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Half Ashed Episode 058: Unbanded #013

March 24, 2014 By Kip Fisher

Hello again and welcome to Episode 058 of Half Ashed. This week, we’re smoking an Unbanded – #013, supplied by Jacob Pinkas. We had quite a big of technical difficulties, but I have edited as much of those snafus out as possible. Please forgive that. In cigar news, we talked over items from Skip Martin, Eddie Ortega, Miami Cigar/Viva Republic, Blessed Leaf, Paul Stulac, and Tatuaje. We also kicked around one legislative story. We also covered what we’ve been smoking, and some listener comments. So kick back with a cigar and join us. Thanks for listening!

Next week, our Cigar of the Week has yet to be determined. 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.

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 057: Oliva Serie V Maduro 2012

March 19, 2014 By Kip Fisher

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Welcome to Part 3 of our Oliva Serie V Maduro vertical tasting. Tonight, we’re smoking the 2012 edition of this fine series. Here’s a brief synopsis of the show…. In the news, we covered items from Quesada, Epicurean Cigars, Tarazona Cigars, GAR, Tatuaje, and an interesting legislative flop in Utah found in the Salt Lake Tribune. As usual, we talked about what we’ve been smoking this week and a few random rabbit trails. Join us for all the cigar talk and silliness we can muster!

Next week, we will be smoking something TBA…..we still haven’t traded cigars for this segment’s upcoming shows. We will be wrapping up this vertical tasting as soon as I get the 2013’s up to Craig :). 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 056: Oliva Serie V Maduro 2010-11

March 11, 2014 By Kip Fisher

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Hello, and welcome to Half Ashed Episode 056! This week, we continue with our vertical tasting of the Oliva Serie V Maduro, smoking both the 2010 and 2011 editions in preparation for the show. As expected, both were enjoyable. That’s four years down, and two to go.

We announced the two winners of last week’s giveaway (graciously sponsored by Michael Stewart) – David Nichols and Ian Winchester. Congratulations to those two fine gentlemen! In the news, we had items about Cuba’s problem with this year’s rainfall and crop rot; new cigars from Herrera Esteli, Crowned Heads, and Tarazona; GAR’s new relationship with cigar.com, and a couple other stories as well. We covered a new email from Don Hubbell as well.

In other somewhat-semi-cigar related news, I (Kip) had a big announcement to make. You can cut right to the chase in the video HERE, but be sure and download the audio anyway. You need a weekly dose of Half Ashed cigar talk, right?

Next week, we will be smoking the 2012 version of the Oliva Serie V Maduro…..and the 2013 as soon as I get them up to Craig :). 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 055: Oliva Serie V Maduro Vertical Tasting

March 2, 2014 By Kip Fisher

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Hello folks. Welcome to this week’s episode of Half Ashed. I apologize for being brief; curt even. I’m in the midst of serious illness within my family and have various related matters to attend to. I wanted to give the full rundown, but for the sake of time and other duties I will be brief. So, at the risk of being blunt here’s this week’s show.

We started the vertical tasting of 2008-9-10-11-12-13 Oliva Serie V Maduro. This week, we smoked and covered years 2008 and 2009. As always, we covered a few bits of exciting news around the industry and other items – as well as had a fun time doing it. Thanks for joining us, and enjoy!

Next week, I may very well not be available for the show. If not, I will have Craig lined up with a cohort to help host. If I am able to participate, we’ll be discussing years 2010 and 2011 of our ongoing vertical tasting. 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 054: Emilio AF2

February 23, 2014 By Kip Fisher

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Well hello there, and welcome to Episode 054 of Half Ashed. Thanks for joining us. This week, we’re smoking the Emilio AF2. Our buddy Gary Griffith (owner, Emilio Cigars) tried to join us on a spur of the moment – which would have been awesome; Gary’s a cool guy – but we had some issues getting him connected to the Hangout. Next time, we’ll plan ahead and get him on. The AF2 was one of my submissions as a CoTW when we first started Half Ashed, because I’m a huge fan of this particular stick. I think it’s a benchmark for how great a blend Gary & AJ Fernandez can create – as well as AJF’s ability to produce a consistent product.

We had several news items this week, including a couple legislative updates, some hints at what’s coming at Crowned Heads and General Cigar, a contest from Drew Estate, and new cigars from Asylum and Cigar Federation (via Ezra Zion). To wrap things up we also covered what we’ve been smoking this week and a few emails from listeners. So, light up, kick up your feet, and hang out with us for an hour or two.

Next week, one a housekeeping note – we WILL NOT BE RECORDING AT REGULAR TIME. We will be streaming the show SATURDAY, March 1st rather than Friday night. You should be able to catch us live about 9:30pm EST Saturday night. Our Cigar of The Week has yet to be determined, but I’m sure we’ll get something good lined up. 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 053: Valentine’s Day Cigars….

February 18, 2014 By Kip Fisher

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[EDIT: I am fully aware the graphic at left has the wrong episode number on it. I know listeners would never pick up on it but yes, even I, make mistakes.]When we decided to go ahead and record on schedule – despite it being Valentine’s Day (night) – we took our lives into our own hands. Thankfully, both Craig and I have incredibly understanding wives. So, we have once again provided you with two hours of tobacco geekery. Our Cigar of the Week tonight is a bit different than normal. In keeping with the theme of the holiday, we’ve decided to smoke and talk about a few cigars we’re loving at the moment. What we have been enjoying that are really in the wheelhouse of our palate today. We also cover a few cool news stories, what else we’ve been smoking, and a video that I’ve been promising to watch for 2 weeks now. So listen and download the show below, or get it via any of the means in the following paragraph…..

As always, thank you so much for listening and/or watching our silliness. We truly appreciate the fact that you’ve joined us. Next week, or Cigar of the Week will be the Emilio AF2 – purchased by Kip for those parties who are interested. 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 052: One Year Anni with Bob & Dale!

February 12, 2014 By Kip Fisher

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Welcome to the One-Year Anniversary show for Half Ashed! I apologize for the delay in getting the show posted. I’ve had a bit of a bug the past 2 days. This week we had Bob & Dale of Dogwatch Cigar Radio fame join us. We love having those guys on; it’s always a blast just to hang out with the two of them. We’re smoking the 400th Maduro from Orinoco Cigars – a cigar of which I’m already a big fan. I believe Craig, Bob, and Dale are now as well. So tune in, fire up, and relax….

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 051: Cigar Coop and Unbanded

February 1, 2014 By Kip Fisher

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Hello everyone, and welcome back to another exciting episode of Half Ashed. This week, we have special guest William “Cigar Coop” Cooper. William is well known in cigar circles for his outstanding written blog (Cigar_Coop), and most recently for his partnership with Stogie Geeks. They are doing some great things in combining the written word with broadcasting. We are smoking an Unbanded cigar sent in by Coop himself, so tune in to watch Craig and I make all kinds of wild swings at what it might be. We cover a lot of ground in news, legislation, and other related topics. Join us for the fun!

Next week, there are two things of note to mention. First, it is our one-year anniversary since first taking this rambling roadshow we call Half Ashed onto the broad airwaves of the internet. We’re celebrating by bringing our inspirations for doing so on – Bob McDuffee and Dale Roush, of Dogwatch Cigar Radio fame will be joining us for the show. Secondly, we will be smoking the 400th Anniversary Orinoco maduro as our Cigar of the Week (sounds delicious, huh!). And finally, our schedule will be slightly different. I will be returning from the Dominican Republic on Saturday, which mean we won’t be able to record Friday night. SO, we’ll be recording on SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 8th. Don’t forget!

Half Ashed Episode 050: Tatuaje Petite Tatuaje Reserva

January 26, 2014 By Kip Fisher

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Hello everyone, and welcome to Episode 050 of Half Ashed. This week, we’re smoking one of Craig’s favorite cigars, the Tatuaje Petite Tatuaje Reserva. Here is Craig’s summary of this cigar:

A small cigar that displays all the charisma & flavor of its larger brethren. In the spirit of the Tatuaje website I think it fitting to define this cigar as the above. Often overlooked because of its size, 4-½”x32 the Petit Tat Reserva is slightly expensive but not because of a lesser level of quality. Cherry, leather, espresso, chocolate & citrus explode from these little guys. This may be my favorite tatuaje because its so easy to cater to exactly what, or how long you are looking to be smoking. Only have 20 minutes? This will work. Have two hours? Smoke multiple. The Nicaraguan filler & binder are wrapped in the typical Connecticut broadleaf maduro that has made the Tat reservas so sought after.

As a matter of show housekeeping, I had a few announcements at the front end of the show:

Recently, listener Steve McHenry did the Cigarmy CRA promo. Since then, I have had 2 more people use my number, but haven’t told me who they are. If you do this, you have to tell me! Otherwise I won’t know where to send the cigars….I have 3 people that have used my name so far for 2014. I only do the promo until I reach 25….
There has begun to be some activity over on the Half Ashed Forum. Keep it up! We’d be glad to let you all hang out there and learn from/teach the rest of us as you see fit. Heck, anybody can post up a pic of what they’re smoking today at the very least…..and it has Tapatalk installed for those who want to visit on their phones.
Smoking Soldier…..you haven’t sent me your address. I still have this $50 CFCF Toast Across America Pack for you from our most recent giveaway.….

We had a few technical issues during this episode, with Craig dropping from the Hangout. Hopefully, that was a one-time problem and we won’t see it again. We also covered several news items, legislative updates, and hit a few rabbit trails that turned out to be some interesting discussion. Finally, we covered what we’ve been smoking this week – several for each of us from generous listeners (Thanks!).

Next week’s Cigar of The Week will be an Unbanded from William “Cigar Coop” Cooper. Will will also be joining us on the show to talk about it. 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 049: Guest Frank Herrera

January 20, 2014 By Kip Fisher

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Episode 049 of Half Ashed is in the books, and if you missed the live show the download is now available below. This week, we welcomed Frank Herrera to the show. We talked trademark law (his specialty), the Herrera Biography, cigars in general, and various other lively topics. Join us for all the fun. Our Cigar of The Week was the Casa Fernandez Arsenio corojo – one of my alltime favorite cigars, and one that quite possibly might be the best $5 cigar on the market.

Next week’s Cigar of The Week has yet to be determined, but will be one of Craig’s favorites so I know it will be fantastic. 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.