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Crowned Heads JD Howard Reserve Single Action

One of several 2015 LE’s from Crowned Heads, the Single Action was an addition to the JD Howard Reserve line.  Only about 2,000 boxes of 10 cigars were produced, and the cigar carries an MSRP of $9.25 per cigar (and they’re still out there if you’re interested).  It is a 6×38 petit lancero, featuring a Brazilian Arapiraca wrapper over Ecuador Sumatran binder and Nicaraguan fillers.  The line is produced by EP Carrillo in the Dominican Republic.  Carrying with the JD Howard theme, the cigar is named after Jesse James’ weapon of choice – the Colt Single Action.

News

I got some info on a new line from Luis Sanchez this week, called the Figurado Series.  It will initially be available in a single 5”x54 “Chulo” vitola, and two different wrappers -Ecuadoran (natural) and San Andres (maduro).  Filler leaf will include some of the tobacco grown by Luis and Terry Johnson at their DOMUSA farming operation in Villa Gonzalez, DR.  I did not get pricing information, but it should be stateside in the next couple of weeks.

AJ Fernandez is extending the New World line to include a Connecticut wrapped version.  The New World Connecticut will feature an American-grown CT shade wrapper, Mexican San Andres binder, and a filler mix of Nicaraguan and Brazilian leaf – which is very different from the standard New World (“Dark Nicaragua” wrapper over Jalapa binder and a filler blend of Viso Ometepe, Condega ligero, and Estelí-Finca Soledad ligero, and “Dark Nicaragua” wrapper).  It will be available in four vitolas – Corona Gorda (5.5×46), Robusto (5×50), Toro (6×52), and Belicoso (6×54).  Pricing will be in line with the existing New World lineup.

Following our recent mentions of a few pipe tobacco related items, I’m happy to report that Pete Johnson is working on some blends himself.  He posted up a pic of something he was smoking this week and commented that he was working on something new.  He said he hopes to have something by the tradeshow.  I asked where his focus might be in terms of the types of blends he was working on, and he said “Plan on more English and some English with some aromatic twists.”  If that’s the case, I’m all in for trying them out.  I’d love to see this project take on life.  I really hope he’s actually creating blends from the ground up, and not going through a bulk blending house and just mixing off some existing compositions.  Pete’s history, palate and following could really make this a boon to the pipe tobacco industry.  Time will tell…

A few weeks ago, we talked a bit about La Flor Dominicana’s novel idea for having TAA members vote on this year’s TAA LE with their pocketbooks.  The gathering is over, orders placed and a winner selected.  The winning cigar is the 5.5” x 52 robusto.  The line features an Ecuadoran habano wrapper, Mexican binder, and Dominican fillers.  MSRP is about $9 per stick, and it should arrive on retailers’ shelves in about a month – assuming you have a TAA member retailer in your neck of the woods.

Following the lead of several municipalities around the state, Florida’s capital Tallahassee is looking to make it harder on employees who smoke.  An intent has been announced to end the hiring of any tobacco users, and prohibiting tobacco/e-cig use in all govt owned buildings, vehicles, etc. – even during break times.  Hiring changes would go into effect July 1, 2015, while other aspects would be phased in over the next two years (including a $20 fee [and it’s not an increased insurance premium….it’s a fee]from employees’ paychecks if they smoke).

A follow up to a program we previously discussed called Cigar Sense. Back in November we (Craig) had some choice words for a few of the statistics they shared from a survey of 400+ cigar smokers they recently spoke with. We saw some irregularities and downright confusing data being thrown about and rightfully scratched our head when trying to make heads or tails out of it. That same organization has just today discussed that they are using a “control” group of over 1,200 cigar reviews to provide a database to help smokers pinpoint sticks that will line up with their palate. The rub here is that the program determines what will fit your tastes based upon what else you like. Check out cigarsense.com for some cool introductions into the program and to formulate some of your own opinions.

What Else We’ve Been Smoking

This is where we chat about our week in smoke…tune in to the show for full details about our experience with these (and more).

Craig

TL Johnson Legend Reserve 63 Maduro – I second what I said a couple shows back. Genius exemplified in a cigar.

Kip

LEAF by Oscar Connecticut.  I got this from Franky99 when he was down from the GWN visiting Tampa.

Nestor Miranda SS Exclusivo Regional –

Listener Email

We (finally) got around to an email series between Craig and listener “Cigar City.”  Craig fills us in on the exchange about David Garofalo’s recent trip report about his excursion to Cuba…

Next Episode

Next episode (112) we will be featuring the Southern Draw KUDZU, with special guest owner Robert Holt.  So come by Half Ashed Friday night at 9:30pm EST 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.

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 protected] if you have something you’d like to send in.  I will provide an address to send them.  Thanks!