wrapper and Jalapan fillers
TM-027 (purple) = Mexican San Andrés wrapper, Nicaraguan binder and broadleaf (unknown origin) and Nicaraguan fillers

For etailers and mail order:
C-033 (orange-ish) has a Mexican San Andrés oscuro wrapper, Cameroon binder and broadleaf and Nicaraguan fillers
L-075 (turquoise) has a Nicaraguan wrapper, Ecuadorian Sumatra binder and filler tobaccos from Connecticut, the Dominican Republic and Nicaragua

Keeping with the themed framework of the revamped Camacho brand, they announced the upcoming launch of a new line called the Powerband Series. Aside from the motorcycle them, what piqued my interest is their new bunching process – reportedly combining an accordion style bunching process and traditional entubado bunching. They’ve dubbed the process the Powerband bunching method. I can’t say that – even with the refacing over the past couple years – I’ve had a great deal of interest in the Camacho recently. That being said, I’m intrigued by this. They believe the new process “maximizes airflow for peak performance.” As for the cigar, it contains an Habano 2000 wrapper over San Andres Negrito binder and five different filler tobaccos (Nicaragua, Honduras, & the Dominican Republic). It will come in Robusto (5”x50), Toro (6”x50), and Gordo (6”x60), and range from $11-13 at retail.

A happy birthday to Carlos Fuente Sr., who turned 81 today…

What Else We’ve Been Smoking

Craig

La Escogida (Sp?) – Gifted from Zedman. A sweet, slightly savory stick (2 vitolas!) which were cool, perfectly flavorful and wonderfully tilted towards the sugary sweet profiles I adore. A must for me to have again. I smoked my two sticks two days in a row!
My Father Limited Edition 2010 – I broke my box. I finally smoked the innagural LE from Pepin & Jaime. I knew exactly what I’d get and it didn’t surprise me. Anybody want to buy a box of nine 2010 LEs?
Ramon Allones Gigante 2002 – OSU Mar 02

Kip

A very old Maduro Short Story…
La Galera CT CG
Lots of the Yute…

Next Episode

Next episode (145), we will be smoking the Tatuaje TAA LE 2014. 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.