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Half Ashed Episode 048: GAR American Puro

January 14, 2014 By Kip Fisher

Welcome back, folks. I’m glad you’ve joined us for Episode 048. We were scheduled to have George Rico join us for the show, but some last minute technical troubles prevented him from joining us Friday night. Nonetheless, we troopered on and smoked his American Puro. You’ll have to tune in to find out how we both enjoyed them, and all the details about the cigar. Thankfully, we had backup notes for just such an occasion. We covered news items from Nomad Cigars, Dante Cigars, Cigar Oasis, Tatuaje, and a couple of current events. As usual, we also talked about what we’ve been smoking – including one cigar that absolutely whipped me this week.

Next week’s Cigar of The Week will be the Casa Fernandez Arsenio Corojo, one of my favorites. As always, we’re constantly looking for suggestions about potential Cigars of the Week, and Unbandeds. 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 047: We’re Back! Cabaiguan Maduro

January 4, 2014 By Kip Fisher

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Welcome back! Craig and I were both recuperating from illness last week, so after making the first 46 in a row we had to miss an episode. But, we’re back this week, smoking the Cabaiguan Maduro as our Cigar of the Week. This is one of Craig’s favorites, but tune in and see how well his palate has recovered after two weeks of healing.

In the news this week ,we covered stories from 1502 Cigars, General Cigar’s new collaboration with Jay-Z, Ezra Zion, and Quesada. We also talked over an article from the UK Telegraph which speculated that cigar smoking as a whole could die off within the next 12 years. We did go ahead and talk over what we’ve been smoking – which amounts to very little with the recent illnesses. What we did discuss some was how we observed the evolution of a palate back to a normal state. Surprisingly, this has taken me far longer than I would have ever dreamed. A full 9 days after I felt healthy, I am still experiencing some difference between expectation and reality in cigars with which I am quite familiar. Additionally, we editorialized over a couple of recent observations I’ve made about the industry in general. Lastly, we made up ground from last week and announced each of our favorite 10 cigars from 2013 – with some caveats. It’s our list, so we get to make the rules :).

1. These are not necessarily new cigars for the year (although some were), but the cigars we simply enjoyed the most throughout.

2. We limited the selection to cigars that were either Cigars of the Week for Half Ashed Episodes, or were discussed enough to have been made mention in the show notes. If we did not talk about it during at least one episode, it was not considered for our lists.

3. I (Kip) purposefully removed the Fuente cigars we smoked (858 Sungrown, Unnamed Reserve (2012), and Casa Cuba) from consideration out of my known affinity (sheer bias) for Fuente products.

4. There were a number of cigars that probably should have made the list, and were discussed in the show as honorable mentions/best values/”we just couldn’t narrow it down” cigars. These were: Miami Cigar/Nestor Miranda Casa Miranda Chapter Two; Drew Estate Nica Rustica; illusione ECCJ; Reinado Grand Empire Reserve; Michael Stewart’s Fire Cured #7

Half Ashed Top Ten Cigar for 2013 (in no particular order)

Craig	Kip
Davidoff Nicaragua	Tatuaje Belle Encre
Fuente Unnamed Reserve (2012)	2005 Padron Aniversario Natural corona
EPC Short Run 2011	TL Johnson Tempio
TL Johnson Tempio	KILO (Barry Stein)
La Tradicion Cubana Corona	Oliva Serie V Maduro
Ezra Zion Tantrum	Leccia Tobacco Black
Bolivar Gold Medal	2005 Ramon Allones Eminencia
Gran Habano #5	RoMaCraft Intemperance BA
RoMaCraft Aquitaine	Ezra Zion Jamais Vu (Inception)
Tatuaje Belle Encre	Cuenca 5 Anniversary

Next week’s Cigar of The Week will be a surprise, as we are nearing the end of our initial trade-off for show cigars. We are open for suggestions – 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 045: Half Ashed – Half Dogwatch

December 17, 2013 By Kip Fisher

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Welcome to Episode 045, everyone. I apologize for the delay in getting this week’s show posted. I’ve been excessively busy with the ol’ dayjob, and quite honestly it was more important to me to spend what little other time I had playing rummy with my kids :). This week, Craig was not available, for good reason. He was busy welcoming the newest Li’l Schneider into the world (Congrats to the Schnedier family). I was lucky enough to have Dale Roush of Dogwatch Cigar Radio fame join me for an especially relaxed show. We each smoked a cigar that we wanted to share with the audience (you’ll have to listen to find out what they were). We began the show with some sad news this week, as we offered condolences on the recent passing of Myrna Sherman, wife of Joel, CEO of Nat Sherman Intl. In cigar related news, we covered stories from Drew Estate, Ashton, and Eddie Ortega. We also covered a third burglary at a South Florida cigar warehouse, and a number of important legislative items.

Both Dale and I talked about several interesting cigars we’ve smoked lately, and were able to just hang out and chat, smoke, and talk cigars. A big thanks to him for sitting in with me; it is always a pleasure when he and/or Bob McDuffee can join in on Half Ashed.

Next week, Craig will be returning and our Cigar of the Week will be Unbanded 011, from Jacob Pinkas. 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 Episode 043: Gran Habano Corojo #5

November 30, 2013 By Kip Fisher

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Welcome to Episode 043 of Half Ashed. This week, we’re smoking one of Craig’s favorite cigars, a Gran Habano Corojo #5, from the original release. Tune in to get our thoughts on how this cigar has progressed, developed, and whether or not it has retained its original character. In the news, we cover items from Altadis/RyJ, Gurkha’s release of the Pedro Martin LE, and a couple of particularly bold legislative attacks on cigars. We also cover what we’ve been smoking this week, a few listener emails, and even delved into some smoking recipes!

Next week, our Cigar of the Week will be the Crowned Heads Four Kicks Corona Gorda, and we’ll be joined by special guests Rob & Logan from CigarChat. 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 042: Casa Fernandez Miami Reserva Maduro

November 24, 2013 By Kip Fisher

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Hello everyone and welcome back to Half Ashed for our 42nd episode. This week, we had a last minute scheduling change and weren’t able to have our scheduled guest from Casa Fernandez. Nonetheless, we carried onward and smoked the Casa Fernandez Miami Reserva Maduro. In the news we discussed stories from Smoke Inn (upcoming Microblend Series), nicotine-free e-cigars (!), a couple legislative items, a new European market Oliva, and the Camacho Blackout. We also covered “what we’ve been smoking,” some corollary topics, and reviewed some recent listener emails (thanks; keep ’em coming).

Next week, our Cigar of the Week will be the Gran Habano Corojo #5 (Original Release). 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 041: Michael Stewart (Casa Trompeta)

November 17, 2013 By Kip Fisher

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Welcome back everyone, to Episode 041 of Half Ashed. This week, we finally are able to reschedule Michael Stewart to come back and re-record a show we did with him a few months ago – the now-infamous “Lost Episode 017.” For those who don’t remember, Episode 017 took place on a dark and stormy night in Chicago, which resulted in a number of outages for Michael during the show. The recording ultimately was lost in the vast underbelly of YouTube, and we were unsuccessful in ever being able to download and publish it. So, we brought him back to talk about the hobby he has undertaken to purchase whole leaf tobacco and blend/roll his own cigars at home. Join us as we talk about how he sources his tobacco, the process he uses in creating his blends, and his rolling style. I will also be posting an excerpt of from the show displaying his method (see our YouTube Channel for that; it should be posted by midday Monday November 18th, 2013).

Next week, our Cigar of the Week will be the new Casa Fernandez Reserva maduro, with special guest Max Fernandez Pujals of Casa Fernandez. So, 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 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 040: Alec Bradley Fine & Rare

November 10, 2013 By Kip Fisher

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Welcome to the 40th episode of Half Ashed! This week, we’re smoking the 2012 edition of the Alec Bradley Fine & Rare. The Fine & Rare is a very limited annual release from Alec Bradley. It contains 10 different tobaccos, although little is know about the blend outside of the wrapper – which is Honduran leaf, from the Trojes region of the country. The 2012 edition is a 6″X52 torpedo, produced at the famed Raices Cubana factory. Production for that year was 2000 boxes of 10, and had an MSRP of $16.50. Personally, it is one of my favorite Alec Bradley offerings, and I look forward to it each year, and even at the pricepoint I’m in for a few. Tune in to the show for detailed description of what we thought of this particular rendition.

In the news this week, we discuss a recent report from Cigar Coop about Skip Martin’s recent revelation about an upcoming blend from RoMaCraft – the Neandertal. The fascinating piece of information from this is the fact that it will contain some Aganorsa leaf. I’m a huge fan of Casa Fernandez/Tabacalera Tropicale/Aganorsa cigars and RoMaCraft, so I’ll be waiting on this with bated breath. Speaking of Aganorsa, we also covered a couple of upcoming releases from Casa Fernandez (and the fact that Casa Fernandez will be on the show in two weeks – Nov 22nd). We also had an interesting discussion on a recent instagram post by Ernesto Padilla, hinting at a special club he has in the works for fans of his cigars. We also have some brief talk of what we’ve been smoking this week, Craig’s recent thoughts on coffee, and cover a few recent listener emails.

Next week, our Cigar of the Week will be either unbanded 011 from Jacob Pinkas, or possibly one of Michael Stewart’s personal blends. Michael will be our guest as we dive into his fascinating hobby of blending/rolling his own cigars. You may remember Michael if you were watching live during the infamous “Lost Episode” of Half Ashed. Episode 017 was lost in the cosmos, and never released to the public after YouTube decided to eat it. Michael is a very interesting guest, and we both love the idea of making your own cigar creations at home. So, 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 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 YouTube Channel.

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.

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