Arturo Fuente | Half Ashed

Half Ashed Episode 062: La Aroma de Cuba Mi Amor

April 22, 2014 By Kip Fisher

Good day, folks. I apologize for the late post; I’m still on the road until tomorrow. If you caught the show live, you’ll know that I was broadcasting from my parents’ garage in Tennessee. I’ll be brief for the show summary, and just tell you that we smoked the La Aroma de Cuba Mi Amor “Magnifico.” It is a delicious 6″X52 offering from Ashton (produced by My Father). Listen in to the show to catch our thoughts on it. We had updates on previous stories concerning the Fuente Casa Cuba and Kelner cigar we smoked as the CoTW in Episode 061. In the news, we covered items from Viaje, Room101, Tatuaje, and Min Ron Nee’s upcoming 2nd Edition of “Illustrated Encyclopedia of Post Revolution Havana Cigars.” There were a couple of interesting tidbits in “what we’ve been smoking,” – notably, the Caucus houseblend from Georgetown Tobacco in Washington, DC. Finally, we covered a viewer question from the forum.

Next week, our Cigar of the Week will be an Unbanded (#014) from Maria Elena Gonzalez – and we are super stoked about it. Be sure to check back in next Friday night at 9:30pm EST at Cigar Federation (details on locating the show will be on the front page that evening an hour before showtime), 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 Half Ashed 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!

Half Ashed Episode 061: Kelner

April 12, 2014 By Kip Fisher

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This week, we’re smoking a cigar that we’ve each had at different times in the past….and one that isn’t marketed (at least not here in the U.S.). It’s a cigar produced by Henke Kelner and son in the Dominican Republic. There is quite a bit of speculation as to how many/when these were produced, as well as their availability. In any event, I brought a few back from my most recent trip to Santiago. Tune in to see how they smoked!

I also wanted to take a moment, both during the show and in print as well, and welcome any and all of you to use our forum. If you listen to this week’s show, you’ll find out there is a giveaway coming up for regular posters. In the news, we had quite a few interesting stories this week – including Estelian earthquake news, items from CLE/Asylum, Fuente, Nat Sherman, Tarazona, Barry Stein, and Tatuaje. We wrapped up with a summary of other cigars we’ve enjoyed this past week, and a minor rant from me that apparently is not shared by the majority of folks out there :).

Next week, our Cigar of the Week will be the La Aroma de Cuba Mi Amor. As always, we’re constantly looking for suggestions about potential Cigars of the Week, and Unbanded cigars. So if you have one drop us a line at one of the email addresses below. Be sure to check back in next Friday night at 9:30pm EST at Cigar Federation (details on locating the show will be on the front page that evening an hour before showtime), 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 email addresses: [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 Half Ashed Video Archive.

Half Ashed Episode 059: Anejo & Undercrown Dogma

March 30, 2014 By Kip Fisher

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Welcome to Episode 059 of Half Ashed. This week is a wildc*rd show….meaning, we had no planned Cigar of the Week. So, Craig is smoking a Fuente Anejo 46, and I happen to be smoking the new Undercrown Dogma – a special release from Drew Estate celebrating the 1st Anniversary of the Cigar Dojo App. We have lots to say about these two fine cigars, as well as news from My Father, K.A. Kendall, RoMaCraft, and EP Carrillo. Additionally, we cover what we’ve been smoking this week – with one very special cigar in there from me. Finally, we hit a rabbit trail or two about what else we’ve had going on this week.

As a sidenote, I wanted to really thank the guys who hang out in our chat room – for a couple of reasons. Even under normal circumstances, the chatroom makes the show so much more fun. The interaction, even at our expense, makes for a fun time all around. But this week was even more special. Some of the guys started a fundraiser “bombing run” with each other to generate donations for my family’s upcoming move to the Dominican Republic as missionaries. I can’t even begin to tell you how humbling and grateful I am for that. We have the best listeners. [Also, if you’d like to get in on it, email me at [email protected] and I’ll connect you with the man who’s coordinating the whole thing…..and all donations are 100% tax-deductible as well :)]

Next week, our Cigar of the Week will be the 2013 Oliva Serie V Maduro. This will be the grand finale to our vertical tasting of all six releases of this phenomenal cigar. As always, we’re constantly looking for suggestions about potential Cigars of the Week, and Unbanded cigars. So if you have one drop us a line at one of the email addresses below. Be sure to check back in next Friday night at 9:30pm EST at Cigar Federation (details on locating the show will be on the front page that evening an hour before showtime), 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 email addresses: [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.

Half Ashed Episode 046: Unbanded 011

December 21, 2013 By Kip Fisher

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Welcome to Episode 046 of Half Ashed! This week’s show is a bit abbreviated due to some impending technical issues that might have made it difficult to post the show for the next several days. We’re smoking Unbanded Number 011, provided by Jacob Pinkas (thank you Jacob!). This week, we covered news items from TL Johnson, New York City legislators (sigh), recent controversy on CA’s Top 25 list, La Sirena/Miami Cigar, Fuente, and Crowned Heads. We also managed to cover a couple of the things we’ve been smoking this week, as well as a couple of past-due emails. So, kick back and enjoy the shortened show!

Next week, we plan on have a normal 2 hour show at the regularly appointed time, although I’ll be on the road with an unknown amount of bandwidth….so be patient if it takes us a moment to go live. Next week’s Cigar of The Week will be a surprise, as Craig hasn’t yet picked which of his cigars we’ll be smoking. Be sure to check back in next Friday night at 9:30pm EST at Cigar Federation (details on locating the show will be on the front page that evening an hour before showtime), 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 email addresses: [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.

Half Ashed Episode 044: Crowned Heads, CigarChat, & CigFed

December 9, 2013 By Kip Fisher

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Good evening, everyone, and welcome to Episode 044 of Half Ashed. If you missed the live show, we smoked the Crowned Heads Four Kicks Corona Gorda this week, and had special guests Rob Rasmussen and Logan Lawler from Cigar Chat / Cigar Federation. We had an absolute blast with the guys, and learned a little more about both their show and the Cigar Federation. We also managed to cover a few of our regular segments as well. First off, we had our recently instituted Leaf of the Week segment, covering broadleaf this week – complete with a giveaway (which has now ended….it pays to listen live!). In the news, we covered items from Drew Estate/Herrera Esteli, Miami Cigar, and Fuente, as well as a few legislative stories of import. Additionally, we talked a bit about what we’ve been smoking this week but had to cut short before getting into emails from this week. Be sure to tune in next week – one of the emails is a review from a gentleman who reportedly paired his Opus with 9-11 Heineken!

Next week, our Cigar of the Week will be a surprise; Craig will be out tending to fatherly duties and welcoming a new little Schneider into the world (congrats Craig). I’ll be joined once again by special guest Dale Roush of Dogwatch Cigar Radio fame. Be sure to check back in next Friday night at 9:30pm EST at Cigar Federation (details on locating the show will be on the front page that evening an hour before showtime), 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 email addresses: [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.

Half Ashed 039: Dogwatch Revisited

November 3, 2013 By Kip Fisher

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Dogwatch Revisited

Good afternoon everyone, and welcome back for this week’s Half Ashed. For Episode 039, we bring back our friends and mentors Bob & Dale, formerly of Dogwatch Cigar Radio. We’re smoking an unbanded submission from DC – who might have facilitated a dead-nuts determination of brand and make of this cigar by Bob McDuffee (you really gotta watch these guys…..). In the news, we cover some items from Fuente (Casa Cuba!), some new New York City legislation, and the schedule for the upcoming “official” hard launch of Barry Stein’s KILO.

In the midst of all the much-anticipated and very welcome silliness that always comes with a visit from the Dogwatch brethren, we also review what each of us has been smoking this week – including a cigar that simply didn’t fill my sails with wind, and a handful of other items that came up in the conversation. As is always the case, we love it when Dale and Bob can come by and spend some time hanging out. They never fail to provide a great time of hanging out and chatting. We’re definitely looking forward to the next time they’re available to come by – which may be as soon as December, so stay tuned for that.

Next week, our Cigar of the Week will be something….we just don’t know what that is yet. We’ll surprise you with something good to smoke for sure. So be sure to check back in next Friday night at 9:30pm EST at www.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 email addresses: [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.

Half Ashed Episode 035: Fuente Unnamed Reserve

October 6, 2013 By Kip Fisher

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Half Ashed Episode 035: Fuente Unnamed Reserve

Welcome to another fun-filled episode of Half Ashed! This week, we’re taking a look at an unexpected (at the time) release from the Fuente family – the Unnamed Reserve. When this cigar showed up on select retailers’s shelves in December of 2012, little was known about it other than the facts that it was somewhat limited in scope and contained some mixture of the Don Carlos blend with a Sungrown wrapper. Join us as we enjoy a couple of the last few remaining in my humidor.

We also cover several news items, including the announcement of Tatuaje’s “Unlucky 13” retailers for 2013 (see article and poll over on The Cigarmy), a really cool Miami Cigar promotion going on tomorrow (October 7th), a scheduled timeframe for this year’s Serie V Maduro release from Oliva, and George Rodriguez’s take on bringing the consumer into the loop in blend development.

Additionally, Craig and I discuss what we’ve been smoking, a couple of associated cigar interest topics, and a few of this week’s outstanding listener emails. Join us for all the Friday night fun….

Next week, our Cigar of the Week will be Unbanded #008, provided by Steve Dorau. Be sure to check back in for that next Friday at 9:00pm EST at www.halfashed.com. If you would like to contact us in the meantime, you can reach us through the contact page or at the following email addresses: [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.

Half Ashed Episode 034: Ramon Allones Gigante

September 28, 2013 By Kip Fisher

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On this week’s Half Ashed, we took the opportunity to smoke a cigar from one of Craig’s favorite manufacturers – a 2001 Ramon Allones Gigante. We have covered this marque before, when we smoked the petit corona back on Episode 022 and the 2005 Edicion Regional on Episode 005 (pictured at left, because I failed to snap a picture of this week’s cigar). Craig presented tonight’s cigar thusly:

This cigar has waited to be smoked for 12 years since it left its original place of manufacture in Havana. That amount of time typically suits the Ramon Allones blend nicely by tempering some of the initial nicotine strength to the point that the traditional nutty, sweet coffee flavors can emerge. This is still a strong cigar; perhaps the strongest of all Cuban Double Coronas, but is never out of balance. The punchy youth just morphs into a robust maturity. Of all the larger ring gauge cigars this one tends to be the most complex.

Tune in to the show for updates throughout the smoke to see how that went. We also covered several items of news this week, including the following:

As reported by halfwheel, Iconic Leaf is suing Kurt Kendall (7-20-4) over the trademarked use of a spider on cigar packaging….

A recent ruling in Nebraska opens the door to ban smoking….in cigar lounges.

Guayacan is expanding their lineup, in an extension to the existing line and a new maduro offering.

The GAR Deli is open! Total cost is $250 – per GAR, “This includes all of your samples, the workshop, and your box of cigars. George will sit down with you and give you a fascinating informational seminar to guide you through the process of constructing a well-balanced cigar. He will discuss the tobacco growing process and give the customer useful background information on how this process influences the flavor of a cigar. Once you have made your tobacco selections, it takes the rollers a few hours to put your custom blend together. You can usually take them with you the same day or you can return the following day to pick them up. Your box can also be shipped to you.”

GAR also just announced the addition of the GAR Red to the lineup. Reportedly a medium-full bodied stick that is available in 3 size – 6×60, 6×66, and 7×70. Nicaraguan puro w/Habano wrapper, Jalapa binder, & Habano/corojo filler. Price is a major selling point on these, with the 7×70 coming in at a $5 MSRP.

Barry Stein reports that he’s trying samples of a 6X60 KILO…..and tells me that there will be a corona! Hoowahh!

Gary Griffith is implementing a new idea with retailers – the opportunity to become House of Emilio “Master Retailers.” I posted this press release in an earlier post at The Cigarmy.

Democratic Senator Robert Menendez of NJ has signed on as a co-sponsor of S.772. This is a big deal – Every Senator sponsorship is quite important and carries a lot of weight.

Also in this episode, we review what we’ve been smoking lately and a number of various and sundry ratholes….as well as a listener email from Enzo Temko.

Next week, our Cigar of the Week might be the Fuente Unnamed Reserve from this past December….I say “might” because we changed plans up in the final minutes of the show, and there is an outside chance it may change again. In any event, be sure to check back in for that next Friday at 9:30pm EST at www.halfashed.com. If you would like to contact us in the meantime, you can reach us through the contact page or at the following email addresses: [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.

Episode 019: Monte Pascoal

June 15, 2013 By Kip Fisher

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Monte Pascoal

Welcome back to Half Ashed, and happy Fathers’ Day to all the Dads out there. We’re glad you’ve joined us for another round of fun. This week, we take a look at an old favorite – Monte Pascoal. Craig with a corona, and I the belicoso. So, find your favorite cigar and join us for another couple hours of smokin’ silliness…

News Items

Legislation: In legislative news, those of you in Pennsylvania NEED to take heed: CRA has issued an action alert detailing some potentially devastating proposals from a couple of your state congressmen.

The IPCPR season is beginning to kick into high gear, with product announcements from Ortega Cigars, TL Johnson Cigars, Barry Stein (Miami Cigar), Guayacan, Crowned Heads, Ashton and newcomer Cordoba y Morales. Look for an increasing amount of news in the next few weeks leading up to and during the tradeshow.

What Have We Been Smoking?

Craig: La Aurora Fernando Leon, Monte Pascoal

Kip: Ezra Zion TANTRUM, Nestor Miranda DANNO, 2012 Toast Across America Fuente Opus X

Miscellany

We also cover some behavioral patterns Craig has noticed when “talking business” with some brick and mortar shop owners, and the politics of the B&M. Additionally, we finally get caught up on listener emails – discussing questions from Chad Miller, Swede214, and Bruce Stark. Keep those emails coming! We love ’em, and always enjoy hearing from you all. Just drop us a line via any of the means below.

Wrap

Be sure you all come back next week for Episode 020, which will hopefully feature a special guest, depending on whether or not we can work out the scheduling. We will be smoking an unbanded – #005, from Dan Crouch. We also will be bringing Dan on at the unveiling to discuss the cigar.

In the meantime, if you would like to contact us, you can reach us through the contact page or at the following email addresses: [email protected] or [email protected]. Don’t forget to get those emails in this month to be entered in our current giveaway. 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.

Episode 012: Unbanded 003 & a Giveaway!

April 27, 2013 By Kip Fisher

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Episode 012 of Half Ashed is in the can, and we welcome you back to join us for this week’s show. We are offering up another opportunity to humble ourselves in the public eye this week, with Unbanded 003, generously provided by Dan Crouch. Smoking blindly is something that is becoming somewhat of a habit for me. Be sure you give us a listen by any of the means below for several news items and updates, what we’ve been smoking, what we thought of the unbanded selection this week, a couple listener emails, and a slight rant from me. Also, don’t forget to listen in and check out the details on our current giveaway. Thanks for stopping by! Here is a quick show summary:

Unbanded 003

The Cigar of the Week for Episode 012 is an Unbanded submission from Dan Crouch. Dan took a novel approach with this submission; something that is a little different than our normal format. He submitted two differing vitolas from the same line of cigars, rather than two examples of the same cigar. Craig and I both had similar notions about the origin of the cigars, as well as a clear preference for one vitola over the other. Definitely an interesting experiment, and we thank Dan for the originality and generosity of supplying the cigars. Check out the show to see what we thought of it, and get the reveal.

Industry News

Legislative items – NYC Democratic mayoral candidate Christine Quinn (also speaker of NY City Council) is proposing that the age restriction on tobacco be raised from 18 to 21 years – NYC Health Commissioner Dr. Thomas Farley states “People who become full-fledged adults without smoking are very unlikely to pick up the habit afterwards. So if we can prevent our youth from starting smoking until they are 21 we may just be able to protect an entire generation from a lifetime of being addicted to the world’s most dangerous drug.” So, 19-21 year olds are still youth? Reminds me of the “study” a few years ago that classified “youth” as anyone under 26, and “smokers” as anyone who’d ever smoked a single cigarette….ORIGINAL STORY
Sam Leccia’s White began shipping this week. From appearances, the White allocation was all spoken for very quickly….
Casa Fuente tweeted that their online store was open on Monday – much to the delight of Fuente fans everywhere. Disappointment quickly followed, when they went to the site to find out that no cigars were sold there….just Casa Fuente branded clothing and accessories.
The Casa Magna Domus Magnus II is finally being shipped – months after it was initially announced. I’m not a fan of some Casa Magna cigars – but I love me some Domus Magnus. I believe the blend remains mostly the same, with the exception that the wrapper (sungrown Jalapa) is of a different vintage than the earlier offerings.
Ezra Ziontweeted a picture of their upcoming Limited Edition TANTRUM being boxed up at the factory. So, it appears they’re on schedule for the release (launched at Michael’s Tobacco of Keller – in Keller, TX on Friday April 26th). They crew from Ezra Zion will be joining us LIVE on May 10th.
Macanudo will be the new main sponsor for “Big Break” on the Golf Channel. I’m not a golfer, but apparently this is the channel’s longest running original series – and a big hit for them. Macanudo will feature prominently, with several episode being filmed at the Macanudo lounge Mexico, as well as the brand being incorporated into some of the challenges.

What Else Have We Been Smoking?

Kip – This week, I’ve been through a number of cigars, including two special Fuente sticks, a “Lauro’s” from Craig, some Casa Fernandez Arsenio and more. Tune in to the show to get the scoop on how those went…

Miscellany

Giveaway! It’s time we have another giveaway, and we have some cool stuff going out this time around. Courtesy of Cuenca Cigars, we have an Ashton ashtray and some killer premium cigars – as well as a Cigarmy coffee mug and a couple more cigars from me. The cigars are: 2X Cuenca 5 Anniversary, 2X Ortega Serie D Maduro #12’s, 1 Oliva Serie V Maduro, 1X La Aroma de Cuba Marquis Tubo, 1X L’Atelier Surrogates Tramp Stamp, 1X Torano Salutem, 1X Aging Room M356, and 1X JC Newman Perla del Mar. Listen to the show for all the details, but every email received between now and May 30th with a comment, question, concern, or compliment/complaint about the show will be entered in the giveaway – although, admittedly, complaints will have considerably less chances of winning :). On our May 31st show, we will randomly select a winner from those entries. So, get those keyboards humming and send us an email to [email protected] or [email protected]!
After last week’s discussion of my attempts and misadventures in making Cuban coffee, I received quite a few emails on making better brews for cigar accompaniment. I’m looking forward to giving some of these a try.
We also talk a little about another email we got from Enzo Temko concerning a bit of discomfort after smoking some cigars.
Finally, I go over the edge this week with a minor rant about the profusion of recent emails and distribution lists I’m on – or rather, some that I was on.

Wrap

Next week, our featured cigar will be the 2005 Padron Aniversario Natural. Be sure to tune in to find out how that goes. On May 10th, we will have our next LIVE show, broadcast on Cigar Federation. We’ll be talking with special guests from Ezra Zion about their Limited Edition release – the TANTRUM. The following week, we will have another special guest – William Cooper (Cigar_Coop) to get his insights into the industry, how it’s going, where it’s going, and generally pick his brain and see what we can learn.

Again, thanks for tuning in, and be sure to check back in next week. In the meantime, if you would like to contact us you can reach us through the contact page or at the following email addresses: [email protected] or [email protected]. Also, don’t forget 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.

<img loading="lazy" id="" class="alignleft size-full wp-image-4973" style="margin: 0px 15px 5px 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px;" title="" src="http://halfashed.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/monte-pascoal.jpg" alt="Monte Pascoal" width="194" height="146" />Monte Pascoal

News Items

What Have We Been Smoking?

Miscellany

Wrap

Unbanded 003

Industry News

What Else Have We Been Smoking?

Miscellany

Wrap

Monte Pascoal